Jost International Featured on Motorhead Garage Television Show October 30 and 31 Grand Haven, MI (October 24, 2011) Fox Sports Network (FSN) is featuring Jost International on their Motorhead Garage television series. The segment was filmed October 18 at the JOST U.S. manufacturing site located in Greeneville, TN and will air on FSN Sunday, October 30 at 11:30 am and Monday, October 31 at 4:30 pm, all time zones.
During the segment, Greg Laarman P.E., JOST vice president of engineering explains how tractor and trailer combinations are safely coupled together mating the tractor fifth wheel with the trailer kingpin. Filming shows the coupling and uncoupling of a combination rig belonging to Big G Express, a Tennessee motor carrier outfitted with JOST fifth wheel, kingpin and landing gear demonstrating how this procedure secures the tractor and trailer for transit. The producers of Motorhead Garage believe understanding this process, which occurs millions of times each day, will give their viewers confidence that the semi’s they are sharing the road with are safely and securely locked together.
Jens Polte, vice president operations, provided a tour of JOST’s TS16949 and ISO14001 certified Greeneville, TN manufacturing facility, which also included explanations of fifth wheel wear characteristics and rebuild processes. Motorhead Garage co host Sam Memmola carries out a minor rebuild procedure illustrating the ease of maintenance that JOST has become known for. JOST has been manufacturing fifth wheel coupling devices globally since 1956 and began manufacturing for the North America market at the Greeneville facility in 1999.
An overall view of trends within the fifth wheel product segment was given by Rich Carroll, vice president sales and marketing. Low lube top plates and cab actuated air release options now offered on JOST fifth wheels can offer fleet operators a lower life cycle cost and driver friendly options. Carroll also provided Motorhead Garage a view into JOST’s future plans, “We’re developing the Smart Gap System (SGS) which is designed to be a significant contributor to meeting the new fuel efficiency standards now established for heavy trucks in 2014-2018. JOST, as a fifth wheel manufacturer, understands we have an opportunity to help vehicle manufacturers and operators meet these new fuel efficiency standards so we’re taking up the challenge.
JOST InternationalStrengthens Sales Organization
Jost International, manufacturer of fifth wheels and landing gear, has reorganized and added to their sales team to strengthen their focus on meeting commercial vehicle customer requirements. Ed Bolis, Garrett Funk, Craig Chicks, and Timothy Oddy, all industry veterans have joined Jost reporting directly to Rich Carroll, V.P Sales and Marketing. Allong with this Brian Moynihan has been promoted to the position of Director of Trailer OEM Business Development. In addition to his leadership on the OEM initiatives Brain has also assumed responsibility for the customer support team in the Grand Haven headquarters.
Carroll stressed the importance of the experience and knowledge each is bringing to Jost: “These five key individuals bring a good mix of experience, enthusiasm and a real understanding of our industry that will help us accomplish our goal of continued growth within the North American market by developing new customers and better serving our current customers”.
“We were looking to strengthen our sales force in order to bolster our presence in the market and fill the needs of our customers better” commented Lee Brace, President of Jost International. “Rich has found excellent people, each of who I am sure will contribute a great deal to our continued success.”
JOST Fastest Hands Still a Hit With Paccar Parts Events
Once again, Jost International took part in the PACCAR Parts events for 2011 held in Reno, Kansas City, St Louis, Pittsburgh, and Mississauga. The events were well attended, and again Jost had excellent participation from our Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers throughout the events. Back by popular demand this year at the St Louis and Pittsburgh events, was the Jost “Fastest Hands” competition. This is always a fun and educational competition where participants race against the clock to see who can rebuild the Jost JSK37U fifth wheel the fastest. The winners of each event were determined in a run-off final of the fastest three qualifying times. While we acknowledged the winners of each event, everyone who participated (or just watched) benefited from learning how simple the Jost fifth wheel is to work with, and how well it is built.
St Louis Event Winners Kenworth (1st, 2nd, 3rd):Earl Heskett, Justin Peterson, Troy Powers
Peterbilt (1st, 2nd, 3rd):Larry Meenach, Chris Wanderlich, Brian Allen
Pittsburgh Event Winners Kenworth (1st, 2nd, 3rd):Steve Raymond, John Schmidt, Todd Szymkowiak
Peterbilt (1st, 2nd, 3rd):Rick Calteaux, Sterling Booker, Jim Peterman
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