Ex-Guard Q4 Newletter

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

D.A.S. Transit Inc. Fleet Testimonial I am the owner of a small trucking fleet in northeastern NC. Our trucks routinely travel rural areas and have engaged our fair share of deer. We have utilized several different brands of “deer guards”, and EX-GUARD has outshone their competitors by far! In fact, one night a truck hit two deer together and sustained no damage to the tractor or the guard. I highly recommend this product.

C O N T E N T S

1 . FLEET TESTIMONIAL 2 . TRUCKS THEN & NOW 6 . NACV SHOW - ATLANTA 8 . 2017 GLTA EXPO 10 . GUESS THI S TRUCK 11 . DEER COLL I SION VIDEO 12 . SALES CORNER 14 . GOOD DEEDS & GIVING BACK - CTS 18 . GUESS TRUCK ANSWER

Don Rose D.A.S. Transit Inc.

TRUCKS THEN & NOW

YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND THE FUTURE Theme song from the TV Series “Cannonball” (1958)

Barrelin’ down the highway Wheelin’ right along Hear the tires hummin’ Hummin’ out a song The rumbling of the diesel The shiftin’ of the gears The rhythm when he’s rollin’ It’s music to his ears Cannonba-a-a-ll! Cannonba-a-a-ll!

Any kind of weather Any time of day When the rig is ready

He’ll be on his way He’ll carry any cargo He’ll go anywhere Name the destination And brother, he’ll be there Cannonba-a-a-ll! Cannonba-a-a-ll!

2

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

GMC 950 COE (CAB-OVER ENGINE) DIESEL TRACTOR

Most of you probably don’t remember the 1958 TV show series call “Cannonball”. The series was about a couple of team drivers who hauled cargo across the U.S. and Canada. The show was filmed in Canada with a GMC 950 COE (Cab-over engine) diesel tractor, built and sold in the same decade by General Motors. I still reflect back to my childhood days watching the ‘Jimmys’ and ‘Cornbinders’ climbing the steep hill going out of my hometown bellowing out either blue or black smoke and shiftin’ gears. While the GMC’s and Internationals of yesteryear were considered beautiful trucks in their day, they do not come even

remotely close to the styling, comfort level, and technology of all the major truck brands of today.

For example, trucks built today utilize clean- burning diesel engines because of the new emission standards put out by our government. As a result, we have cleaner air and also a new product called DEF fluid. If you look at the inside of these new trucks, you have many items at your fingertips. Take the steering wheel for example. Some of the controls on the steering wheels of these trucks resemble those in most of the automobiles produced today i.e. cruise control, radio volume, etc…

3

888.902.2777 / marketing@ex-guard.com

N E W S L E T T E R

Let’s talk about one of the newest safety features to emerge within the last five years, collision-mitigation systems. To give you all some background, I rode in a new Kenworth T680 earlier this year with a buddy of mine who was test driving the unit. We took the Kenworth down the interstate and he showed me how the collision avoidance system worked. The T680 was equipped with a Bendix Wingman and the closer we got to the vehicle in front of us, the more the Kenworth slowed down. The truck actually kept pace with the vehicle - it was very comparable to the DISTRONIC Cruise Control system that Mercedes utilizes in their fine automobiles. I found it hard to get used to at first; but once I gave up the mindset that there was something wrong with the truck and the unit was performing the way it should, I could definitely see the advantage of the Wingman. (By the

way, all our guards are compatible with the Wingman unit). In doing some further research, I discovered this; the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that such systems should reduce accidents by approximately 40%. Staggering! Of course, the next big jump into the future are trucks that run off electricity and alternative fuels. A new company called Nikola Motor Company is experimenting with a class 8 truck which is 100% electrically driven and hydrogen powered. It professes to have a range of 800 to 1200 miles before it needs to be refueled. Nikola plans to release this vehicle by 2021.

Tesla has also decided to tap into the Class 8 truck market. I’m sure all of you have heard of Tesla and their

4

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

N E W S L E T T E R

fine electric automobiles. They will be introducing ‘The Beast,’ which is their nickname for their all electric truck, formally called the Tesla Semi. The Tesla Semi is capable of a range of 200 – 300 miles. They are looking going into full production with this vehicle in either 2019 or 2020. Kenworth is currently developing a prototype Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell tractor designed to provide true zero- emissions operation. By using the fuel cell – provided by Ballard Power Systems in Burnaby, British Columbia – to recharge the batteries, the only emission coming out of the tailpipe will be water. The T680 day cab tractor uses lithium-ion batteries to power a dual-rotor electric motor, driving the rear tandem axle through a 4-speed automated transmission. Kenworth’s hydrogen truck is expected to be ready for initial track and on-road testing in the fourth quarter of this year.

Not to be outdone, Freightliner is currently testing its battery-powered ‘Urban Truck’ in Germany. Not only that, they are also testing a semi-autonomous big rig. Yes, technology is moving very quickly. As with every other industry, it is ‘survival of the fittest.’ It will be interesting to see what is next.

Bob Saxton Marketing Director, Ex-Guard Industries

5

? DID YOU ATTEND THE INAUGURAL NACV SHOW

North American Commercial Vehicle Show Atlanta | 2017

Atlanta’s first North American Commercial Vehicle Show kicked off with 439 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Among the many exhibitions, there was a commanding presence from Daimler, showcasing 12 vehicles including the special edition New Cascadia, Western Star’s 5700XE, and a Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus with a DD5 engine. With all of DTNA’s commercial vehicle brands represented the show’s success was boosted, drawing in the fleet executives, owners, managers, and truck and trailer manufacturers. Highlights of the event included several speakers focusing on a range of topics from technology releases, safety advances, fuel efficiency, truck platooning and more. DTNA’s Mercedes-Benz Vision Van Concept made an appearance at the NACV Show. A design that captures the cutting edge engineering and revolutionary technology that will transform the future of cargo delivery. Algorithms control the packages that are loaded, as well as the vehicle delivery routes. At the NACV show, the DTNA described these algorithms as being able to not only determine what you have purchased but also to load the vehicles on items you will purchase based on order history. From here, they are able to dispense packages to their location from two drones. Drivers of the Vision Van no longer have a steering wheel or pedals, rather they control the vehicle from a joystick. The drivers work with the assistance of the drones to deliver packages efficiently. Among the topics discussed was “Uberization”, a growing trend of companies that cut out the middleman. The leaders dominating the markets today are companies that own no inventory, create no content; companies like Airbnb, Alibaba, Facebook, Uber, and Zillow. At the NACV show, Navistar discussed the concept of Uber for trucks, a platform for owner-operators. Rather than location-to-location, this

6

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

could rent a driver for a day, etc. and pay by the mile. This concept could connect drivers to companies with last-minute shipment needs. Alternately, it could connect people moving across the country to drivers. However, if this idea is brought to fruition, it is sure to take off; which is a nice counterpart to the driverless innovations that the transportation industry is shifting towards. Rest-assured, they are still miles away from this driverless breakthrough, hopefully we will see uberization take off for owner-operators. The topics covered at the show engaged the crowds, a dining area was also created for conversations and plenty of cocktails were prevalent. This atmosphere enhanced the collaborations of companies meeting at the show. Most of the exhibitors agreed that the NACV was about quality, not quantity. You were less likely to

Despite the show’s overall success, the attendance did remain a disappointment for the exhibitors as it was low compared to the shows projections, and some smaller booths saw little activity. On the final day, the show was wrapped up around noon, yet it continued uneventfully as scheduled until 5PM. Most exhibitors packed up early and started making way for their travel arrangements. There was speculation as to whether the show saw a lack of attendance due to marketing efforts being spent towards exhibitors and less towards attendees, while others presumed it was first year growing pains. As an exhibitor, there were some first show hiccups, including the excessive walking, organizational concerns, lack of staff knowledge etc., but overall this is a show that Ex-Guard looks forward to returning to in the future. We were excited to see several of our dealers and to hear stories of Ex-Guard in the field. It was a promising show, introducing us to several new

run into Owner-Operators and more likely to run into fleet owners and upper management. Several key players were in attendance that are normally inaccessible, and you were only minutes away from a cocktail and a conference area. The NACV show also had a strong international audience, making their decision to hold it biennially, a welcomed choice by the several countries in attendance. The countries that we were able to welcome at our booth included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

people that we look forward to building relationships with. For more pictures of the NACV show, visit Ex-Guard Industries on Facebook .

Ashley Miller Marketing Specialist, Ex-Guard Industries

7

888.902.2777 / marketing@ex-guard.com

N E W S L E T T E R

2017 GLTa EXPO

GREAT LAKES LOGGING & HEAVY EQUIPMENT EXPO

loggers typically drive through very rough terrain including large rocks, trees and tree stumps that can easily damage the trucks, even to the point of disabling them. They consistently haul very tall loads that can weigh up to 160,000 lbs. With this type of load, the probability of a rollover is increased due to the center of gravity being very high compared to normal freight. With an Ex-Guard, the driver will have the confidence to hit the obstacle head-on rather than swerve and chance a rollover. In the northern region, there is more severe weather with snow and ice often hindering driving conditions. This paired with the remoteness of the roads being traveled leads to roads not being quickly cleared and can be very dangerous. If an animal accident occurs without a reliable guard, there is the likelihood of being stranded in subzero temperatures. I was extremely pleased with the number of fleets and drivers that we could share our story and product with. Nothing pleases Ex-Guard more than knowing we are helping keep trucks on the roads, no matter how treacherous, and money in the pockets of the hard-working individuals!

On September 7th, I represented Ex-Guard at the Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo in Escanaba, MI. The goal of this expo is to “enable the producer, trucker and sawmill the opportunity to analyze and compare, all at one location, the various products which are essential to the industry and their business.” Ex-Guard partnered with Truck Country and donated an XG-250 that was displayed on a sold truck as a model. DeLaet Trucking LTD, the owner of the Freightliner 122 SD, was very impressed by the guard quality. This was a great opportunity for us to introduce our product line to a large number of small to mid-sized fleets and/ or owner operators in logging, and show how well our front-end protection saves them money and time. The response was very good and many of the 8,000 attendees were very interested in the technology that goes into our guards as well as the proven durability. While most of their trucks currently have guards, they are aluminum guards at twice the price. Among the front-end protection brands that exhibited/attended the show, Ex- Guard was proud to be displayed on the Freightliner 122 SD. Logging is done primarily in remote areas where animal collisions are more prevalent so these drivers understand the value of having a reliable guard. Besides the possibility of animal collisions,

Malcolm Holt Sales Representative, Ex-Guard Industries

8

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

// GREAT LAKES LOGGING & HEAVY EQUIPMENT EXPO Escanaba, MI

9

888.902.2777 / marketing@ex-guard.com

N E W S L E T T E R GUESS THIS TRUCK

?

A. Sterling A-9500 B. MACK Cxu C. Peterbilt 386

D. Freightliner Columbia E. KENWORTH T680 F. Volvo VNL

// Answer on back

10

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 3 2 0 1 7 N E WS

N E W S L E T T E R

CHECK OUT THE // DEER ImPACT VIDEO from Quest Global, Inc.

Quest Global, Inc based in Cartersville, GA recorded their first deer hit with the Ex-Guard XG-150 in 2013. The truck was left untouched and Quest Global continues to trust Ex-Guard front-end protection to keep their trucks safe.

 YouTube.com

11

888.902.2777 / marketing@ex-guard.com

// SOUTHEastern USA

Dave Edwards Southeastern Sales Consultant

12

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

Sales Corner Featuring DAVE EDWARDS

My name is Dave Edwards and I am the Southeast U.S. Sales Consultant for Ex-Guard Industries. I joined the Ex-Guard team three years ago, and I am pleased to be a part of a strong, ever-growing team and brand. I enjoy traveling to different countries and, so far, have checked 14 off my list spanning four continents. My favorite hobbies consist of acquiring recipes for barbequing and smoking meat; I do try them all and love the sampling process as well. On weekends, I play the guitar in jam sessions with some friends and just have a good time overall with family and friends. I grew up in the New York and Connecticut area and first began working in my father’s business. My brothers and I started working while attending school and graduated after 12th grade going directly into the workforce as sales personnel. Following working for my father, I entered the medical equipment field and did sales for 10 years in that industry. The entrepreneurial spirit grasped me while working in medical equipment sales so I ventured into importing & exporting. After 20 years

of being my own boss, I chose to sell the company in 2005. I relocated to Des Moines, IA and returned to the sales field for five years before being offered a position at Ex-Guard Industries. Starting off, Ex-Guard offered me the opportunity to sell to fleets in the Midwest Region. Months later, I transitioned to the Southeast Region where I partner with dealers to provide fleets with the ‘Ex-Guard Solution.’ One of the best parts of my job is working with dealers and watching them help fleets outfit and protect their trucks where it is a ‘win-win’ for everyone! My personal goal is to provide all fleets in my area with the ‘Ex-Guard Solution’ to save them money and keep their wheels turning so they can keep on earning. I truly believe Ex-Guard is the best front end protection system in the world because of the value, toughness, and aesthetics provided. So, get protected with Ex-Guard!

“Love the people, love the product, and love the challenge!”

Dave Edwards Sales Consultant, Ex-Guard Industries

“

One of the best parts of my job is working with dealers and watching them help fleets outfit and protect their trucks.

13

888.902.2777 / marketing@ex-guard.com

N E W S L E T T E R

// GOOD DEEDS & GIVING BACk Contract Transport Services

Contract Transport Services, established in 1985 and headquartered in Green Bay, WI, is a leader in providing dedicated and Midwest regional transportation services to many Midwest Fortune 500 companies. Their strong reputation for exceptional service has created double- digit growth for the past 10 years.

strong career partner for over 150 dedicated trucking professionals. At CTS, they have a strong commitment to work-life balance. In fact, 98 percent of their truck drivers go home – not to a truck stop or rest area – at the end of each shift. CTS truck drivers have predictable work schedules, which makes it easier to plan time with family and friends.

In addition to their strong customer base, CTS is a

14

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

CTS is a company that welcomes veterans to the team with open arms, giving them a chance to transition into the workforce, where other companies may have overlooked them. In order to honor their veteran team and all veterans around the area, CTS has decorated a full box trailer with a military recognition mural. The art on the trailer is a blend of historical and current military themes. All five branches are represented, and the design offers a salute to the heroes that have served as well as those currently serving. This box trailer follows a theme that CTS has unveiled over the course of 2016. The series also includes wrapped truck cabs for each branch of the military to support those in uniform, past and present. In addition to the military themed trucks, semi cabs were also designed to honor police officers and another for firefighters. Not only do these themed displays have an effect on all who see them, but 2 cents for every loaded mile driven by the military trucks is donated to a local charity that benefits veterans. CTS doesn’t stop there, they also put forth 2 cents for every loaded mile

driven by the police and fire wrapped trucks to the local Police Department and Fire Department, respectively. This was all done in an effort to continually recognize and celebrate our local heroes. The newest wrapped trucks that CTS introduced to the fleet this year are the EMS and Farm trucks. The military wrapped trailer has over 1,000 square feet of emblems, seals, and imagery that depicts a proud salute to our veterans. CTS President, Curt Reitz, has taken a strong stance by honoring the men and women in uniform who make sacrifices daily. “We felt the need to wrap a trailer due to the overwhelming response we got to our wrapped trucks,” says Reitz. “The combination of a wrapped truck and trailer makes more of an impact and promotes even more the respect and gratitude that CTS and its employees have for our veterans.” The military wrapped trailer is available to local organizations and events that are also looking to bring awareness to military heroes.

15

N E W S L E T T E R

16

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777

Q 4 2 0 1 7 N E WS

N E W S L E T T E R

The military wrapped trailer is available to local organizations and events that are also looking to bring awareness to military heroes. The military trailer was recently used to deliver donated items in the “Titletown To Texas” Hurricane Relief Drive. CTS partnered with Midwest Communications radio stations, the Green Bay Police Department, and others in the area to collect hurricane relief items for Rockport, Texas. Initially, organizers thought they would fill one or two trucks. But the community’s outpouring of support left them with enough donations to fill seven semis. CTS donated the semis and trailers. Dozens of the company’s drivers volunteered to take the trucks down to the flood zone, a trip that would potentially put the home-every-night drivers away from their family for a week. It was estimated that the company would be taking a hit equivalent to $50k with the 7 drivers, trucks, and trailers out of commission to do the day to day freight hauling for a week.

“

”

The military trailer was recently used to deliver donated items in the “Titletown To Texas” Hurricane Relief Drive

CTS President Curt Reitz tells Action 2 News he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. “It was huge, because this originally started out as, ‘hey, would you be willing to donate two trailers?’” But it didn’t take long to realize that wouldn’t suffice. “So I’m running more trailers. It ended up being a total of seven. It was a shocker, but the good thing was we had the 30 drivers that said they would go,” Reitz says.

Thank you for giving back!

Article Submitted by Rachel Folcik Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, CTS

17

888.902.2777 / marketing@ex-guard.com

N E W S L E T T E R N E W S L T T E R GUESS THIS TRUCK ANSWER:

B.

xg-150

TRuCK ANSWER: B. 2017 VNL VOLVO

18

/ marketing@ex-guard.com

888.902.2777