Articles by Tom Kelley

Owned/leased vehicles chart

The 2016 State of the Beverage Fleet Industry

Small vans continue to gain in popularity
Tom Kelley
December 16, 2016
Beverage Industry conducted its annual fleet survey to get the latest data on the size and makeup of current delivery fleets as well as operational concerns and strategies. Continuing trends in this year’s results include the popularity of small vans, as well as the continuing split in favor of end-load trucks and trailers versus traditional side-load equipment.
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Cheverolet 4500

2017 Trucks Report: Engine releases address fuel efficiency

New technology eases trailer operation
Tom Kelley
November 14, 2016
Ford Motor Co.’s new F-Series Super Duty will offer Trailer Reverse Guidance, a technology that uses cameras to see more angles, monitor conditions surrounding the truck and provide real-time coaching guidance while maneuvering a trailer. The Super Duty is the first Ford vehicle to offer as many as seven cameras, three of which are used in Trailer Reverse Guidance. More than just digital rearview mirrors, the functions of these cameras include the following:
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Try-It Flame Truck

Beverage Industry unveils Best Fleet Graphics winners

Distributors use graphics to support marketing messages
Tom Kelley
October 14, 2016
As the product mix handled by most distributors continues to grow, so, too, have the market niches for which a distributor needs to create a diverse range of marketing messages and effective methods to deliver those messages. Vehicle graphics continue to deliver locally targeted messages to a large and diverse audience.
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Distribution fleet

Tips for prepping your fleet for winter

Lift trucks also need winterization protocol
Tom Kelley
September 15, 2016
Who runs the A/C in the middle of winter? You do, if your truck has a defroster. In modern HVAC systems, the air conditioner activates when you use the defroster. It removes excess moisture from the air, so it has a big effect on how quickly and effectively the defroster can clear the windshield.
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Nestle Waters F650

Propane-powered trucks benefit beverage fleets

Nestlé Waters North America adds 155 medium-duty propane trucks
Tom Kelley
June 15, 2016

There’s gas as in gasoline, and then there’s gas as in propane, often referred to as “autogas” by fuel industry insiders. In many applications, propane can deliver measurable cost savings compared with conventional gasoline and diesel powertrains.


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Mid-America Trucking Show's future uncertain

PC-11 oil classification hot topic at 2016 MATS
Tom Kelley
May 16, 2016

Traditionally an occasion for much of the truck industry’s news each year, the annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) was as noteworthy this year for its lack of news as it was for the news that did come out of the show.


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Springtime maintenance can prevent downtime for beverage trucks

Battery, starter and alternator among electrical systems to test
Tom Kelley
April 15, 2016

As the temperatures begin to rise, it’s certain that spring is on its way. Although winter is a tough time for trucks, a bit of spring cleaning to an electrical system can prevent problems when the summer heat can be enough to sideline trucks with a variety of electrical system ailments.


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green trailer

Powers Distributing employs hybrid, biodiesel fleets

Michigan wholesaler credits strong business partnerships
Tom Kelley
March 15, 2016

Today’s business environment requires distributors to constantly pursue opportunities that improve the efficiency of their fleet operations. At Orion, Mich.-based Powers Distributing, this pursuit of efficiency pre-dates the economic roller coaster of the past decade and extends into other areas of the business.


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