Utilimaster Corporation Opens Canadian Parts Facility

Wakarusa, Ind. – Utilimaster is proud to announce the opening of a new parts facility in Canada. The facility is located in Mississauga, Ontario and opened on February 12, 2007. 

After much research, the facility was opened due to the volume of parts being sent to Canada and will provide both a cost-savings and time-savings to Canadian customers. Utilimaster has been a leading walk-in van supplier to Canada for over twenty years for fleets such as Purolator, Canada Post, Canpar, FedEx and Canadian Linen.

“The Canadian facility will improve the time that it takes for our customers to receive parts, get the truck or trucks repaired and back on the road.  This is a potential savings of 2 – 3 days for in-stock parts” said Steve Campbell, Director of Parts Sales at Utilimaster.  

Campbell continues, “The facility allows us to provide a cost savings to our customers by reducing brokerage and transportation fees.” 

The facility is approximately 1500 square feet and will inventory the parts that are most frequently ordered by Canadian customers. Canadian customers will still call the Utilimaster Parts Department in Indiana, but their order will be shipped from Mississauga.  

Utilimaster Corporation is a leading manufacturer of walk-in vans, parcel delivery vehicles, and truck bodies. Since 1973, Utilimaster has built quality vehicles for a variety of customers including UPS, Frito Lay, Cintas, Aramark, Sara Lee, and Budget Truck Rental. Utilimaster currently employs over 1,000 employees in Wakarusa, Indiana. 

Azure Dynamics Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Utilimaster for Hybrid vehicle Integration

Azure Dynamics Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Utilimaster for Hybrid vehicle Integration

Toronto, Ontario – August 02, 2007 – Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD & LSE: ADC) (“Azure” or the “Company”) a leading developer of hybrid electric and electric powertrains for commercial fleet vehicles, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Utilimaster Corporation (“Utilimaster”), a leading builder of step vans, commercial truck bodies and utility vehicles, for the assembly, hybridization and manufacturing engineering of Azure’s P1 hybrid electric commercial delivery vans and shuttle buses.
Under proposed terms of the MOU, Azure will provide Utilimaster with its P1 hybrid electric powertrains, which Utilimaster will integrate into Ford Motor Company’s (“Ford”) E-Series commercial chassis at Utilimaster’s manufacturing facilities in Wakarusa, Indiana.
“This business arrangement with Utilimaster represents a vital link in our supply chain for the production of our P1 hybrid electric commercial delivery vans. We expect this agreement will result in significant cost efficiencies as we increase production volumes of the Ford E-Series hybrid delivery vans,” said Scott Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of Azure Dynamics. “As a major Ford Pool Account, Utilimaster has extensive knowledge of the Ford E-Series chassis and meets all of the Ford process and quality requirements. We look forward to working with an industry leader like Utilimaster, who has built and delivered quality custom vehicles for some of the world’s largest fleet operators for more than two decades.”
“With 600,000 square feet of manufacturing and support facilities and approximately 1,000 employees, we have the breadth, capability and experience to accommodate the anticipated growth in demand for the Ford E-Series hybrid commercial vans and shuttle buses,” said Larry Doyle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Utilimaster. “We look forward to working with Azure Dynamics and Ford Motor Company in bringing the E-Series hybrid commercial delivery vehicles and shuttle buses to market.”

About Utilimaster

Located in Wakarusa Indiana, Utilimaster Corporation has been building quality custom commercial vehicles that include walk-in vans, parcel delivery vans and truck bodies since 1973. Winner of many awards and ISO 9001 certification, Utilimaster is dedicated to designing, building, and servicing vehicles. With multiple modern plants dedicated to designing and building the vehicles bodies, Utilimaster has a broad customer base in many industries, including the package delivery, truck rental, bakery/snack delivery, linen/uniform rental and utilities markets.

About Azure Dynamics

Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) (LSE: ADC) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with various partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions.
 
For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.

Utilimaster Corporation Achieves National Truck Equipment Association Member Verification Program Status

Wakarusa, Ind. – Utilimaster pleased to announce that it has achieved National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Member Verification Program (MVP) status. MVP participants distinguish themselves by embracing the knowledge that is necessary to provide a high level of quality while meeting certain regulatory requirements.

“We’re pleased to participate in this program,” said Scott Sargent, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Utilimaster. “As long-time members of the NTEA, we are excited about this opportunity. It shows the continued pursuit of excellence that Utilimaster strives for, and our commitment to providing the highest level of product for our customers.”

The Program identifies business practices common to successful companies and promotes increased professionalism by helping commercial truck and transportation equipment industry firms build more profitable, mutually beneficial and longer-lasting relationships with their suppliers, distributors and customers.

According to NTEA President Tom Rawson, CEO of RKI Inc. (Houston, TX), “The NTEA MVP is attempting to raise the overall level of professionalism within the throughout the truck body and equipment industry value chain.”

Initially MVP participants have been asked to verify to the Association that they meet four out of five business processes and certain government criteria. Over time, the NTEA will increase program requirements to encourage even higher standards through set criteria that must be met by Distributor and Manufacturer members in order to continue to qualify for MVP status. Members must re-qualify every three years.

Utilimaster Corporation is a leading manufacturer of walk-in vans, parcel delivery vehicles, and truck bodies. Since 1973, Utilimaster has built quality vehicles for a variety of customers including the United States Postal Service, Federal Express, UPS, Frito Lay, Cintas and Budget. Utilimaster currently employs over 1000 employees in Wakarusa, Indiana. 

Established in 1964, the NTEA is the leading association supporting the $116 billion work truck and trailer industry. The Association currently represents more than 1,700 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to the Association.

The NTEA provides in-depth technical information, education and money-saving opportunities through its member programs, publications, services and sponsorship of The Work Truck Show® — the only event dedicated exclusively to the Class 1 through 8 commercial truck and transportation equipment market. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and a government relations office in Washington, DC. Its Web site, www.ntea.com, provides an interactive listing of members and their products/services as well as important industry news and resources. For more information about the NTEA, call 1-800-441-NTEA (6832) or (248) 489-7090.