​Hirschbach Receives US EPA 2016 SmartWay Excellence Award

November 2016

DUBUQUE, IA… Hirschbach was recently honored with a SmartWay® Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a true industry leader in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency. The company has deployed the latest in aerodynamic technologies, green-initiative policies, and software designed to route and fuel equipment with carbon reduction in mind. Through a concerted effort, the Hirschbach team has increased miles per gallon by 3.8% and reduced carbon dioxide output per mile by 3.7%.

“Hirschbach is all-in to continue driving down carbon emissions and decreasing our carbon imprint across the company,” said John Vesey, Hirschbach’s Operations Support Manager. “There are great opportunities developing in equipment and fuel technologies, and we are actively searching for them, as well as testing our current implementations to ensure we stay at the top of the greenest fleets and do our part for the future of the planet.”

“We’re very proud to have earned this award, which signifies our commitment to air quality and fuel efficiency. We have coveted this prestigious award from the EPA’s SmartWay program, which is given to the top 1% of their 3,000+ trucking company members. Receiving this award is a reflection of a lot of hard work on the part of our professional mechanics and drivers who take great pride in how they maintain and operate our equipment to maximize fuel economy,” said Brad Pinchuk, Hirschbach’s President and CEO. He went on to say, “This award and our best in class fuel economy results would not be possible without the equipment and devices manufactured by our vendor partners: Navistar, Freightliner, Utility Trailer, SmartTruck, FlowBelow, Carrier, and Thermo King. I would also like to commend John Vesey for his hard work and leadership in this area.”

Hirschbach was one of 43 truck carriers to receive this distinction, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay’s 3500 Partners. The carrier Excellence Awardees were honored at the American Trucking Associations Annual Management Conference & Exhibition held in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 3, 2016.

“As the SmartWay program completes its 12th year, EPA recognizes its top Carrier Partners for their commitment to an efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation supply chain,” said Christopher Grundler, EPA’s Office Director of Transportation & Air Quality Christopher Grundler. “We all depend on the freight sector, and these award-winning SmartWay carriers have demonstrated that it is possible to compete in this space while placing an emphasis on environmental integrity, allowing for reduced fuel costs which increase revenue while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions.”

About Hirschbach Motor Lines

Founded in 1935, Hirschbach Motor Lines is an industry leading transportation carrier. Hirschbach offers experienced, refrigerated truckload services to all 48 states. In addition, Hirschbach offers clients a complete range of dedicated transportation solutions and a wide range of innovative specialized services. The business continues to grow. The company now has a fleet of over 950 trucks and 1,500 trailers, multiple terminal locations, and continues to expand into new service areas. For more information, visit www.hirschbach.com.

About SmartWay

EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing the impacts of climate change. Demonstration of a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and environmentally-friendly business environment. Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have saved 170.3 million barrels of oil—the equivalent of eliminating annual energy use in over 6 million homes and $24.9 billion in fuel costs. SmartWay’s clean air achievements (72.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 1,458,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 59,000 tons of particulate matter emissions avoided) help to protect the well-being of citizens.

More information on SmartWay in general: www.epa.gov/smartway/

Excellence Award recipients list: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/smartway-excellence-aw...