Phillips Connect Technologies (PCT), part of Phillips Industries, recently partnered with Nussbaum Transportation in Hudson IL to supply a comprehensive new “smart trailer” system.
The company said its “revolutionary” system delivers GPS tracking, cargo detection, automatic tire inflation system (ATIS) alerts, tire pressure and temperature monitoring, and an anti-lock braking system decoder that provides detailed fault codes, trailer VIN information and mileage reporting. PCT also will assist on tractor-trailer pairing, ensuring the right tractors connect to the correct trailers before hauling a load.
“Nussbaum Transportation is one of the most respected trucking fleets on the road today and is widely recognized for adopting new technology that allows them to lead the industry in fuel efficiency and driver satisfaction,” said Kent Crymes, PCT’s business development manager. “Given the high quality of the Nussbaum fleet assets and the high value that the management team places on ROI and trailer health data, we thought they would be an outstanding partner for our technology.”
In combination, the smart trailer system will provide Nussbaum with detailed information to drive critical operational KPI reporting metrics, PCT said. Additional sensor features under consideration by Nussbaum are the Phillips Connect LITE-SENTRY (light-out detection system), and Phillips’ Remote PreCheck system, which enables the ability to remotely pre-check lights and tires on a parked trailer from any device connected to the internet.
Additionally, Nussbaum will combine the TireView system from Pressure Systems International (PSI) with its ATIS. This new solution delivers real-time tire health to a fleet’s operations managers while still automatically maintaining pressure to allow the driver to complete their run. The system also delivers an operational advantage by providing visibility of the trailer tire status even when it is untethered, PCT maintained.
PCT said other established telematics companies also competed for the opportunity to work with Nussbaum, which ultimately selected PCT.
“After working closely with PCT’s business intelligence team, we were able to immediately realize the ROI for the entire TrailerNet system,” said Doug Bradle, chief operating officer for Nussbaum.
PCT also offers integrated analytics, business intelligence tools and customized reporting capabilities for fleets looking to identify and track hard ROI targets. PCT’s products, which include advanced business intelligence tools and baseline planned ROI, compare actual fleet data to ensure asset managers are attaining cost savings or maximizing revenue opportunities.
“In the end, the opportunity landed with the only company that could deliver on all of our requirements that together represent a truly ‘smart trailer,’ and by a provider that can install the integrated system today, not tomorrow,” said Tony Morthland, Nussbaum’s director of maintenance.