Heavy Duty Trucking, October 2018

HDT OCTOBER 2018 90 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM taying ahead in the fleet game requires managers and operators to constantly consider and evaluate new technologies new ideas and new ways of thinking to ensure their operations remain current and profitable One such source of inspiration is Golden State Foods which operates a national fleet of around 1000 tractor trailers as well as a 100 unit fleet of box trucks The fleets drivers make more than 25000 deliveries per week primarily to quick serve restaurants among other eateries and retailers GSF is a data driven fleet and it turns that analytical approach to its sustainability efforts as well As a company weve made sustainability what we call a pillar one of five areas our leaders focus their strategies and initiatives around then all of our businesses and respective locations align to year over year data and actions to improve results says Bob Wolpert corporate senior vice president and president of GSF Logistics Last year GSF put down deposits on several of Teslas electric Semi trucks While those wont be delivered until the fourth quarter of 2019 GSF is going to test the waters by adding a few to its fleet This kind of realworld operation will ultimately benefit all fleets giving both vehicle makers and fleet managers a chance to see how technology will shape the industry of the future That said Wolpert notes that he is doing it knowing the technology isnt yet perfect We are constantly vetting whats worth our time energy and risk he says In Teslas case the rationale was if electric will be a viable Staying ahead of the game Golden State Foods put down deposits on several of Teslas Semi trucks in late 2017 Golden State Foods has decided that sustainability will keep its fleet ahead of the competition including adding a fleet of Teslas electric Semi option we need to be involved One thing Wolpert is watching closely is range He anticipates deploying the Tesla trucks in regions with more dense delivery schedules Improving the range is something Tesla is actively working on before the trucks ship next year he says but some concerns remain Part of our Tesla truck testing will be to understand in a stop start environment how the range will be impacted Wolpert explains If it is on lot for 30 minutes to make a delivery how does the vehicles battery life behave Is 30 minutes considered unused time With our type of driving and deliveries what is the life before recharge Wolpert admits the sight of the Golden State Foods logo on Tesla tractor trailers will undoubtedly add a dash of panache to the companys commitment to sustainability but he stresses that the trucks must fit GSFs usage profile Were not looking for a marketing effect he says Its really about sustainability with a solid fit for our operating needs By Tariq Kamal Contributor FLEET SNAPSHOT WHO Golden State Foods WHERE Irvine California FLEET Approximately 1000 tractor trailers OPERATIONS Processing and distribution of food products FUN FACT More than 60 million miles driven in North America every year CHALLENGE Assessing the value of new technologies to meet sustainability goals FLEET TALK S PHOTO GOLDEN STATE FOODS