Inspectors will be out in force in early June as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) 28th annual International Roadcheck, reviewing driver information and inspecting vehicles.
The inspections will take place from June 2-4 with about 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial and federal inspectors in jurisdictions across North America performing truck and bus inspections. (Helpful tip: Download this free guide from CVSA.)
Penske Truck Rental is now a platinum-level AAA Discounts & Rewards participant. Elevating the relationship to this level provides Penske with greater marketing opportunities with AAA members.
“We have a longstanding relationship with the Penske organization as a discount moving offer for our members,” said Scott Denman, vice president, financial services, member benefits, and e-business, AAA. “We know our members value Penske’s commitment to customer service and to operating a fleet of high-quality rental trucks to meet their moving needs.”
Today, whether they are moving across town or across the country, AAA members enjoy savings of up to 20 percent when reserving a Penske truck online and up to 12 percent when buying moving boxes and supplies online from Penske.
“AAA has been a significant and valued relationship for the last 16 years,” said Don Mikes, Penske senior vice president of rental. “Their shared commitment to highway safety and customer service is one reason they are a company we promote on our consumer rental and commercial rental trucks across the U.S. and Canada. We’re pleased to continue and expand our relationship with AAA.”
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 55 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.
By “Move Ahead” Staff
The hum of bicycles, handcycles and recumbent bicycles echoed along picturesque country roads as hundreds of riders made the two-day trek from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of the Face of America ride.
The event, which draws hundreds of riders each year – veterans, injured and disabled, as well as civilians,is held to express appreciation for the service and sacrifice of hundreds of veterans to a grateful nation.
Penske has assisted the effort over the years by donating trucks to sponsor World T.E.A.M. Sports, a non-profit organization founded in 1993 with the goal of providing outdoor sports challenges to individuals living with disabilities.
The Face of America ride is held to bring veterans together to foster a sense of inclusiveness, something that they lose when their service ends.
“Sporting events help bring back this sense of community by establishing new friendships and creating support networks,” said Richard Rhinehart, director of communications for World T.E.A.M. Sports. “In addition, the physical activity of riding a bicycle, climbing a mountain or rafting a river helps these individuals maintain or restore fitness they had while in active duty.”
The donated trucks provide a vital service to race organizers and participants.
“The trucks from Penske are used for a variety of tasks during the weekend. Trucks transport the baggage of participants from Arlington to Frederick to Gettysburg and back again to Arlington,” said Rhinehart. “The trucks also transport bicycles, recumbent bicycles and handcycles between Gettysburg and Arlington on the final day of the ride.”
The most recent event in April drew more than 140 injured American and Canadian veterans who served in wars and conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq as well as 450 able-bodied active-duty, retired military and civilians.
In all, the participants rode a total of 110 miles split in to two 55-mile days: Arlington to Frederick, Maryland, and then Frederick to Gettysburg.
Riders gathered at the Pentagon and rode through the grounds to the historic Iwo Jima Memorial then on to Maryland country roads, arriving in Frederick, Maryland. Along the way, the group paused along their journey to visit rest stops at local firehouses, schools and community centers.
“With a large number of disabled and able-bodied riders of all cycling abilities – we have beginners to former professional cyclists – we run a slow pace of about 10 miles an hour,” Rhinehart said. “With frequent rest stops and gentle terrain, the ride is not too difficult for participants.”
Support is offered to riders who have technical difficulties with their bikes or become too tired through SAG wagons – vans with trailers that travel with the riders and can transport the rider to the next rest stop if needed.
The ride resumed the next morning heading from Maryland to Pennsylvania and ended mid-day with a luncheon in Gettysburg at the AlStar Expo Complex.
Along the way, spectators gathered along the roadside offering their support and encouragement to the riders through homemade signs and cheering.
“The largest support is in Gettysburg, when hundreds of persons – friends, family, colleagues and local residents – line the finish line to cheer on the arriving cyclists,” Rhinehart said.
Marina Libro, who received a medical retirement from the Army in 2011 after a 22-year career, participated in her third straight Face of America ride this year. She looks forward to the collegiality of the events, a way to reignite friendships forged along the bike route.
Libro was a Watercraft Operator and instructor for the U.S. Army Maritime Transportation School at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia. She served in Haiti, Panama, throughout Central and South America and sailed across the world.
“Without events like the ones provided by World T.E.A.M. Sports, some of us would not have a reason to get up or get out of the house most days. Events like this provide many of us with the necessary motivation to get through another day,” she said.
“On a larger scale, events like these show the general public just how much people with injuries and disabilities are capable of,” Libro added.
Funds rose through participation and fundraising requirements for most riders – except injured veterans - will pay for participating injured veterans’ transportation, hotels, food and support as well as create a safe ride experience for all participants.
Remaining funds will be dedicated to upcoming World T.E.A.M. Sports events for the disabled, such as Adventure Team Challenge events in Colorado, New York and Washington and CanAm Veterans’ Challenge, a Washington to Ottawa bicycle ride with injured veterans.
World T.E.A.M. Sports will host the Adventure Team Challenge in Washington, D.C., in July, a multisport team event for disabled youth which includes bicycling, hiking and water sports.
By Bernie Mixon
Penske Logistics is a recipient of the inaugural North America Third-Party Logistics Provider of the Year Award by Automotive Supply Chain magazine. According to the publication, Penske was selected for this honor for the company’s outstanding performance in optimizing distribution networks, improving supply chain visibility and achieving cost reduction within the automotive industry.
Penske Logistics President Marc Althen, who accepted the award in New York City recently, stated: “This is a testament to our continued excellence as a leading 3PL provider within the automotive supply chain sector. We appreciate the recognition from the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for our company and our associates.”
Peter Wooding, editor-in-chief of Automotive Supply Chain magazine said: “The awards are to recognise and celebrate excellence in one of the most important and critical sectors within the automotive industry: automotive supply chain and logistics. Our heartiest congratulations to the winners and we truly feel that they are industry pioneers and trendsetters in their own right.”
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Photo caption: Penske Logistics associates pose with the award at the ceremony. From left: Jeff Bullard, senior vice president of the central region; Joe Carlier, senior vice president of sales; Marc Althen, president; David Topp, strategic account executive.
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics have committed to hiring several hundred U.S. military veterans and their spouses into their workforce over the next several years as part of the Hiring Our Heroes program.
“Penske is experiencing strong growth in 2015 and we are actively hiring truck drivers and diesel engine technicians across North America,” stated Jen Sockel, Penske senior vice president of human resources.
A grand opening event took place in Denver today asPenske Truck Leasing announced a state-of-the-art facility that provides full-service truck leasing, consumer and commercial truck rental and contract truck fleet maintenance services. The address is 10255 East 40th Avenue.
“This new district location was built to offer an excellent customer service experience to correspond with our regional growth,” said Rick Pytlik, Penske Truck Leasing senior vice president for the western region. “We’re now centrally located amongst our customer base and highly visible from I-70. We now have larger service bays, improved rental counters, customer lounges and an open design that will lead to increased productivity.”
Here are some details:
W.E. O'Neil Construction Company of Colorado was the general contractor on this project.
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Captions: Photos of the company's newest Denver facility were taken by Tim O'Hara.
Penske Logistics South America has been given the 2014 QLICAR Award byNatura, a leading Brazilian manufacturer of skin care, cosmetics, perfume, hair care and other beauty products. The award, which recognizes top suppliers, is an acronym that roughly translates from Portuguese to: quality; logistics; innovation; cost/contract; treatment; and relationship.
"This award recognizes our ongoing commitment to improvement in services,” stated Paulo Sarti, Penske Logistics South America managing director. “Natura is a company that requires a high level of excellence from all its partners and suppliers."
The QLICAR accolade honors Natura suppliers that provide innovations and excellence in their operations.
Penske received high scores for customer service and percentage of on-time deliveries. The company provides warehousing solutions from multiple locations in Brazil.
Photo caption: from left: Joselena Peressinoto, Natura supply chain vice president; Jorge Agelidis, Penske Logistics senior manager of operations; Paulo Sarti, managing director, Penske Logistics; Roberto Lima, Natura president.
By “Move Ahead” Staff
Penske Truck Rental, a leading provider of rental trucks as well as corporate employee relocation solutions will team up with Simple Moving Labor in a joint expo booth at the upcoming 2015 Worldwide ERC Relocation Conference from May 6 – 8 in Las Vegas in booth 302. Penske Truck Rental collaborates with moving helpers like Simple Moving Labor to provide a range of moving options from do-it-yourself moves with optional labor assistance to a white glove moving experience.
Penske Truck Rental and Simple Moving Labor make it easy for corporate relocation professionals to customize a moving program with:
Visit www.employeemoves.com for additional information about working with Penske Truck Rental for corporate relocations or please call 1-877-280-4315 for more information.
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Penske Truck Leasing is once again a member of the annual InformationWeek Elite 100 list, placing No. 79. For 16 straight years, the company has graced the InformationWeek 500 rankings, which highlights leading business technology innovators in the United States.
“It is a wonderful accomplishment to once again make the InformationWeek 500 list for this many consecutive years,” said Mike Krut, Penske senior vice president of information technology.
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics were among the companies that celebrated Earth Day and sustainability advancements being made in the transportation sector. The setting in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was the grand opening of a Trillium CNG fueling station, with Wegmans Food Markets; NFI, a supply chain solutions provider; and Gladstein, Neandross and Associates (GNA), clean transportation and energy consultants.
“Today is an excellent example of how several organizations can work together and create a success story for the transportation industry to transition to alternative fuels,” stated Drew Cullen, Penske senior vice president of fuels and facilities services (pictured speaking below). “We appreciate the opportunity to take a lead role in making this day a reality.”
During the month of April, the company's sustainability efforts were recognized on a national level. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored Penske with its first-ever Clean Air Excellence Award, and back-to-back-to-back SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Awards.
Trillium unveiled a Class-8 public accessible compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in the Highridge Business Park.
A total of 23 Penske Truck Leasing leased CNG alternative fuel heavy-duty trucks will be fueled by Penske Logistics, NFI and Wegmans at this location (one of the trucks is pictured, right, from the grand opening).
The replacement of 23 diesel-powered tractors with CNG-powered tractors will result in a 1.25 million pound annual reduction in CO2 emissions. This significant reduction in emissions is equivalent to the annual emissions of over 150 homes.
To accommodate natural gas truck demand, Penske Truck Leasing modified its nearby 10,400-square-foot Highridge Business Park facility that opened in November 2013 so that each of its four truck maintenance bays can service natural gas vehicles.
Public funding was secured for this project. Here are the GNA-secured 2014 Commonwealth grants being utilized in Schuylkill County:
"With the new natural gas fueling station, NFI will be able to further its mission to improve its environmental impact,” said Bill Bliem, senior vice president fleet services at NFI. “This also allows us to share these benefits with our customers that also prioritize expanding their sustainability efforts."
“We are proud to be part of this event and to be working with partners who share our commitment to sustainability,” says David DeMascole, Wegmans’ director of network planning. “If our high expectations for environmental and financial performance are met, these will be the first of many tractors using CNG at Wegmans.”
“Trillium CNG is excited to be partnering with NFI, Penske and Wegmans Foods to make CNG available in the area,” said Mary Boettcher, Trillium CNG president. “We’re confident other fleet operators in the tri-state region will take advantage of the environmental and economic benefits that natural gas provides.”
By “Move Ahead” Staff
Penske Truck Leasing has been given the Clean Air Excellence Award, in the Clear Air Technology category, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As one of seven 2015 winners Penske is the only corporation; the other recipients are government-related organizations. This is the first time Penske Truck Leasing has received this award.
According to the EPA, these awards honor projects from across the United States for their work on clean air and climate initiatives. The awards recognize innovative state, local, tribal, and private sector programs that protect health and the environment, educate the public, serve their communities and boost the economy.
“It is humbling for our company’s overall sustainability efforts to be recognized by the EPA with this prestigious award,” said Drew Cullen, Penske senior vice president of fuels and facility services.
“As a trusted adviser to our customers, who operate both traditional and alternative fuel truck fleets, we take a consultative approach and ensure they operate the type of alternative fuel equipment that fits their needs,” he explained.
“The investment we have made in our natural gas rental tractor program removes many of the barriers the transportation industry faces in determining where natural gas is a fit for their operations, and it provides an avenue to demonstrate and measure the clean air benefits,” Cullen noted.
Penske Truck Leasing is an affiliate partner in the U.S. EPA SmartWay program and Penske Logistics is a partner in the trucking carrier and logistics categories. Penske Truck Leasing is also an affiliate partner in the Canada SmartWay Transport Partnership, which is administered by Natural Resources Canada.
For the last three years, Penske has captured the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award in the United States.
“Communities across the country have cleaner air and better health thanks to these award-winning programs,” said Janet McCabe, EPA acting assistant administrator for the office of air and radiation. “We’re celebrating Earth Day a little early by recognizing these cutting-edge efforts to educate the public, cut harmful air pollution, improve public health through new technologies and approaches, and make our environment healthier and more sustainable.”
The awards program, established in 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, recognizes and honors both individuals and organizations that have undertaken the risks of innovation, served as pioneers in their fields, advanced public understanding of air pollution and improved air quality.
Entries are judged by the EPA and members of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. Cullen will accept the award in Washington D.C., tomorrow.
By “Move Ahead” Staff
Photo caption: Cullen, left, poses with the EPA's Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator.
For the third straight year Penske Truck Leasing has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award winner. Penske is one of seven organizations across the United States to be given the award today at the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) Capital Ideas and Exhibition Conference in Orlando, Florida.
“It is a tremendous accomplishment for our company to be recognized in this fashion,” said Drew Cullen, Penske senior vice president of fuels and facility services. “The Penske team is committed to partnering with our customers and the EPA to develop and implement strategies that improve fuel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and in turn, reduce costs.”
The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge is a national challenge developed by the EPA to acknowledge organizations that participates in SmartWay and does an exceptional job supporting the partnership’s freight sustainability goals.
SmartWay Affiliate honorees have proactively initiated and executed recruiting, promotional and marketing activities that raise awareness and encourage their members to address air pollution from freight activities.
Duane Long, co-founder and chairman of Longistics, a full-service provider of global logistics services based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is thankful for Penske’s efforts.
“We’re very pleased to become re-registered as a SmartWay partner,” said Long, who is chairman of the American Trucking Associations. “We appreciate Penske’s dedication, commitment and support in assisting our company in achieving this objective.”
These are a few of the ways that Penske promoted the SmartWay Transport Partnership:
“The EPA commends the Affiliate Challenge honorees for their extraordinary level of commitment, enthusiasm, and creativity in supporting EPA’s SmartWay program, and sustainable transportation,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “The work in this arena helps to advance the environmental sustainability of commercial transportation and logistics bringing us all closer to achieving the shared goals of efficient goods movement and clean air.”
EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to help business improve the sustainability of their freight supply chains. Today the Partnership consists of nearly 3,000 partners, representing a cross section of the freight supply chain industry. SmartWay Partners have saved over 144 million barrels of oil. SmartWay’s clean air achievements (60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide so far) help protect the health and well-being of citizens.
By “Move Ahead” Staff
Photo caption: Penske senior manager of fuel services Virind Gujral (left) and SmartWay director Cheryl Bynum.
While branding is a concept long embraced by companies in the marketplace, members of the Penske Women’s Network encouraged young women to develop their own personal brand as they seek a first job or establish a chosen career.
Through a series of writing exercises and role-play, the high school students were encouraged to pick characteristics that would best describe them and make them uniquely different -- all part of learning to recognize and communicate their own personal brand.
The presentation was part of the 2015 Young Women’s Leadership Conference, held recently at Penn State Berks and sponsored by the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry, both based in Reading, Pennsylvania.
For the teens, the message comes at a time that is viewed as a critical age, one when they would be making decisions that could impact the rest of their lives, said presenter Delphia Howze, Penske’s manager of diversity and inclusion and corporate HR at Penske.
“Their personal brand will be part of every decision they make. It is important that they are able to understand the significance of their brand and how to create the most positive self-reflection,” Howze said. “They have to know that they have control over what they project to others. If they want to be leaders, they have to project themselves as such.”
Members of the women’s network - Howze; Connie Mitchell-Bates, manager of process solutions ; Karyn Troxell , corporate HR manager; and Georgianna Frenzelas, manager of sales training – each worked with the students as “table coaches” helping them to see for themselves the qualities that made them special.
“What we are talking about here is the brand that is inside you,” said Troxell. “You are uniquely different. You have to believe that in order to develop your own personal brand.”
In addition to defining a personal brand, the presentation included interview tips to teach the young women how to stand out from other candidates as well as interview role play.
“You have 30 seconds from when you meet someone to make an impression,” said Mitchell-Bates. “Your brand when you go in for a job starts when you enter the door. You have to be careful how you present the initial introduction of your brand.”
The attendees practiced the EAR approach to an interview: providing examples in response to interview questions detailing the action they took as well as the results or outcomes.
The students were able to put their new-found skills to the test as they participated in a role-play assuming the role of being interviewed for a summer job and answering as a hiring manager when asked why they should be hired for a summer job.
As a student chaperone who experienced the presentation along with the students, Lucy Cortez, a business development executive for Meridian Bank, applauded the efforts of the Penske representatives and found the topic to be “spot on.”
“Their knowledge was exceptional in regards to what a brand is all about,” said Cortez, who has had prior roles involving hiring employees. “Their example of using EAR is an excellent way for young women to learn before going into the job market.”
For Yulisa Gomez, 16, a 10th grade student at the I-Lead Charter School in Reading, Pennsylvania, the presentation was a helpful exercise in self-discovery.
“I learned that everybody is not the same,” said Gomez, who learned a key characteristic of her own brand: she is responsible.
Pictured, top photo: Frenzelas with 10th grader Gomez
Pictured, bottom photo: Troxell, Howze and Frenzelas with the Nittany Lion
By Bernie Mixon
