Are You Ready for Heavy Duty Trucking eXchange?

There are only a limited number of fleet spots still available for the Heavy Duty Trucking eXchange, a new networking event that will bring together a select group of fleet executives and top industry suppliers. If you'd like your fleet to attend, please fill out an application soon.

Hosted by Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, the event will provide fleets and suppliers with an intimate environment in which to engage in discussions on topics that affect the entire industry. The event is an all-inclusive, networking retreat aimed at accelerating the achievement of each participant's unique business goals.

The hosted buyer event will be held from May 8-10, 2017, at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz. As active participants at HDTX, fleet executives will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other action-minded individuals involved in the commercial truck industry.

A hosted buyer event, a concept imported from the European business market more than a decade ago, features an informal setting in which qualified buyers, or those with the decision-making responsibilities, are paired with companies that are attuned to their specific industry.

The guests must go through a qualification process that guarantees they are a perfect match for the vendors and suppliers also in attendance. Selected guests receive hosted travel to participate in the event. The event consists of roundtable discussions, small audience presentations and one-on-one meetings between the buyers and the companies that serve them.

Truck fleet managers can apply to partcipate in HDTX by clicking here.

For more information on becoming a supplier host for the upcoming Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange, visit www.HeavyDutyTruckingeXchange.com or call HDT Publisher David Moniz at 330-899-2200, or email him at [email protected].

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ConMet Partners on In-Wheel Electric Drive

Protean's in-wheel electric drive solution. Photo: Protean Electric

ConMet and Protean Electric have formed a partnership to develop an electric in-wheel drive system as a hybrid-electric solution for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

ConMet will combine its experience with commercial vehicle wheel ends with Protean Electrics' in-wheel electric drive.

Protean's system is self-contained within each wheel without a need for gearing, driveshafts, or differentials powering each individually to provide a fuel economy boost to the vehicle. The system also stores regenerative braking energy, which allows it to have a smaller battery.

“This agreement enables us to expand the market reach of our ProteanDrive technology into the commercial vehicle market," said Andrew Whitehead, chief commercial officer at Protean Electric. "ConMet has the commercial vehicle market and wheel hub experience we have been looking for to help develop this solution."

The ConMet/Protean in-wheel electric drive system will be designed for commercial trucks, tractors, and trailers. The jointly developed electric wheel end system, which is compatible with existing vehicles, is aimed at providing vehicle packaging advantages, reducing complexity, and minimizing drivetrain losses for commercial vehicle and trailer applications.

“We are combining our decades' long expertise in wheel hubs for commercial vehicles with Protean Electric's success with drive systems for electrified passenger vehicles," stated Beto Dantas, ConMet vice president of marketing, innovation, and strategy. "The result is the development of an innovative wheel end product that will provide lower lifecycle costs, improved fuel economy, added torque, increased power, and better overall vehicle performance."

Related: What's Available in Hybrid and Electric Drive Systems

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Volvo Adds Safety, Performance Features to I-Shift on VHD

Paver Assist for the I-Shift on Volvo VHD model dump trucks helps eliminate bumps and disturbances in the pavement laying process. Photo: Volvo Trucks North America

Volvo Trucks North America has added new safety and performance features for the Volvo I-Shift for Severe Duty and I-Shift with Crawler gears automated manual transmissions. A new Auto Neutral feature was added to improve jobsite safety while a Paver Assist feature bolsters the Volvo VHD's performance in paving applications.

Auto Neutral reduces the possibility of a truck moving as a result of inadvertent throttle application by placing the I-Shift transmission into neutral when the parking brake is set. When the parking brake is released, the transmission can be shifted back into drive to go back into gear.

The feature is aimed at trucks in many applications, including concrete mixers, where remote throttle is often used. Auto Neutral will be available for order in the second quarter of 2017 for trucks equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation Volvo I-Shift. For trucks already in service, it can be activated with the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

Paver Assist for the I-Shift on Volvo VHD model dump trucks helps eliminate bumps and disturbances in the pavement laying process that can occur when shifting from neutral to drive. Truck operators can shift into drive without first applying the brakes when shifting from neutral and being pushed by a paver to driving operations and pulling away from the paver equipment. To use the feature, a driver shifts from neutral to drive while rolling very slowly and depressing the “+” button on the I-Shift shifter.

Paver Assist is also useful for other low-speed applications when a vehicle needs to drive away without applying brakes. The feature is currently available on Volvo VHD models equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and ...Read the rest of this story

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Roadrunner Forms Temperature-Controlled Carrier

Roadrunner Transportation announced the formation of Roadrunner Temperature Controlled, combining two transportation providers, M. Bruenger and R&M Transportation into a single company offering temperature-controlled solutions.

By combining its temperature-controlled subsidiaries, Roadrunner Transportation System is creating a flexible, integrated refrigerated trucking network.

Roadrunner Temperature Controlled will expand the company's coverage in the U.S. and build on a group of around 400 drivers. The nationwide temperature-controlled network includes approximately 100 company drivers and over 300 owner-operators.

"This advancement has been in the works for quite some time," said Curt Stoelting, president and chief operating officer of Roadrunner Transportation Systems. "We are creating a temperature-controlled network that will control more than 400 tractors and manage more than 650 temperature-controlled trailers."

Roadrunner Temperature Controlled offers solutions for frozen foods, meat, seafood, produce, beverages, ice cream, pharmaceutical goods and many other products requiring temperature-controlled transit. It offers services like hazmat and SmartWay certifications, multiple terminal locations, real-time load tracking, EDI and Food Safety Modernization Act compliance and dedicated customer service.

Roadrunner Temperature Controlled will use McLeod's transportation management system, Orbcomm's real-time load tracking, and electronic logging devices.

For more information, click here.

Related: Q&A With Roadrunner Freight President on Being the Economy LTL Provider

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