From left to right: Tim Millwood, executive director, purchasing, Cummins; Scott Adams, executive director, sales, automotive North America, Eaton; Tom Stover, chief technology officer, vehicle group, Eaton; Michael Johnson, director, sales, automotive North America, Eaton; Lisa Yoder, vice president, global supply chain and manufacturing, Cummins; and, Steve Spaulding, vice president, engine business unit purchasing and supply chain management, Cummins.

GALESBURG, MI— Power management company Eaton has won the “Top Supplier” title from Cummins Inc. for its work on the SuperTruck program and SmartAdvantage integrated powertrain product.

“It is a great honor to receive this award, and reflects the hard work and commitment of our team to exceed customer expectations every day,” said Tom Stover, chief technology officer, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “We appreciate Cummins as a valued customer and look forward to continuing and expanding our successful collaboration.”

The awards recognize suppliers for delivering exemplary service and support in a range of categories, and helping Cummins transform its supply chain into one that is market driven. The winning suppliers were nominated by Cummins’ business units and functional areas that work with them. And the award was presented to Eaton on May 2 at Cummins’ U.S. Supplier Conference in Indianapolis. 

Cummins, Eaton and Peterbilt Motors Co. are partners on the SuperTruck project, which aims to develop an efficient and clean diesel engine, an advanced waste heat recovery system, an aerodynamic tractor and trailer combination and a lithium-ion auxiliary battery power unit to reduce engine idling. Eaton has supplied advanced transmissions for the project.

The SuperTruck program was initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy to improve long-haul Class 8 vehicle freight efficiency. The program focuses on engine systems and vehicle technologies that meet emissions, safety and other U.S. regulations for Class 8 tractor-trailer vehicles. In addition to the benefits of reduced fuel consumption and petroleum usage, the improvements in engine system efficiency will deliver a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Of course, Eaton and Cummins have also collaborated on the SmartAdvantage

powertrain that pairs an Eaton Fuller Advantage automated transmission with Cummins’ ISX15 and ISX12 diesel engines.

The ISX15 package was launched in fall 2013, and more than 80 customers offer this package on current field or soon-to-be-launched new trucks. The ISX12 package will be available this fall.