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SUCCESS!

By Amanda Schuier - Wednesday July 15, 2009

The first ever Nebraska SuperTech is over, and what a success it was! There are so many things I want to blog about as to what worked and what we could improve on for next year. But for now, I just want to publicly announce all of the winners of Nebraska SuperTech. Brian Thompson and Rod Spangler from DelcoRemy graciously donated an iPod, so we were able to recognize one tech for having the highest score on the electrical station. This tech was Dennis Beckenhauer from Wick’s Sterling Trucks. As for overall awards, NE SuperTech recognized three technicians. The third place prize went to Ray Wordekemper from Omaha Truck Center. Wordekemper received a $150 gift certificate from Snap-On tools. The second place winner was Jeff Schlecht...
Nebraska SuperTech, Day Zero!

By Mark O'Connell - Wednesday July 8, 2009

Our guest blogger, Amanda Schuier, can't blog for us this week, because today, July 8th, is the day of the Nebraska State Maintenance Council's first annual SuperTech technician skills competition. I couldn't be happier or more proud of what Amanda has been able to accomplish in only a few short months' time. Well, I could be happier if I was in Hastings, NE, today to see the competition myself, but that wasn't in the cards this year... Be that as it may, the fleet maintenance industry in Nebraska has reason to be excited, as they crown their first ever best technician in the state, and then prepare to send him or her to Raleigh, NC, in September, to compete in TMC's national SuperTech2009. Watch Amanda's guest blog next week as she gives...
Nebraska SuperTech is Here!

By Amanda Schuier - Thursday July 2, 2009

Only one week to go! To say that the SuperTech Steering Committee is running around like crazy would be an understatement. There are a lot of little loose ends that still need to be tied up. We’re finalizing catering menus, making sure the news media is aware of our event, sending out maps, sending e-mail reminders- all little things to get people excited for the inaugural SuperTech competition. Just last week, during a break in the SuperTech action, I had the opportunity to travel to the national SkillsUSA competition to observe two young Nebraskans in action- Billy Dukat and David Miller. Billy and David are both students in Metropolitan Community College’s Diesel Technology Program. Even though they didn’t bring home a medal...
Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2010 In The Works

By Mark O'Connell - Thursday July 2, 2009

I had the pleasure of spending the day in Chicago yesterday helping to plan out the educational program for the 2010 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, to be held next January in Las Vegas. I have to say, it was great spending the day with 30 or so heavy duty trucking professionals--independent service providers, parts suppliers and parts distributors--who actually feel optimistic about the future. These guys are very much focused on meeting their customers' needs as the economy starts to turn around, offering the best service and value they can, and doing whatever thay can to make sure the heavy truck industry gets back up on its feet as quickly as possible. One of the issues that kept coming up during the day was somewhat ominous, however: the...
The Future of Commercial Fleets?

By Mark O'Connell - Thursday June 25, 2009

Remember a few years back when Daimler-Chrysler introduced the awkward-looking Sprinter van to the North American market, at Dodge and Freightliner dealers? Back then, only a few people at FedEx thought that this very Euro vehicle could make much of a dent in the full-sized van market, but today the Sprinter is well into its second generation and is a common sight on American highways. Well, the Sprinter is going to have to make room for another unusual vehicle from across the Atlantic. Yesterday I had the opportunity to drive a new Ford Transit Connect compact utility van around the city of Chicago, and in all respects it looks like a winner for contractor fleets, P&D fleets and any other fleet that needs a versatile, maneuverable...
And the Winners Are...

By Amanda Schuier - Wednesday June 17, 2009

Sixteen technicians have been invited to compete in the final round of the inaugural SuperTech competition. The scores of all 30 technicians were very, very close. The following 16 are invited to attend the final round in Hastings: (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) Dennis Beckenhauer, Omaha Tyler Benge, Omaha Rich Braesch, Omaha Brian Dizona, Omaha Kevin Fine, Lincoln Jeff Hoeft, Omaha Kendall Larsen, Omaha Myron Lundvall, North Platte Jamie Morse, Hastings Scott Nadermann, Omaha Chris Ningen, North Platte Jeff Schlecht, Norfolk Todd Timmerman, Norfolk Keith Wenstrand, Lincoln Ray Wordekemper, Omaha Tim Zieman, Lincoln We are looking forward to seeing you all in Hastings on July 8!
EGR vs. SCR, Round 2

By Mark O'Connell - Wednesday June 17, 2009

The 2010 "EGR vs. SCR" emission control system debate has taken some interesting turns in recent days. The big news is that Navistar has filed a lawsuit against the EPA, because way back in 2001 the Agency expressed misgivings about whether Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) could meet its 2010 diesel emissions standards. Navistar, which has eschewed SCR in favor of "Massive EGR" to meet the 2010 standards, claims that the EPA has failed to properly explain and document why it is now willing to certify SCR systems. You can guess how all the other engine manufacturers are responding... Meanwhile, in a survey of our own readers, we found that, of those fleet maintenance managers who have decided which 2010 engine technology they'll be...
No Time to Rest!

By Amanda Schuier - Thursday June 11, 2009

Thirty technicians across the state of Nebraska are sitting on pins and needles waiting to see if they will compete in the hands-on round of the Nebraska SuperTech competition in Hastings, Neb., on July 8. Fortunately, they only have to wait seven more days! In the meantime, the SuperTech Steering Committee is still keeping busy. Some of us may have erroneously thought we could sit and relax after the written test was over, but instead, there is much more work to do. We are actively seeking sponsorships, and have secured about half of the required funds. Hotel reservations have been made for the yet-unnamed Nebraska SuperTech and we’re working with multiple vendors who have helped us along the way. Many of the most helpful...
Another One Bites the Dust

By Mark O'Connell - Wednesday June 10, 2009

This is getting depressing. The "New GM" is not going to include the Chevy Kodiak or GMC Topkick Class-5 through -7 medium-duty trucks. The General announced this week that it would halt production of its venerable work trucks on July 31, after efforts to sell off the line to both Navistar and Isuzu over the past few years failed to come to fruition. To make matters worse, I received an e-mail today from GM, announcing the company's 2010 model line-up, and... it's a pretty short list. No Saturn, of course, as well as no Saab and no Hummer, and only the 2010 Vibe listed under Pontiac (although they say the G6 will still be available to fleets). I clicked on "GM Fleet and Commercial" and sure enough, all that's listed under "Commercial...
Gas Prices Going Up--Is Anyone Surprised?

By Mark O'Connell - Wednesday June 3, 2009

You knew it was coming, didn't you? Summer is here, and gas prices are going up, close to $3 a gallon in many areas. I pretty much knew it was going to happen, which is one reason I bought a flex-fuel Ford this spring, and have been running it on E-85 ethanol. Not only is E-85 selling at the pump in my town for $1.99 a gallon, it got me an unexpected perq over the weekend. My fiancee and I went shopping at a new grocery store in her neighborhood in Chicago, and were thrilled to pull into the parking ramp and see an open spot--right in front of the elevator--reserved for alternative fuel vehicles. I pulled in and parked, only to be stopped by the security guard the second we got out of the car. "You can't park there," he said. "It's for...