In 2002, Zimmerman Truck Lines began to explore the idea of cleaner burning engines. In addition to impending emissions standards that would eventually be mandatory, a cleaner burning engine has many benefits. When Buff Saner, Vice President of Maintenance for Zimmerman Truck Lines, learned of the Caterpillar® engines with ACERT™ technology, he felt this could be the solution. "We didn't like the idea of EGR which routes some of the exhaust gas back into the engine and that exhaust gas contains soot which shortens the life of the engine. That is why we were interested in the Caterpillar ACERT™ technology."

Cleveland Brothers Sales Representative, Phil Reed, approached Buff and introduced him to Caterpillar's concept known as ACERT™ technology. Caterpillar introduced ACERT™ Technology to meet EPA '04 regulations for on-highway trucks. ACERT™ Technology represents a series of evolutionary and incremental improvements developed by Caterpillar. For example:

• The fuel system allows for multiple injections in each combustion cycle. Small amounts of fuel are injected at precise times to achieve the combined goals of fuel economy and lower emissions.
• An advanced air system provides more cool air in the combustion chamber. A wastegate turbocharger provides excellent low-end response. In addition, crossflow cylinder heads provide a direct path of air to the engine.

Doing their homework, back in 2001, Zimmerman Truck Lines purchased a Cat® C12 and a Cat C15 for two of their trucks. "We wanted to see how the Cat engines performed because prior to 2001 we ran a competitor's engine. We did get very good results from the Cat engines and in 2002 we purchased 30 Kenworths with Caterpillar C15 engines," Buff says. "Since then we have purchased over 200 Cats and 150 of them are ACERT™. Last week we pulled the last non-Cat engine off the road. We are now 100% Caterpillar."

Cleveland Brothers and Zimmerman Truck Lines have a mutual respect for one another. Buff said a major reason they continue to purchase Cat engines is the skill and attentiveness of the service technicians. He says, "Todd Perrine and Harry Lumadue take very good care of us in the service department. They are there for us anytime we need them. They have service second to none!"

On the sales side of the business, Phil Reed and Todd Kauffman have also been a great asset. "To us here at Zimmerman Truck Lines, service after the sale means everything. Since we purchased our Cat engines, both Corporate Caterpillar and Cleveland Brothers have gone the extra mile in both sales and service to keep us here at Zimmerman Truck Lines very satisfied." Buff's Sales Representative Phil says, "I wanted Zimmerman Truck Lines as a customer because I was so impressed with their business. Their trucks are immaculate and the people they have working for them are very professional. They have a very good business going."

Zimmerman Truck Lines is a family owned business serving a 48 state region. Founder Ron Zimmerman has been running his own trucking business since the 1970's. In 1984 he incorporated the business known today as Zimmerman Truck Lines. Today it is Ron's son, Mark, and daughter, Robin, along with her husband Buff that continues the tradition of this family owned business