TMC Awards Two Silver Spark Plugs at Annual Meeting

NASHVILLE-- The American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council honored two maintenance professionals with the Silver Spark Plug award, the organization's highest honor,on Feb. 27 here at its annual meeting and exhibition.

The Silver Spark Plug is given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to improved engineering and maintenance standards through the development of TMC recommended practices.

“The Silver Spark Plug is our industry's highest honor, recognizing professional excellence in commercial vehicle maintenance,” said Carl Kirk, ATA vice president of maintenance, information technology & logistics and TMC executive director. “This year's winners represent the pinnacle of our industry and we are pleased to bestow this honor on them.”

This year's honorees are Lou Stumpp, national account manager, fleet services for Navistar, and Rich Carroll, vice president of sales and marketing for Jost International. The two men were honored with the award during the opening of the event.

“Only individuals who represent the best of our council in their commitment to improved engineering and maintenance standards through the development of TMC recommended practices are honored with the Silver Spark Plug,” said Doug White, TMC chairman and vice president of maintenance at Dunbar Armored. “I congratulate all these winners for their achievement and commitment.”

Related: TMC Awards Five Members With Silver Spark Plug

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Great Dane Reveals Smart Trailer Concept at TMC Meeting

Great Dane is presenting three new product features at the Technology & Maintenance Council's Annual Meeting and Technology Exhibition going on this week in Nashville, including a new smart trailer concept, antimicrobial interior reefer liners, and a stronger rear impact guard.

Great Dane's smart trailer concept is aimed at keeping drivers and fleet managers informed about basic pre-trip inspection checks and alert notifications while on the road. Data on tire inflation, weight distribution, door sensors, lights, and GPS location are all monitored through the system.

Data from the system can be received through an onboard LCD display, a Bluetooth connection with a mobile app, and desktop computer software.

“We are excited to launch our smart trailer concept in beta at TMC to get customer input and continue the development of the device,” said Dennis Skaradzinski, chief engineer for Great Dane. “Prototypes are currently being tested with multiple fleet customers. The results of the testing will help Great Dane develop a final product that truly meets our customers' needs.”

Great Dane's concept telematics device is the result of an action item developed by the Future Trailer Committee, which was chaired by Great Dane representatives, at the TMC exhibition in 2011. The task was to develop an automated pre-trip inspection device to assist drivers with quicker turnaround at trailer pickup. This action item was part of a five-year plan set forth by the committee, and Great Dane is presenting its concept product at the 2017 TMC exhibition.

Great Dane has also improved its exclusive PunctureGuard and ThermoGuard linings by adding broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection to the lining material. The protection helps fight bacteria growth, stains, and odors for the entire life of the trailer.

PunctureGuard and ThermoGuard linings will come standard with the antimicrobial protection.

“With the addition of antimicrobial protection to our reefer linings, we are making possible a ...Read the rest of this story

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