NTEA’s annual gathering of vocational vehicles, equipment returns to Indiana for special anniversary edition

“Akers has real-world, practical experience using lean manufacturing principles to transform a company he started in his garage into a global operation,” said Doyle Sumrall, NTEA’s managing director. “He will share how the power of lean thinking can be successfully applied to various aspects of life and business to achieve continuous improvement and innovation.”

FastCap is a product development firm specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. In 2000, Akers began using lean principles to take his small startup company into one that now has distribution in more than 40 countries. FastCap launches 20 to 30 innovative products per year.

In 2013, Akers was invited to do a TEDx talk on innovation, and in 2017 he was named a key thought leader in BTOES Insight’s Global State of Operational Excellence report. He hosts the weekly The American Innovator podcast, and he has written three books: 2 Second Lean, Lean Health and Lean Travel.

Following the keynote address, attendees can participate in general sessions addressing these key topics: 

• Selecting an ERP System to Add Value to Your Work Truck Operation

• Building and Validating Work-Ready Welders for Your Shop 

• Managing Organizational Change

• Standing Out in a Competitive Commercial Vehicle Market

Green Truck Summit

Fleet managers, truck equipment distributors, upfitters and truck dealers will hear strategies for creating more productive and innovative work trucks, discover ways to turn commercial vehicles into work systems and gain insight into electric work truck deployment at the Green Truck Summit, which debuted in 2007.

The Summit provides a look into and long-range forecasts around the latest productivity options, and alternative fuel and technology implementation. It features presentations from regulatory agencies, fleet managers, commercial vehicle manufacturers, and stakeholders from industry trade associations and professional societies.

“In recent years, the intense focus on developing more efficient and sustainable vocational truck fleets has yielded some of the most innovative green technologies and industry practices ever,” Sumrall said. “This conference … has become an important forum where industry experts and fleet managers can engage in conversation about best practices, share new ideas and collaborate on potential advanced technologies that can drive fleets even further down the road toward a zero-emission transportation industry.”

Green Truck Summit sessions will address these key topics:

• How Truck Technology Advances Will Impact Industry Practices 

• Meeting Program Sustainability Targets: Successes and Challenges of New Equipment Offerings 

• Achieving Legacy Fleet Sustainability 

• Alt Fuels and Technology: Evolution Toward Zero Emissions 

• Powering Electric Drive: Batteries or Fuel Cells?

Distributor Innovation sessions March 3:

• Selecting an ERP System to Add Value to Your Work Truck Operation, 9:30-10:45 am: NTEA member companies share their experiences in selecting and using an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, including identifying needs and adding value to their organizations. In addition, software industry experts will provide strategies for approaching the selection process and choosing the right software.

Presenters are Dave Colton, senior customer service representative at Spokane Computer; Calvin Geddings, general manager for Lee Transport Equipment; Jeff Messer, president/owner of Messer Truck Equipment; and Kenny Nau, director of sales at Pluss Corporation.

• Building and Validating Work-Ready Welders for Your Shop, 11 am-noon: Learn about a new welder development and certification program specifically designed for the work truck industry, and hear from NTEA members who participated on a national level to bring together all the tools needed to train and qualify a work-ready welder. Presenters are David Ehrlich, NTEA director of education; Rob Myers, plant manager with Switch-N-Go; and Jason Scales, business manager for education at Lincoln Electric.

• Managing Organizational Change, 1:30-2:30 pm: Learn how to effectively communicate and implement changes in an organization as industry representatives share real-world examples and best practices. Topics include developing a new state-of-the-art facility, relocating operations while considering staff, managing through a community disaster, transitioning business leadership, recruiting and an effective management development program. Presenters are Travis Eby, president of MH EBY; Paul Kokalis, president of Fontaine Modification; and Ben Winter, director of business development for Transfer Flow.

• Standing Out in a Competitive Commercial Vehicle Market, 2:30-3:45 pm: The work truck industry is composed of numerous companies that make high-quality products at competitive prices. As with most mature industries, the separation between good and great companies often involves how well the business executes its specific approach to market. NTEA members share how they define and leverage their unique value for customers and industry partners. Presenters are Adam Keane, executive vice president of Allied Body Works; Kyle Stipe, engineering supervisor at Auto Truck Group; and Dave Zelis, head of sales and marketing for Buyers Products.

Green Truck sessions March 3:

• How Truck Technology Advances Will Impact Industry Practices, 9:30-10:45 am: Industry leaders share a forward look at work truck automation and autonomy, highlighting advanced technologies currently in development and future possibilities. Presenters are Bill Combs, connected fleet director for Penske Truck Leasing; Michelle Moody, marketing director at Ford Commercial Solutions; Nick Rini, director of engineering for FCCC; and Rick Sapienza, director of the clean transportation program at NC Clean Energy Technology Center.

• Meeting Program Sustainability Targets: Successes and Challenges of New Equipment Offerings, 11 am-noon: As support builds for improved sustainability, learn the opportunities and obstacles to success. Fleet leaders and industry experts share fleet management strategies to help achieve a more sustainable transportation profile. Presenters are Todd Carlson, principal manager of fleet asset management at Southern California Edison; Bill Van Amburg, executive vice president of CALSTART; and an additional fleet representative.

• Achieving Legacy Fleet Sustainability, 1:30-2:30 pm: Legacy fleet equipment is one of the most challenging elements of a sustainability evolution, which involves powerplants and sustainable fuels. Learn strategies to help overcome obstacles, such as fluctuations in OEM offerings and support, to successfully transition a legacy fleet. Presenters are Erin Gilchrist, fleet director at Safelite; Joseph Moser II, fleet manager for Commonwealth Edison; and additional fleet representatives.

• Alt Fuels and Technology: Evolution Toward Zero Emissions, 2:30-3:45 pm: With the introduction of renewable diesel, CNG and propane, as well as reductions in exhaust emissions from conventional power offerings, fleet operators can take advantage of unprecedented potential for continuous improvement. Discover how these elements, along with batteries, fuel cells and fundamental truck designs, are driving industry change. Presenters are Michael Berube, acting deputy assistant secretary for transportation in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy; Michael McDonald, senior director of sustainability and government affairs for UPS; and Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC.

• Powering Electric Drive: Batteries or Fuel Cells?, 4-5 pm: With increasing interest in electric drive medium- and heavy-duty trucks, the top sources for onboard energy are fuel cells and batteries. Hear the pros and cons of each as industry leaders share their views on these alternatives. Presenters are Elizabeth Fretheim, head of business development at Nikola; Abas Goodarzi, president and CEO of US Hybrid; and an OEM representative.

Special session March 3:

• Spec’ing for Success, 9 am-4 pm: Building effective specifications is essential to successful vocational truck acquisitions. Join a team of subject matter experts for an in-depth, interactive workshop geared toward identifying correct specification components for many popular commercial vehicle applications. Following an overview of common components (terrain, axles, suspension, frame and weight distribution), presenters will go over how individual selections influence performance. Presenters are Gary Hey and Cindi Vangel, Z-factor Consultation co-founders.

Special sessions March 4

• Fleet Management 101, 9 am-4 pm: Conducted by senior professionals from Mercury Associates, the largest dedicated fleet management consulting firm in North America, this seminar offers a thorough introduction to the most important elements of an effective fleet management program. This workshop is intended for those who are new to fleet management, or a business owner, agency director, or procurement or finance official who serves as the de facto fleet manager in the organization. Topics include maintenance program design and shop operations management, outsourcing and supplier management, performance measurement and benchmarking, managing vehicle total cost of ownership, and fleet replacement. Presenters are Marc Canton, senior manager for Mercury Associates; and Tony Yankovich, managing director at Mercury.

• Generation Next Leadership Workshop & Networking Reception: Tap Into Your Inner Rhythm, 3-5 pm: Collision of Rhythm incorporates drumming, tap dancing, rhythmic juggling, marimba, saxophone and more during a captivating and interactive presentation demonstrating what’s possible with remarkable teamwork. Learn how to enhance communication skills, leverage unique skillsets and amplify creativity. This experience will not only provide tools needed to boost collaborative processes, it will have attendees buzzing with possibilities long after. Presenters are Bronkar Lee and Aaron Williams with Collision of Rhythm.

Special sessions March 5:

• Indiana LTAP Fleet Educational Program: Winter Operations From Sidewalks to Statewide, 9:30-11:30 am: Annual winter snow removal and deicing by public agencies costs more than $250 million in Indiana. Find out how the latest technologies in commercial probe data can be used to characterize highway speed and identify emerging problems. Other topics include adoption of precision agriculture principles and application of deicing chemicals on sidewalks in municipal and private-sector office parks. Partner demonstrations will be available following the session. Presenters are Darcy Bullock, director of the Joint Transportation Research Program at Purdue; Richard Domonkos, Indiana LTAP program manager; and Brian McGavic, vice president of McGavic Outdoor Power.

• Purdue Road School, Indiana Statutes and Rules for Professional Engineers, 9:30-10:30 am: Ethics and the Practice of Engineering and Surveying, 10:30-11:30 am: During the first hour, attendees participate in an updated discussion of Indiana Code and Indiana Administrative Code applied to the practice of engineering, including pending changes to the rules. During the second, hear a comparison of personal codes of ethics, professional society codes of ethics, ethics in NCEES Model Law and Model Rules, and Indiana Code and Indiana Administrative Code. The presenter for both is Vincent Drnevich, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Purdue.

• Indiana LTAP Road Scholar Core Course No 11—Road And Bridge Plan Reading, 12:30-4 pm: Learn the contents of road and bridge plans, including engineering and construction concepts, and find out how to read typical sheet types. Using a set road and bridge plan, this interactive course helps attendees become familiar with plan features, details and organization; understand different drawing types and what they describe; and locate information contained in a plan. Many local agencies find these concepts useful for contract administration, assistance in right-of-way determination, easement location and drainage features. Presenter is Todd Morrison, a technology transfer engineer in the University of Kentucky’s transportation center. 

NTEA Annual Meeting

Haley, US ambassador to the UN from 2017 to 2019, will deliver a moderated conversation during the NTEA Annual Meeting, formerly known as the President’s Breakfast & NTEA Annual Meeting.

In 2010, Haley was elected the first female and minority governor of South Carolina. She was reelected in 2014 and served as governor until becoming US ambassador to the United Nations and joining President Trump’s cabinet and national security council in January 2017. Under Gov Haley’s leadership, South Carolina was a national leader in economic development.

Educational sessions

The Work Truck Show includes numerous intensive educational programs on upfitting, regulatory compliance and business management topics. 

MANAGEMENT

Reinvention Code: Deciphering Timeless Secrets of Disruptive Innovation, 1:30-2:45 pm March 3: In a rapidly changing world, the ability to reinvent is more necessity than choice. Learn the universal secrets of successful reinvention—whether in an established company that needs to pivot and plot a new course, a business looking to reposition and rebrand, or a community hoping to inspire renewal while battling protectionism, blame and bureaucracy. Discover common patterns identified by a Depression-era Austrian economist that explain what separated Kodak, Sears and Blockbuster from Apple, Amazon and Netflix, and how to avoid a similar fate. Presenter is Gair Maxwell, an international speaker and author.

Branding Highway: Accelerate & Differentiate Your Marketing, 3-4:15 pm March 3: Discover how otherwise ordinary companies achieved extraordinary growth (15-20 times their original size) over a five-year period and inspired employee buy-in—all while slashing their advertising budget. Attendees are exposed to universal secrets of iconic brands such as Apple, Ferrari and Harley-Davidson, and learn how to leverage the same principles to create a “Category of One” and generate higher volumes of inbound business as the preferred choice of customers—no matter how crowded or volatile the marketplace. Presenter is Gair Maxwell, an international speaker and author.

Translating Commercial Vehicle Data into Practical Business Insights, 3-4:15 pm March 3: For work truck industry companies, identifying trends is vital to effective business operations. Gain insights into industry trends from recent NTEA research initiatives on monthly chassis sales, fleet purchases, construction sector activity, truck equipment sales by state and metropolitan area, and industry forecast data. Gain an overview of data sources offered by NTEA for use in market and corporate planning processes. Presenter is Steve Latin-Kasper, NTEA’s director of market data and research.

Leading People Successfully Through Change, 8-9:15 am March 4: Planned or unplanned, change is constant, yet people tend to retreat from it. Carrying out necessary change and navigating unpredictable circumstances are skills essential to business vitality. A seasoned leadership expert will share keys to leading employees successfully through change, including four ways to create a culture that responds positively to change; five reasons we resist change, and how to overcome them; six leadership tactics to ensure the best possible response from employees when presented with change; 12 strategies to steer a team through change; and three ways to get buy-in. Presenter is Doug Cartland, president of Doug Cartland Inc.

New Advances in Idle Mitigation, 8-9:15 am March 4: Idle mitigation, or doing work without using a truck’s drive engine, is a key industry topic. Learn potential benefits of developing a successful idle mitigation strategy, including cost savings, decrease in engine wear and noise, and emissions and greenhouse gas reduction. Presenters are Shawn Brougham, regional sales manager at Altec; Craig Kemmerling, vice president of sales for Switch-N-Go; and Tom Stephens, principal transportation systems analyst with Argonne National Laboratory.

Recruitment and Retention Strategies to Address Your Labor Shortage, 8-9:15 am March 4: Recruitment and retention of qualified employees is one of the greatest challenges facing work truck industry businesses. Methods used to recruit workers have evolved over time—beginning as help wanted ads in the local paper before shifting to online job boards and, now, targeted social media strategies. Learn how harnessing technology can help better target prospective employees and lead to more efficient recruitment efforts. Presenters will also address the importance of employee training and development in retention initiatives. Competitors are experiencing the same staffing issues, so employers may need to work even harder to keep talented workers than to recruit them in the first place. Presenter is Shawn Kaufman, director of human resources at Riggs Industries/J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers.

Are You Running Your Business or is it Running You?, 9:30-10:45 am March 4: Learn how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) can revitalize a leadership team and company. Many businesses are going down too many paths, hitting ceilings and not producing expected profits or connecting with the right people. EOS offers a set of proven tools and strategies to bring clarity to the vision, put the right people in the right seats and create a powerful leadership team. With more than 7,000 companies now operating EOS, learn how this proven system is revolutionizing entrepreneurial businesses. Presenter is Joe Paulsen, president of Pinnacle Business Solutions.

Avoiding Common (and Costly) Communication Pitfalls at Work, 9:30-10:45 am March 4: Communication is fundamental to a healthy work environment. The absence of effective interaction can lead to costly misunderstandings and rework. Learn how to instill strong communication habits among team members to keep operations running at peak performance. Discover three keys that make communication work, the 18 most common and costly mistakes and eight sure-fire ways to avoid them, how improved communication can increase profitability, and ways to analyze and enhance a team’s communication skills. Presenter is Doug Cartland, president of Doug Cartland Inc.

Amplify Your Impact, 9:30-10:45 am March 5: Boost skillsets and supercharge collaborations during this high-energy, interactive experience. Part workshop, part performance, this session will help attendees discover and leverage strengths, improve communication with others and take teamwork to the next level. Walk away inspired by rhythm, ignited by possibility and ready to act. Presenters are Collision of Rhythm’s Bronkar Lee and Aaron Williams.

Implications of VW Settlement Funding for Commercial Vehicles, 9:30-10:45 am March 5: NGVAmerica provides an overview of the Volkswagen Diesel Emission Settlement and share updates on how individual states are utilizing allocated funds to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Attendees also gain insight on how natural gas vehicles initiatives have benefited from this settlement. Presenter is Jeff Clarke, general counsel and director of regulatory affairs at NGVAmerica.

Understanding Business Valuation and Transactions, 9:30-10:45 am March 5: Gain insights into key financial metrics (eg EBITDA, working capital, etc), valuation methodologies (eg discounted cash flows, precedent transactions, etc) and processes utilized in transactions. This session will benefit companies looking to raise capital, evaluate expansions or acquisitions, or become better positioned for an ownership transition. Presenter is Eric Stetler, director at Baird Investment Banking.

SALES

Work Truck Industry Overview, 1:30-2:45 pm March 3: Gain economic and market information to help optimize business planning processes. With expert analysis, learn work truck industry market trends and how they’re affected by US and global economic cycles. This session includes a North American chassis sales forecast—a critical component of market planning for many companies. Presenters are Andrej Divis, director of MHCV forecasting for IHS-Markit; and Steve Latin-Kasper, NTEA’s director of market data and research.

TECHNICAL

Vehicle Weight Management: New Tools for Easier Analysis, 1:30-2:45 pm March 3: Bodies, equipment and trailers affect vehicle and axle weights, Bridge Law and certification conformance. Learn how using web- and cloud-based tools can improve weight analysis processes. Hear a review of weight basics, including gross vehicle weight rating, gross axle weight ratings, center of gravity, Bridge Law, unloaded vehicle weight, payload and more. Presenters will share case studies using available tools from NTEA and TruckScience, demonstrating how to assess effects of adding equipment, bodies and trailers, and vehicle cargo management, along with federal Bridge Law implications. Presenters are Jens Hellberg, managing director at TruckScience; Bob Raybuck, NTEA’s director of technical services; and Steve Spata, NTEA’s technical assistance director.

Essential Calculations for U.S. and Canadian Vehicle Certification, 3-4:15 pm March 3: Gain insights into US and Canadian vehicle certification processes and discover key factors in assessing Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (F/CMVSS) compliance after modifying a vehicle. Case studies will demonstrate in-depth F/CMVSS calculations to support compliance and required documentation, along with testing and simulation challenges when venturing outside OEM guidelines. Presenters will utilize WorkTruckCert—An NTEA & Dec-O-Art Resource to showcase ways to streamline documentation processes and label creation. Presenters are Bob Raybuck, NTEA’s director of technical services; and Steve Spata, NTEA’s technical assistance director.

Weight Distribution — How it Affects Commercial Vehicles, 8-9:15 am March 4: We’re all familiar with the phrase “time is money.” Not optimizing vehicle weight results in the ability to haul less payload, meaning it takes more trips to get the job done. Additional trips or, conversely, overloaded axles, equate to increased operating costs. This session looks at simplifying weight distribution, demonstrating techniques to help improve operational efficiencies. Presenters are Gary Hey and Cindi Vangel, Z-factor Consultation co-founders.

Robotics: Delivering Improved Productivity for Small and Mid-Sized Operations, 9:30-10:45 am March 4: Robots can help small and mid-sized operations improve efficiencies and become more competitive within their industry. A robotics manufacturer and industry representatives will share how robots can allow for better quality control, safer work environment and reduced production costs, as well as provide a stronger competitive advantage. Presenters are Bryan Peoples, regional sales manager with OTC Daihen; Brad Tiedemann, manufacturing engineering manager at Stellar Industries; and a manufacturer representative.

FLEETS

Building Better Vehicle Spec’s, 8-9:15 am March 4: Operational productivity and truck effectiveness start with great specifications. New materials, technology and products offer significant benefits companies can leverage. Explore how changing elements in work truck specifications can be the foundation for future fleet improvements. Learn how an organization can use NTEA’s new specification tools to help improve processes and optimize vehicle efficiency. Presenter is George Survant, NTEA’s senior director of fleet relations.

Maximizing the Value of Aftermarket Tires, 8-9:15 am March 4: Manufacturers equip new equipment with well-researched and engineered products, but is aftermarket a consideration for every fleet? Finding the best value for specific geography, load characteristics and driving conditions may lead to another product equally satisfactory to the OEM and, in a specific application, provide more miles per tire and potential overall cost reduction. Moderators are Claude Masters, a retired fleet manager with Claude Masters Fleet Consulting. Presenters are Michael Steiner, customer engineering support referent for Michelin NA, and other leading tire manufacturer representatives.

Are You Managing Engine Regen Cycles or Are They Managing You?, 9:30-10:45 am March 4: More and more fleets are finding it difficult and expensive to maintain truck exhaust treatment systems. Hear how experienced fleet operators are handling these challenges and how manufacturers are changing the way products are built to mitigate issues. Presenters are Bruce Ottogalli, transportation manager for Suez Water NJ; Jason Smith, fleet coordinator for the city of Columbus; and an OEM representative.

Moving to B20 and Higher Fuel Blends, 9:30-10:45 am March 4: Biodiesel blends that don’t need to be reduced during winter months are proving successful for industry fleets. Gain techniques from fleets managing B20 year-round in cool climate zones, as well as those moving to higher blends. Moderator is Jennifer Weaver, OEM market development manager with the National Biodiesel Board. Presenters are Chanel Caron, fleet manager for the city of Elmhurst; Michael Dimitroff, manager of art initiatives for the Chicago Park District; Jon Scharingson, executive director of sales and marketing with the Renewable Energy Group; and an academia representative.

Trailers: The Most Overlooked and Versatile Fleet Tool, 9:30-10:45 am March 4: With mounting pressures to maximize fleet utilization, trailers are an increasingly important solution. Learn key specification elements to help ensure safe, effective and long-lasting trailers. Gain insight into all aspects of trailer use, including improper loading resulting in an overload or otherwise unsafe combination vehicle (truck and trailer). Review factors that must be considered when operating a combination vehicle, including towing vehicle ratings, hitch type, hitch ratings, trailer ratings, trailer weight distribution, safety equipment and applicable regulations. Presenter is Dean Cerimeli, chief operating officer for Original One Parts.

Vehicle Life Cycle Costing, 9:30-10:45 am March 5: Learn the basics of vehicle lifecycle costing, including single-vehicle comparison decisions, vehicle class analysis and whole fleet calculations. Presenters will demonstrate NTEA’s Vehicle Life Cycle Cost Tool as a forecast resource when paired with a price sensitivity analysis (often necessary when dealing with volatile fuel price scenarios). Users can tailor calculations to fit financial requirements, and differing depreciation methodologies can be loaded using numerous approaches, including straight line, accelerated and pool depreciation techniques. Presenters are Chris Lyon, NTEA’s director of fleet relations; and George Survant, NTEA’s senior director of fleet relations.

Click here to download list of 2020 NTEA Exhibitors, Agenda, and Chassis Updates