First Class

Spring 2011

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328674

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 11 of 22

F acing a huge range of challenges and a diverse array of applications, Pacific Gas & Electric runs in the neighborhood of 230 different specification packages. That's not 230 vehicles, mind you, but 230 different vehicle configurations, custom-engineered for tasks ranging from dump to field-service to flatbed hauler to bucket base. From Class 1 to Class 8, this California utility company — the nation's largest — runs 12,000 vehicles. "We service 80,000 square miles, from just north of Bakersfield nearly to Oregon, and from the Pacific to the Sierras," says Dave Meisel, director of transportation services for the utility giant headquartered in San Francisco. "We work in every type of ge- ography and every type of climate condition, from the desert to the snow-covered mountains. "We also handle all our own construction projects, as op- posed to subcontracting them out as many larger utilities do. So once you consider the diversity of the tasks we perform and the geography and topography we perform them in, the range of our transportation needs is uniquely broad." Meisel's equipment needs are usually pretty steady as he rotates new vehicles into the fleet. But in the face of environmental regulations growing ever more complex in California as well as being faced with an unusually large equipment need in 2009, Meisel decided to look at his equipment purchase with fresh eyes. He had never ordered a Peterbilt product before. But the level of customization and performance he was hear- ing about in the company's broad array of product offer- ing convinced him it was time to at least consider whether Peterbilt was right for this company. And he then decided he wanted some extra input on this major equipment investment. So he took a group of PG&E equipment operators to visit the factories of each manufacturer that he was considering buying from. And there they watched trucks being built. Evaluated processes "I'm a big fan of engaging those who have to use the equip- ment in these decisions," says Meisel. "I can spec and design a truck all day, but it's been a while since I ran one every day. So I found it important to keep these people involved in the selection process." The group visited three factories, the last of which was Peterbilt's Denton, Texas, plant. "We met the people on the floor, watched them work, watched their processes," Meisel says. "And our group was very perceptive. They told me what really stood out at Peterbilt was the attention to detail and quality. It wasn't simply people performing a series of tasks. You could tell that they were concerned about a well-built product leaving the line. "When it was all said and done, we took our people's recommendations and incor- porated Peterbilts into our purchase plan." "What stood out at Peterbilt was the attention to detail and the quality..." Peterbilt meets diverse needs of major utility Custom Dem 12 FIRST CLASS

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of First Class - Spring 2011