Created and presented by the editors of Fleet Owner to recognize innovative management and outstanding business achievements in the trucking industry, the 2004 Fleet of the Year Awards have been presented to U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Nestle Waters North America Inc., and Florida Power & Light.
As 2004’s For-Hire Fleet of the Year, U.S. Xpress was cited in the December issue of Fleet Owner for crossing the $1 billion mark in revenue and for a corporate culture that stresses growth through quick response to customer and market demands. The story announcing the award also pointed to the truckload carrier’ operational restructuring that’s resulted in new services and better driver retention.
Nestle Waters was name Private Fleet of the Year based on it’s “powerful commitment to analytical management,” according to Fleet Owner. Among the year’s highlight for the private fleet, which operates 2,000 beverage trucks around the country, was the creation of a process improvement team to study vehicle specs, purchasing, training and operational requirements.
The 2004 Vocational Fleet of the Year, Florida Power & Light, kept 3,4000 pieces of equipment up and running as the utility company dealt with the aftermath of three hurricanes this year. The fleet also managed logistical support for the army of out-of-state and private contractors who helped restore power to some 1.7 million customers. In addition to its stellar emergency performance, the FP&L fleet is a leader in hybrid truck efforts and will be among the first utilities to put a diesel-electric medium-duty truck into service early next year.