Cummins and ATA Celebrate the Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis and Emphasize that Addressing Driver Shortage is Critical to the U.S. Economy
Today Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and the American Trucking Associations
(ATA) celebrated the trucking profession in Indianapolis while also
addressing the nationwide shortage of driving professionals.
This awareness comes as the ATA holds the National
Truck Driving Championships this week at the Indiana Convention
Center in Indianapolis, Indiana from Wednesday, August 10 – Saturday,
August 13. During the three days more than 430 drivers from across the
country, representing different companies and fleets, will be competing
in various skills competitions.
Cummins is supporting the championships to bring attention to the
nationwide truck driver shortage and to highlight how the profession is
improving. The Columbus, Indiana-based engine manufacturer is offering
ride-and-drives in downtown Indianapolis in state-of-the-art
tractor-trailers with its 2017 X15 engines to showcase how technology is
improving the conditions for modern day truck drivers.
“Our nation’s economy is very much dependent on the trucking industry,
and at the heart of it is the driver,” said Amy Boerger, Cummins Vice
President of Sales. “This week we are seeing the best of the best show
their skills. And, I am proud that Cummins, with our engines and
technology, helps truck-drivers work in a safer, more dependable
atmosphere. Continuing and growing this proud and important segment of
our economy is critical to how we do business and how Americans receive
the goods they expect.”
According to the ATA, the driver shortage right now is near 48,000 and,
if current trends hold, this number may reach 175,000 by 2024. The
driver shortage is, in part, due to a higher population of drivers
nearing retirement age. As they retire, the industry is not backfilling
positions in the younger generations at a rate to match retirement
attrition.
For Americans, a driver shortage could negatively impact consumer in
many ways, from higher costs to have products delivered, to longer
delays in receiving products, whether it is at home, the grocery or the
local pharmacy.
To attract the next generation of drivers, Cummins, the ATA and other
industry-leading companies are working to highlight the innovations in
today’s trucks and in the profession. Technological advancements and
engine performance are key principles of how Cummins designs its
products. From tires to the engine, to the chairs, to the sleepers,
trucks are state-of-the-art vehicles that meet stringent emissions and
fuel economy standards while still an enjoyable experience for drivers.
For Bill West, driving a truck is a rewarding profession on many levels.
“It provides you freedom, flexibility and security. It is a safe
profession where you can earn six-figures,” said West, America’s Road
Team Captain at the Truck Driving Championships and owner of a
Cummins-powered Ram truck. “I get up every day and know the work I am
doing directly impacts the American economy. I can also see real
opportunity professionally and personally. There are more career
development opportunities than there used to be and now most drivers get
to see our families at least every other day, rather than once a month
like it used to be. This is a great profession and I encourage others to
look into it.”
West believes technologies like automatic manual transmission, blind
spot identification and adaptive cruise control allow drivers to
concentrate on driving safely and with greater ease. He also sees the
industry becoming more regional which means less time on the road and
more time with his family.
“The National Truck Driving Championships are a great opportunity to
showcase the finest drivers and newest technologies in our industry,”
said Elisabeth Barna, ATA Chief Operating Officer. “These are truck
drivers who love their careers and excel at being the safest and most
professional drivers on the nation’s highways.”
About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary
business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel
and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel
systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emissions solutions and
electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana
(USA), Cummins currently employs approximately 55,000 people worldwide,
and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories
through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent
distributor locations and more than 7,200 dealer locations. Cummins
earned $1.4 billion on sales of $19.1 billion in 2015. Press releases
can be found on the Web at cummins.com or cumminsengines.com. Follow
Cummins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cumminsengines
and on YouTube at http://youtube.com/cumminsengines.
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