National Trucking Association Chooses Willis APU Manufacturer as Preferred Vendor

SPARKS, Nev., Aug. 22, 2006 — The National Association of Small Trucking Companies recently chose Auxiliary Power Dynamics, manufacturers of an integrated professional-grade auxiliary power unit, as a preferred vendor.

“We chose Auxiliary Power Dynamics as a preferred vendor because we see the value its Willis APU can offer our members,” said Bill Morris, director of marketing and vendor relations for NASTC.

The NASTC helps small trucking companies control their costs through managed purchasing, analysis, consultation and advocacy. It represents more than 2,100 trucking companies with small to large fleets of three to 300 power units. The organization specializes in representing companies with fleets of 100 power units or less. Its members operate more than 43,000 power units. NASTC negotiates discounts with vendors based on the potential volume from its members.

Morris said earlier this year, the NASTC, recognizing the need and potential for auxiliary power units among its members, started researching different units and their manufacturers.  Morris said he consulted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program and chose 15 different units and manufacturers to investigate. The organization narrowed the list to three integrated and three non-integrated auxiliary power units.

 “We looked at several different aspects, paying particular attention to their specifications and their value,” he said. “We looked at the differences among the units. While APUs were new to all of us, we knew, based on our 18 years of experience (in recognizing what’s of value to trucking companies), what our members would value most.”

Morris said although price had some bearing in the decision, NASTC was not looking to see which ones would be the least expensive. “We’ve learned over the years, sometimes the hard way, that cheaper is not necessarily better,” he added.  

NASTC paid particular attention to the manufacturing process of each company, the installation process and the availability of authorized dealers and service locations, the quality of the components it chose, and the manufacturers’ responses to questions.

Morris said the organization is now in the process of choosing which integrated units and free standing units to include in its discount program.

“We’re proud to be a NASTC preferred vendor,” said Samy Karuppana, chief executive officer and “By choosing the Willis APU, NASTC recognizes that our commitment to quality and our choice to use professional grade components in the manufacturing process, plus our dedication to respond to our customer needs, makes the Willis APU a compelling value.”

The Willis APU dramatically reduces idling by providing auxiliary power as soon as the truck is parked. The Willis APU distinguishes itself from other APUs by delivering more heating and cooling capacity. Its three-cylinder, 18-hp Kubota engine makes it quiet, powerful and inexpensive to maintain. At 350 pounds, it’s also one of the lowest-weight APUs on the market.

The company recently moved to a new, much larger facility in Sparks, Nev., due to the popularity of the Willis APU and in anticipation of triple-digit sales growth. Auxiliary Power Dynamics is located at 945 Spice Islands Dr., which is situated about two miles northeast of the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, and about one mile south of Exit 20 on U.S. Interstate 80.

For more information about the Willis APU, call 253-638-3145. Or if you plan to attend the Great American Trucking Show at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, which starts Thursday, Aug. 24, visit Booth No. 12020.

For more information about NASTC or its preferred vendor program, call 1-800-264-8580.