Navistar and Barr International Trucks of Salisbury, Md., awarded Perdue Farms a Strategic Partnership Award for collaborating on truck fleet innovations, including an ultra-lightweight tractor specification and fully integrated tractor-trailer electronic controls.

Perdue challenged Navistar and Barr International to develop an ultra-lightweight version of its International ProStar tractor - based on Perdue specifications - capable of hauling 49,000 pounds of dressed poultry to market-an initiative Perdue named "Project 49er" after the desired payload capacity.

Working together with Perdue Farms during a nine-month period, Barr International and Navistar's product development group were able to bring to market an ultra lightweight 56-inch sleeper tractor. Filled with 150 gallons of fuel, the Perdue spec ProStar 56-inch sleeper tractor weighs in at 15,920 pounds. As a result of the lightweight spec, Perdue has achieved significant fuel economy improvements, maximized its payload capacity and reduced its carbon footprint.

Another key point of collaboration among Perdue, Navistar and Barr International was to leverage Navistar's Diamond Logic electrical system for the ProStar tractor to better integrate tractor-trailer driver controls from the cab and improve vehicle performance.

"We're proud to present Perdue Farms with our 'Strategic Partnership Award," says Jim Hebe, Navistar senior vice president, North American sales operations. "We view Perdue as more than just a great customer. We see them as a true, collaborative business partner where we both push each other to bring new thinking and create a higher level of efficiency and productivity through integration."