Largest TMC in History Opens With Nearly 400 Exhibitors
“TMC’s members pride themselves on being on the cutting edge of trucking industry technology and maintenance practices,” said Carl Kirk, ATA vice president of maintenance, information technology and logistics and TMC's executive director. “TMC’s Transportation Technology Exhibition shows the best in industry technology and equipment. We’re pleased to welcome so many of our supplier and manufacturer partners here to our annual meeting and exhibition.”
Turnout was strong as well, despite the city being hit early Feb. 16 with snow and icy from Winter Storm Octavia. The show saw a record attendance of more than 4,000, including more than 300 first-timers and 61 international visitors.
Fleet operators forum is under way at #TMC2015 pic.twitter.com/rDND8aoJpT
— Mike_Malloy_TT (@MikeMalloy9) February 16, 2015
An added feature of the TMC 2015 exhibit is an Alternative Fuels Pavilion that provides one-stop shopping for the fleet executives who want to quickly get up to speed on all segments of the alternative-fuels market.
“The work of TMC would not be possible without our supplier and allied partners,” TMC General Chairman Dan Umphress said. “It’s important they’re here to support this council and the work it does to advance trucking industry equipment maintenance.”
The opening day of activity on Feb. 16 included 16 separate task force tracks and four committee tracks. It was preceded on Feb. 15 by a day of press conferences. Among the highlights so far:
* The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to publish its final electronic logging device rule in the fall or late 2015.
* Eaton Corp. and Cummins Inc. officials said they have continued to upgrade their SmartAdvantage integrated powertrain to boost fuel economy and that sales of the system have been strong.
* Michelin Americas Truck Tires Division announced the launch of Tire Care, a fully digital, nationwide fleet tire-monitoring program that the tire maker says will help maximize uptime and control costs.
* Dana Holding Corp. said it is planning a new Web-based training and maintenance course aimed at keeping fleet technicians apprised of the changes in engine “downspeeding,” an increasingly prevalent strategy for boosting fuel efficiency.
#Cummins' Mike Taylor says the appx 200 customers w/ #Eaton-Cummins powertrains has topped expectations. #TMC2015 pic.twitter.com/4mHqOuFgZY
— Mike_Malloy_TT (@MikeMalloy9) February 15, 2015
* Bose announced upgrades to its truck seats, including a refined control system, improved ergonomic features and a built-in informational audio track that helps orient drivers to the new equipment.
The conference continues Feb. 17 with a kickoff breakfast followed by technical sessions and study group sessions. The Exhibit Hall reopens from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CST and again from 5 to 7 p.m.
