Power management company Eaton has been named a "Top Supplier" by Cummins Inc. for its technology contribution on the SuperTruck program and SmartAdvantage integrated powertrain product. The award was presented to Eaton on May 2 at Cummins’ U.S. Supplier Conference in Indianapolis.
"It is a great honor to receive this award, and reflects the hard work and commitment of our team to exceed customer expectations every day," said Tom Stover, chief technology officer, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. "We appreciate Cummins as a valued customer and look forward to continuing and expanding our successful collaboration."
Eaton was one of just 17 suppliers to receive an award from the more than 5,000 companies that supply parts and services to Cummins’ U.S. operations. The awards recognize suppliers for delivering exemplary service and support in a range of categories, and helping Cummins transform its supply chain into one that is market driven. The winning suppliers were nominated by Cummins’ business units and functional areas that work with them.
"These suppliers have demonstrated and exceeded the qualities that we expect of all of our suppliers -- high quality, on-time delivery, innovation, service and commitment to Cummins' values," said Lisa Yoder, vice president, Supply Chain and Manufacturing. "They understand what it means to be a true partner to Cummins, helping us be successful so that we, in turn, help our customers succeed. It's called winning at the hand-offs."
Eaton and Cummins have collaborated for years on numerous projects, including recent advanced technology programs such as SuperTruck and SmartAdvantage. Cummins, Eaton and Peterbilt Motors Co. are partners on the SuperTruck project, which includes the development and demonstration of a highly efficient and clean diesel engine, an advanced waste heat recovery system, an aerodynamic tractor and trailer combination and a Li-ion auxiliary battery power unit to reduce engine idling. Eaton has supplied advanced transmissions for the project.
The goal of the SuperTruck program, initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy, is to improve long-haul Class 8 vehicle freight efficiency. The program focuses on advanced and highly efficient engine systems and vehicle technologies that meet emissions, safety and other U.S. regulations for Class 8 tractor-trailer vehicles. In addition to the benefits of reduced fuel consumption and petroleum usage, the improvements in engine system efficiency will deliver a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
SmartAdvantage is a highly fuel-efficient powertrain that pairs an Eaton Fuller Advantage automated transmission with Cummins’ ISX15 and ISX12 diesel engines. This new powertrain combines both hardware and software enhancements, resulting in integrated power and fuel and shifting strategies that provide three to six percent fuel economy improvements for linehaul and regional haul applications with the ISX15, and two to four percent improvements with the ISX12.
The ISX15 package was launched in fall 2013, and more than 80 customers offer this package on current field or soon-to-be-launched new trucks. The ISX12 package will be available this fall.
