The trucking industry announced the launch of a fundraising effort for an industry-wide movement centered on a positive image and a more robust connection with policymakers and the general public.
This initial phase of the movement has been launched online at TruckingMovesAmerica.com, where creative materials, messaging and social media links are available to all elements of the industry as well as the public. Critical to this movement are messages of new trucking technology that has an increased focus on safety, sustainability, efficiency and reliability. But also a focus on just how critical trucking is to the national economy. Supporting almost 7 million jobs, it is one of the largest and growing industries in the country.
"We're extremely excited for the fundraising effort of this movement to have launched," said John Conkin, senior vice president at GE Capital, Transportation Finance, president of the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry. "The trucking industry serves America's economy, its families and businesses in a way no other industry does. Trucking is essential to the every day lives of all Americans. Our mission today is to make that message stronger and connect our good work with the rest of America."
The full movement launch will be in March 2014 at the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Ky., the industry's largest truck show.
ACT I is an initial founding member of the movement, which includes: Allison Transmission, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants, Cummins Inc., Dana Holding Corporation, Detroit Diesel Corporation, Eaton Corporation – Roadranger, GE Capital, Goodyear, Great West Casualty Company, Hendrickson, International, J.J. Keller & Associates Inc., Kenworth Truck Company, Love's Travel Stops, Mack Trucks Inc., Meritor, Michelin, Pegasus, TransTech, Peterbilt Motors Company, Omnitracs Inc. a Qualcomm company, Randall Reilly, TRW, Volvo Trucks.
Other founding members include: American Trucking Associations, Bulldog Hiway Express, Combined Transport Inc., Daimler Trucks North America, Hahn Transportation Inc., Jet Express Inc., Longistics, Motor Carrier Service, Inc., Old Dominion Freight Lines, Tennant Truck Lines, Tennessee Express Inc. and Truckload Carriers Association.
"This movement won't be a one-time deal," said Mike Card, fundraising chairman for the movement and president of Combined Transport Inc., Central Point, Ore. "It involves every single part of the industry, from rest stop owners to drivers to manufacturers, and everything in between. Our hope is every individual involved in the industry – along with their families and supporters – will get involved in one way or another."
"As part of the launch of a nationwide image movement today, the Trucking Association Executives Council, announced the unanimous adoption of a resolution in support of the industry wide image movement," said Anne Lynch, executive director of the Massachusetts Trucking Association and TAEC chairman. TAEC represents all fifty state trucking associations and intends to make a significant commitment to advancing this movement.
To learn more or to donate to the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com.
