Westport Fuel Systems Names New CEO

Nancy S. Gougarty Photo: Westport Fuel Systems

Westport Fuel Systems named Nancy S. Gougarty the company's chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Gougarty will be replacing David R. Demers who is retiring from the company but will remain available to the leadership team in an advisory role during the transition. Demers has been CEO and a member of the board since the company was formed in 1995.

Gougarty has been in the transportation equipment industry for nearly 30 years, serving in senior automotive executive roles with several large automakers and auto parts companies. Gougarty has been president and chief operating officer of Westport since July 2013 and was also a member of the board.

"As the founding CEO of Westport, his entrepreneurial spirit and unmatched passion have been instrumental in making Westport a technology leader in natural gas transportation," said Warren J. Baker, chairman of the Westport board.

“Nancy has proven her ability to work through complex development projects with major global original equipment manufacturers OEMs with a clear sense of what drives profits," said Baker. "Her most recent collaborative efforts leading the integration teams following the merger with Fuel Systems Solutions Inc., highlighted her skill in managing diverse groups across Europe, Asia and North America while stewarding key relationships with suppliers and joint venture partners.”

Westport Fuel Systems engineers, manufactures and supplies alternative fuel systems and components for transportation and industrial applications.

Related: Westport to Advance Natural Gas Tech With Grant

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Reyco Granning DM400e is Lighter Than Predecessor

Reyco Granning has released the DM400e Slider for trailers, an enhanced version of their DM400 slider suspension with improved durability and capacity.

The new design is more durable than a conventional design, according to Reyco Granning, while lightening the weight by 67 lbs. from the original DM400. The DM400e also allows the fleet to increase their payload capacity.

Standard features include Reyco Granning's Rey-Align alignment system, plumbing guide improvements, TensionRight washers for the pivot bolt and a standard Air Pin Release system. A variety of optional features are also available, including galvanized subframe, disc brakes, load block, auto front axle lift, manual or auto dump and tire inflation system prep.

The DM400e is also covered by a full seven-year parts and labor warranty.

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Tread Depth Violations Highlight Tire-Focused Roadcheck

The number of inspections with tire violations shows the increased enforcement activity during Roadcheck. Graph: Vigillo

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Roadcheck inspection blitz this year focused on tires, and an analysis of inspection data shows that tread depth was by far the most common violation cited.

This year, RoadCheck was conducted June 7-9. Vigillo, which offers big data analysis through its Athena platform, analyzed inspection results from RoadCheck for a blog by Steve Bryan, founder and CEO.

The analysis showed there were 57,404 inspections conducted during RoadCheck in the 50 states. "The previous week Tuesday-Thursday recorded 36,030 inspections and the week after Roadcheck fell right back into a normal pattern with 35,159 inspections," Bryan says, showing a definite increase in inspection activity during the event.

According to Vigillo, a total of 5,203 tire violations were written up during RoadCheck 2016, and 2,222 of those were tread depth violations (less than 2/32 inch), almost 43%. If you add the additional 246 citations for front tires that were less than the minimum 4/32, that takes it up to 47%, or nearly half.

In addition, 743 were sited for a flat tire and/or audible air leak, 641 for flat tire or fabric exposed, and 518 for tread and/or sidewall separation.

Bryan also looked at the number of inspections with tire violations by state. "Sometimes, we see inspection activity at higher levels in some states than in others," he writes. "We call those states Texas. RoadCheck 2016 continues to show heavier enforcement activity in Texas. Much of that heightened activity takes place at the southern border crossings."

California was the second-highest and New Mexico the third highest.

To read more of Vigillo's analysis, read Bryan's blog.

Related - Roadcheck Begins: Don't Be Sidelined by Your Tires

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The answer for truckers might be bringing the facilities with them. At least that's what one company thinks.

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