Friday, February 28, 2014

MANHEIM ANNOUNCES NEW GENERAL MANAGERS

ATLANTA -- As part of its continuing focus on developing talent and improving its customer experience, Manheim has named Michael Meyer as general manager for Manheim Arena Illinois and Greg Beck as general manager for Manheim San Francisco Bay.

“Mike is a dynamic leader who will use his expertise and experiences to deliver solutions that help our customers succeed,” said Rock Anderson, RVP, West Region Operations. “The hiring of Greg is a true testament to Manheim’s goal of putting leaders in place to drive business growth and expand our customer base. Our customers will benefit from their leadership experiences, and vast industry knowledge and insights.”

Meyer, who joined Manheim in 2010 as dealer sales manager at Manheim El Paso, assumed his new role on Jan. 27. He has more than 10 years of automotive wholesale experience, including nearly five with Manheim.

Later in 2010, Meyer was promoted to market account manager at Manheim El Paso. He served as general manager at Manheim El Paso before transitioning to the Bolingbrook, Ill., operating location.  Prior to joining Manheim, Meyer spent five years with Auction Broadcasting Company in Michigan.

Originally from Michigan, Meyer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Beck has spent more than 13 years in the automotive wholesale industry. He began his role at Manheim San Francisco Bay, located in Hayward, on Feb. 18.

During his career, Beck spent more than nine years with E-Z GO Textron, where he was responsible for fleet golf cart sales and management for Northern California and Nevada.

A graduate of San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in management/economics, Beck is a Livermore, California resident. Beck began working in the automobile remarketing industry in 2001, and has experience as an operating location general manager, co-general manager and general sales manager.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)

Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace.   The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms.  Manheim registers nearly 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value.  Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report.  The company offers dealer financing though NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 107 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion.  A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

HENNESSY INDUSTRIES RECEIVES NAPA SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR UNPRECEDENTED SEVENTH TIME

LA VERGNE, Tenn. (February 28, 2014) – For the seventh time in 16 years, Tennessee-based Hennessy Industries, Inc., the largest full-line wheel-service equipment manufacturer in North America, was named Supplier of the Year by the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA).

“At Hennessy, we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations to provide quality products with exceptional customer service,” said Kevin Keefe, Hennessy Industries’ vice president of marketing. “Our continuous focus on lean manufacturing and management is an absolute priority, and it guides us as we develop the best products and provide the best service possible for our customers.”

Each year, NAPA recognizes one supplier based on an overall rating relative to customer expectations and satisfaction. The criteria include customer expectations and satisfaction, with a focus on quality, delivery, sales growth and commercial support.

Hennessy is the only company to receive the award seven times.

Hennessy was selected from nominees across the country by NAPA tools and equipment sales team members. In conjunction with the award, NAPA also recognized Hennessy for its 97 percent order fill rate.

“We’re honored to receive this award again. It belongs to everyone who works in our headquarters and manufacturing facilities in La Vergne, Tenn. and Bowling Green, Ky., and it’s a great reminder about why we do what we do,” said Keefe.

About Hennessy Industries:

Hennessy Industries manufactures COATS®, BaseLine™ by COATS®, AMMCO® and BADA® products, and is the largest full-line wheel-service equipment manufacturer in North America. Hennessy is recognized for its state-of-the-art technology in the manufacturing of COATS® tire changers and wheel balancers, AMMCO® brake lathes and lifts, and BADA® wheel-balancing weights.

Hennessy is headquartered in La Vergne, Tenn., with manufacturing facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky. To learn more, visit www.ammcoats.com.

PHH Arval Opens First Commercial Truck Center in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 27, 2014 – PHH Arval, a leading global fleet management services provider, today announced the opening of its commercial truck center in Virginia Beach. Commercial Truck Center of Virginia, LLC (“CTC of Virginia”),  located at 740 S. Military Highway, is the company’s first in the country to focus on used light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.

“The Port of Norfolk and large military presence supports a number of independent freight and transport businesses that will find value in our inventory of used trucks,” said Tom Keilty, COO and senior vice president for PHH Arval. “In addition, CTC of Virginia will enhance returns for our customers’ leased assets by providing a retail channel of distribution for off-lease vehicles.”

“CTC of Virginia is a welcome industry for Virginia Beach,” said Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development. “PHH Arval is a leading innovator of global fleet management services, and we anticipate this new commercial truck center will be a model to be replicated in other areas of the country. It will certainly be beneficial for this region’s numerous logistics-dependent companies to have these services available to enhance their operations.”

CTC of Virginia offers a large selection of off-lease light work trucks that are a good fit for small business contractors such as plumbers, electricians, and general contracting companies. PHH Arval’s newest enterprise joins other franchise locations in Williamsburg, Va. and Edenton, N.C.

About PHH Arval
PHH Arval, a subsidiary of PHH Corporation (NYSE: PHH), is a leading fleet management services provider in the United States and Canada. PHH Arval provides fleet management solutions to a broad range of industries. Through consultative expertise, flexible customer service, and innovative technology, PHH Arval helps clients reduce costs and increase productivity. PHH is a founding member of the PHH Arval Global Alliance, which operates more than two million vehicles across North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia and South America. For more information, visit www.phharval.com, LinkedIn, Twitter or call (800) ONLY-PHH.



About Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development


The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 447,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. Virginia Beach has been recognized as 7th in Leading the Country in a Manufacturing Revival by Forbes. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi Magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.

MANHEIM PENNSYLVANIA RAISES $31,750 FOR JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE PROGRAMS

MANHEIM, Pa., – In recognition of the care provided to the Lancaster County area and southeastern Pennsylvania, Manheim Pennsylvania hosted a charity auction and Texas’Em Poker Tournament on Feb. 20 that raised $31,750 to benefit the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute.

“Manheim Pennsylvania is proud to support Johns Hopkins Hospital and these wonderful programs that continue to save so many lives,” said Julie Picard, vice president and general manager of Manheim Pennsylvania. “We are very pleased with tonight’s turnout of employees, customers and NextGEN participants that will help Johns Hopkins and its programs make a difference in the lives of so many. We are honored to provide support as the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Heart and Vascular Institute fight the two biggest killers on the planet.”

“This investment helps accelerate discoveries made by cancer and heart disease experts at Johns Hopkins,” said Michael Hibler, senior associate director of development for Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Our goal is to translate these discoveries into clinical achievements that help patients.”

More than 100 participated in the charity auction and Texas Hold’em poker tournament that included the sale of two late-model vehicles and two Manheim Pennsylvania lithographic prints.

Prior to the event, leukemia survivor Randy Derr, Manheim Pennsylvania assistant general manager, shared his story of cancer treatments at Johns Hopkins 13 years ago. Susan Adcock, whose husband is an auctioneer at Manheim Pennsylvania, talked about receiving a heart transplant at Johns Hopkins in June 2013 and introduced the family of the young man’s heart she received.

Manheim Pennsylvania’s top buyers and sellers, and participants of the 2013 NextGEN series and their guests were invited to participate in the auction and tournament. The charity auction and poker tournament provided NextGEN participants, Manheim Pennsylvania employees and Manheim customers an opportunity to support both the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute.

This fundraiser served as the final session of the four-part NextGEN series that began in 2013. NextGEN is an educational series developed by Manheim Pennsylvania to strengthen existing remarketing knowledge, and prepare the next generation of auto remarketing leaders. Participants include family members of dealer principals, owners and managers. Manheim Pennsylvania hosted three NextGEN series events last year.

Photo Captions

Group picture: From left: John Crispeno, manager of promotions, Manheim Pennsylvania; Charlie Adcock; Darren Teague, auction manager, Manheim Pennsylvania; Tim VanDam, Manheim Market Vice President, Northeast; Julie Picard, vice president and general manager, Manheim Pennsylvania; Susan Adcock, heart recipient; Denise Wagner, mother of son whose heart was donated to Susan Adcock; David Adcock; and Randy Derr, assistant general manager, Manheim Pennsylvania.

Poker tournament: More than 100 participated in the Texas Hold’em poker tournament at Manheim Pennsylvania on Feb. 20.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace.   The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms.  Manheim registers nearly 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value.  Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report.  The company offers dealer financing though NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 107 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion.  A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

About Johns Hopkins Medicine (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/usa/)
From the 1889 opening of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, to the opening of the School of Medicine four years later, there emerged the concept of combining research, teaching and patient care. This model, the first of its kind, would lead to a national and international reputation for excellence and discovery.

Today, Johns Hopkins uses one overarching name—Johns Hopkins Medicine—to identify its entire medical enterprise. This $5 billion system unites the physicians and scientists of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with the health professionals and facilities that make up the broad, integrated Johns Hopkins Health System.

ARI’s Steve Durdin to Speak at NRECA’s TechAdvantage Conference

MT. LAUREL, NJ (February 27, 2013): ARI®, a leading global fleet services provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, is pleased to announce that Steve Durdin, ARI’s manager of GMS and fuel programs, will present “Using Garage Management Systems to Get Ahead,” at this year’s NRECA TechAdvantage Conference and Expo, taking place March 3-6 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The session, which is scheduled for March 6 at 8:30 a.m., will offer an overview on how garage management systems can help streamline operations and provide fleet managers with critical insight by capturing the data related to work done on vehicles and equipment. Attendees will learn how to analyze garage system data in order to compute a total cost of ownership and how to evaluate that data, which can help a fleet manager make predictive decisions about their fleet. Durdin will also highlight the important factors a fleet manager should take into account when considering whether to implement a garage management system.

“Garage management systems are an important tool that can help fleet managers understand their fleet and drive value when it comes to the bottom line,” said Rob Hoysgaard, ARI’s director of sales support and a utility fleet specialist. “This important and informative session will help attendees understand how they can effectively use a garage management system to improve productivity and lower operating costs.”

Attendees can also meet and visit with the ARI Utility Team and learn about new trends in utility fleet management during the conference. ARI will be exhibiting in Booth #822.



About ARI®

ARI, part of the Holman Automotive Group, is a global vehicle fleet management organization that drives the best results for each of its clients’ unique and complex needs by employing the industry’s best fleet professionals, processes, and technology. A workforce numbering more than 2,500 collaborates across offices located throughout North America, Europe, the UK, and Hong Kong to manage more than 1,000,000 fleet vehicles in North America, the UK and Europe, and combined with its strategic partners more than two million fleet vehicles globally. A leader in its industry, ARI has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine. ARI is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Learn more at www.arifleet.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

LEGGETT & PLATT CVP APPOINTS VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING


ATLANTA, February 24, 2014 – Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products (CVP), an industry leader in manufacturing commercial vehicle cargo management equipment and providing fleet and OEM partner upfitting, has announced that Brad Wagoner has been appointed Vice President of Sales & Marketing with direct oversight of the Masterack and Crown North America divisions. Brad joins CVP’s senior management team and will oversee sales for the divisions’ national fleet account, distributor, public safety, and OEM integration as well as divisional marketing activities.

Brad joined CVP in July 2013 in the capacity of National Alternative Fuels Sales Manager bringing twenty-five plus years of corporate executive management experience with various automotive and truck component companies, both public and private. His specific focus has been in the Sales, Marketing, and Operational disciplines.

“Brad’s experience and committed vision will compliment and extend our efforts to provide our Masterack and Crown North America customers with the best single source solution for complete supply chain management and total vehicle needs,” said Ross Haith, President CVP.


About Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products
Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products (CVP) is a division of global diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt, Inc. (NYSE: LEG). Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, CVP is a group of companies that provide a single source for commercial vehicle needs. Through its brands CVP designs, manufactures and installs commercial vehicle interior systems, truck equipment and accessories under well-known industry brands: a) Masterack, van interiors and truck accessories equipment designer, manufacturer and installer; b) Crown North America, automotive original equipment accessories program integrator; and c) Gamber-Johnson, rugged docking stations and vehicle mounts manufacturer. The CVP family of companies includes 10 facilities in North America. For more information, visit www.leggettcvp.com. 

Schneider Selling Used Fleet Trailers to Make Way for New Equipment

GREEN BAY, Wis. – (February 26, 2014) – Schneider, one of the nation’s largest trucking companies and home to one of the industry’s largest selections of used fleet equipment, announced today that it will add 5,700 trailers to its offering of used equipment for sale. The truckload carrier plans to invest in more new equipment this year, making now the right time for its used trailers to find new homes. Over 400 used trailers are immediately available, and additional trailers will be added to Schneider’s inventory monthly throughout the year.

Trailers offered by Schneider are well-maintained 1999-2004 model-year 53-foot dry vans. Prices range from $4,000-$8,000, and all trailers for sale have been maintained to Schneider’s high standards. The company’s used fleet equipment inventory can be viewed online at www.schneidertrucks.com.

“Schneider’s used fleet trailers are versatile and a solid investment for trucking operations, storage units, farm use, construction projects and pallet companies,” said Rob Reich, vice president, Maintenance, at Schneider. “Buyers will be hard pressed to find a better value.”

Schneider has used fleet trucks for sale. In addition to its Schneider Finance division, which provides options to current and prospective Schneider owner-operators on premium new and used trucks, Schneider offers used fleet trucks to buyers, who are not required to lease the units with Schneider.

The current inventory of used fleet tractors and trailers is available at 18 Schneider locations across the United States: Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Fontana, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; Gary, Ind.; Harrisburg, Penn.; Houston; Indianapolis; Laredo, Texas; New Orleans; Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City; St. Louis; West Memphis, Ark.; and Phoenix. Used fleet tractors are also available in Toronto.

Those interested can visit http://www.schneidertrucks.com to view details and pictures of current inventory; a downloadable list of trailers and fleet trucks on sale is also available. For more information, contact a sales representative at 800-635-9801 or email trucksales@schneider.com.

About Schneider

Schneider is the premier provider of truckload, intermodal and logistics services. Offering the broadest portfolio in the industry, Schneider’s solutions include Regional, Long-Haul, Expedited, Dedicated, Bulk, Intermodal, Brokerage, Cross-Dock Logistics, Supply Chain Management and Port Logistics.
A $3.6 billion company, Schneider has been delivering superior customer experiences and safely getting it done for nearly 80 years. For more information about Schneider, visit www.schneider.com or follow on Twitter: @WeAreSchneider.

Lytx Announces Winners of its First Annual "Driver of the Year" and "Coach of the Year" Awards

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 25, 2013) - Lytx, Inc. (formerly DriveCam, Inc.), a global leader in delivering driver safety and compliance solutions, announced today the winners of its first annual “Driver of the Year” and “Coach of the Year” Awards. The announcement and awards presentation was made at the second annual DriveCam powered by Lytx™ Users Conference in San Diego, CA.

The awards honor drivers and coaches among the hundreds of organizations currently using the DriveCam® Program to improve overall fleet performance. For drivers, Lytx recognized those who operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner, have excelled in the DriveCam Program, and whose contributions have enhanced the overall image of commercial transportation. For coaches, the award honored those who have excelled in the “coach” role and whose contributions have enhanced the overall safety of their organization.

Winners of the “Driver of the Year” Award were given in the following industries:

Trucking/Distribution
First Place -- Troy Hurt of Linde North America
Second Place -- James Lapinski of Cemex
Waste
First Place -- Dennis Burrell of Waste Management
Second Place (tie) -- Clinton Coley of Waste Industries
Second Place (tie) -- James Williams of City of Tyler
Transit/Motor Coach
First Place -- Casey Howarth of MV Transportation
Second Place -- John Sanders of First Transit
Services/Utilities
First Place -- Betty Hoots of Renzenberger, Inc.
Second Place -- Charles Craig of ARS


Winners of “Coach of the Year” Awards were:

First Place -- Myron Broadnax of MV Transportation
Second Place -- Scott Speirs of Waste Management
In addition, the international first place award for Driver of the Year was given to Ian Peters of DS Smith (UK).

 "As a leading provider of fleet safety solutions, we are honored to recognize these drivers and coaches who are truly making a difference and are among the safest in the transportation industry," said Del Lisk, vice president of safety solutions for Lytx. “These winners may work in different sectors of the transportation industry, but they all share a common commitment to safe driving and improving their driving skills that is evident in their performance every single day.  We’re proud to support them and thousands of their fellow drivers through the DriveCam Program.”

DriveCam powered by Lytx improves safety by combining data and video analytics with real-time driver feedback and coaching, resulting in reductions in collision-related costs and fuel consumption. Using the patented Lytx Engine™, the DriveCam Solution scores, prioritizes and tracks the results of driving behaviors to identify improvement opportunities for increased safety.  An in-vehicle device captures driving behavior, which is objectively reviewed and scored by trained professionals, then passed on to the fleet for use in coaching drivers.



About Lytx

At Lytx (formerly DriveCam, Inc.), we harness the power of data to change human behavior and help good companies become even better. Our flagship product, DriveCam powered by Lytx™, is a leading solution for driver safety in the industries we serve, and our RAIR™ Compliance Services helps DOT-regulated fleets comply with safety regulations, complementing the DriveCam program. Our solutions protect drivers from more than 950 commercial and government fleet clients worldwide who drive more than 20 billion miles annually. Our clients realize significant ROI by lowering operating and insurance costs, while achieving greater efficiency and compliance. Most of all, we strive to help save lives – on our roads and in our communities, every day. Lytx is privately held and headquartered in San Diego.  For more information, visit www.lytx.com.

Willison Products Releases new FUPRO Diesel Fuel Filtration System Designed to Detect and Prevent Water from Entering the Fuel Injection System while Purifying the Fuel to 2 Microns


Willison Products is releasing a diesel filtration system which is an innovative breakthrough in the diesel industry. Any diesel owner or mechanic knows that one tank of bad fuel can paralyze a Diesel engine until the injection system is repaired. If an individual gets just one tank of bad fuel it can cost between $7000.00 to $20,000.00 to repair, plus the loss of use. Commercial fleets can suffer greater costs and possibly lose accounts because of "down" time. Until now, there have been very few options and even fewer preventions to counter this major expense. The reality is that managing this down time effectively is critical to the health of the organization. Willison Products' new fuel filtration system is manufactured and assembled in Royse City, Texas. 

Willison Products is offering their diesel fuel filtration system for as little as $210.00 for just a filter system which includes all mounting hardware to the advanced system with gauge and self-testing water-in-fuel sensor for $450.00. A local new truck dealer has sold the system for 4 years and he personally gives customers a written Guarantee that they will have no fuel system failures as long as Willison Products' filter is in service. Our customers can expect our filters to last from 35,000 miles to 50,000 miles with good fuel. The cost of replacing those filters when they finally expire is $33.00 to $38.00

Willison Products is a sole proprietorship began in November of 2007, and the first fuel filtration system was successfully installed at that time. Willison Products is actively involved in research, development, manufacturing, sales, and installation of aftermarket diesel fuel systems. The research and development team is led by owner Bill Willison who has been actively involved as a diesel mechanic for over twenty years, and was certified as an ASE master diesel mechanic. Willison Products has a number of other products currently in the research and development stage. Willison Products has a longstanding history of innovative accommodations and is committed to upholding the high standards and values that have made them so successful. Willison Products stands behind the products and services with a money-back guarantee. 

VOLVO CARS NORTH AMERICA WINS DRIVERS TALK RADIO’S 2014 BEST SPORT-LUXURY SEDAN

Las Vegas – (Feb. 26, 2014) – Drivers Talk Radio Awards announced today it has selected the 2015 Volvo S60 as its Best Sport-Luxury Sedan for 2014.

“The new 2015 Volvo S60 dominated this top category because not only did it meet all of our criteria, but Volvo's new modular engine platforms were exactly what the S60 needed to make it a winner in Sport-Luxury Sedan Class,” said Rick Titus, host and judge, Drivers Talk Radio.

Drivers Talk Radio Awards prides itself in approaching its "Best in Class" judging from a “consumer’s perspective” as purchased to function in the real world, not a test tube. Not influenced by advertising or peer pressure, Drivers Talk Radio’s judging committee conducts all its testing as if they owned the car. As Drivers Talk Radio reminds listeners, "that won't be the deal sitting in the driveway tomorrow morning, it will be the investment you made to run and drive safely every day.” Drivers Talk Radio believes that, to a consumer, a vehicle is so much more than numbers. “Our mandate is to remain objective and mindful of the end user,” said Titus.

The Drivers Talk Radio Awards will announce additional winners in various categories in the upcoming months. Following is Drivers Talk Radio "Best in Class" automotive judging criteria:

Segment Competitiveness: A vehicle's placement in a specific market segment must guarantee that the vehicle is at least the equal of the other vehicles in the class.

Comparative Segment Value: From base price to fully optioned, a vehicle must display a strong value to consumers shopping for vehicles in that class.

Safety Rating: Both government and private testing must rate the vehicle at the top of its segment to be considered "Best in Class."

Highway Handling and Performance: A vehicle must convey a sense of confidence in all highway and traffic conditions and platform stability in all weather and road conditions.  An engine's ability to produce power when needed and smoothness under load are weighted equally to its miles per gallon (MPG) and steady-state sound levels.

Convenience of Use: A vehicle must be easy to live with on a daily basis. Driver and passenger loading, cargo and storage and all essential controls must be easy to locate and use.

Connectivity: A vehicle must meet consumer expectations of connectivity competitively for the segment in which it competes.

Drivers Talk Radio, hosted by automotive expert Rick Titus, reviews the newest vehicles in the automotive marketplace, discusses the most thought-provoking automotive topics and conducts live interviews with the industry's movers and shakers. Boasting a top business ranking on Stitcher.com, the leading Internet radio app, show topics include new car models, technology, industry news and announcements, concept cars and products. As an expert in the full breadth of the automotive industry, Titus communicates his depth of experience and knowledge to educate consumers, train professionals and entertain enthusiasts.

In addition to Stitcher, Drivers Talk Radio is available on YouTube and on iTunes and can be heard from California to Australia and beyond. On www.driverstalkradio.com, consumers can find behind-the-scenes content and road tests, along with a blog and schedule of station podcasts. Weekly programs are centered on navigating the truthfulness of the industry’s marketing maze as an interpreter explaining complicated mechanical issues in simple terms.

For more information on the Drivers Talk Radio Awards and a calendar of upcoming shows, please visit www.driverstalkradio.com. Find Drivers Talk Radio and Rick Titus on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


About Volvo North America
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States. For more information please refer to the VCNA media website at: http://www.media.volvocars.com/us, and follow Volvo’s blog at: www.volvoblog.us.


About Drivers Talk Radio/Rick Titus

Hosted by automotive expert, Rick Titus, Drivers Talk Radio is a broad-reaching program that discusses the automotive industry in an informative and entertaining fashion. The show includes interviews with the industry’s top movers and shakers, discussions of the most controversial automotive topics, current reviews of vehicles and products and consumer tips. In its 14th year of production, Drivers Talk Radio has won 20 prestigious International Automotive Media Conference (IAMC) awards and has reviewed more than 400 vehicles. Titus has compiled four decades of hands-on involvement with cars and trucks, including a stint as head of engineering at a top automotive accessories manufacturer. His experience has led him to become the country’s only leading automotive industry authority serving automotive consumers, dealerships and corporate brands alike. Titus is a lifetime member of the American Automotive Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA).

MANHEIM OPERATING LOCATIONS HONORED BY FORD

ATLANTA – Manheim operating locations in Chicago, St. Louis and Texas Hobby have been selected as recipients of a 2013 Ford Auction Recognition Award. As part of the Ford Auction Service Award Program, these locations were honored for their performance against key service level criteria.

Ford recognized winners in four groups: GT, Mach 1, Cobra and Boss. In two out of these four groups, Manheim auctions were selected as winners in both the closed and open sale categories.

Manheim Chicago was selected best for open and closed sales in the Mach 1 group, a grouping of the highest-volume auctions. Manheim St. Louis earned the award for best in the GT group, a grouping of smaller-volume auctions.

Additionally, Manheim Texas Hobby in Houston won the Ford ASAP Second Half Sprint Closed Sale Award as the auction with the greatest improvement in the second half versus the first half of 2013.

“We are proud of these three locations and their great accomplishments in 2013,” said Nick Peluso, Manheim senior vice president of customer management. “This is a testament to the great partnership Manheim and these locations have with Ford. We value our partnership with Ford, and appreciate this terrific recognition.”

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace.   The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms.  Manheim registers nearly 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value.  Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report.  The company offers dealer financing though NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 107 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion.  A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

ARI Set to Exhibit at the Annual NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis

MT. LAUREL, NJ (February 26, 2014): ARI®, a leading global fleet services provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, will once again exhibit at the annual NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 5-7. ARI’s team of truck and supply chain specialists will be on hand in Booth #5351 to discuss all of the challenges that come with managing a complex vocational fleet, as well as the latest industry trends.

In addition, during the show’s Green Truck Summit, ARI will host a breakout session exploring the return on investment (ROI) of alternative fuels and green technology. The session, taking place March 4 at 4:30 p.m. in room 102 of the Indiana Convention Center, will be presented by Brian Matuszewski, manager of sustainable strategies for ARI, and Gregg Hodgdon, director of fleet operations for The E.A. Sween Company.

“While many fleets have explored sustainable initiatives at some point, most have not adopted them because it is difficult for fleet managers to accurately quantify the ROI of these strategies,” said Matuszewski. “The goal for this breakout session is to help fleet managers understand how to effectively determine the ROI of potential sustainable solutions, which in turn will help them to make more informed business decisions with regard to their fleet.”

During the one-hour breakout session, Matuszewski and Hodgdon will illustrate innovative ways to calculate the potential return on investment for various green initiatives. The session will also include a step-by-step methodology fleet managers can adapt and use to assess whether a possible sustainable solution is the right fit for their fleet. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss how evolving technologies are helping fleets control total cost of ownership.

For information about the NTEA’s Work Truck Show or the Green Truck Summit, please visit www.ntea.com/worktruckshow.



About ARI®

ARI, part of the Holman Automotive Group, is a global vehicle fleet management organization that drives the best results for each of its clients’ unique and complex needs by employing the industry’s best fleet professionals, processes, and technology. A workforce numbering more than 2,600 collaborates across offices located throughout North America, Europe, the UK, and Hong Kong to manage more than 1,000,000 fleet vehicles in North America, the UK and Europe, and combined with its strategic partners more than two million fleet vehicles globally. A leader in its industry, ARI has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine. ARI is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Learn more at www.arifleet.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

GGB Gearing Up for Exhibit at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014

THOROFARE, N.J. (February 25, 2014) – GGB Bearing Technology, the global leader in high performance bearing solutions, announces it will be exhibiting at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Booth #83651, March 4-8.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is an internationally attended trade show dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in the construction industry. Industry leaders from the concrete, mining, earthmoving, asphalt, aggregate and utilities industries will be in attendance to demonstrate new products, technology, and material handling and procurement techniques. Construction industry experts will also give educational presentations throughout the 5-day exposition regarding emerging trends, management and the applications of revolutionary technologies.

GGB bearing products are commonly used in the construction industry and off-highway equipment, and play a pivotal role in the reliability of heavy-duty earthmoving and digging equipment. A wide range of GGB plain bearing products will be on display at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and our bearing experts will be on-hand to discuss the value of plain bearings in construction equipment applications.

Visit the GGB website for more information on high performance plain bearing solutions.

About GGB Bearing Technology

GGB is the world’s leading manufacturer of high performance, self-lubricating and prelubricated bearings with production facilities in the U.S., Germany, France, Brazil, Slovakia and China. The company serves more than 50,000 customers worldwide in a broad spectrum of applications and industries including automotive, fluid power, agricultural and construction equipment, sports and recreation equipment, renewable energy, primary metals and general industrial. Its product offerings include metal-polymer, solid polymer, filament wound and metal bearings and bushing blocks. Also provided are industry-leading R&D and testing capabilities, flexible manufacturing, superior technical support and a global network of distributors.

About EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPO)

EnPro Industries, Inc. is a leader in sealing products, metal-polymer and filament wound bearings, components and service for reciprocating compressors, diesel and dual-fuel engines, and other engineered products for use in critical applications by industries worldwide. http://www.enproindustries.com/

EPA Honors Corporate Leadership in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Center for Corporate Climate Leadership announced the third annual Climate Leadership Award winners in partnership with the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO), the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and The Climate Registry (TCR). Nineteen awards were given to 15 organizations and two individuals in the public and private sectors for their leadership in addressing climate change by reducing carbon pollution.

The 2014 Climate Leadership Award recipients are:

Organizational Leadership Award: City of Chula Vista, Sprint, and University of California, Irvine

Individual Leadership Award: Sam Brooks, Associate Director, D.C. Department of General Services, and Robert Taylor, Energy Manager, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

Supply Chain Leadership Award: Sprint

Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Achievement Award): The Boeing Company; Caesars Entertainment; Cisco Systems, Inc.; Ecolab; The Hartford; IBM; Johnson Controls; Kohl's Department Stores; Mack Trucks; and Novelis

Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Setting Certificate): Fruit of the Loom, Inc.; Hasbro, Inc.; and Kohl's Department Stores


“Our Climate Leadership Award winners have made great strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and are providing leadership nationwide in many sectors of our economy,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. "Their innovative approaches and commitment to reducing carbon pollution demonstrate that efforts to address climate change are repaid by saving money and energy, while supporting more livable and resilient communities, and a healthier, better protected environment now and for future generations."

The national awards program recognizes and incentivizes exemplary corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in response to climate change. Award recipients represent a wide array of industries, including finance, manufacturing, retail, technology, higher education and local government.

“The Association of Climate Change Officers is pleased to recognize another exceptional class of organizations and individuals who are demonstrating leadership in driving climate action into their organizational cultures,” said Daniel Kreeger, ACCO’s co-founder and executive director. “These award recipients are demonstrating critical devotion and leadership to managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the risks and challenges posed by climate change. These recipients are role models for corporate, organizational, and individual leaders who can and should be responding proactively to climate change risks and opportunities.”

“Communities and businesses are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and we need to act now to protect both our environment and our economy,” said C2ES President Eileen Claussen. “We join EPA in applauding the winners of the Climate Leadership Awards. These companies, organizations, and individuals demonstrate that we can save energy, reduce emissions, and take decisive steps toward a low-carbon future. We hope their accomplishments will serve as an example for others to follow.”

“The Climate Registry applauds this year’s Climate Leadership Award winners for demonstrating a meaningful, results-oriented response to climate change,” said David Rosenheim, executive director of TCR. “Exhibiting transparency, consistent metrics, and innovative mitigation measures, our deserving award recipients are building a stronger platform for policy, innovation, and business solutions to reducing carbon pollution.”

The President’s Climate Action Plan calls on the federal government to work with all stakeholders to take action to cut the harmful carbon pollution that fuels climate change. These organizations and individuals are working to do just that.

The awards are held in conjunction with the 2014 Climate Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Mission Bay Hotel in San Diego, Calif.

More information about the 2014 Climate Leadership Award winners is available at www.epa.gov/climateleadership/awards/2014winners.html

The EPA's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership was launched in 2012 to establish norms of climate leadership by encouraging organizations with emerging climate objectives to identify and achieve cost-effective GHG emission reductions, while helping more advanced organizations drive innovations in reducing their greenhouse gas impacts in their supply chains and beyond. The Center serves as a comprehensive resource to help organizations of all sizes measure and manage GHG emissions, providing technical tools, ground-tested guidance, educational resources, and opportunities for information sharing and peer exchange among organizations interested in reducing the environmental impacts associated with climate change.

More information about EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership: www.epa.gov/climateleadership

ARI Wins Bronze in 2014 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service

MT. LAUREL, NJ (February 25, 2014): ARI®, a leading global fleet services provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, was presented with a bronze award in the Customer Service Training Team of the Year category in the eighth annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The awards were presented to honorees during a gala banquet on Friday, February 21 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

“I am very proud of our training team, who genuinely deserve this recognition,” said ARI Vice President of Call Center Operations Ted Davis. “The success of our call center training program is due in no small part to the hard work, dedication and willingness of our team to share their knowledge and expertise with our new technicians, which has helped to elevate the performance of our call centers to industry-leading levels. I want to congratulate every member of the team for their outstanding efforts.”

These awards recognize the achievements of sales, business development, customer service, and call center professionals worldwide. More than 1,500 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this year’s competition. More than 260 executives from around the world participated in the judging process for the 2014 awards.

ARI’s award in the Customer Service Training Team of the Year category recognizes the efforts of the ARI Call Center training team. This team prepares ARI technicians to oversee customers’ vehicle maintenance and repairs. The technicians work with 116,000 shops throughout the United States to verify purchase orders and negotiate pricing. They handle more than 3.5 million calls annually and achieve more than $10 million in client savings each month through negotiated costs and warranty recovery.

The training team’s method for preparing the technicians to achieve success includes a three-phase training program that spans four months. A new training session starts each month with new technicians completing nearly 90 hours of training before being turned over to the authority of a call center supervisor.



About ARI®
ARI, part of the Holman Automotive Group, is a global vehicle fleet management organization that drives the best results for each of its clients’ unique and complex needs by employing the industry’s best fleet professionals, processes, and technology. A workforce numbering more than 2,500 collaborates across offices located throughout North America, Europe, the UK, and Hong Kong to manage more than 1,000,000 fleet vehicles in North America, the UK and Europe, and combined with its strategic partners more than two million fleet vehicles globally. A leader in its industry, ARI has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine. ARI is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Learn more at www.arifleet.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.



About The Stevie Awards


Stevie Awards are conferred in five programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. A sixth program, the German Stevie Awards, will debut later this year. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.

THE HARSH U.S. WINTER ALTERED 2014 CAR SHOPPING PREFERENCES

CINCINNATI, OHIO (February 25, 2014) – Has the winter of 2014 altered what kind of vehicle choices are made by drivers? Swapalease.com, the nation’s largest car lease marketplace, reports a slight change in vehicle preferences this winter, with utility vehicles replacing certain car segments in many locations.

During the previous three winters, a mix of car segments and smaller utility vehicles carried a large percentage of lease shopping preferences. However, this year’s winter weather patterns saw a shift over to more utilities across the country. Old man winter still could not knock off the Upper Mid-Size Car segment, though, as this popular category remained in the top spot despite the weather.

Popular segments in the Upper Mid-Size segment include the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus. According to Swapalease.com marketplace users, 14.3% of users shopped for cars in this segment since November. While this percentage was an increase over previous years, other utility-type segments saw a much larger jump in vehicle preference. Mid-Size Crossovers saw 14.1% preference (previously 9.2%); Full-Size Crossovers saw 13.2% (previously 7.5%); and Mid-Size SUV saw 11.8% preference (previously 6.9%).

Popular vehicles in the Mid-Size Crossover segment include the Mazda CX-9, Acura MDX, Nissan Murano and Volvo XC90. Smaller cars such as the Entry-Level Cars, and smaller utilities like the Compact Crossovers and Compact SUVs saw the most noticeable exclusion from popular shopping preferences in the Swapalease.com marketplace this winter.

Here are the top five segment choices comparing this winter season with the previous three years: 

                   
Nationwide Winter Car Lease Shopping Preferences   
2014 Winter                                     2010 - 2013 Winters   
Upper Mid-Size Car    14.3%         Upper Mid-Size Car    13.6%
Mid-Size Crossover    14.1%         Compact Crossover    13.2%
Full-Size Crossover    13.2%         Compact SUV    12.5%
Mid-Size SUV            11.8%         Entry-Level Car    11.4%
Entry Mid-Size Car      9.4%         Entry Mid-Size Car    10.6%
                      Totals    62.8%         Totals    61.3%
                   


“While it makes sense to see the winter elements encourage a shift to larger utility-type vehicles, the most recent winters did not have this effect on shopping patterns,” said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com. “However, a consistent wave of arctic-type conditions may have contributed to this winter’s shift in shopping preferences in many parts of the country.”

Swapalease.com is a nationwide marketplace that matches a person wanting out of a vehicle lease with a car shopper looking to pick up what’s left of the lease contract. The person exiting can walk away from the contract with no harm to their credit while the incoming lessee gets a vehicle in quality condition, with no down payment requirements and shorter terms compared with a traditional lease. In most cases leases are transferred with 14-17 months remaining on the contract.

About Swapalease.com

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Swapalease.com is the world’s largest automotive lease marketplace and the pioneer in facilitating lease transfers online. More specifically Swapalease.com matches individuals who want to get out of their lease with people who are looking for short-term lease agreements. Prospective buyers can search the listings for the exact vehicle they want, and then register for a nominal fee, allowing them to use Swapalease.com’s safe online system to contact the prospective seller and close the deal. For more information about Swapalease.com or how to exit your lease early, call 866-SWAPNOW or visit www.swapalease.com.

MANHEIM SIGNS AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE STAKE IN GO FINANCIAL

ATLANTA – NextGear Capital customers who want easier and faster sales financing for subprime customers will have it, as a result of Manheim signing an agreement to purchase an equity stake in Go Financial, a subprime auto finance company. This deal creates a unique opportunity for Manheim to invest in a growing subprime auto finance segment – independent dealers who want to take greater control over the financing options they offer their retail customers. Go Financial is owned by DriveTime Chairman Ernie Garcia and DriveTime President and CEO Ray Fidel. Go Financial will operate independently from Manheim and DriveTime. Headquartered in Phoenix, Go Financial employs a staff of 175.

“Our stake in Go Financial supports our goals of delivering the types of products and services that dealers need to grow and compete,” said Patrick Brennan, group vice president of Manheim Financial Services. “Together, Go Financial and NextGear Capital will provide an easier and more convenient way for independent dealers to finance their subprime customers.”

Today, subprime sales financing can be time consuming and restrictive on a dealer’s cash flow. This partnership creates a one-stop approach and a more efficient transaction that will allow NextGear Capital dealers to have faster access to cash.  In addition, Go Financial will leverage NextGear Capital’s strong dealer relationships and state-of-the-art technology that includes more efficient title management and processing. The transaction is expected to close by the end of June.  

“We’ve been a long-time Manheim customer and this new arrangement with Manheim is a result of our close collaboration and identifying what our mutual customers need and want to succeed,” said DriveTime Chairman Ernie Garcia.  “Manheim’s success with wholesale auto auctions and our deep knowledge of the subprime vehicle market and independent dealers is a perfect match.”

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace.   The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms.  Manheim registers nearly 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value.  Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report.  The company offers dealer financing though NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 107 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion.  A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

About Go Financial (www.gofinancial.com)
Go Financial provides subprime financing options for independent and franchise dealers throughout the United States.  With its roots as an independent dealer focused on the subprime market for over 20 years, Go Financial offers a perspective different than any other indirect lender in the industry.  GO Financial is licensed in 44 states with plans to complete licensing in all 50 states throughout 2014.

About DriveTime (www.drivetime.com)

DriveTime is the nation’s largest dealer helping people with credit issues find and finance their perfect vehicle. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, DriveTime currently operates 110 stores in 48 markets, with more than 75 used cars available at each dealership. The company has sold more than 600,000 used cars to consumers of all credit types since 2002. For more information about DriveTime Automotive Group or our used car dealerships, please visit www.drivetime.com or call our customer service line at 1-888-418-1212.

PARS Marks 15 Years of Automotive Transportation and Logistics Leadership

GAINESVILLE, VA (February 24, 2014) – PARS, Professional Automotive Relocation Services, Inc., is celebrating its 15th year of business as a leading provider of automotive transportation and logistics services.

In 1998, former Buick Fleet Director Jim Christiano first opened PARS for business, seeking to set a new standard for excellence in drive-away moves. In its first year, PARS quoted 50 moves a day and received 10 orders.  Since then, the company has grown dramatically, recently moving into new 10,000 square-foot headquarters in Gainesville, VA, and opening 14 offices.

Today, PARS provides automotive relocation services throughout the contiguous 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada.  Customers can access a fully interactive website allowing them to obtain quotes, place orders, and access up-to-date order status information.  PARS moves thousands of vehicles each year while offering its customers an increasingly comprehensive list of value-added services.

Lori Rasmussen, President, now heads the business, representing the second generation of the Christiano family.  She joined PARS in 2004, successfully leading the business’ growth and overseeing its investment in leading-edge technology.

Rasmussen observed that over the past 15 years, customer needs have evolved to include a host of logistics services:  “When PARS started, price and speed were the two biggest factors to winning business.  Today, our customers, comprised of corporations and fleet management companies, look to maximize relocation value, minimize vehicle downtime and increase productivity.

“That’s why our programs include carrier transport as well as drive-away, licensing and titling, in-transit and/or temp plates, DOT services, port services, re-conditioning and make-ready, maintenance, and vehicle storage.  Our turnkey transportation and logistics solutions can be customized to fit customers’ specific needs.  As companies look to minimize vehicle downtime, increase productivity, and achieve the best possible return on their vehicle transportation and logistics investment, we expect even greater growth of these customized solutions. ”

PARS Background

PARS provides corporations and fleet management companies with turnkey automotive transportation and logistics solutions, distinguished by customer service excellence and outstanding value.  Services include drive-away, licensing and titling, in-transit and temp plates, DOT services, port services, re-conditioning and make-ready, maintenance, and vehicle storage.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Gainesville, VA, PARS serves the contiguous 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada.  It is a woman-owned, WBENC-certified business, fully licensed and insured.

Simon Sinek To Present Unconventional and Innovative Views At NAFA’s 2014 Conference


(FEBRUARY 18, 2014 — PRINCETON, NJ) – The more people you inspire, the more people will inspire you.  That’s the central tenant behind Simon Sinek’s vision of a successful organization.  Sinek, a bestselling author who teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people, has been described as a “visionary thinker with a rare intellect.”  Hundreds of fleet managers from throughout North America will get the opportunity to take in his wisdom during a Keynote Address at NAFA’s 2014 Institute & Expo in Minneapolis, MN on April 10.
“I imagine a world where people wake up every day inspired to go to work and return home at the end of the day feeling fulfilled by the work they do, feeling that they have contributed to something greater than themselves,” said Sinek.
Sinek offers an unconventional perspective that explains why some people and organizations are more innovative, more profitable, command greater loyalty and - most importantly - are able to repeat their success again and again. His unconventional and innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention, and earned him invitations to meet with leaders in a wide range of sectors, including technology, the military, and government.
“You may say Simon’s an optimist, but he’s not the only one,” said NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE.  “His vision for innovation and inspiration is sure to strike a chord with our attendees.  Fleet managers are used to being tasked with doing more with less – a situation that relies on creativity and strong leadership skills.  Sinek’s presentation is a perfect complement to the Professional Development educational sessions that are a major component of this year’s conference.”
A trained ethnographer, Sinek is an adjunct staff member of the RAND Corporation, one of the most highly regarded think tanks in the world, and teaches graduate-level strategic communications at Columbia University. He has spoken to a wide array of clients, including Microsoft, Mars, Intel, 3M, the United States Military, Members of the United States Congress, the Ambassadors of Bahrain and Iraq, multiple government agencies, and entrepreneurs. He has also presented at the United Nations, to the senior leadership of the United States Air Force, and to the senior leaders of NASA. The talk that he gave at his first TEDx event, “How Great Leaders Inspire,” is one of the most shared TED Talks on TED.com.
In addition to his speaking engagements, Sinek is the author of bestsellers: Start With Why (2009) and Leaders Eat Last (2013).  He also frequently comments for the press including such media outlets as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, FastCompany, and NPR, and is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post.
NAFA’s annual conference will take place April 8-11, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN.  The four-day conference is the fleet management event of the year with more than 60 hours of educational sessions, an expo floor featuring over 250 exhibitors with the latest products and services, great networking opportunities, and the presentation of the Fleet Excellence Awards.  Leadership expert Peter Sheahan will provide a Keynote Address on February 8. For more information visit http://www.nafainstitute.org.  Media sponsors include Bloomberg BusinessWeek, CAMAUTO, CAR – Canadian Automotive Review, Field Technologies, Fleet Digest, Fleet Maintenance, Fleet Management, Fleet Management Weekly, Fleet Owner, Fleets & Fuels, FLEETSolutions, International Fleet World, Landscape Management, The Municipal, Naylor, Truck Fleet Management, and Utility Fleet Professional.  Follow the conference live on Facebook and Twitter @nafafleet.
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org.  Follow NAFA on Twitter and Facebook @nafafleet and on LinkedIn at http://www.nafa.org/linkedin.

MANHEIM CREATES NEW GLOBAL RMS ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE BUSINESS; ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES

ATLANTA – To further strengthen its leadership team and role in the global automotive marketplace, Manheim announced today that it has created Global Remarketing Management System (Global RMS), a new enterprise software business. Nick Peluso has been named as Global RMS president and will lead this new venture. In addition, Tim McKinley will join Manheim as senior vice president of sales. Both roles will become effective on April 1.

Additionally, Rich Coutu has been named vice president of commercial sales, effective March 1.

In his new role, Peluso moves from his current role as senior vice president of customer management. This new senior appointment is seen as a measure of the importance which Manheim, is placing on the development of global remarketing solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), major commercial consignors and large dealer groups.

RMS is a new digital suite of remarketing management tools, which delivers users with hugely increased efficiency across the entire remarketing process. Provided to its customers as fully supported enterprise software, RMS is built with key modules which drive the main areas of remarketing. These include a data hub, grounding and listing controls, together with sophisticated pricing tools. It also provides white-labeled integrated sales channels with interfaces to all third-party providers and a suite of analytics and reporting tools. In Europe, RMS has already secured six OEM contracts, including two OEMS who are deploying the RMS system, as their core international remarketing platform, in over 25 countries worldwide.

“In the 27 years I’ve been in this industry, I can honestly say that this is probably the most exciting period that I can remember,” Peluso said. “Global RMS will provide everything a major inventory owner needs to exercise full control and visibility over all aspects of remarketing activity in a single system.  Manheim is uniquely placed in terms of worldwide locations and the scale of the wholesale-to-retail solutions which we are now able to deliver through Global RMS. We will be taking advantage of all of our assets, across Manheim and our sister company AutoTrader Group, in bringing this product to even more countries including the US.”

Peluso will report to John Bailey, Manheim’s president of international operations. His primary focus in the first instance will be to establish the new Global RMS team, based in Atlanta, and fully develop the RMS product for customers in the North American market. Additionally, as part of the Global RMS plan, he will oversee further investment in the existing RMS operation in Europe, as well as looking to new international markets for RMS, including Asia Pacific.

McKinley takes over Manheim’s sales activity from Peluso as the new senior vice president of sales. He served as vice president of field operations for Cox Communications, a Cox Enterprises company. As the new sales leader, McKinley will work closely with Peluso during the hand-over period, before taking full control over Manheim’s commercial and dealer-facing teams and overseeing the strong relationships enjoyed with customers in these sectors. He will also ensure close cooperation with AutoTrader Group to identify any opportunities where greater value can be delivered to key customers through a broader proposition.  McKinley will report to Janet Barnard, Manheim’s Chief Operating Officer.

“This initiative has been a while coming, but the power of today’s technology, coupled to our appetite to fully embrace the opportunities created by the ever-evolving digital space, means we can now get on and deliver world class remarketing solutions, across world markets,” said Sandy Schwartz, president of Manheim and AutoTrader Group. “This is a strategically important investment for Manheim, and who better to head up the Global RMS enterprise than Nick. His experience, market knowledge and his passion for innovation gives us the leadership needed to ensure that Global RMS will take its rightful place at the heart of our major customers remarketing management requirements. I’m also very pleased to be able to welcome Tim into the Manheim team. Like me, he’s spent time within our parent organization, Cox Enterprises, and his proven talent means that our sales teams, as well as our commercial and dealer customers, will be in great hands.”

Most recently, Coutu served as Manheim’s market vice president for the North Central market. In this role, he was responsible for leading the market’s six operating locations while driving business strategy, maximizing market returns and enhancing customer relationships. In Coutu’s position as vice president of commercial sales, he will work closely with a team of experienced account executives to build upon existing relationships with commercial customers across Manheim. Coutu’s extensive industry network, market leadership experience and operations expertise from NextGear Capital will position Manheim to grow its commercial sales and market share. Coutu will report to McKinley.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace.   The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms.  Manheim registers nearly 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value.  Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report.  The company offers dealer financing though NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 107 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion.  A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

LeasePlan Leverages Internal Expertise to Expand Client Relations Sales Team

ALPHARETTA, Ga.– LeasePlan USA, the high-touch service provider of vehicle leasing and fleet management solutions, is pleased to announce the promotion of Duane Armstrong to Regional Vice President, Client Relations Sales. Duane will be responsible for delivering LeasePlan’s high-touch service to a portfolio of clients in the Northeast. Due to the success of the client acquisition teams and the signing of new clients, LeasePlan has seen its Client Relations footprint grow by approximately 20 percent.

Duane joined LeasePlan as an account manager with LeasePlan’s client services team in 2011. In this position, Duane demonstrated LeasePlan’s core values of passion, expertise, respect and commitment to support clients in managing their fleet. Duane worked closely with the Client Relations Sales teams and was instrumental in delivering significant cost savings initiatives to his clients. Prior to joining LeasePlan, Duane gained management and leadership skills with several management positions within the fleet industry.

“Duane’s expertise in managing clients and his ability to hone LeasePlan’s core values to deliver high-touch service to clients will be very beneficial for him as he begins his new role. He was an integral part of the client services team that earned a 98 percent client satisfaction score. It is his accomplishments, acquired skills, and knowledge for the fleet industry that will make him a great asset to the Client Relations Sales team. We look forward to the benefits Duane will bring to our clients as he helps make it easier to leaseplan,” stated Jon Toups, chief sales and marketing officer for LeasePlan USA.

About LeasePlan:

LeasePlan is the world’s leading provider of fleet and vehicle management solutions. Our global group manages 1.37 million vehicles and provides services in 32 countries. LeasePlan prides itself on delivering high-touch service and innovative products that offer total cost reduction for fleets. With over 50 years of fleet experience, LeasePlan’s experts find ways to get the most out of clients’ vehicles, budget and time. Find out why LeasePlan clients agree that it’s easier to leaseplan.

Visit www.us.leaseplan.com for more information.

MANHEIM LOCATIONS SUPPORT LOCAL RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

ATLANTA –To help Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) support families with seriously-ill children, Manheim locations in Hawaii, Seattle, Portland and Nevada have raised more than $42,000 to help support their local Ronald McDonald Houses. In addition to the donations, Manheim employees volunteered many hours at their local Ronald McDonald Houses last year.
In addition to the donations, Manheim employees volunteered many hours at their local Ronald McDonald Houses last year.

Manheim Seattle and Portland raised more than $27,600 to divide between each city’s House at the annual “Race to Give” Dinner and Charity Auction event. More than 80 items were donated by employees and Manheim customers for the silent and live auctions.

“It was a heartfelt charity auction where customers, employees, vendors and the public united together to do a very special thing for a very special organization,” said Ray Priest, General Manager for Manheim Seattle and Portland. “I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful employees and customers.”

“Since 1974, our network of local chapters that includes 58 countries around the globe has been supporting families of children with serious illnesses,” said Dianna Finnerty, executive director of RMHC of Western Washington & Alaska. “The donations from Manheim help us provide families with a place to stay together where they can concentrate on their child’s well-being.”

The Seattle Ronald McDonald House provides a caring "home-away-from-home" for families of seriously ill children being treated at Seattle Children's Hospital. The House can accommodate 80 families each night 365 days per year, and is one of the largest Houses in the world. It provides nearly 27,000 nights of housing to approximately 550 families annually. The House is operated and maintained through individual and corporate donations by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska. Families may contribute $25.00 for a night of housing, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Money raised from the auction  will be used to extend financial assistance such as this to families in need.

Also in 2013, Manheim Nevada held its first fundraiser for RMHC of Greater Las Vegas. A 2006 Dodge Viper sold for $45,000, with $15,000 being donated to RMHC of Greater Las Vegas to help fulfill its mission to provide temporary housing for families who  travel to Las Vegas to receive critical medical treatment for their children. The facility serves a high percentage of patients  with heart defects from the children's hospital.

“It was incredibly exciting to use the auction process to donate to a proven charity like RMHC,” said Cliff Anderson, general manager of Manheim Nevada. “We wanted to leverage a great car and give a portion of the proceeds to charity.”

“The true success of the charity auction was a direct result of Cliff’s involvement with the local community and Manheim Nevada employees rallying around the cause,” RMHC Executive Director Alyson McCarthy said, noting that the donation will cover the costs of 104 nights of an all-inclusive stay for a family at the Nevada Ronald McDonald House, including lodging, transportation, toiletries, meals, and toys/clothing.

The Las Vegas House is three stories, over 12,000 square feet, and was specifically designed to accommodate up to 12 families at one time. Each of the 12 guest rooms includes a private bathroom with shower, two double beds, linens and a telephone.

Employees at Manheim locations in Portland, Seattle and Hawaii also continue to donate volunteer time to RMHC in their respective cities.

DONLEN NAMED A TOP OUTSOURCING PROVIDER

Northbrook, IL — Donlen, the fleet industry's most comprehensive provider of integrated financing and asset management solutions, announced today that they have been selected by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®) in the Leader category for The 2014 Global Outsourcing 100® service providers listing. This is the eighth time Donlen has been named as one of the best outsourcing service providers by IAOP.

“Everyone at Donlen, from the leadership team to the call center reps, from account managers to the acquisition and remarketing teams, has one priority: customer satisfaction,” said Jim Kachidurian, Donlen Senior Vice President Client Services. “Throughout the organization, there’s a deep commitment to providing services and products that positively impact our customers at every interaction. We’re very proud to be named to IAOP’s Global Outsourcing list and we thank the committee for recognizing our ongoing dedication to organizational excellence.”

"At a time when there is a growing need to outsource, The Global Outsourcing 100 list has become invaluable reference tools to help companies research service providers," said Debi Hamill, IAOP CEO. "The companies named on these lists and sub lists have demonstrated their expertise following a rigorous, independently judged process and represent the top in the industry.”

The Global Outsourcing 100 and its sub-lists are essential references for companies seeking new and expanded relationships with the best companies in the industry. Judged by a panel of industry-recognized outsourcing leaders, inclusion is based on a set of measurable standards including customer satisfaction, depth of competence, size and growth, and management capabilities.

“Each year the competition to be named to The Global Outsourcing 100 list continues to reach higher levels," said Jagdish Dalal, Chief Advisor, Thought Leadership, IAOP and Chairman of the judges' panel. "Given the strong competition, getting named to these lists is a great recognition and these companies should be proud of achieving excellence in the field.”

For more information about Donlen, visit www.donlen.com.

About Donlen Corporation

Donlen is the industry's leading provider of integrated financing and management solutions for corporate fleets. Utilizing a highly consultative and strategic approach, Donlen helps fleets reduce cost, improve utilization, and increase driver safety and productivity. Donlen's innovation has been honored with the Computerworld 2012 Honors Laureate for Economic Development, the 2012 and 2013 InformationWeek 500 List of Top Technology Innovators Across America, and recipient of the 2013 CIO 100. Their workplace excellence has been recognized on the IAOP The Global Outsourcing 100® list for eight of the last nine years, and as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Places to Work For in Chicago each year from 2007-2012. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Northbrook, IL, Donlen is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ). For more information about Donlen, visit www.donlen.com.

Sharon Kenig Named Associate Vice President of Credit & Syndication for AmeriQuest Transportation Services

CHERRY HILL, NJ, February 17, 2014 – Sharon Kenig has been appointed to the position of Associate Vice President of Credit & Syndication for AmeriQuest Transportation Services, a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management services, financial solutions, and operational support services.

Kenig joined AmeriQuest in 2011 and is responsible for closing all syndication transactions ranging from $100K to $22M. In addition, she provides all credit analyses and ultimate underwriting decisions in support of all sales and syndication efforts, and conducts pricing analyses and economic summaries for funding sources.

Kenig has nearly twenty years of experience in the credit and finance industries. Prior to joining AmeriQuest, she served as the Credit Director at First Data Corporation, managing the corporate credit risk of a portfolio of high-risk merchants. She began her career in finance at GE Capital as a Credit Analyst and continues to maintain an impressive profile in the credit industry.

About AmeriQuest Transportation Services

AmeriQuest, headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ, is a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management services. By leveraging the strength of more than 700,000 vehicles, AmeriQuest delivers savings, expertise, and opportunities to its private fleet and truckload carrier members. AmeriQuest provides supply management services, asset management services, material handling services, financing, technology products, and outsourced transportation management services such as full service leasing, integrated logistics, and contract maintenance. More information can be found at ameriquestcorp.com/transportation/.

ACEEE Statement on President Obama's New Fuel Efficiency Standards For Heavy Trucks

(Washington, D.C.): In response to President Obama's speech today on new fuel efficiency standards for heavy trucks, ACEEE Transportation Program Director Therese Langer made the following statement:

"ACEEE strongly supports the president's work to continue the improvements in heavy-duty vehicle fuel efficiency initiated through the first phase of standards, adopted in 2011. There are major opportunities to further reduce heavy-duty truck fuel consumption while saving truck owners thousands of dollars per year, and the actions announced today will help to ensure that these savings are realized.

"The president rightly highlights the potential for efficiency through technologies that have not yet fully entered the heavy-duty vehicle market, including advanced engines and powertrains, hybridization, and advanced aerodynamics. His citation of the SuperTruck program, which is demonstrating the feasibility of cutting tractor-trailers' fuel consumption in half by 2015, gives an indication of how significant savings from a strong second phase of the standards could be."  

To learn more about further opportunities for fuel efficiency gains for heavy-duty vehicles, check out the ACEEE fact sheet: http://aceee.org/files/pdf/fact-sheet/hd-oil-reduction.pdf

About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit aceee.org

ATDynamics Hires Auto Research Center (ARC) Director Fritz Marinko as Vice President of Special Accounts

HAYWARD, Calif. — February 18, 2014: ATDynamics, the leading global supplier of semi-trailer rear-drag aerodynamics technology, today announced that Fritz Marinko, formerly Director of Auto Research Center, will be joining ATDynamics in a newly created position as Vice President of Special Accounts and a member of the executive team.



Marinko is an accomplished leader in the trucking, aerodynamic and government relations communities and will continue his engagements with the Trucking Maintenance Council, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association as well as offer support to the US EPA.



“I started my career at ARC with the goal of educating the industry and improving the fuel economy of heavy duty vehicles via improved aerodynamics,” said Marinko.  “At this point, the trucking industry understands the benefits of trailer skirt technology.  The next substantial fuel savings opportunity for the industry is the full-scale adoption of rear-drag aerodynamics technology.  I am proud to join the ATDynamics team in a role that allows me to continue to serve and educate the trucking industry on improving vehicle aerodynamics and fleet profitability.”



“TrailerTail® technology makes immediate economic sense for any trucking fleet whose trailers are pulled more than 25,000 miles per year at highway speed, which is the majority of the semi-trailers seen on the highway,” said Andrew Smith, CEO of ATDynamics.  “We are pleased that Fritz will join us in our mission to change the shape of the modern semi-trailer and deliver over $20 billion in fuel savings to our customers over the next decade.”



Marinko holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State University.



About ATDynamics, Inc.

ATDynamics is the leading global supplier of semi-trailer rear-drag aerodynamics technology. Its flagship rear-drag reduction technology, TrailerTail, was first released in 2008 and is part of a suite of products engineered to reduce the fuel consumption of the freight transportation industry. Based in Hayward, California, ATDynamics is the recipient of numerous innovation awards and is a founding member of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. ATDynamics is an affiliate of the U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, member of the American Trucking Association's Technology Maintenance Council and is a key partner in the DOE funded Super Truck initiative.  For more information visit: www.atdynamics.com



GE Capital Fleet Services Identified $481 Million in Potential Customer Cost Savings in 2013

Eden Prairie, Minn. – February 18, 2014 – GE Capital Fleet Services today announced it identified $481 million in potential cost savings for customers in 2013, with customers realizing $209 million in actual savings as a result. By analyzing customer fleet data, GE Capital Fleet Services highlights areas for savings and has identified $1.2 billion potential savings opportunities for customers since 2011.

In 2013, 43 percent of all identified cost savings were realized by customers, an increase of six points from 2012 indicating that fleet managers are more actively engaging in cost-cutting practices. This identified opportunity translates to $401 per vehicle across the 1.4 million vehicles under GE’s fleet management in 2013.

“We’re seeing several trending opportunities for cost savings, particularly when it comes to companies leasing vehicles and right-sizing their fleets for maximum fuel efficiency.” said Steve Jastrow, Strategic Consulting Services Manager at GE Capital Fleet Services. “With regard to vehicle cycling, fleet managers are increasingly conscious of taking advantage of the robust resale market and accelerated and optimal replacement strategies have been a big area of savings for fleets.”

In addition to replacing and leasing strategies, utilizing new products to improve operational efficiencies remains a major focus of fleets’ cost savings strategy. Buoyed by a new suite of analytical tools released by GE Capital Fleet Services in November 2013, fleets have specifically focused on benchmarking performance in real time, optimizing fleet performance, and rightsizing vehicles via cargo rationalization.

“I believe we will see the trend towards predictive analytics continue in 2014,” said Jastrow. “As we continue to launch new products and services that deliver incremental cost and productivity savings for our customers, capturing data from those programs will continue to give us insight and will allow us to further refine fleet performance.”

The largest areas of cost savings identified by GE Capital Fleet Services during 2013 were:

Program Enhancements: Utilizing products and services to properly manage time and expenses including; maintenance, fuel, accident and safety costs, telematics, licensing and registration fees, and toll & violation expenses

Accelerated and Optimal Replacement: Determining the optimal time to cycle vehicles and/or  utilizing a short-cycle replacement strategy to decrease vehicle depreciation and capitalize on higher value at auction

Lease Versus Reimbursement: Identifying cost-cutting opportunities to convert companies’ driver reimbursement programs into vehicle leasing programs

Lease Versus Purchase: Determining whether leasing or owning vehicles is the most cost efficient way to manage a specific company’s fleet

Right Sizing: Evaluating fleet needs and vehicle usage requirements to maintain a fleet that maximizes fuel cost savings while minimizing maintenance costs and deploying vehicles that better meet driver needs

“As fleet costs remain a critical component of companies’ operating budget, fleet managers continue to be responsible for cutting costs while maintaining seamless logistics and operations,” Ken Johnson, Managing Director Strategic Consulting and Fleet Management Solutions at GE Capital Fleet Services. “We strive to provide our customers cutting-edge products paired with strategic know-how that allows them to achieve optimal return on their fleet investments.”

About GE Capital Fleet Services

GE Capital Fleet Services, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., is a global fleet management company.  With strategic consulting, deep analytical insights and experience in every industry, we’re uniquely positioned to help you continuously drive results – from the road all the way to the board room. Visit the website at www.gefleet.com or follow the company’s eco news and updates via Twitter (@GEFleetSvcs).

GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visit www.gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital). GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.