Freight Efficiency with NACFE‘s Mike Roeth & Friends

Randy Cornell, vice president of maintenance and asset management at CFI, talks about the diversification of CFI, the perennial driver shortage, things that have changed since he started his career, why CFI has short trade cycles, and the best way to bring new technology into a fleet. He also shares his thoughts on alternative fueled vehicles which he said are in the company’s future.

Jim Sharkey, vice president of global sales and marketing at Pressure Systems International, talks about the evolution of automatic tire inflation systems, the importance of company culture, PSI’s involvement in industry organizations, and the company's opinion on the GHG Phase 2 regulations. He also shares his opinion on some of the new technologies like EVs and AVs and says one barrier to their adoption is having enough trained technicians.

Avra Brahma, principal engineer at Locomation, shares his thoughts on human-guided autonomy and explains why it is the most practical approach. He also talks about autonomous convoys, why AVs are a feasible near-term opportunity to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life for drivers, the challenges of reliability and robustness of AVs and how AVs merge with a variety of powertrain options.

Selda Gunsel, president, Shell Global Solutions and vice president, Global Lubricants and Fuels, shares her thoughts on the power of technology to change the world and improve the quality of life and the need to work on multiple solutions in transportation to increase the efficiency of today’s products while developing products for the future. She also talks about the need for innovation, collaboration, and partnership to tackle the climate challenge and Shell’s short- and long-term plans for the trucking industry.

Todd Mouw, president of Roush CleanTech, talks about what the company learned from its experience with propane and natural gas, Roush’s role as an integrator, why application and duty cycle matter when selecting the powertrain, the need to focus on the entire ecosystem when it comes to electrification, and the importance of having a trusted partner that separate fact from fiction when it comes to new technology.

Taki Darakos, vice president of maintenance at Pitt Ohio, talks about what the fleet is doing to create new pipelines for drivers and technicians through apprenticeship programs, what causes the company to embrace new technology, the ease of the integration and roll out of safety technology, the harder journey to electrification and he reminds us that with any technology it still is about moving freight.

Scott Sutarik, vice president, commercial vehicle solutions at Geotab, talks about what keeps him in trucking, the insights that can be gotten from data, how data challenges the notions of what we think we know, how to leverage information to turn it into actionable data that allows you to solve problems, the company’s role in NACFE’s Run on Less events – which have provided detailed proof of what is happening in the real world with fleets – and the importance of continuing to push boundaries and being innovative.

Ep. 33: Ade Thomas, founder of green.tv media, shares his thoughts on building the ideas infrastructure, the exciting opportunities for moving the transportation sector into the smart business era where vehicles are problem solvers, the cost savings of battery electric vehicles, how outside sources are helping to change trucking, World EV Day, the importance of creative storytelling and fast charge toward fast charging.

Gary Gaussoin, president and chairman of Silver Eagle Manufacturing, talks about his role in founding NACFE, his family’s involvement as an early innovator in the trucking industry, the importance of knowing what you can and cannot do, the opportunities for improved freight efficiency with doubles and triples, and the importance of doing things that make economic sense. He also talks about Silver Eagle’s last mile delivery vehicle.

Thomas Healy, CEO of Hyliion, shares the story of how the company got started and then pivoted from its original plan to electrify trailers to focus on a truck-based electric solution. He also talks about why passion and loving what you are doing are important when bringing a new idea to market and the value of making incremental steps toward your ultimate goal. And finally, he remarks about the tailwind that is behind the electrification of commercial vehicles.