Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328701
Customers drive innovation, and purposeful, customer-driven innovation is the only kind that matters. A Editorial director: Cara West • Editor: Bill Laste • Art director: Dale Aspinall • Client services manager: Cyndy Seitz • Publisher: Pete Sobic First Class is published by Northbrook Custom Media, a division of Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC, on behalf of Peterbilt Motors Company and its dealers. Editorial office: 21420 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146. Phone (262) 650-9260. Printed in the U.S., copyright 2012. Postmaster: Send form 3579 to 21420 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146. One-year subscription in the U.S. $12.00; $15.00 in Canada; $25.00 all other countries payable in U.S. funds. "Agreement Number 1689312". Change of address or undeliverable copies should be sent to: 1415 Janette Ave., Windsor, Ontario, N8X 1Z1 Canada. Innovation — for your sake COMMENTS Bill Kozek General Manager t Peterbilt, we're always careful to use the term "innovation" in its proper context. Specifically, we don't award ourselves that distinction. We believe that our customers drive innovation, and purposeful, customer- driven innovation is the only kind that matters. For example, consider the new Peterbilt Model 579, which is now in full production at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas. Many of the customers you'll read about in this issue of First Class are running pre-production Model 579s, and all are intrigued by its innovation and per- formance. The spacious cab optimizes driver comfort. Refined aerodynamics provide specific fuel efficiency benefits. And redesigned windows, hood slopes and sightlines give drivers maximum visibility of the road, always a key safety consideration. Many of these customers have also turned to the innovative PACCAR MX engine to power their fleets. The MX, constructed from compacted graphite iron, is both more durable and lighter than compara- ble competitors' engines, and provides a true payload benefit. Its B10 design life of 1 million miles speaks not only to its reliability, but to the resale value of any Peterbilt it powers. Ed Meyer, the president of the Fundis Company (page 6), has this to say about Peterbilt innovation and technology. "We're always trying to integrate the newest technologies, provided they meet our criteria," he says. "The test is always, will it improve safety? Will it help fuel efficiency? Will it improve performance? And is it practical? "Peterbilt does an excellent job of ensuring that new technologies have a payoff." And that's innovation for your sake — by design. FIRST CLASS l 5