Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/328710
FIRST CLASS l 9 still charging the same rate and making a profit. How?" Roemer nods toward one of CWD's Peterbilt Model 320s, powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G engine and fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG). The truck is driving out of the yard, ready to clean up the Metroplex, and leave less of a carbon footprint than ever before. "It's the equipment, that's how," Roemer says. "The equipment has changed so much, and these Peterbilts powered by natural gas are a perfect example of how we've managed to con- tinuously improve our efficiency and pro- cesses. Routing efficiency has certainly helped us too, but the equipment is so much better than it's ever been." Recycling brought change Roemer has seen evolution in the waste disposal business since he decided he had the marketing know-how and a service plan sound enough to develop a customer base and go to work on his own back in the early 80s. The advent of recycling in about 1989 was one of many changes that required Roemer to remain nimble in the operations of his firm. "There have been a number of times over the years where we've come to cross- roads, or forks in the road, and we had to take one fork or the other," he says. "It's always turned out to be the correct fork. You really need the ability to adapt in this industry, to change quickly if you have to. That ability has allowed us to maintain customer loyalty, gain market share, offer competitive pricing and make a profit." Adapting to equipment changes is a challenge in the industry, according to Roemer, because the low-mileage, high-running-time nature of their work- ing day tends to extend equipment life span. Roemer says he cycles his trucks out usually after more than nine years of service. Roemer has run a wide range of equipment over the years, and the Peterbilts have always impressed him by their reliability. "That's at the top of the list regard- ing performance in this business," says Roemer. With that reliability record in mind, Roemer began looking for both cleaner and more efficient ways to run his fleet. That's when he came upon natural gas. "We started researching it about 18 months ago," he says. "We found we could get re-fueled at a station about five miles from here, which is very important. "The more we talked to people about it, the more we learned about it, the more we started talking to manufac- turers. Eventually we became convinced that Peterbilt could build us a truck that would meet our needs and be cost-effective." Payback benefits In August 2012, Roemer took delivery of the three new Model 320s and one new Model 365, all CNG-powered, in a ceremony attended by T. Boone Pickens, the well-known financier who is one of the world's leading advocates of natural gas-powered vehicles. "These trucks aren't just good for the environment," Roemer says. "They're good business. They basically eliminate particulate matter from emissions. "And they may cost about $30,000 more in upfront costs, but we're real- izing savings of $18,000 a year in fuel. We'll have made up the difference in 20 months." That kind of math has Roemer excited about the future. CWD will soon be building a slow-fill CNG station of their own at their Dallas headquarters. And all future equipment purchases will be CNG- powered, which has Fleet Manager Dave Lucas also excited. "Mechanically they're easy for our guys to maintain and our drivers like driv- ing them," says Lucas. "The power has been adequate to perform the job and we're even running a little ahead of diesel equivalent fuel economy. So the fuel sav- ings are even better." "These trucks aren't just good for the environment. They're good business." Greg Roemer, founder and owner of Community Waste Disposal in Dallas, marked the arrival of his CNG-powered Peterbilt Model 320s with a celebration.