BMC RELIES ON KENWORTH TRUCKS TO SUPPLY AMERICA’S BUILDERS
Alex Eadie, BMC director of supply chain, fleet, logistics and indirect spend, is shown with one of the company’s Kenworth T880s.
As BMC continues to grow, so does its fleet of medium and heavy-duty trucks – many of which are Kenworth T880 and T270s – used to deliver lumber material and other building products to customer jobsites. BMC took delivery of 100 Kenworth T880s and 50 T270s in the past two years, and plans to add more Kenworths this year.
BMC purchased its first Kenworth trucks in 1987 through Kenworth Sales Company – Boise, and has continued to buy new Kenworths from the dealer ever since. Brian Deeds, Kenworth Sales Company – Boise new truck salesman, is instrumental in BMC’s continued relationship with the dealer group.
From left, Brian Deeds of Kenworth Sales Company – Boise, and Alex Eadie, BMC director of supply chain, fleet, logistics and indirect spend.
“By having ‘boots on the ground,’ it gives me a better perspective on how exactly BMC trucks operate in specific markets,” said Deeds. “If we discover a challenge BMC drivers are faced with, then we’ll create a spec to address the issue.”
To further enhance maneuverability in tight urban areas, Deeds recently proposed taking off the step from the Kenworth T880s frame, replacing it with steps for drivers to use on the DEF tank so that they could shorten the wheelbase by 15 inches. Since spec’ing a few trucks with the adjustment, BMC decided to make it a standard spec for all future truck orders.
Since spec’ing a few trucks with the adjustment, BMC decided to make it a standard spec for all future truck orders.
“That just goes to show Brian is always on the lookout for our drivers and fleet managers’ interests,” said Eadie. “He’s a great asset to have.”
The constant search to improve fleet operations trickles down to the BMC customer experience. The company prides itself on making on-time deliveries, so much so, the company tracks its on-time deliveries, and other time-based measurables through a company-wide database.
“We want our customers to know we’re serious about making timely deliveries,” said Eadie. “And, we’re very upfront with our customers with that information. We show them the numbers so they feel reassured that we’ll be at their jobsite when they need us to be. The building timeline shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of those making deliveries, and if it does, we aren’t doing our jobs.”
“All of the bases are covered with our T880s,” said Eadie. “Our straight trucks are especially useful when delivering to smaller projects or in the city where tights roads make deliveries difficult. We looked extensively at the T880s turning radius when making the decision to make the T880 our truck of choice for these types of deliveries, and its proven to be the right recipe for us.”
According to Eadie, BMC equips its Kenworth T880s with the PACCAR MX-13 engine because they’ve proven to be reliable – staying out of the shop and on the road. “Over the years Kenworth trucks, equipped with PACCAR engines seem to be the right combinations for our operations,” said Eadie. “We get plenty of power from the PACCAR MX-13 engine, backed by the reliability we need to assist our efforts in maintaining a good track record with our customers for on-time deliveries.”
The fleet’s Kenworth T270 box trucks all are equipped with 300-hp PACCAR PX-7 engines and Allison 6-speed automatic transmissions. With a gross vehicle weight rating up to 26,000 pounds, BMC uses its T270s to deliver products such as doors, windows, trim packages – and other items that take up ‘space’ but are light in weight – from BMC store locations to jobsites.
Eadie claims driver acceptance is especially high among drivers operating Kenworth trucks, particularly those operating new models that feature the latest technology, such as Kenworth driver assistance technologies, which aid overall driving performance.
“Kenworth seems to be on the forefront when it comes to integrating new technologies in their cabs,” said Eadie. “Some of our drivers coming out of older model trucks and into the new ones were taken aback when they first got into the new trucks and saw all of the features on board. It didn’t take them long to see how new technology can help their performance on the road.
“We like the innovation and high performing trucks Kenworth offers us, and as we continue to grow our operation, Kenworth will be there with us,” said Eadie.
Kenworth is The Driver’s Truck . See what drivers are saying at www.kenworth.com/drivers.
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.