Ryder System, Inc., a leader in commercial fleet management, dedicated transportation, and supply chain solutions, announced today that it has expanded its natural gas vehicle (NGV) offering into Arkansas for the first time with two customers; Alpha Packaging, Inc. and Boyd Metals Transportation LLC. The CNG vehicles for both Alpha Packaging and Boyd Metals Transportation will be maintained by Ryder at its Fort Smith, Ark. service facility, which is being engineered to meet the unique compliance requirements for natural gas.
Ryder has begun to deploy natural gas vehicles into the fleets of Ryder customers in Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Texas, Utah, and Quebec, Canada. Alpha Packaging and Boyd Metals Transportation are both current Ryder full service lease customers. Through a full service lease, Ryder acquires vehicles according to the customer’s specifications and provides financing, maintenance, and fleet support services. It also manages vehicle disposal to protect customers from residual risk.
“We continue to see interest from businesses focused on the long-term economic and environmental benefits of natural gas,” said Ryder President of Global Fleet Management Solutions, Dennis Cooke. “Forward thinking customers like Alpha Packaging and Boyd Metals Transportation have already begun realizing the value of outsourcing their fleets from Ryder for over 20 years. As they look to utilize new vehicle technologies like natural gas, we are proud that they continue to trust Ryder to help them improve uptime and reliability, and drive greater efficiencies in their businesses.”
Alpha Packaging, Inc. has signed a full service lease agreement for seven compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors. The CNG vehicles will replace current Ryder leased diesel powered vehicles to support Alpha Packaging’s sustainability initiatives. Alpha Packaging, the largest independently owned corrugated box manufacturing company in Arkansas, will use the CNG vehicles to support its deliveries to all areas within 300 miles of its Greenwood, Ark. manufacturing facility. Alpha’s new Ryder CNG fleet is ergonomically friendly for the drivers and the new 12 liter engines will have the power to handle the Arkansas terrain.
“Even with the recent drop in diesel fuel prices, the stability of natural gas fuel costs, along with the environmental benefits of natural gas vehicle technology, bring significant value to our fleet operation,” said Alpha Packaging President, Mike Stec. “Leasing natural gas trucks from Ryder helps us with our long-term transportation needs and aligns with our efforts to be a responsible, sustainable company.”
To support the new CNG fleet, Alpha Packaging is building an on-site natural gas fuel station at its location. This on-site CNG fuel station will allow its drivers to conveniently fill the trucks overnight in order to gain full-range tank capacity and improve productivity during the day when they need to make deliveries.
Boyd Metals Transportation LLC has also signed a full service lease agreement for seven CNG tractors. The CNG vehicles will replace current Ryder leased diesel powered vehicles in Boyd Metals Transportation’s delivery fleet. The new CNG delivery fleet will be used to deliver Boyd Metals’ extensive inventory of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and fiberglass products in a wide range of shapes and sizes from the company’s Fort Smith, Ark. warehouse.
“We knew we could count on Ryder to help us successfully deploy these advanced fuel vehicles into our fleet,” said Boyd Metals Transportation General Manager, Michael Cooper. “With Ryder’s help, our team is committed to providing Boyd Metals customers with the best overall delivery service while also helping Boyd Metals achieve the best transportation value in the industry. We may even consider expanding our fleet with Ryder if this new advanced fuel vehicle solution meets the company’s expectations.”
Ryder is the leader in natural gas vehicles solutions for the commercial transportation industry, with more than 30 million miles of experience, 17 NGV maintenance facilities, and more than 2,200 NGV trained technicians. The Company operates Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) fuel stations at its Fontana and Orange, Calif., service locations.
Ryder is able to leverage its buying power, knowledge of emerging fleet technologies, as well as government rebates and tax incentive programs, to help reduce natural gas vehicle costs for customers and offer more competitive lease and rental rates. Ryder actively monitors public and private incentive programs throughout the U.S. and Canada to leverage those areas that offer incentives.
In addition to making Natural gas vehicles available for rent or lease, Ryder’s “Flex-to-Green Lease” solution is designed to ease the transition to a greener fleet. Businesses that opt for Ryder’s Flex-to-Green Lease start out with a diesel-powered vehicle and then have the option to convert to a NGV at any time following the first full year of the lease. Flex-to-Green customers enjoy all the maintenance and service benefits of a standard Ryder Full Service Lease, which may include substitute vehicles during unexpected downtime.
For more information about Ryder’s natural gas vehicle solutions visit http://www.ryder.com/en/solutions/alternative-fuels-solutions/natural-gas-solutions.aspx.
