SEATTLE, Wash. — Mack is conducting customer clinics throughout North America to educate its customers about the impacts of the impending 2007 emissions regulations.

The sessions are being offered by the North American Institute the distributor and customer training operation for Mack. One such session was recently hosted by Seattle Mack, and the company says it was well-received.

"It’s important for us to be as open as possible with our distributors and customers about our 2007 plans," said Paul Vikner, Mack president and CEO. "They’re understandably concerned about what 2007 is going to bring, particularly the impact on their businesses. So we owe it to them to communicate how we plan to meet these standards, and, quite frankly, put their minds at ease about the new engines Mack is going to be bringing to the market which we’re confident are going to provide breakthrough quality and performance."

So far, more than 80 customers have participated in four clinics conducted this year. Last year, similar clinics attracted more than 300 customers, the company says. Each session lasts about five hours.

Topics include Mack’s history, current product offerings and the company’s plans to meet the stringent 2007 emissions standards. Mack has dubbed its 2007 solution (consisting of enhanced EGR coupled with a diesel particulate filter) as "high performance exhaust gas recirculation" (HGR).

"We got an outstanding response to the session that Barry Yeager from the North American Institute conducted here in June," said Greg Beman, sales manager at Seattle Mack. "Close to 50 customers participated, and Barry did a great job of walking them through the ’07 situation. His candor was much appreciated. And as far as I know, Mack is the only one doing this kind of thing."