FENTON, Mich. July 7 – In these difficult times it is exceptional to hear anything positive, but two extraordinary companies have come together to defy the norm and are creating excitement and expansion among the doom and gloom.  Webasto Product North America, Inc. (WPNA) and WheelTime® Network LLC (WheelTime) have formed a synergistic partnership to grow idle reduction in the North American transportation market.  WheelTime has decided to use its well known and established name and reputation to promote, distribute and service Webasto’s full line of idle-reducing technologies in North America. This includes engine-off heating and cooling systems that can reduce idling while meeting the needs of the vehicle operator. One example is BlueCool Truck, an innovative bunk cooling storage system for sleeper cabs, which won  the 2008 Frost and Sullivan Idle Reduction Technology of the Year award . When in use BlueCool Truck does not create any emissions or use any fuel.

“This agreement forges a new business model for Webasto, providing consistency to the market and allowing us to provide a greater reach to more customers by getting parts in the field to better service and support our existing and future customers,” said Mark Hickey, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Webasto Product North America. “With over 200 WheelTime locations, 4,000 factory-trained technicians and a philosophy based around quality customer service, WheelTime is a clear partner of choice.”

The global economic crisis has hit everyone hard, especially the truck fleets. Every fleet is looking for ways to improve profitability and idle reduction is the last of the low hanging fruit.

“When it comes to CARB approved engine-off heating and cooling solutions Webasto has one of the most innovative and complete offerings in the market,” commented WheelTime CEO, Tom Freiwald. ”Webasto’s product line will help to differentiate and compliment WheelTime’s current business. That’s why our members were excited and on board from the start.” 

The world is rapidly changing. Legislation, societal concerns and operating costs are driving a growing demand for clean, reliable technology. With current hard economic times, dollars are sparse and fleets need reliable solutions that can ultimately increase competitiveness and profitability. A Webasto-WheelTime partnership offers unmatched service, combined with state of the art technical solutions that have been developed and fine tuned over the past 70 plus years to meet these market needs head on.

About WheelTime®
WheelTime® has a network of more than 200 service locations in the United States and Canada, incorporating a team of 4,000 factory-trained technicians, specialized in the repair and maintenance of Detroit Diesel and Mercedes-Benz engines and Allison automatic transmissions.  The WheelTime® Network is focused on maximizing their customers’ uptime and is also experienced in servicing and maintaining many of the vehicle’s other systems and components. WheelTime®  is a member of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and is a sponsor of TMC's National Technician Skills Competition.  For more information on the WheelTime® Network, please visit www.wheeltime.com

About Webasto:

Webasto AG headquartered in Stockdorf near Munich has been a family-run business ever since the company was founded in 1901. It has about 6,500 employees at 50 international locations and is specialized in the Convertible, Roof & Body (CRB) and Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) business segments. With sales of around 1.6 billion euros (2008 business year) Webasto is one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide. The company's core competencies include development and production of convertible, roof and body systems as well as heating, cooling and ventilation systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. You will find further information at: www.webasto.com

Media Contacts:

Josh Lupu, Webasto                                                           Rex Greenslade, G Works

josh.lupu@webasto-us.com                                             rex@gworksinc.us

Phone: 810-593-6060                                                        248-346-6242

Jill Gingrich, WheelTime

jill.gingrich@wheeltime.com

313-475-3135

Interstate AssemblySystems featured in the Forum

Interstate AssemblySystems was recently featured in the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.

Please click on the following link below to view:

AssemblySystems Inforum Article

Northstar Rail expected to transport 5-6,000 commuters daily beginning November 2009 from Northern Twin Cities Suburbs and Exurbs to Minneapolis /St. Paul.

Minneapolis — March 12, 2000

Today, at the first Heavy Rail commuter system in Minnesota, an MTU Onsite Energy 1,250kW generator is commissioned. The generator is ready to supply emergency power to the Big Lake, Minnesota terminal of the new commuter train service connecting communities in central Minnesota to the Minneapolis /St. Paul Metro area. 

Tim Stalpes, Generator Sales Engineer Power Generation, Interstate Power Systems Minneapolis Office worked closely with Minnesota State Engineers, Sebesta Blomberg  Consulting Engineers, St. Paul, MN and Design Electric, St. Cloud, MN to develop an emergency backup system that will completely support the platform and train engine roundhouse for the commuter rail operations in the event of a utility power outage. The final design resulted in Interstate PowerSystems supplying an MTU 12v Series 4000 1250kW Diesel generator set in an all aluminum walk in enclosure. The system was fully commission by Interstate technicians Stan Harms and Steve Pratt under the supervision of Sebesta Blomberg Engineering, and passed extensive testing requirements.

David Walch, Interstate GM of Power Systems, was on hand for the final testing and says, “ …the collaborative efforts of the IPS sales and service departments made for an impressive showing throughout the project, all site agents, contractors and engineers on hand were very impressed, the respective departments and the company should be very proud.”

Today, MTU announced the official launch of the new MTU Onsite Energy brand. Under this brand, MTU will consolidate their product portfolio for decentralized energy systems, including: diesel engine systems, gas engine systems, fuel cells and gas turbines. MTU Onsite Energy systems can produce electricity heat and cooling.

Interstate PowerSystems is proud to have been chosen as an MTU Onsite Energy exclusive distributor for our territory, and as such, Interstate is your best choice for product information, product application and expert-level service and support for MTU Onsite Energy products.

For more information on MTU Onsite Energy and their partnership with Interstate, Click Link Below:

Power Gerneration / MTU Onsite Energy

For more information on MTU Onsite Energy, please visit the factory’s website:

http://www.mtu-online.com/mtuonsiteenergy

Continuing its legacy for developing reliable and fuel efficient engines, Detroit Diesel introduced its new DD13™ engine today. A smaller version of the popular DD15™ engine, the DD13 displaces 12.8 liters, and features a 6-cylinder, in-line configuration. The new engine allows customers to demand economy, serviceability and performance.

Designed for the less-than-truckload, regional distribution, and vocational markets, the DD13 will be offered in output and torque variants from 350 to 450 hp and 1,350 to 1,650 lb-ft. 

The DD13 is the second in a series of all-new heavy-duty engines from Detroit Diesel that will eventually cover three displacement categories: 13 liters, 15 liters and 16 liters. Part of the Detroit Diesel engine family, the DD13 shares a common base engine design that will be leveraged on a global scale by Daimler Trucks.

“We have taken all of the lessons learned from our 70 years of building engines and applied this extensive history to our new engine,” said David Siler, director of marketing for Detroit Diesel. “The DD13 – which is truly a culmination of our experience and innovations – delivers what our customers want: economy, serviceability and performance.”

Learn more about the DD13 here:

http://www.detroitdiesel.com/DetroitDiesel/engines/dd13/