Going Green

Yesterday we delivered our first Peterbilt Model 335 Electric Hybrid to NorthWestern Energy here in Billings.  According to the brochure "This product utilizes the Eaton Hybrid Electric Power System to capture energy generated in routine driving conditions.  This captured energy is then applied as electric torque and blended with engine torque to improve vehicle performance, increase fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and provide zero emission engine-off worksite operation". 

Translation:  There is an electric motor and an inverter between the engine and transmission.  When you step on the accelerator, electricity that is stored in a few hundred pounds of lithium-ion batteries (just like in your digital watch) help propel the vehicle foward.  At about 20 mph the regular diesel engine kicks in.  Then as your driving down the road, the batteries are recharged and the cycle repeats itself. 

The application that NorthWestern is using this truck in is a bucket truck and it is the best for this particular Hybrid model.  The reason is that they use the bucket when the truck is stationary to fix power lines.  Typically, you'd have to have the diesel engine running to help move the bucket around, but with this product, the bucket is powered electrically.  Every 45 minutes or so, as long as the truck is in "safe" mode (parking brake on, outriggers down and hood closed), the diesel engine starts automatically and completely re-charges the batteries in 5 minutes. This results in a 50% decrease in the amount of fuel consumed over a conventional diesel configuration and increases the engine life and decreases maintenance costs.  Not bad! 

All in all, it's a pretty cool set up. 

We also sell hydraulic hybrids and natural gas powered units as well.  To borrow a catch phrase, or at least part of one:  "This aint' your daddy's Peterbilt"!

Talk to you soon. 

God Bless. 

Spring Thaw-

As I write this, I'm watching the thermometer struggling to break 30 degrees.  It's almost spring in Montana but that just means only a couple more months of cold, till our "real" spring in May. 

Typically, I'd be going stir crazy waiting for the thaw, but this year it's different.  To be completely honest we've been too busy.  In Billings we're doing everything we can not to turn anybody away from the shop, but the work is piling up, and it shows no sign of slowing.  Last falls wheat crop was large, cattle prices remain high, freight is picking up again, used trucks are strong and as icing on the cake, the eastern Montana oilfield is absolutely booming.  Likewise, the parts department continues to outdo itself.  Compared to last year at this time when we could have held a bowling tournament in the shop, it is definitely a good thing. 

Missoula continues to break new ground as well. Parts continues to grow sales and our used truck business is keeping us hopping. We've been buying used trucks from coast to coast, literally.  California to Nova Scotia, we are going where we have to go to get good used inventory that seemingly, keeps flying off the shelf.  All the while, Town Pump is almost ready to open their newest, and very large, travel center literally across the street.  Between them and Muralt's Truck Stop, we are anticipating a nice bump in walk in parts and service business come summer.

So, just like the weather, our economy is a series of cycles.  As we watch it get warmer, we also watch the economy heat up, and hopefully, continue to grow for some time to come. 

It was a little scary there for a while for a lot of people (myself included), but as they say, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.  I've been told that if you made it through the last three years (at least in this business), you should be just fine, and being an optimist, I believe it. 

We've weathered a fair share of adversity and learned a few hard lessons since 08, but we're still standing, and that much stronger for it.  We're now looking forward now to applying those lessons. 

God Bless

P.S.  Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter Katie Melissa Gustainis,  22 years young today.  Love you Punk!

The Importance of People

Terrie Schaff began working at Northwest Truck and Trailer Sales in Billings, Montana on October 10th, 1986.  On that day I was a 22 year old rookie truck salesman at Barry Cassata GMC Trucks in Glen Ellyn Illinois.  Twenty two years later in August of 2008 I purchased Northwest Truck and Trailer and Terrie was still here.  Today she retired.  We had a little ceremony for her this morning over cinnamon rolls and coffee and I said a few words of thanks and farewell.  One of the things I said was about the importance of people in the equation of business, and how fortunate I was to be associated with such a fine person as her and all the employees of Montana Peterbilt. The more that I think about that now that I see Terrie's office is empty, the more I'm convinced I didn't say enough.

I read somewhere recently that today's average college graduate will have 10 jobs by the time they are thirty years old.  Ten!  Used to be when you looked at a potential employees resume' and they had more than two or three jobs in a period of a few years, they would be considered a "job jumper".  My the times, how they are a changin'.

Now I'm not sure if it's just Montana, I'm sure there are other areas of the country where there might be a similar climate, but I can't recall ever encountering  such a large group of employees having such a broad and diverse skill set, a great work ethic, and a team spirit that any NFL team would kill for.  We have several employees that have well over twenty years of service and some over thirty!  You just don't find that kind of dedication anymore.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of the deciding factors for me in making the commitment to this  place was the people.  It's easy to forget in today's climate of instantaneous internet buying and selling that it's the people that make or break a business, people like Terrie Schaff.  The way employees are treated, and in turn, the way they treat the business is the difference between success and failure. 

So with that being said, it is a sad day for all the employees of Montana Peterbilt and for me personally in that we are saying farewell to a long time dedicated employee and friend, but at the same time we're happy that Terrie is going to take some time to rest.  So long Terrie, we wish you and Ron good health and happiness.  But keep in mind when you get bored, the door is always open. Your shoes are amongst a select few that I sincerely doubt we will ever truly fill.

God Bless