In this episode, Tom Wiers sits down with Jim Allen, the CEO of Karmak, to discuss the importance of partnerships and relationships in the heavy-duty trucking industry. Jim shares his insights on leadership, creating a positive company culture, and the value of building strong relationships with clients. They also delve into the future of technology in the industry, including the use of AI and machine learning to analyze data and improve efficiency. Jim highlights Karmak’s recent developments, such as the launch of a mobile service app, and how these innovations are helping their clients stay ahead in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

• Building strong relationships with clients and partners is crucial in the heavy-duty trucking industry. Jim emphasizes the importance of treating clients as partners and creating lasting friendships based on trust and mutual respect.
• Karmak is focused on providing cutting-edge technology solutions to its clients. Jim discusses the potential of AI and machine learning in analyzing data and improving efficiency in the industry.
• Karmak’s recent launch of a mobile service app has been well-received by the industry. This app allows clients to access important information and services on the go, increasing productivity and reducing manual work.
• The heavy-duty trucking industry is experiencing consolidation, with larger dealer groups emerging. While this presents challenges in terms of conquest sales, Karmak is well-positioned to support companies through acquisitions and provide seamless integration of their ERP system.
• Jim emphasizes the value of partnerships and collaboration in driving innovation and growth. Karmak actively seeks input from its clients through advisory councils and values their expertise in shaping the future of the software.

Notable Quotes:

• “I’m really big on leadership and how you treat people, how you create culture… And that creates influence too in what we do because we need to respond to the market.” – Jim Allen
• “We believe genuinely we have the better system because of how deep and wide it truly is… It’s flexible for that kind of thing. And you, our claim to fame was really the beginning of parts, inventory, and the margins. We manage it differently.” – Jim Allen
• “The more efficiencies we find for you, the more valuable we are. So we can charge for those services and it’s a good business plan.” – Jim Allen

Resources:

• Karmak website
• Wiers website
• Save with a Wiers Fleet Partners Program

Is winterizing my truck really that important?

Tom stops by the Wiers Indianapolis service center for a special episode talking with the service manager about winterization and how to keep your trucks on the road this winter. Listen in as they discuss the Wiers Winterization process and some real-life examples of why it's so important.

In this episode you'll learn:

- The importance of winterizing your commercial trucks. - The steps that Wiers takes to inspect your vehicles. - Recommendations on how often certain maintenance items should be performed.

Schedule your winterization inspection and see how Wiers makes your #trucksroll at wiers.com.

How can tracking data help me make better fleet decisions?

In this episode of the Trucks Roll Podcast, Tom shares some real-life examples from the Wiers Partner Dashboard of how data can help improve fleet maintenance costs.

In this episode, you'll learn the value of:

• Capturing & Tracking Data
• Things to think about when analyzing the data you've collected
• And how this data can help you make better decisions about your fleet.

If you're looking for a way to better understand your fleet and the processes involved with a good maintenance plan, one of our staff would love to talk to you about how Wiers can help.

Check out our fleet partnership plans page to find out more.

In this week's installment of the Trucks Roll Podcast, Tom shares some detail to help customers understand the value of maintenance agreements and how Wiers Fleet Partnership Plans work.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Pros and cons of Maintenance Agreements
• How the pricing structure of a maintenance agreement works
• How Wiers Fleet Partnership Plans put the power in your hands.

If you're interested in learning more about a Wiers Fleet Partnership Plan head over to wiers.com to find out how Wiers can help your trucks roll.

In this week's episode, Tom talks to Brian about the day in the life of a mobile technician with Wiers.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What it's like to be a mobile technician
• Understanding some of the misconceptions about being a mobile tech
• How your fleet can benefit from a trusted partner who offers mobile service

Wiers is committed to keeping your trucks on the road with less hassle for your fleet. Find out what we're doing to help you keep your trucks rolling with a Fleet Partnership Plan from Wiers.

In part 3 of our conversation with Kurt Dunn from Pitt Ohio, Tom and Kurt discuss the future of the diesel industry in the changing landscape of electric-powered and zero-emission vehicles.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How alternative-power and zero-emission vehicles are starting to show up in shops
• The importance of ongoing training for technicians
• What is the best way to learn about these types of vehicles.

At Wiers, we're committed to learning and staying up-to-date with the ever-changing technology of the trucking industry. Find out what we're doing to help you keep your trucks on the road at https://www.wiers.com/fleet-partnership-plans/.

This week on the Trucks Roll Podcast: Part 2 with Kurt Dunn of Pitt Ohio

Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Kurt Dunn from Pitt Ohio about Understanding the Value of Preventative Maintenance. In this episode of the Trucks Roll Podcast, Kurt explains some of the uniqueness of his role at Pitt Ohio and the value that technicians play in a good PM program.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Pitt Ohio trains their technicians
• The importance of a trusted outsourcing partner
• The philosophy that preventative maintenance is the tool to keep diesel equipment running

Visit us at wiers.com today to learn more about our services and fleet partnership plans today!

In part 1 of our interview with Kurt Dunn from Pitt Ohio, we discuss the value of preventative maintenance for the diesel truck industry. This episode will help you better understand some of the value of a good PM plan using data to help fleets make better decisions and have better uptime.

We at Wiers are experts and can help you keep your vehicles on the road so you can keep your customers happy.

What You’ll Learn

• A better understanding of who Pitt Ohio is and what they do.
• How Kurt's unique role at Pitt Ohio is helping their fleets optimize their performance.
• How managing your fleet with better information helps inform better decisions and keeps your trucks on the road.

Visit us at wiers.com today to learn more about our services and fleet partnership plans today!

The Future of Connected Vehicle Technology

We continue our interview with Brian Mulshine from Navistar, as we discuss the future of connected vehicle technology for diesel trucks. In this episode, we'll hear about the future growth and value of connected technology. We'll also hear about Traton's purchase of Navistar/International and what that means to their fleets and their customers.

Part 1 - In part 1 of our interview with Brian Mulshine from Navistar, we discuss the benefits of connected technology for diesel trucks. This episode will help you better understand some of the value of connected technology. From telematics to real-time diagnosis, new developments in technology is making it easier to keep your trucks on the road, improving your uptime.