Phillips Industries will once again be the exclusive sponsor for Heavy Duty Trucking’s 2018 Truck Fleet Innovators Award.

The award was founded in 2006 to honor fleet executives and leaders for their leadership and forward thinking in many diverse areas, such as new technology adoption, driver recruiting and retention, fuel economy, and maintenance.

The 2018 Truck Fleet Innovators will be announced in April and profiled in the May issue of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine. Winners will also be honored at the Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange networking and education event, being held May 9-11 at the Scottsdale resort at McCormick Ranch outside Phoenix, Arizona, and will participate in a panel discussion led by HDT's editors.

“Phillips Industries has built its brand on creating innovative solutions that solve our fleet customers’ challenges," commented Rob Phillips, president and COO. “And now, with all the attention and traction we’re getting from Phillips Connect Technologies’ TrailerNet system, it’s more fitting than ever to sponsor HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators Award.”

Last year’s Truck Fleet Innovators were:

• Kirk Altrichter, vice president of fleet services, Kenan Advantage Group, North Canton, Ohio

• Ralph LoPriore, director of fleet assets and processes, Stoneway Concrete/Gary Merlino Construction, Seattle, Washington

• Randy Obermeyer, terminal manager, Batesville Logistics, Batesville, Indiana

• Randy Swart, chief operating officer, A. Duie Pyle, West Chester, Pennsylvania

“We are pleased to be associated with Heavy Duty Trucking’s Truck Fleet Innovators Award and look forward to meeting this year’s honorees,” said Phillips.