TWNA Names 2015 Tech Achievement Award Finalists
Finalists include safety and driveline products and a converter dolly. The truck writers group gave its first tech award in 1991 for a then-novel LED marker light.


Truck Writers of North America has announced the top five finalists for its 2015 Technical Achievement Award, given annually to a supplier for a significant new product or service.
The group will announce the winner during an awards luncheon at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting and equipment exhibition on March 2 in Nashville, Tenn.
The top five finalists for the latest award are:
Detroit Assurance safety system from Daimler Trucks North America
Eaton’s Procision 7-speed medium-duty automated manual transmission
Meritor Wabco’s SmartTrac automatic trailer lift axle control system
Phillips Industries’ Lite-Sentry trailer-chassis light monitoring system
Silver Eagle Manufacturing T-Dolly adjustable trailer converter dolly
Other nominees for the 2015 award were Volvo Trucks’ Adaptive Loading 6x2 tandem-axle system; Trucker Path’s navigational assistance and load sourcing app; Thermo King’s ThermoLite solar panels; and Rotavan’s RG-3 swiveling kingpin.
Each year, members of TWNA’s Technical Achievement Award committee suggest entries and vote to choose five award finalists. Committee members are editors representing the industry’s major publications. The chairman is Jim Park, HDT’s senior equipment editor, and among its members is Tom Berg, HDT’s senior editor.
To be eligible, a product or service has to show technical innovation, have a wide applicability and availability in trucking, and offer significant benefits. Committee members discuss their nominees, rank components and systems, and then vote, all by email.
TWNA presented its first Technical Achievement Award in 1991 to Grote Industries for its then-novel red LED marker lamp, and since has honored companies large and small. The winner of the 2014 award was Aperia Technology’s Halo automatic tire inflation system.
Founded in 1988, TWNA is a professional organization composed of writers, editors, public relations specialists, marketing personnel and others involved in the business of creating and disseminating information related to the world of trucking.
More Fleet Management

Why Private Fleets Are Taking More Freight
Private fleets are putting their own trucks on demanding customers and high-cost lanes as companies seek greater control over service, costs, and capacity.
Read More →
Color Match Smarter: Tools That Restore & Perform
For fleet managers and collision repair professionals keeping heavy-duty trucks on the road, getting the color right the first time isn't just about appearance — it's about efficiency, turnaround time, and bottom-line results. Discover how today's digital color tools are transforming the repair process from guesswork to precision.
Read More →
FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition
Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.
Read More →
2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft
Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.
Read More →
How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets
Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →


