DEPARTMENTS

Brian Johnson was an incoming senior industrial and systems engineering student at Auburn University when he started a summer internship at Alabama Power, a Southern Company. At the time, he wasn’t looking for a career in fleet. But as for many in the industry, fleet found him. Nearly two decades later, Johnson is the fleet engineering and technical services manager at Alabama Power, overseeing a…

When it comes to rightsizing your fleet in the utility sector, traditional models fall short. Unlike package delivery fleets that can schedule around predictable peaks, utility fleets must maintain enough vehicles for unpredictable emergencies while also controlling costs. “On a typical day in the utility sector, only about 60% of fleet vehicles leave the yard,” said Chris Shaffer, CEO of Utilima…

To accurately forecast trends for the coming year, some consideration must be given to the past. In recent years, utility fleet leaders – in addition to their many other responsibilities – have been tasked with safely guiding employees through a pandemic while also trying to stay on top of an ever-increasing number of new vehicles and vehicle technologies flooding the market. A look at the next 1…

Two activities are critical to a fleet manager’s successful search for new truck-mounted compressors. First is gaining a full understanding of the application, vehicle constraints and long-term needs. Second is determining the correct specifications – based on the application – to ensure equipment performance, efficiency and longevity. In a recent interview with UFP, Vanair’s John Dunn stressed t…

NTEA – The Work Truck Association’s annual Work Truck Week is set to take place March 4-7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, offering industry professionals various educational and networking opportunities – including the inaugural Commercial Vehicle Data Exchange & Reception. On March 4, attendees will gather for the Green Truck Summit, which debuted in 2009 in response to gro…

The path of progress is never a straight line, and the road to electric vehicle adoption is no exception. While there may be zigs and zags, the market for fleet vehicles is trucking toward further adoption of EVs for light- and medium-duty applications. The regulatory environment is a big driver of change. In March 2024, the Biden administration shifted emphasis in the EV landscape, focusing on p…

“People leave managers, not companies.” That’s the main point of Gallup’s longtime bestselling book “First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently.” And fleet departments aren’t immune. If you want to attract and keep talented technicians, supervisors, engineers or employees in other roles, the buck stops with you. Are you the type of manager your team wants to wor…

Establishing adequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is among the challenges utility fleet managers and their staff must successfully navigate to achieve their organization’s vehicle and equipment electrification goals. The first step is determining whether the organization has the capacity to support its electrification plans; if sufficient capacity does not exist, decisions must…

Terex Utilities regularly distributes Tech Tips, which provide detailed information focused on accomplishing a single repair or replacement. This includes step-by-step instructions, graphics and videos. In 2024, seven new Tech Tips were added to the list of more than 200 topics. All but one of the seven new tips cover specific Terex models. Three of the seven provide tips on operating, transporti…

Ranger Design, a leader in innovative vehicle solutions, has unveiled the only all-aluminum, forklift-loadable rack available on the market today: the Trazer Truck Rack. Built for professionals who demand superior performance and reliability, the Trazer Truck Rack is a game-changing solution that combines lightweight strength, versatile functionality and premium durability in a customizable desig…

Pettibone has introduced the Extendo 1536X telehandler to its X-Series product lineup. In addition to providing heavy-duty material-handling performance on construction job sites, the 1536X is designed to operate with a baler attachment for industries that routinely move pipe or poles. The Extendo 1536X features a two-section boom comprised of formed boom plates that offer greater strength while…

Prinoth, a global leader in crawler carriers and tracked vehicles, recently announced the official opening of its newly expanded production facility in Granby, Quebec, Canada. This significant investment of $25 million marks a major milestone in the company’s continued commitment to innovation, growth and sustainability for the future. The expansion, which nearly doubles the size of the current f…

To meet the growing demand for flexible and cost-effective equipment access, PALFINGER, a leader in innovative crane and lifting solutions, has partnered with AP Fleet Management to introduce a new bucket truck rental program in the United States. This strategic partnership blends PALFINGER’s engineering expertise with AP Fleet Management’s extensive experience in fleet rental solutions, giving b…

Jennifer Brace, chief futurist at Ford Motor Co., will serve as the Green Truck Summit’s keynote speaker on March 4, 2025. In her role at Ford, Brace leads discussions on long-term thinking, planning and strategic development. By researching demographic shifts, identifying market outliers and developing data-driven scenarios for the future, she challenges her colleagues to think through a broad r…

Earlier this year, ComEd unveiled what the company calls an emergency roadside charger to support its growing electric vehicle fleet across northern Illinois. The self-contained portable charging system built by Vanair (https://vanair.com/epeq-mobile-support-kit/), a Lincoln Electric Company, can be loaded into any ComEd service truck, providing approximately 30 miles of range during a one-hour c…

An estimated 4,000 roadway safety and transportation professionals are expected to attend the 55th annual ATSSA Convention & Traffic Expo, which will take place February 28 to March 4, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Produced by the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the 2025 show will feature an updated format, including a full day devoted to educ…

Utility fleets have many reasons to implement a safe driving program. Besides the obvious – to reduce the risk of accidents and protect the lives of fleet drivers – lowering crash rates can also save fleets costs related to vehicle repairs, rental costs, decreased productivity, vehicle downtime, insurance premium increases and high-dollar lawsuits. If you’re seeking to develop a safe driving prog…

Is the dream of vehicle electrification dead or just delayed a bit? Earlier this year, legacy auto manufacturers announced they would slash electric vehicle production and pivot toward hybrid vehicles. These dramatic changes were in response to the drop-off in consumer demand for EVs and the Biden administration’s announcement of a new technology-neutral approach based on performance, giving auto…

Bucket trucks are a big investment, so when the time comes to purchase a new one, it’s important to get it right. Beyond spec’ing bucket trucks based on the application and operating conditions, it’s also important to spec them for safety. Representatives from two bucket truck manufacturers – Altec and Terex Utilities – recently spoke with UFP to weigh in on how to spec bucket trucks for roadside…