Omnitek Engineering expects diesel-to-natural gas conversions to gain traction in 2014

Omnitek Engineering Corp. said inquires from large fleet operators interested in converting heavy duty truck engines to natural gas gained momentum in 2013, with the company shipping a preliminary order late in December to one of its domestic conversion center partners and the commencement of initial kit sales to a European country committed to a 10-year target of two million conversions. In addition, a Latin America customer received a preliminary order of U.S. - manufactured natural gas engines utilizing the company's technology for an initial 50- bus conversion project.

"The opportunities for heavy-duty diesel engine truck engine conversions are significant and we expect 2014 to be a pivotal year for the company, based on the expressed interest of large fleet customers during the past several months and year-end quote activity and kit shipments," said Werner Funk, president and chief executive officer of Omnitek Engineering Corp.

Funk highlighted the company's recent strategic alliance with Minneapolis, Minnesota-based diesel engine remanufacturer Reviva to produce "drop-in" natural gas engines that utilize Omnitek's diesel-to-natural gas engine conversion kits for the widely utilized Navistar DT 466E and DT 530E heavy-duty truck engines as a convenient option for large fleets.

Funk noted that Omnitek's conversion technology offers a projected payback of less than two years -- a significant advantage compared with a projected payback of five-to-seven years for a new natural gas truck purchase.