Cummins & ATA Celebrate the Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis & Emphasize that Addressing Driver Shortage is Critic...
11 August 2016 - 1:01AM
Business Wire
Today Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and the American Trucking
Associations (ATA) celebrated the trucking profession in
Indianapolis while also addressing the nationwide shortage of
driving professionals.
This awareness comes as the ATA holds the National Truck Driving
Championships this week at the Indiana Convention Center in
Indianapolis, Indiana from Wednesday, August 10 – Saturday, August
13. During the three days more than 430 drivers from across the
country, representing different companies and fleets, will be
competing in various skills competitions.
Cummins is supporting the championships to bring attention to
the nationwide truck driver shortage and to highlight how the
profession is improving. The Columbus, Indiana-based engine
manufacturer is offering ride-and-drives in downtown Indianapolis
in state-of-the-art tractor-trailers with its 2017 X15 engines to
showcase how technology is improving the conditions for modern day
truck drivers.
“Our nation’s economy is very much dependent on the trucking
industry, and at the heart of it is the driver,” said Amy Boerger,
Cummins Vice President of Sales. “This week we are seeing the best
of the best show their skills. And, I am proud that Cummins, with
our engines and technology, helps truck-drivers work in a safer,
more dependable atmosphere. Continuing and growing this proud and
important segment of our economy is critical to how we do business
and how Americans receive the goods they expect.”
According to the ATA, the driver shortage right now is near
48,000 and, if current trends hold, this number may reach 175,000
by 2024. The driver shortage is, in part, due to a higher
population of drivers nearing retirement age. As they retire, the
industry is not backfilling positions in the younger generations at
a rate to match retirement attrition.
For Americans, a driver shortage could negatively impact
consumer in many ways, from higher costs to have products
delivered, to longer delays in receiving products, whether it is at
home, the grocery or the local pharmacy.
To attract the next generation of drivers, Cummins, the ATA and
other industry-leading companies are working to highlight the
innovations in today’s trucks and in the profession. Technological
advancements and engine performance are key principles of how
Cummins designs its products. From tires to the engine, to the
chairs, to the sleepers, trucks are state-of-the-art vehicles that
meet stringent emissions and fuel economy standards while still an
enjoyable experience for drivers.
For Bill West, driving a truck is a rewarding profession on many
levels.
“It provides you freedom, flexibility and security. It is a safe
profession where you can earn six-figures,” said West, America’s
Road Team Captain at the Truck Driving Championships and owner of a
Cummins-powered Ram truck. “I get up every day and know the work I
am doing directly impacts the American economy. I can also see real
opportunity professionally and personally. There are more career
development opportunities than there used to be and now most
drivers get to see our families at least every other day, rather
than once a month like it used to be. This is a great profession
and I encourage others to look into it.”
West believes technologies like automatic manual transmission,
blind spot identification and adaptive cruise control allow drivers
to concentrate on driving safely and with greater ease. He also
sees the industry becoming more regional which means less time on
the road and more time with his family.
“The National Truck Driving Championships are a great
opportunity to showcase the finest drivers and newest technologies
in our industry,” said Elisabeth Barna, ATA Chief Operating
Officer. “These are truck drivers who love their careers and excel
at being the safest and most professional drivers on the nation’s
highways.”
About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of
complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute
and service diesel and natural gas engines and related
technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling,
filtration, emissions solutions and electrical power generation
systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins
currently employs approximately 55,000 people worldwide, and serves
customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a
network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent
distributor locations and more than 7,200 dealer locations. Cummins
earned $1.4 billion on sales of $19.1 billion in 2015. Press
releases can be found on the Web at cummins.com or
cumminsengines.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/cumminsengines and on YouTube at
http://youtube.com/cumminsengines.
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Cummins Inc.Jon MillsDirector – External
Communications317-658-4540jon.mills@cummins.com
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