With Mobil Delvac synthetic oils, fleet finds it can keep its vehicles operating like new even after surpassing the million-mile mark
Recently, Kalamazoo, Mich.-based, B&B Trucking Inc., celebrated its 40th anniversary as a local and regional contract carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.
And, while the trucking industry has seen a great deal of changes over these past four decades, B&B Trucking has always operated under the same principals from day one. “The company has two main philosophies,” said Andy Blackburn, B&B maintenance director. “Take pride in what we do and who we are. And, build an environment where people want to work, and deliver superior, on time service.
We caught up with Andy at B&B Trucking’s headquarters to learn about the company’s secrets to success.
Q1: Wow, 40 years as a contract carrier for the USPS? That is quite impressive.
Blackburn: Yes, 40 years is a great accomplishment. But we won’t get too caught up in celebrating because we always focus on what’s ahead.
Working for the USPS — is the pinnacle of “Just in Time” (JIT) Delivery. It means our vehicles always have to be in top operating condition. It also means that we must have great drivers who are experienced in driving in all types of conditions, especially here in Michigan.
Q2: What kind of trucks does your fleet typically use?
Blackburn: Of the 150 vehicles we have, the majority are Volvo brand. They’ve really been great vehicles for us. We have other types of trucks as well, but we are predominantly Volvo.
Q3: You guys pride yourselves on getting the most out of your vehicles. Tell us about your truck maintenance practices.
Blackburn: Customers want to trust that you will deliver their load on time and that cannot be done if your trucks are not running properly, all the time. Our trucks are out on the road day-in and day-out because we take care of our vehicles the right way.
Q4: What is the most important of taking care of your vehicles ‘the right way’?
Blackburn: When it comes to engine performance, the most important thing you MUST do — is use the best oil you can.
For the past 10 years, we have been using Mobil Delvac 1 ESP synthetic heavy-duty engine oil. We use it in all of our trucks and are able to keep our trucks running like new even after they pass one million miles.
Q5: Why do you use Mobil Delvac oils?
Blackburn: Well, using Mobil Delvac synthetic oil has helped us out tremendously. First off, we know Mobil Delvac synthetic oil will help extend the life of our trucks’ engines. We have a number of trucks that are beyond one million miles using Mobil Delvac that operate almost like new trucks.
Using Mobil Delvac 1 ESP, we are able to operate our vehicles with extended drain intervals of up to 100,000 miles.
In our pre-EGR vehicles, we have experienced fuel economy gains consistently in the range of anywhere from 3 to 5 percent using Mobil Delvac.
When you multiply that kind of fuel economy gain across the more than 150 vehicles we operate, that means big savings.
Over the years, we have tried and tested almost every brand of oil on the market, and time and time again, the results always showed the same thing.
That no brand of oil is better at keeping our vehicles’ engines cleaner, and keeping our trucks running longer, than Mobil Delvac.
Q6: Being here at B&B Trucking, it’s obvious that every one here is as passionate as you are about the company’s success.
Blackburn: There is a great deal of pride here that every employee has.
A big reason for that is that the company has always put a premium on building an environment where people are treated with respect and their contributions are recognized.
Q7: Taking pride, working together . . . sounds like a smart philosophy?
Blackburn: Yeah it sure is.
It’s worked well for more than 40 years. And it will always be at the heart of B&B Trucking.
