DEPARTMENTS

From employee safety to equipment uptime in the field and managing costs, electric utility operations managers are entrusted with a great number of responsibilities. Recently, when fleet personnel at Branson, Missouri-based White River Valley Electric Cooperative started noticing recurring problems in both the shop and field, John Combs knew something needed to be done. The cooperative’s chief op…

When lifting heavy materials, clearing land or trenching in tight spaces, how can utility crews get more work done in less time with greater safety outcomes? Those are the key factors heavy-equipment manufacturers consider as they design and develop new utility construction equipment. And this year, numerous equipment developments have emerged to help crews work more safely and productively. Here…

Utility fleet managers have navigated numerous challenges over the past five years – think COVID, supply chain bottlenecks, inflation, the chip shortage and vehicle electrification. Each has had its own economic ripple effects, and now, with the looming prospect of tariffs, the fleet industry could be staring down further economic disruption. But whether the second Trump administration’s tariffs…

Imagine a world in which you’re predicting and fixing mechanical failures before they happen. You’re coordinating maintenance schedules across hundreds or thousands of vehicles with minimal human intervention. And you’re getting detailed answers to questions about your fleet within seconds – instead of spending days pulling reports. Is this a fleet manager’s dream? Yes. But it’s also becoming a r…

True fleet leadership requires more than keeping vehicles and equipment running. Successful leaders have vision, are adaptable, deeply understand people – and they continually seek growth opportunities to refine their existing skills and learn new ones. Fortunately, the industry is rife with accessible resources to aid fleet professionals in their leadership journeys. Here are five to consider. 1…

Utility fleets pay an average of $0.17 per mile for fuel; other types of fleets pay $0.14 per mile. It’s no wonder fleet managers turn to fuel cards to help manage expenses. Even when organizations operate on-site fuel tanks, there are often instances when drivers must purchase fuel from an outside retailer or truck stop. A fleet fuel card is an efficient tool for centrally tracking and managing…

Well-spec’d cable reel trailers enable utility crews to work safely and efficiently. But before they take ownership of new equipment, fleet professionals must successfully complete the spec’ing process – which means avoiding the many errors it’s possible to make. Three subject matter experts recently shared advice with UFP on sidestepping these 12 common spec’ing mistakes. Mistake 1: Disregarding…

Over 5,000 public works professionals from around the world are expected to gather August 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago for the American Public Works Association’s PWX. The program for this year’s annual gathering – the largest of its kind – will provide world-class education sessions on the most critical challenges in public works and infrastructure from the public and private sectors, acc…

ARI-HETRA, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty automotive maintenance equipment, has introduced the WS-MobileAlign, a cutting-edge mobile alignment machine designed to simplify alignment for vehicles of all sizes. Designed and engineered for flexibility and mobility, the WS-MobileAlign delivers precise alignment performance in a compact, portable design – ideal for shops of any size. Unlike trad…

Michelin has debuted the Agilis CrossClimate 2, built for relentless reliability and peak performance. From heavy loads to harsh weather, Michelin’s newest all-weather commercial tire keeps business moving with long-lasting performance. With Michelin’s CurbGard technology, the Agilis CrossClimate 2 tire has 70% more sidewall rubber than the Firestone Transforce HT2 tire to defend against curb dam…

Andax Industries has introduced the Vault Maintenance Dewatering System (VMDS), an innovative solution for sediment and water filtration. Designed for electric utility, construction, industrial and environmentally sensitive projects, the VMDS captures hydrocarbons and sedimentary contaminants with its oil-selective absorbent inner core, allowing clean, filtered water to pass through. The VMDS is…

To keep pace with growing demand, Terex Utilities recently announced new investments to ramp up its equipment installation capacity. The investment includes the addition of a 60,000-square-foot installation facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Waukesha location will add to Terex Utilities’ overall manufacturing footprint. Last year, Terex added installation capabilities in Birmingham, Alabama, an…

During NTEA’s Work Truck Week 2025 in Indianapolis, the Green Truck Summit’s industry roundtable on “Advancing Technology Adoption” brought together a powerhouse panel to break down the seismic shifts reshaping the commercial vehicle landscape. Moderated by Andrew Wrobel of NTEA, the discussion featured Scott Brower, vice president of vehicle supply, new products and vehicle applications at Pensk…

When Elizabeth Daiber began her career as a certified public accountant, fleet management was nowhere on her radar. “I went to school to be an accountant. I ended up getting my CPA. I worked in public accounting for two years and then moved into internal audit for Ameren Corporate,” said Daiber, who now serves as fleet superintendent for Ameren Illinois. But in 2014, a job posting within the comp…

All-terrain utility vehicles (ATUVs) enable utility crews to work anywhere from rocky slopes to flooded valleys, delivering people, materials and equipment where standard vehicles can’t. With advanced models offering rugged hauling and amphibious travel, the ATUV market is pushing boundaries. Curious about the newest advancements for your fleet? Check out these five developments. Prinoth Panther…

Over the last decade, numerous industry changes and challenges – think vehicle electrification, navigating a global pandemic and the growth of data-based decision-making – have all but forced fleet managers to develop new skills. As we consider the next 10 years, what talents will utility fleet managers of the future need to successfully overcome obstacles and make the most of new opportunities…

Among the significant decisions a utility fleet manager may face is whether to outsource vehicle maintenance work or handle it in-house. What do you need to know to make the right choice for your operation? UFP recently interviewed two industry veterans to identify key decision points. According to Elizabeth Daiber, superintendent of field support and analysis for Ameren Illinois, resource availa…

It wasn’t long ago that news headlines suggested fully autonomous trucks would soon dominate American roadways. Those predictions have subsided, but truck OEMs and vehicle technology companies continue to refine and advance their autonomous solutions, often outside the spotlight. Meanwhile, various states are working their way through legislation that could further delay mass deployment of autono…

Many fleets in the utility sector have set ambitious zero-emission targets, but headwinds in the U.S. electric vehicle market – due to production slowdowns and an evolving regulatory environment – are creating new obstacles. Even so, it doesn’t appear that fleet managers are significantly adjusting their electrification roadmaps. American Electric Power, Pacific Gas and Electric, Sacramento Munic…