KELOWNA, B. C. – The BC Trucking Association’s (BCTA’s) 95th Management Conference and AGM profiled industry members who have invested in new “green” technologies to showcase successful fuel-saving strategies.

‘The Greening of the Motor Carrier Industry’ was the theme of the recent convention, and the topic of a panel discussion about how both business practices and selected fuel-saving technologies can reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency.

A three-member panel featured: Rob Penner, vice-president of operations for Bison Transport; Gene Orlick, president of Orlick’s Transport; and Sharon Banks, CEO of Cascade Sierra Solutions – a US non-profit group providing support on emissions reduction to the industry along the Interstate 5 corridor of Washington, Oregon, and California through outreach and incentives.

The BCTA says that fuel prices are “sky high and rising; the carbon tax is upon us and the economy is slowing,” but there is still hope for the trucking industry “if it is willing to adopt new strategies, find ways to invest in new equipment and green its fleets.”

In addition, an ‘enviroTruck’ was featured at the show, which had a new “smog-free” engine fitted with fuel-saving devices, courtesy of BCTA member Glenncoe Transport.

Service to the Industry

The BCTA’s 2008 Service to the Industry award was presented to Hanne Madsen, the president of DanFoss Couriers and Freight. Madsen is a long-time member of the BCTA board of directors, infrastructure development and insurance committees, and was previously on the BCTA executive committee, the human resources task force and the conference committee.

Madsen began work at DanFoss Couriers and Freight in 1987 after an initial period as a sales representative with Kraft Foods.

At DanFoss Couriers and Freight, Madsen first held different positions in sales and assistant management, then eventually moved on to become general manager, and is now president.

Driver of the Year

The 2008 BCTA Driver of the Year was presented to Lorne Rasmussen of Arrow Transportation Systems. Rasmussen has worked in the transportation industry for 56 years and has driven 5.8 million miles, according to the BCTA.

Starting at Arrow Transportation Systems in 1972, Rasmussen worked full-time until trying retirement in the summer of 2000.

During the first 28 years with the company, he operated daily without involvement in a preventable motor vehicle collision, nor lost time due to personal injury. Returning a few months after the official retirement date, Rasmussen at 71, continues to drive three days a week in the Kamloops wood fibre division.

To date, he has provided 36 years of dedicated service at Arrow, including participation on committees, as a mentor for new drivers and at truck rodeos.