NEW YORK-  Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today announced that it will offer millions of listeners extensive coverage of the Royal Wedding across a wide variety of channels, including Royal Radio, a 24-hour pop up channel featuring ABC News’ live, in-depth reporting led by Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer. In addition, SiriusXM’s extensive lineup of news, talk and entertainment channels—including BBC— will cover the sights, sounds, traditions and more from every angle.

Complete programming details are available at www.siriusxm.com/royalwedding. SiriusXM’s Royal Wedding day coverage on Friday, April 29 includes:

Royal Radio (Sirius channel 113, XM channel 118), 24-hour channel launches at 4:00 am ET: As Will and Kate walk down the aisle, Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters will anchor live coverage from Buckingham Palace. "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts will be live from Westminster Abbey. They will be joined in London by “ABC World News" weekend anchor David Muir, "20/20" co-anchor Chris Cuomo, "Nightline" co-anchor Cynthia McFadden, "GMA Weekend" co-anchor Bianna Golodryga, ABC News London-based correspondent Nick Watt and ABC News Special Royal Correspondent Katie Nicholl, columnist for The Daily Mail and author of The Making of a Royal Romance: William, Kate and Harry - A Look Behind the Palace Walls. Contributors include Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek and The Daily Beast, Princess Diana's bridesmaid India Hicks and Duncan Larcombe, Royal Editor of The Sun newspaper. This wedding coverage will repeat throughout the day for listeners in all time zones. Walters is the host of Here’s Barbara, an exclusive weekly show on SiriusXM.

BBC World Service (Sirius channel 141, XM channel 131), beginning at 5:00 am ET:

As the eyes of the world turn to London on the 29th of April for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, BBC offers listeners first-rate live coverage, plus a wide range of programming in the run up to the event, looking at everything from the arrangements to what it means for a modern British monarchy.

Oprah Radio (XM channel 156, Sirius channel 195 as part of "The Best of XM"), beginning at 9:00 am ET:  Gayle King will break it all down and give her radio listeners across the country the inside scoop on everything from the dress and fashions to the guest list and proper royal protocol, inviting them to weigh in and share their thoughts and opinions on the big day. Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith joins Gayle as her special guest to offer the male perspective on all the hoopla and day's festivities. Plus, memorable interviews from "The Oprah Winfrey Show" including Oprah's May 25, 1999 sit down with Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer and an intimate conversation with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, from November 20, 1997. Gayle’s royal coverage airs from 9:00 – 11:00 am ET, the Oprah show interviews air back to back at 11:00 am, 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET.

SiriusXM Stars (Sirius channel 102, XM channel 155), beginning at 8:00 am ET:

Broadminded host Molly Dedham is live from the historic Salt House bar on Abbey Road, inviting listeners to celebrate with her and the locals at the famed pub, home to a "William and Kate Wedding Contest” as well as one of the biggest public post-wedding receptions. On the hunt to find her own prince, Molly will be decked out in her wedding dress.

MSNBC (Sirius channel 90, XM channel 120), beginning at 3:00 am ET:

 Veteran journalist Chris Jansing and Royal Family insider Martin Bashir will kick off MSNBC's wedding coverage live from London at 3:00 am ET, followed by a special extended edition of Morning Joe, with Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist continuing live coverage from 5:00 – 10:00 am ET.

CNN (Sirius channel 132, XM channel 122), beginning at 4:00 am ET:

Piers Morgan, Richard Quest, Anderson Cooper, Kiran Chetry and special contributor Cat Deeley, a noted British broadcaster and fashion expert, host live coverage.

Fox News Channel (Sirius channel 131, XM channel 121), beginning at 7:00 am ET:

Shepard Smith, Martha MacCallum, Gretchen Carlson and Jonathan Hunt report live from Westminster Abbey. Royal experts providing commentary throughout the morning include former Royal Butler Paul Burrell, the former “Good Morning America” host Joan Lunden (who covered the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981) and Christopher Anderson, author of William and Kate: A Royal Love Story.

OutQ (Sirius channel 109, XM channel 98), beginning at 5:00 am ET:

The Morning Jolt with Larry Flick will celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton with an expanded six-hour edition of the show featuring commentary from Royal “insider”/journalist Rob Goldstone, as well as live reports from listeners and friends throughout the UK as the couple exchange vows. Once Will and Kate tie the knot, The Morning Jolt will commence with its Royal Disco Wedding Reception, combining classic hits from the ‘70s with love-dedications from listeners all over the world. Guests will include famed out-gay wedding-planner/Style television host Donnie Brown and the proprietors of the controversial UK beverage Royal Virility Beer. Royal Wedding Day on The Morning Jolt will be capped by a studio performance of “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” by Christopher Cross, dedicated to the Royal couple.

About Sirius XM Radio

Sirius XM Radio is America's satellite radio company.  SiriusXM broadcasts more than 135 satellite radio channels of commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather, and data services to 20.2 million subscribers. SiriusXM offers an array of content from many of the biggest names in entertainment, as well as from professional sports leagues, major colleges, and national news and talk providers.

SiriusXM programming is available on more than 800 devices, including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks, boats and aircraft, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. SiriusXM programming is also available at siriusxm.com, and on Apple, BlackBerry and Android-powered mobile devices.

SiriusXM has arrangements with every major automaker and its radio products are available for sale at shop.siriusxm.com as well as retail locations nationwide.

 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) announced today that Stephen K. Krull has been named executive vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Mr. Krull, 46, joins Con-way from Toledo, Ohio-based Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), where he most recently served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for this $5 billion global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass-fiber reinforcements and engineered materials.

“We’re pleased to welcome Steve to the Con-way team,” said Douglas W. Stotlar, Con-way president and CEO. “He brings valuable background and business experience to the organization and we look forward to his contributions.”  He will be based at Con-way’s corporate headquarters in Ann Arbor, Mich.

As Con-way’s chief attorney, Mr. Krull assumes responsibility for management of the company’s legal staff, external legal resources, securities law compliance, corporate governance, ethics and compliance matters, financial transactions and general corporate legal matters. He also serves as the company’s Chief Privacy Officer and is a member of the executive management team.

Mr. Krull served as a senior vice president and Owens Corning’s chief legal counsel since 2003. Over a 15-year career with Owens Corning he advanced through a series of increasingly responsible positions including division counsel, general counsel, North American Building Materials; vice president and general counsel of operations; and vice president, corporate communications.

Prior to Owens Corning, Mr. Krull was corporate counsel for A. B. Dick Company, Chicago, and an associate attorney with Sidley & Austin, a Chicago law firm where he specialized in commercial transactions.

Mr. Krull received his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law where he graduated with high honors and was an editor of the Kent Law Review. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University. Among his philanthropic activities, Mr. Krull previously served as overall campaign chairman for the United Way of Greater Toledo in 2008, the board of Habitat for Humanity of Ohio and currently serves on the board of St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Krull succeeds Jennifer W. Pileggi as Con-way’s executive vice president and chief legal counsel.  With the recent relocation of corporate functions to Ann Arbor, and the subsequent closing of
Con-way’s former San Mateo, Calif., headquarters, Ms. Pileggi elected to conclude her career with the company and remain on the West Coast. She continues for an interim period in an advisory capacity to ensure effective transition of general counsel duties to Mr. Krull.

“I want to thank Jennifer for her professionalism, strong leadership of our legal operations and her notable contributions to Con-way’s growth and development over a well-regarded 15-year career with our organization,” said Stotlar. “On behalf of the Board and her colleagues, we wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

About Con-way
Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.0 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. A diversified transportation company, Con-way delivers industry-leading services through three primary operating companies: Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide Logistics. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload and full truckload freight transportation, as well as logistics, warehousing, multimodal and supply chain management services, and trailer manufacturing. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries. For more information about Con-way, visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com.

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Kenworth Truck Company has named its 2011 Kenworth Service Council, which is comprised of leading Kenworth service managers in the United States and Canada. The council’s mission is to help promote service and product improvements to further enhance Kenworth’s World’s Best quality.

Members of the 2011 Kenworth Service Council members are: Chairman – John Gibson, Truck Enterprises, Harrisonburg, Va.; Wayne Beal, Kenworth Sales Company, Spokane, Wash.; Michael Donnelly, MHC Kenworth, Little Rock, Ark.; Boe Gabel, Kenworth of Pennsylvania, New Stanton, Pa.; Michel Nault, Kenworth Montreal, St-Laurent, Que.; Kyle Platt, Fort Wayne Truck Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Richard Williamson, Kenworth of Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala.; and Kenworth Dealer Council representative Tim Murphy, MHC Kenworth, Kansas City, Mo.

Kenworth’s quality medium duty products, combined with excellent dealer support, contributed to Kenworth receiving the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Medium Duty Truck Dealer Service.”*

Kenworth dealers sell genuine Kenworth parts and provide all makes parts and service through more than 300 locations in the United States and Canada. Information on the Kenworth PremierCare® parts program is available at www.kenworth.com under Parts and Services.

To help support customers, Kenworth provides a complete dealer list on its website at www.kenworth.com. In addition, the Kenworth PremierCare® Customer Center (1-800-KW-ASSIST) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service requires no registration fee for emergency roadside assistance and is available to any truck brand. The Kenworth PremierCare Customer Center handles emergency roadside assistance calls and schedules service for preventive maintenance customers, among other services.

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, compressed and liquefied natural gas trucks, and medium duty diesel-electric hybrids. Kenworth is the only truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. In addition, the fuel-efficient Kenworth T700 equipped with the low-emission PACCAR MX engine was named the 2011 Commercial Heavy Duty Truck of the Year by the American Truck Dealers. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.

KIRKLAND, Wash.,  – The latest Kenworth Truck Models brochure featuring The World’s Best® trucks is now available from Kenworth dealers in the United States and Canada.

The brochure offers key features, advantages and benefits information in sections covering the Kenworth T700, T660, T800, W900, and T440 and T470, Medium Duty, Off-Highway and PACCAR Engines. Colorful photograph shows the products in various applications.

The Kenworth Truck Models brochure also includes black and white photographs and interesting information on Kenworth trucks from throughout the company’s history. Current customer support, including Kenworth PremierCare®, PACCAR Financial and PacLease programs, are included.

As a bonus, the entire Kenworth Truck Models brochure folds out to a large poster nearly 2 feet wide by 3 feet tall with color graphics that illustrate Kenworth’s key configurations in categories covering Heavy Duty, Sleepers, Off-Highway, Medium Duty and PACCAR Engines.

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, compressed and liquefied natural gas trucks, and medium duty diesel-electric hybrids. Kenworth is the only truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. In addition, the fuel-efficient Kenworth T700 equipped with the low-emission PACCAR MX engine was named the 2011 Commercial Heavy Duty Truck of the Year by the American Truck Dealers. Kenworth is also the recipient of the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates award for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Medium Duty Truck Dealer Service. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.

THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. received the Ovation Award during this year’s National Shipper’s Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC) Logistics Conference & Expo.           

Given annually, the award recognizes the transportation provider that has demonstrated leadership within the transportation industry and that has made a notable effort to support NASSTRAC throughout the previous calendar year.          

“On behalf of the Old Dominion family, we are honored to receive the Ovation Award,” said David David Congdon, president and CEO of Old Dominion, holding the 2011 Ovation Award, presented by NASSTRAC.Congdon, president and CEO of Old Dominion. “NASSTRAC’s Logistics Conference & Expo is a great opportunity for us to come together as an industry and discuss the latest trends. We have supported NASSTRAC for decades, and congratulate them on another successful conference this year.”           

Old Dominion had a significant presence at the event, held April 17-20 in Orlando, Fla. Congdon participated in the Motor Carrier CEO panel on April 18, and the carrier also sponsored the conference and hosted a booth at the event.

For more information about Old Dominion, visit www.odfl.com or call (800) 432-6335.

 

About Old Dominion Freight Line

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (NASDAQ: ODFL) is a national less-than-truckload motor carrier providing one-to-five day service among six regions in the United States and next-day and second-day service within these regions. Through its four product groups, OD-Domestic, OD-Expedited, OD-Global and OD-Technology, the Company offers an array of innovative products and services that provide direct service to 48 states within the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Northeast, Midwest, Central and West regions of the country. In addition to domestic less-than-truckload services, the Company offers assembly and distribution services as well as LCL and FCL delivery services to and from all of North America, Central America, South America and the Far East. The Company also offers a broad range of expedited and logistical services for both its domestic and global markets, and for more than 75 years, Old Dominion has been helping the world keep promises.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With diesel fuel prices north of $4 per gallon, carriers and shippers are on the lookout for ways to conserve valuable fuel resources. For some in the industry, energy conservation is an art; for carriers like Schneider National it’s literally a science. With the company poised to kick off its rigorous annual testing program in a few weeks, company officials and industry leaders recently reflected on the origins and impact of the program that has helped Schneider run one of the most energy-efficient fleets in the industry.

Schneider’s use of the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) testing program – used by just a handful of carriers in the industry – has roots dating back to 1989. That year, Steve Graham (then manager of Schneider’s tire program) realized that fuel economy should factor heavily in tire purchasing decisions and wanted to learn how to test various tires for their fuel efficiency. He traveled to the Transportation Research Center of Ohio, which used the SAE protocol for tire testing. Graham believed that Schneider could adapt the scientific, methodical practices outlined in these widely accepted standards – designed to eliminate the influence of variables – to evaluate the efficiency and performance of its own equipment.

Upon returning, Graham launched Schneider’s first testing program. “It started quite primitively,” recalls Graham, now the vice president of purchasing at Schneider. “Today’s program is much more sophisticated, but the goal back then was the same as now: find new ways to minimize fuel usage and reduce our environmental impact.”

Testing Program Still Going Strong 22 Years Later
Today, Schneider employs an on-site team of engineers who work year round on a wide range of equipment-research needs for the company, including process development, maintenance training, troubleshooting equipment and component testing. Yet their focus is always on preparations for the coming summer, when they turn their attention to the careful and accurate testing of various equipment (following SAE’s Type II and Type III on-highway fuel economy testing guidelines) that may benefit both the company and the environment.

Though the number of technologies and/or products tested each year can range from 10 to 40, they are all tested in the same controlled manner on a 50-mile route in Northeast Wisconsin that is representative of the load factor (the stress of a load on the engine) of its fleet. Two trucks are pulled from the fleet for the summer so they can be dedicated solely to testing, as are two veteran drivers with extensive testing experience. In each test, one truck becomes the “control” truck, while the other is outfitted with the technology and/or product being evaluated.

Extreme care and precaution is taken to ensure that no other variables besides the item being tested could cause a difference in the results between the two trucks. The company has invested in high-quality scaling equipment (since fuel is weighed before and after each trial to determine the efficiency of the trip) as well a large tank that is positioned at the testing site so that the same batch of fuel can be used in each test. Both trucks travel the predetermined route, accelerate in the same manner, idle the same amount of time and stop in the same places.

“We rely on experienced drivers to help us determine which runs are successful and which need to be thrown out,” says Graham. “For example, if one of our trucks is passed by another truck carrying a heavy load that causes a gust of wind as it moves ahead of our truck, our drivers know to tell us that this particular trial is invalid.”

Routes are run as many times as needed until the team is confident in its results, which are analyzed at the test site in a special trailer the company purchased and converted into a command center.

“We actually hold ourselves to a tighter standard than SAE protocol requires to determine even the smallest variances,” reports Graham. “Even if a device yields less than 1 percent fuel efficiency, that small amount of savings can add up to huge numbers when you consider the vast size of our fleet.”

Case in point: In 2010, Schneider added Deflecktor aerodynamic wheel covers to its trucks after extensive SAE testing. The device delivers 0.8 percent fuel efficiency, which translates into 1.8 million gallons of fuel conserved each year on Schneider’s trucks.

Industry Suppliers Applaud Schneider’s Focus on Energy Efficiency
Equipment manufacturers have been so impressed with Schneider’s testing protocol that they often ask the company to verify their own results – and sometimes even rely on the company to test on their behalf. In 2008 Schneider piloted the forthcoming 2010 engines produced by Detroit Diesel and helped the manufacturer correct the issues in the new engines before they went into mass production. As a result, the engines were road ready in time for the January 1, 2010, deadline.

“We work with customers every year to validate the results we get on our products during our own internal testing and to get their perspective on how the product works when it’s in their hands,” says Tim Tindall, director of sales for Detroit Diesel. “When it comes to understanding how to get the most fuel efficiency benefit out of a vehicle, Schneider absolutely is an industry leader. The diligence, care, attention to detail and knowledge base that Schneider’s testing team exhibits are among the best. We consistently want to include Schneider National in evaluations of our products because we can be certain of the quality and accuracy of the information we get back.”

Some of the items slated for testing between June and August this year include:
•       Low viscosity motor oils
•       Renewable fuel alternatives
•       Low-rolling resistance tires
•       New engine calibrations
•       Predictive cruise control (in which the engine uses mapping software to determine how to best conserve vehicle momentum when approaching or cresting hills)
•       Verification of Freightliner tractor wind tunnel testing

According to Graham, shippers who are concerned about the environmental footprint of their supply chains can do two things this Earth Day: work with a carrier who cares about energy efficiency as much as you do and learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership program – an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from the freight sector.

“For those customers and colleagues who have yet to become SmartWay members, there’s no better day to take action than Earth Day. Join us and, together, we can deliver a cleaner tomorrow,” Graham added. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/smartway/transport

SAN ANTONIO,  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rush Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:RUSHA) (Nasdaq:RUSHB), which operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

In the first quarter, the Company's gross revenues totaled $446.1 million, a 49.1% increase from gross revenues of $299.3 million reported for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $7.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared with income from continuing operations of $1.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company reported net income for the quarter of $7.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared with a net income of $2.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2010.

The Company delivered 1,345 new heavy-duty trucks, 923 new medium-duty commercial vehicles and 1,107 used commercial vehicles during the first quarter of 2011, compared to 969 new heavy-duty trucks, 611 new medium-duty trucks and 686 used trucks during the first quarter of 2010. Parts, service and body shop sales revenue was $145.6 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $101.8 million in the first quarter of 2010.

"We are excited with the performance of our parts, service and body shop business, which achieved record high monthly revenues in March," said W.M. "Rusty" Rush, Rush Enterprises Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite lost operating days caused by inclement weather conditions throughout most of the country in January and February, we were able to achieve a very strong 109% percent absorption rate for the quarter."

"As expected, deliveries of Class 8 trucks remained challenging in the first quarter. However, we are greatly encouraged by the sustained increase in U.S. Class 8 new truck orders. If orders continue at the current pace, we could see 2011 U.S. Class 8 truck sales in the range of 180,000 to 200,000 units, compared to 110,000 units in 2010, with deliveries increasing as early as the second quarter," Mr. Rush explained.

"With confidence in our growth strategy, we completed two strategic acquisitions in the Southeast this quarter. In February, we acquired Heintzelman's Ford in Orlando, Florida, adding the fourth Ford franchise to our dealership network. In March, we acquired the International, Hino, Isuzu, UD, IC Bus and Workhorse franchises from Asbury Automotive's Nalley Motor Trucks in metro-Atlanta. The Nalley Motor Trucks acquisition is significant in building our Navistar Division, which has grown since its inception last May to include15 full service dealerships with 2 dedicated collision centers. We are strongly committed to working with Navistar to build a successful network and look forward to opportunities to work together in the future," concluded Rusty Rush.

"We are pleased to welcome many new employees into the Rush Enterprises organization from our newly acquired locations. We remain committed to integrating our 'The Customer is the Boss' philosophy into our new dealership locations and extending our reputation for excellence in customer service in these markets," said W. Marvin Rush, Chairman and Founder of Rush Enterprises.

Conference Call Information

Rush Enterprises will host its quarterly conference call to discuss earnings for the first quarter on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at 11 a.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Central.  The call can be heard live by dialing 877-638-4557 (US) or 914-495-8522 (International) or via the Internet at investor.rushenterprises.com/events.cfm. 

For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, the webcast will be available on our website at the above link until July 15, 2011. Listen to the audio replay until April 28, 2011 by dialing 800-642-1687 (US) or 706-645-9291 (International) and entering the Conference ID 58551935.

About Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Rush Enterprises, Inc. owns and operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States, representing truck and bus manufacturers including Peterbilt, International, Hino, Isuzu, Ford, UD, Blue Bird, IC, Diamond and Elkhart. The Company's vehicle centers are strategically located in high traffic areas on or near major highways in 14 states throughout the Southern and Western United States. These one-stop centers offer an integrated approach to meeting customer needs -- from sales of new and used vehicles to aftermarket parts, service and body shop operations plus a wide array of financial services, including financing, insurance, leasing and rental. Rush Enterprises' operations also provide vehicle up-fitting, chrome accessories and tires. For more information, please visit www.rushenterprises.com.

GREEN BAY, Wis. - With diesel fuel prices north of $4 per gallon, carriers and shippers are on the lookout for ways to conserve valuable fuel resources. For some in the industry, energy conservation is an art; for carriers like Schneider National it's literally a science. With the company poised to kick off its rigorous annual testing program in a few weeks, company officials and industry leaders recently reflected on the origins and impact of the program that has helped Schneider run one of the most energy-efficient fleets in the industry.

Schneider's use of the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) testing program - used by just a handful of carriers in the industry - has roots dating back to 1989. That year, Steve Graham (then manager of Schneider's tire program) realized that fuel economy should factor heavily in tire purchasing decisions and wanted to learn how to test various tires for their fuel efficiency. He traveled to the Transportation Research Center of Ohio, which used the SAE protocol for tire testing. Graham believed that Schneider could adapt the scientific, methodical practices outlined in these widely accepted standards - designed to eliminate the influence of variables - to evaluate the efficiency and performance of its own equipment.

Upon returning, Graham launched Schneider's first testing program. "It started quite primitively," recalls Graham, now the vice president of purchasing at Schneider. "Today's program is much more sophisticated, but the goal back then was the same as now: find new ways to minimize fuel usage and reduce our environmental impact."

Testing Program Still Going Strong 22 Years Later Today, Schneider employs an on-site team of engineers who work year round on a wide range of equipment-research needs for the company, including process
development, maintenance training, troubleshooting equipment and component testing. Yet their focus is always on preparations for the coming summer, when they turn their attention to the careful and accurate testing of various equipment (following SAE's Type II and Type III on-highway fuel economy testing guidelines) that may benefit both the company and the environment.

Though the number of technologies and/or products tested each year can range from 10 to 40, they are all tested in the same controlled manner on a 50-mile route in Northeast Wisconsin that is representative of the load factor (the stress of a load on the engine) of its fleet. Two trucks are pulled from the fleet for the summer so they can be dedicated solely to testing, as are two veteran drivers with extensive testing experience. In each test, one truck becomes the "control" truck, while the other is outfitted with the technology and/or product being evaluated.

Extreme care and precaution is taken to ensure that no other variables besides the item being tested could cause a difference in the results between the two trucks. The company has invested in high-quality scaling
equipment (since fuel is weighed before and after each trial to determine the efficiency of the trip) as well a large tank that is positioned at the testing site so that the same batch of fuel can be used in each test. Both trucks travel the predetermined route, accelerate in the same manner, idle the same amount of time and stop in the same places.

"We rely on experienced drivers to help us determine which runs are successful and which need to be thrown out," says Graham. "For example, if one of our trucks is passed by another truck carrying a heavy load that
causes a gust of wind as it moves ahead of our truck, our drivers know to tell us that this particular trial is invalid."

Routes are run as many times as needed until the team is confident in its results, which are analyzed at the test site in a special trailer the company purchased and converted into a command center.

"We actually hold ourselves to a tighter standard than SAE protocol requires to determine even the smallest variances," reports Graham. "Even if a device yields less than 1 percent fuel efficiency, that small amount of savings can add up to huge numbers when you consider the vast size of our fleet."

Case in point: In 2010, Schneider added Deflecktor aerodynamic wheel covers to its trucks after extensive SAE testing. The device delivers 0.8 percent fuel efficiency, which translates into 1.8 million gallons of fuel conserved each year on Schneider's trucks.

Industry Suppliers Applaud Schneider's Focus on Energy Efficiency Equipment manufacturers have been so impressed with Schneider's testing protocol that they often ask the company to verify their own results - and
sometimes even rely on the company to test on their behalf. In 2008 Schneider piloted the forthcoming 2010 engines produced by Detroit Diesel and helped the manufacturer correct the issues in the new engines before they went into mass production. As a result, the engines were road ready in time for the January 1, 2010, deadline.

"We work with customers every year to validate the results we get on our products during our own internal testing and to get their perspective on how the product works when it's in their hands," says Tim Tindall, director of sales for Detroit Diesel. "When it comes to understanding how to get the most fuel efficiency benefit out of a vehicle, Schneider absolutely is an industry leader. The diligence, care, attention to detail and knowledge base that Schneider's testing team exhibits are among the best. We consistently want to include Schneider National in evaluations of our products because we can be certain of the quality and accuracy of the information we get back."

Some of the items slated for testing between June and August this year include:
. Low viscosity motor oils
. Renewable fuel alternatives
. Low-rolling resistance tires
. New engine calibrations
. Predictive cruise control (in which the engine uses mapping software
to determine how to best conserve vehicle momentum when approaching or cresting hills)
. Verification of Freightliner tractor wind tunnel testing

According to Graham, shippers who are concerned about the environmental footprint of their supply chains can do two things this Earth Day: work with a carrier who cares about energy efficiency as much as you do and learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership program - an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from the freight sector.

"For those customers and colleagues who have yet to become SmartWay members, there's no better day to take action than Earth Day. Join us and, together, we can deliver a cleaner tomorrow," Graham added. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/smartway/transport.

Schneider National, a SmartWayT Transportation Partner charter member, is a four-time winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Award of Excellence. For more information on Schneider's environmental record and initiatives, visit www.schneider.com/Sustainability.

About Schneider National, Inc.
Schneider National, Inc. is a premier provider of truckload, logistics and intermodal services. Serving more than two-thirds of the FORTUNE 500 companies, Schneider National offers the broadest portfolio of services in the industry. The company's transportation and logistics solutions include Van Truckload, Dedicated, Regional, Bulk, Intermodal, Transportation Management, Supply Chain Management, Warehousing and International Logistics services.

Headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., Schneider National has provided expert transportation and logistics solutions for 75 years. A $3.1 billion company, Schneider National conducts business in more than 28 countries worldwide. For more information about Schneider National, visit www.schneider.com.

Today, the American Red Cross of Washtenaw County received a $50,000 contribution this week from Ann Arbor-based Con-way Inc. and its employees for the Japan Earthquake Relief Efforts.

Con-way employees nationwide participated in a campaign to raise relief donations, which netted close to $25,000.  The company then pitched in with a matching corporate contribution of $25,000 raising the total Con-way donation to $50,000. A check was presented to the American Red Cross of Washtenaw County during a ceremony at Con-way’s corporate headquarters this week in Ann Arbor.

“The Red Cross is very grateful for Con-way’s generous donation,” said Donna Duvin, executive director of the Washtenaw County Chapter of the American Red Cross. “This will help so many who have been devastated in Japan.”

“Con-way has been a long-time supporter of the American Red Cross and the good work they do locally, nationally and globally,” said Doug Stotlar, president and chief executive officer of Con-way Inc. “It is part of our culture to help those around us, as well as others across the globe whom we’ve never met yet have suffered from tragic circumstances. I am proud of the generosity of our Con-way employees for helping those in Japan as they try to rebuild their homes, towns and country.”

Duvin added that The American Red Cross has committed to raising $100 million for the Japan Earthquake Relief Efforts and that Con-way’s contribution provides a significant boost to the Washtenaw County chapter’s share of that relief fund goal.

About the American Red Cross of Washtenaw County
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To help the victims of thousands of other disasters across the country, you can make a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.  Call 1-800-HELP NOW. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org. For more information, call the Washtenaw Red Cross chapter at 734-971-5300.

About Con-way Inc.
Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.0 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide Logistics. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload and multimodal freight transportation, as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services, and trailer manufacturing. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries. For more information about Con-way, visit www.con-way.com.

SEARCY, Ark. —  Road Systems, Inc. (RSI), a trailer manufacturer and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), today announced that it has been honored by the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) with its 2010 Plant Safety Award. This is the second time that RSI has received this honor from TTMA; the company was also an award recipient in 2004. RSI received the award last week at the TTMA Annual Convention in La Quinta, Calif. Each year TTMA conducts a plant safety contest to pay tribute to those participating plants of TTMA member companies having the best safety record for the previous year.

Specifically, RSI won the award in the “C” category for plants sized 300,000 man-hours and under. To be considered for the award, RSI was responsible for providing numerical data in seven areas: deaths, total lost workday cases, total cases with job transfer or restriction, days away from work, days of job transfer or job restriction, total number of other recordable cases and total cases (of injuring). Since RSI’s Plant Safety Award in 2004, the company has decreased its incident frequency rate by more than 80 percent.

“Being recognized by TTMA for exemplary safety performance is a testament to the operational excellence and consistency our people deliver every day,” said Lynn Reinbolt, president, RSI. “We attribute the superior safety performance to the behavioral-based education being embraced by our employees. It’s everyone’s responsibility to be safe — our employees are not just participants, but drivers of our safety program.”

Under the TTMA Plant Safety program, award winners are selected from member companies’ year-long occupational injury data recorded in accordance with the Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) record keeping requirements.

“It is a pleasure to honor RSI with this award,” said Jeff Sims, president, Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association. “RSI is known for its commitment to safety, and its hardworking employees in Arkansas exemplify that dedication.”

This year marks the 40th presentation of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association Plant Safety Awards. TTMA is a member-based organization established to build confidence between manufacturers of truck trailers, cargo tanks, intermodal containers and their suppliers to bring about a mutual understanding of the problems confronting all manufacturers. For more information about TTMA, visit www.ttmanet.org.

About Road Systems, Inc.
Road Systems, Inc. (RSI) is Con-way’s trailer manufacturing division. RSI designs, builds and sells freight trailers and other equipment to its sister transportation and logistics operating companies within the Con-way organization. With its efficient production operations and reputation for quality manufacturing, the company has also established a growing presence as a supplier of trailing equipment to customers across the transportation and logistics marketplace.

Road Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5 billion freight transportation and logistics services company. For more information, visit www.con-way.com.

A. Duie Pyle, a leading transportation and logistics provider, was the recipient of the American Chemistry Council's 2011 Responsible Care Partner of the Year Award. The award recognizes the performance and excellent safety record of Partner companies globally, and is presented to the top three Partner companies who have completed all Responsible Care program obligations including third party certification, and who have had zero fatalities in the past calendar year. The Award was presented during the Annual Responsible Care Conference & Logistics Expo on April 17 in Miami, Fla.

The Responsible Care Program is a global initiative to assure the safe and secure management of chemical products and processes.  While participation is mandatory for members of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), companies that are part of the supply chain can apply for acceptance and be sponsored into the program as a Responsible Care Partner. In January 2008, A. Duie Pyle was sponsored by BASF and Rohm and Haas, two of the world's leading chemical manufacturers, and was accepted into the rigorous Responsible Care program. The company achieved Responsible Care Management System certification in December 2010 and is currently the only Regional LTL carrier in the Northeast to achieve this stature.

"Surpassing the three-year mark in the Responsible Care program has become a select move among transportation providers," said Steve O'Kane, president of A. Duie Pyle. "It further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards in this demanding market."

The key factor in determining the success or mediocrity of any enterprise risk management program is the genuine commitment of executive leadership, stated Pete Dannecker, director of loss prevention and risk management for A. Duie Pyle. Dannecker was named the American Transportation Associations' (ATA) Safety Director of the Year in 2007 and his efforts gained further recognition, where the company was the recipient of the prestigious ATA President's Trophy Award for safety in 2005, and again in 2009. 

"Pyle's leadership sets their own standard in terms of where we choose to invest resources and that standard is driven by people, our most valuable resource," said Dannecker.  "At a point where many service companies achieve a moderate level of EHS&S (Environment, Health, Safety and Security Policy) success and then choose to divert resources elsewhere, Pyle breaks from the norm and looks for new ways to offer additional protection to our employees, the public and the environment."  

For more than a decade, the ACC's Responsible Care Awards Program has recognized companies and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to improved performance in the chemical sector.

"Responsible Care is the chemical industry's commitment to sustainability," said Greg Babe, chair of ACC's Board Committee on Responsible Care and president and CEO of Bayer Corp. "The Responsible Care Awards Program recognizes those companies that are among the industry's very best performers, those companies that are leading the way to face EHS&S challenges today, to ensure that the industry is safer and more secure."

About A. Duie Pyle

Headquartered in West Chester, PA, A. Duie Pyle is the Northeast's premier transportation and logistics provider, with extended LTL service coverage into the Southeast, Midwest, and Canada. "Pyle People Deliver" is its corporate promise to customers that outstanding service will always be its first and foremost mission. A family-owned and operated business for more than 85 years, the company provides a complete range of transportation and distribution services. A. Duie Pyle LTL Services operates 17 Service Centers, strategically located throughout the region, with direct service to the Caribbean.  A. Duie Pyle Transport Services Group provides specialized truckload services to meet the short-haul needs in the Northeast.  A. Duie Pyle Warehousing and Distribution operates with more than two million square feet of public and contract warehousing space and is fully integrated with the company's LTL and TL service offerings for seamless distribution.   For information about A. Duie Pyle capabilities, visit www.aduiepyle.com or call 800-523-5020.

PHOENIX  – After enduring a global economic downturn and diminished sales over the past couple years, the nation’s commercial truck dealers are eagerly waiting to get “back to normal” and setting their sights on the legislative and regulatory challenges ahead, said Kyle Treadway, chairman of the American Truck Dealers.

“It’s appropriate that we’re meeting in Phoenix—the city named after a mythical bird that rises from the ashes to begin life anew,” said Treadway in remarks today at the 48th annual ATD Convention and Expo, which runs through Monday at the Phoenix Convention Center.

“Our industry has taken many punches,” added Treadway, a third-generation dealer and president of Kenworth Sales Co. in Salt Lake City. “In addition to the economic downturn, we’ve had to weather a series of regulatory changes that magnified the ups and downs of our already cyclical business.” 

Treadway highlighted five sectors of commercial truck retailing that indicate an economic recovery is underway for 2011:

(1) Freight volumes are rising. – “Freight rates are pushing upward with more industry leading fleets announcing rate increases, giving our customers breathing room and the ability to generate profits,” Treadway said. “Experts now tell us that the manufacturing sector has emerged as our recovery’s leader. That’s good news for [dealers] because that means more freight.” (The TransCore North American Freight Index for February increased 65 percent over the prior year. The American Trucking Associations Freight Tonnage Index has improved 15 straight months to reach pre-recession levels.)

(2) Used-truck demandis boosting prices. – Treadway said the decline of truck sales over the past three years has resulted in about 70,000 fewer Class 3 to 8 trucks sold in the United States and Canada, while the average equipment age continued to rise in the first quarter of 2011, according to R.L. Polk. A buyer’s definition of what’s an ‘acceptable’ piece of used equipment has changed, he said. With used trucks in demand and harder to find, the average retail price for used trucks has climbed as much as 20 percent in 2010, he said.

(3) Parts and service business is improving. – “At the same time, we saw our parts and service business volume gradually improve. The volume was erratic—two good weeks of higher shop capacity, followed by a poor one—but with each month the good weeks improved and became more consistent,” Treadway said. “Our customers’ extended replacement cycles finally met the reality of deferred maintenance.”

(4) Truck rental and leasing defies seasonal declines. – “The next sign of improved fortunes came in the rental and leasing arena,” he said. “Many dealers saw rental utilization rates defy seasonal declines and hover month-after-month at 90 percent or higher.” Treadway said customers like the flexibility that leasing and rentals provide because of the uncertain economy. “If a ‘double-dip’ recession materialized, they could quickly downsize and minimize their exposure,” he said.

(5) New-truck orders are increasing. – Treadway said orders for new trucks were up in the first quarter 2011, and manufacturers and suppliers began recalling furloughed workers, expanding and adding shifts. “Some dealers are cautiously recalling workers, resurrecting technician apprentice programs, adding swing shifts and increasing stock levels,” he said.

“The economic recovery is not a sure thing, and could be easily derailed by volatile fuel prices, an unpredictable regulatory environment, international political upheaval and global disasters,” Treadway cautioned. “We need to rebuild inventories, shore up our cash flow, review wage rates and sell some trucks.”

In the legislative and regulatory arenas, Treadway said ATD and truck dealers have an aggressive agenda for the coming year, such as:

• Shaping the nation’s first-ever fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks;
• Expanding the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program to include more fuel-efficient trucks;
• Passage of new highway funding; and
• Introducing federal incentives for new-truck sales.

“The need for us to gather together and use our voice is more critical than ever,” Treadway said. “As they say in Washington, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

As a first step, ATD has been working with truck dealers all over the country to bring members of Congress to dealerships to discuss how federal legislation affects truck retailing. Last month, Treadway had the unique opportunity to host both of his U.S. senators when Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee toured his dealership in Salt Lake City.

Treadway urged dealers to reach out to their members of Congress and invite them to their dealerships to learn more about the truck retailing industry.

About ATD

Founded in 1970, the ATD division of the National Automobile Dealers Association is the only national organization representing dealers selling and servicing new medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information, visit www.ATD.org.

PHOENIX  – Richard Ryan of South Carolina was named today as the national Truck Dealer of the Year at the American Truck Dealers (ATD) annual conference, held this year in Phoenix.

“I’ve had a wonderful career,” said Ryan, president and CEO of Carolina International Trucks in Columbia, S.C., who began in the business as a sales trainee for International Harvester Co. in 1972. “And I’ve really loved it.”

The award—co-sponsored by ATD and Heavy Duty Trucking magazine—recognizes excellence in dealership performance, industry leadership, civic contributions and community service.

“After 20 years as a dealer, Richard is still focused on growth,” said Kate Miller, president and group publisher of Newport Business Media, which produces Heavy Duty Trucking. “He is actively preparing a professional succession plan with his top leadership team that includes a family management commitment by preparing his daughter to lead Carolina International Trucks.”

Eric K. Jorgensen, president and CEO of JX Enterprises in Waukesha, Wis., was named the runner-up for the national award.

The other nominees were Richard Kane, owner of Grand Truck Center in San Antonio, Texas; Erick Miner, president of Central Illinois Trucks Group, Inc., in Normal, Ill.; and Craig Young, president of Young Truck Sales, Inc., in Canton, Ohio.

The winner and runner up were chosen by a panel of professors from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Click here for the biographies/news releases of all the 2011 nominees for the ATD/Heavy Duty Trucking Truck Dealer of the Year.

The ATD Convention and Expo runs April 15-18 in Phoenix. The winners of ATD Commercial Truck of the Year will be announced Sunday, April 17.

Keynote speakers include ATD Chairman Kyle Treadway and Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations. Political analyst Charlie Cook will headline the ATD convention’s first-ever legislative and regulatory session on Monday, April 18.

Dealers will also have an opportunity to meet face-to-face with their manufacturer executives at 12 franchise meetings and with suppliers on the expo floor. More than a dozen workshop sessions will be offered for dealers and their managers to learn ways to improve their business operations. For a detailed schedule, visit www.ATDconventionandexpo.org.

About ATD: Founded in 1970, the ATD division of the National Automobile Dealers Association is a national trade organization representing more than 2,000 dealers selling new medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information, visit www.ATD.org.

KIRKLAND, Wash.– The aerodynamic Kenworth T700 equipped with the low-emission PACCAR MX engine was named the 2011 Heavy Duty Commercial Truck of the Year by the American Truck Dealers (ATD) Sunday at the annual ATD Convention and Expo in Phoenix.

“It’s a great honor for Kenworth Truck Company to receive the prestigious Heavy Duty Commercial Truck of the Year award presented by the American Truck Dealers,” said Bill Kozek, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The Kenworth T700 with the PACCAR MX engine provides a winning combination that offers high performance, outstanding driver comfort, enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. We’re proud that the T700 and PACCAR MX engine are an important part of The World’s Best® product line.”

The winner was selected by a judging panel of journalists from leading truck publications in North America. Major judging criteria included innovation, design, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance, and safety.

The T700 is the latest evolution in Kenworth’s distinguished history of industry-leading, fuel-efficient trucks. Designed through the extensive use of computational fluid dynamics, Kenworth optimized the T700’s aerodynamic integration while carefully sculpting a distinctive, eye-catching appearance. As a result, the Kenworth T700 has the lowest aerodynamic drag of any Kenworth truck in company history, and has earned Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay^SM program certification. In addition to modern aerodynamic styling, the T700 has best in class forward lighting and excellent serviceability features.

The Kenworth T700 targets over the road and team driver operations with its excellent driver comfort features. The T700’s spacious, wide cab has nearly 30 inches between the driver and passenger seats for convenient access to the 75-inch AERODYNE® sleeper and its soaring 8-foot cathedral ceiling.  The roomy interior provides an industry-leading, 60-plus cubic feet of storage space.

The T700’s ergonomic cab features modern dash styling, state-of-art multiplexed instrumentation, and Kenworth Driver Information Center. To further enhance the award-winning T700, the new Kenworth NavPlus®  – a PACCAR proprietary in-dash, PC-based system with true truck-specific navigation, vehicle data, hands-free phoning, audio controls, camera inputs, roadside assistance, and optional Internet access  –  will be available this year.

The PACCAR MX engine is available with a horsepower range of 380-hp to 485-hp and torque up to 1,750 lb-ft on selected Kenworth Class 8 models. This power range, combined with excellent fuel efficiency, high reliability and durability, lightweight design, and low cost of ownership, makes the PACCAR MX engine an ideal choice for Kenworth customers operating in many over-the-road, pickup and delivery, and vocational applications.

The PACCAR MX engine employs innovative high strength, yet lightweight components and premium material to achieve superior durability and power-to-weight performance. The technologically advanced design reduces in-cab noise levels significantly for a more comfortable driving environment.

The very low-emission PACCAR MX engine achieves U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification, and meets the stringent emission standards of 0.2 grams per brake horsepower hour of NOx and 0.01 grams per brake horsepower hour of particulate matter. 

The Kenworth T700 and PACCAR MX will be featured at 10 p.m. (EDT) Tuesday, April 19, on the new “Speedmakers” television series on Speed™. The one-hour program was filmed at the Kenworth plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, where the T700 is assembled.

More information on the Kenworth T700 is available at www.kenworth.com. More information on the PACCAR MX engine is available at the PACCAR engine website at www.paccarengines.com.

Founded in 1970, the ATD division of the National Automobile Dealers Association is a national trade organization representing more than 2,000 dealers selling new medium duty and heavy duty trucks. For more information, visit www.atd.org.

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, compressed and liquefied natural gas trucks, and medium duty diesel-electric hybrids. Kenworth is the only truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. In addition, Kenworth is the recipient of the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates award for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Medium Duty Truck Dealer Service. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.