American Power Group, Inc. ("APG") has signed a national distributor and master marketing agreement with WheelTime Network LLC ("WheelTime"). Under the terms of the agreement, WheelTime Network LLC will endorse APG technology and engage its member companies in establishing a North American network to market and install APG's Vehicular Turbocharged Natural Gas Systems.
The APG system is a cost-effective and non-invasive patented turbocharged natural gas dual fuel conversion technology for trucks, stationary generators and off-road mobile diesel engines. The APG system offers a 300-800 mile dual fuel range with no loss of power and torque and, depending on the route profile, delivers an average annual net fuel savings of 15 percent to 30 percent over 100 percent diesel fuel. With no practical design limits for engine models or horsepower, the APG system is currently EPA-approved for 88 engine families and is expected to receive EPA approval for more than 200 additional engine families by the end of 2013. The APG system offers the flexibility to return the vehicle to 100 percent diesel operation at any time. At end-of-life or vehicular rotation, the APG system and natural gas tank can be easily removed and installed on another EPA approved engine.
The WheelTime Network is North America's highest quality truck service network. Its 18 member companies provide installation and warranty support through nearly 200 service centers, 2,800 service bays, 3,000 factory-trained technicians and 30 training facilities located across the United States and Canada.
"We see natural gas as an important and necessary development in our industry. Accordingly, WheelTime made a strategic decision earlier this year to begin taking the necessary steps to become a center of excellence for the installation and service of natural gas engines," said Mike Delaney, President and CEO of WheelTime Network LLC.
Delaney added: "In addition to dedicated natural gas engines, we believe diesel engine dual fuel conversions will be an evolutionary step for natural gas, providing a low risk way for fleets to get the benefit of natural gas fuel savings and giving existing equipment new life."
Lyle Jensen, CEO of American Power Group states, "To become aligned with the number one quality truck service network in North America is clearly one of the most important marketing and operational milestones in our company's history. WheelTime members understand engine performance and their leadership in installation and warranty service will accelerate the rollout of our technology. With this agreement, we have the opportunity to provide an integrated-approach and nationwide scalability for our certified installations, and we look forward to working with WheelTime member companies to introduce our non-invasive dual fuel system to their fleet customers."
Delaney said, "During 2012, we conducted extensive due diligence and recognized APG as the current world leader in non-invasive dual fuel conversion technology. In our view, the APG Turbocharged Natural Gas System provides the best overall customer value when it comes to diesel-like performance characteristics and the lowest total cost of ownership. We look forward to working with Lyle Jensen and his APG Team to introduce what we believe is a game-changing technology in natural gas engine systems."
Established in 2004 as a strategic alliance among North America's Detroit Diesel-Allison distributors, each WheelTime member is an equity owner in the Network and has a vested interest in achieving WheelTime's exclusive truck repair service metrics and standards. The vehicle service records are integrated across the Network for accessibility and consistent high quality service at every location.
The WheelTime agreement with American Power Group continues the WheelTime Network's commitment to strategic initiatives that enhance the value of the Network to customers. WheelTime plans to expand Network services and capabilities as it continues to drive quality across the system and employ innovation across all systems and customer services.
"The industry wants and needs support that is oriented toward the way trucking companies do business. The new APG non-invasive dual fuel natural gas system extends the viability of older trucks by allowing them to take advantage of fuel savings while complying with new environmental regulations," Delaney added. "When you match WheelTime members' background in handling complex repairs with their unified desire to create a service network that is second to none, you get innovation and the commitment to partnerships like this one with APG that can set new standards for the industry."
The WheelTime Network leads the maintenance industry in the adoption of new technologies and information management systems. In early 2010, WheelTime introduced WheelTime LINQ, an industry-first repair and maintenance service management program that ensures customers receive consistent levels of service and consistent hours of labor per repair or service regardless of the Network location.
The WheelTime Network LLC member companies in alphabetical order are: Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison, Central Power Systems and Services, Clarke Power Services, Cullen Diesel Power, Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inland Power Group, Interstate Power Systems, Johnson & Towers, New England Detroit Diesel -Allison, Pacific Power Products, Penn Commercial Vehicle Solutions, Smith Power Products, Stewart & Stevenson, United Engines, Valley Power Systems, W.W. Williams, Wajax Power Systems and Western Branch Diesel.
