Aggregate Hauler Bags Big Katrina Reconstruction Work And New KWs

Louisiana Aggregate Hauler Depends on Kenworth W900S for Reliability, Quality Image

WESTWEGO, La., Jan. 18, 2010 – While southeastern Louisiana continues rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, aggregate hauler Jay’s Trucking, in Westwego, La., has accelerated its purchases of Kenworth trucks while phasing out less durable brands in its fleet.

As a primary hauler on many big construction projects, Jay’s Trucking has built a solid reputation for dependability on the jobsite where reliability and uptime are critical.

To help maintain the company’s hard-earned status among primary contractors, Jay’s owner A.J. Phillip Jr. purchased 15 new Kenworth trucks in 2008.

“We had the first W900S trucks in New Orleans, all with automatic transmissions,” said Phillip, who spec’d his Kenworth W900S tri-axle dumps with set-forward axles, Hendrickson HMX suspensions, Cummins ISM 385-hp engines and Allison transmissions.

“The tri-axles allow Jay’s trucks to gross out at 67,000 lbs. and maximize payloads,” said Bryan Bruno, sales manager for Kenworth of South Louisiana, who helped spec the trucks.

To pull Jay’s larger trailer dumps, Phillip prefers the Kenworth W900L with Cummins ISX 475-hp engine, Kenworth AG400 suspension, and 13- and 10-speed transmissions. “The trailer trucks gross out at 88,000 lbs. pulling 30-foot tri-axle aluminum trailers,” said Bruno. “Tri-axles are pretty much all haulers use in this part of the country.”

Since 2005, construction in and around New Orleans has been ongoing — from shoring up levees to reconstructing major roadways such as the twin spans on U.S. Interstate 10 that were wiped out during the storm. With so much construction going on, Phillip said the most important thing he needs from his dump trucks is day-in and day-out reliability.

Currently, Jay’s Trucking is working on two giant construction projects: the Huey P. Long Bridge widening project, and a huge pumping station being built by the Kiewit Construction Company. Between all the construction and federal response that has come to New Orleans as a result of Katrina, Jay’s growing fleet of 24 trucks stays extremely busy. With trucks on the road from dawn till dusk, Phillip puts a premium on the quality image that his equipment and drivers project to the community.

“We have an image to uphold,” he said. “When we go to a jobsite, I want our trucks to look good because they represent the type of work we provide. When a customer needs us, we show up on time. We don’t break down and that’s why we’re successful.

“It’s also why we operate Kenworth trucks,” he continues. “They’re extremely reliable and Kenworth of South Louisiana takes care of us day or night. If we have an issue of any kind, my dealer jumps right on it and it’s taken care of right now. Kenworth service is second to none. That makes all the difference to us.”