Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/403645
Interview with Mark Sorrey, president, International Machine Transport http://youtu.be/ 1QQXEV9qNr8 underestimated in a company like his. "We found that the main benefit of the I-Shift and the automated transmission is that it has really made driving safer and it's made the driver's life a lot easier," he says. "Safety is really paramount to IMT. We place a high degree of focus on safe driving practices that include the driver's safety as well as the safe delivery of our loads. Our loads can be valued in the millions of dollars and so there's just no second chance on these. You either do it right or you don't." With 60 million miles under their tires and no insurance claims, IMT is clearly doing something right. In addition, they pride themselves on reduced down time, which is im - portant when their shipments are urgent deliveries for the military, airlines and the aerospace industry. "The Volvo engines, drivetrains and cabs are all solid," Peel says. "My last truck never let me down and was always reliable. Many times, other guys who are driving other trucks would experience delays while I was always on time." Reliability is even harder to come by on the frigid D R I V E R ' S D I G ES T #3/2014 27 Northern Canadian roads that Peel calls home. "When the weather's cold, there's nobody else with a product that competes with Volvo," he says. "It'll start at temperatures that are minus 25 degrees. You can sleep well knowing your truck is going to start in the morning. We did a project here a few years ago where we picked up some helicop - ters in Inuvik, which is as far north as you can go in North America. I drove along with two other trucks — two other brands of trucks. They were afraid to shut their trucks off at night because they were afraid they wouldn't start in the morning. I'd shut mine off every night and was fine." "The Volvo really works well for us," Sorrey says. "The drivers have enjoyed the benefits. It's made their job easier, and it has created a lot less fatigue. At the end of the day, I think they feel really good about driving the equipment. It's a huge bonus for us when the driver arrives at a customer's facility, energetic and on time, pulling a fully-equipped Volvo with all the necessary equipment to handle their products." ■ PHOTO S: DA N I E L PA R K E R