Mack Truck Archives

U.S. Army orders another 135 Mack Defense Heavy Dump Trucks

Mack Defense announced Wednesday that the U.S. military has ordered an additional 135 Mack Defense Heavy Dump Trucks.

The trucks are part of the previously announced firm-fixed price $296 million contract over seven years that the Army awarded Mack Defense in 2018.

For this new order, 60 HDTs are being purchased by the U.S. Army Reserve, 74 are being funded by the presidential budget and one is being purchased by the U.S. Navy.

With this lates order, a total of 446 HDTs have been ordered to date.

The HDTs are used in construction and maintenance missions for infrastructure assets, such as airfields, roadways, landing strips, supply facilities and motor pools.

“With every additional order of a Mack HDT, the U.S. Armed Forces are reiterating their confidence in our product,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “The U.S. military puts these trucks through the paces every day, and each subsequent requisition shows that the Mack HDT is meeting the military’s demanding requirements.”

Production of the HDTs at the MEC began in Q1 2021, following an investment of $6.5 million to create a dedicated HDT production line at the facility. The production line helps fulfill the M917A3 contract, while allowing Mack Defense to produce other vehicle variants.

The production line in the Mack Experience Center in Allentown, which is in Mack’s former Customer Adaptation Center, where vehicle modifications occurred.

The Customer Adaptation Center has since moved to Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations in Macungie, Pennsylvania, where all Mack Class 8 vehicles for North America and export are assembled.

Mack Trucks adds second electric vehicle to lineup

Mack Trucks has revealed its new Mack MD Electric, the company’s first electric vehicle in the medium-duty segment of the trucking industry. PHOTO/COURTESY MACK TRUCKS –

Mack Trucks is bringing a second electric vehicle to its line of trucks.

Mack Trucks has revealed its new Mack MD Electric, the company’s first electric vehicle in the medium-duty segment of the trucking industry.

The MD Electric is the second electric vehicle introduced by Mack Trucks to the industry. The first was the Mack LR Electric, which went into production in the Lehigh Valley in December 2021.

The MD Electric was designed to complement its diesel-powered MD model sibling, which has experienced growing customer demand since its introduction in 2020.

The addition of a zero-tailpipe emissions battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to the Mack medium-duty lineup also supports the company’s long-term sustainability goals, said Martin Weissburg, global president of Mack Trucks.

“Mack established itself as an electrification leader with the heavy-duty Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle, and we’re excited to add the MD Electric to our zero-tailpipe emissions lineup,” said Weissburg. “This is another important step in our efforts to drive decarbonization and a more sustainable future, and we plan to continue investing in technologies that help improve the environment and society.”

The MD Electric was designed to meet the needs of trucking applications requiring dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed and dump vocations. The MD6 model does not require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate for non-hazardous payloads.

“The Mack MD Electric joins the full lineup of Class 6 to 8 vehicles Mack offers to help customers meet their application needs,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Building on the success of the diesel-powered Mack MD Series, the Mack MD Electric will help our customers meet their sustainability goals without sacrificing the durability, reliability and total cost of ownership for which Mack is known.”

Mack Truck announces partnerships to help promote its electric vehicles

The Mack LR Electric, Mack’s first fully electric Class 8 refuse truck. PHOTO/COURTESY MACK TRUCK –

Mack Trucks announced today that it has entered partnerships with Heliox and Gilbarco Veeder-Root to help encourage customer adoption of battery-electric vehicles (BEV) such as the Mack LR Electric, Mack’s first fully electric Class 8 refuse truck.

The agreements will offer end-to-end support and enable customer accessibility to Mack partners who will help them in their journey toward zero-emissions technology and will provide customers access to on-hand inventory, hardware installation services and support resources focused on charger uptime.

“This is another terrific example of Mack offering the total solution for electrification,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Partnering with these two well-known companies is a game-changer for Mack in the sense that we can now support our customers with their infrastructure upgrades, enabling them to have better access to mobile and fixed chargers. Heliox and Gilbarco have gone through substantial testing to ensure the reliability of their charging solutions, so we are confident that Mack customers will enjoy the same level of support they have come to expect from Mack.”

Randall said this is a key differentiator for Mack, as charging infrastructure components continue to be difficult to secure, plus installation and support services can vary.

“Customers can now acquire EV charging hardware solutions directly from Mack dealers when purchasing a Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle,” said Ryan Saba, Mack Trucks energy solutions manager. “With these agreements, charging solutions in all desired power levels from 50kWh to 180kWh are available to support varying fleet duty cycles and dwell times. Customers now have access to Mack strategic partners who will support the development of specialized and forward-thinking infrastructure to best suit their charging requirements and energy demands.”

Gilbarco Veeder-Root is based in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Heliox is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mack Defense competing for $5.1B U.S. Army contract

Mack Defense has been chosen to build three prototypes for the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) Program. PHOTO/COURTESY MACK TRUCK –

Mack Defense has been awarded a three-prototype truck contract that could lead to a more extensive contract worth more than $5.1 billion.

Mack is being asked to design, build, and deliver three trucks for the prototype and testing phase of the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program.

The trucks will be manufactured at the Mack Truck Lehigh Valley Operations.

The Army will ultimately be using up to 7,000 prototype trucks that will be tested and evaluated to determine the final requirements for the next generation of trucks to ultimately begin modernization and replacement of the Army’s fleet of approximately 35,000 heavy tactical trucks which perform a wide range of combat logistics, support, and service support missions.

The U.S. Army’s requirements for the CTT program dictate a modern, scalable commercial-based platform with advanced safety technologies, increased off-road mobility, advanced cybersecurity, open systems architecture, improved fuel efficiency and commonality across truck variants to promote enhanced sustainability.

“We were confident in our ability to meet the needs outlined by the U.S. Army when we submitted our initial bid,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “Being chosen for the prototype phase of this program confirms that the Army recognizes Mack Defense has the experience in adapting our commercial based products, technologies and global value chain needed to meet the strict requirements outlined for the CTT.”

He said Mack Defense will provide the first three prototype vehicles to the U.S. Army by January of 2024.

Those trucks will be tested by the Army in a variety of situations to evaluate the vehicles’ performance, efficiency, and durability.

Jack Terefinko, CTT program manager at Mack Defense commented on the order.

“The vehicles include an on-road tractor, an off-road tractor, and a load-handling system (LHS) truck each based off our commercial-based vehicle platforms and technologies modified to meet the strict requirements of CTT,” he said.

After the prototype evaluations and testing are complete in 2025 the Army is expected to launch a separate competition which will lead to a production contract for the modernization of the heavy tactical vehicle fleet.

The Army has stated that an initial production contract could be over 7,000 trucks valued at more than $5.1 billion.

Mack Defense is currently performing two major defense programs of record, each with a scope that directly aligns with the CTT. Both projects use modified, commercial-based vehicles from the extensive global Volvo Group network.

Mack announces sale of two electric refuse vehicles

Miami-Dade County recently purchased a Mack LR electric refuse vehicle. PHOTO/SUBMITTED –

Mack Truck has announced the sale of two electric refuse vehicles this week, both of which were assembled at its Lehigh Valley operations.

Mack recently announced a target of 35 percent of its global sales will be fully electric by 2030, which the Mack LR Electric will help fulfill.

Miami-Dade County executives have introduced the Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle it purchased to help the County improve resiliency and sustainability. The Mack LR Electric is Miami-Dade’s first heavy-duty electric vehicle purchase for its fleet.

The Mack LR Electric offers zero tailpipe emissions, improved sustainability and a quieter vehicle for refuse collection.

The Town of Cary, North Carolina, also recently ordered a Mack LR Electric Class 8 refuse vehicle.

Mack said the truck will provide the community with reduced emissions, maintenance and fuel costs and is expected to be in full operation in the fall of 2023.

This order makes Cary the first municipality in North Carolina to order a Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle.

“Mack congratulates the Town of Cary on their pursuit of sustainable operations and is proud that they have chosen to purchase and deploy a Mack LR Electric to help achieve their goals,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of sales and commercial operations. “We look forward to continuing our commitment to developing sustainable transportation solutions with Cary and our other customers, as well as helping them fulfill their environmental goals.”

Mack receives new order for electric vehicle

Mack Truck Battery Electric Vehicle PHOTO/SUBMITTED –

Mack Trucks is expanding its sales of its new electric vehicle line.

The company announced that Eco-Cycle, one of the largest nonprofit recyclers and Zero Waste organizations in the country, has ordered a Mack LR Electric battery electric vehicle.

It will be the first battery electric vehicle Eco-Cycle has added to its fleet.

The announcement was made during an event with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and other state and local officials, Eco-Cycle, Bruckner’s Truck Equipment and Mack representatives at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in Boulder, Colorado.

“Mack is extremely pleased that Eco-Cycle chose to order the Mack LR Electric to help them fulfill their commitment to Zero Waste and now Zero Emissions,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack senior vice president of sales and operations. “We congratulate Eco-Cycle for setting a new bar and becoming the nation’s first in the composting industry to operate a battery-electric vehicle.”

Eco-Cycle was established in 1976. Eco-Cycle volunteers brought curbside recycling to Boulder that same year, making the city one of the first 20 in the U.S. to offer curbside recycling. The Mack LR Electric will help Eco-Cycle achieve another “first,” leading the transition toward electric-powered fleets for haulers, particularly in the waste, recycling and composting industry.

“Eco-Cycle is proud to be pioneering the first commercial-scale electric-powered collection truck for compostables to help lead the transition of commercial scale fleet electrification, merging our mission of Zero Waste with that of Zero Emissions for a more climate-resilient future,” Suzanne Jones, Eco-Cycle executive director said. “This effort is in keeping with Eco-Cycle’s long history of pioneering ‘firsts’ for the recycling, composting and waste industry.”

Eco-Cycle plans for the Mack LR Electric vehicle to travel 15,000 miles each year collecting compostables generated by commercial and residential clients and reducing greenhouse gas emission by 2,500 tons over the vehicle’s lifetime.

Mack celebrates delivery of first Heavy Dump Truck as part of $296M Army contract

Mack Trucks on Thursday celebrated the delivery of the first M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck to roll of its Allentown production line as part of a contract with the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.

In May 2018, the U.S. Army awarded Mack Defense the contract that could be worth up to $296.4 million over seven years to produce up to 683 non-armored and armored M917A3 HDTs.

Wolfgang Petermann, the U.S. Army’s project manager for Transportation Systems, said that the Army has been operating with trucks that are nearly 50-years old.

“Now is the perfect time to provide the Engineer Regiment with modified commercial off-the-shelf capabilities leveraging the strength of the commercial auto and heavy-duty trucking industry,” Petermann said. “Today’s ceremony is a huge milestone in delivering that enhanced capability, which is better equipped to maintain the operational pace of the modern battlefield. I’m proud of the hard-working Heavy Dump Truck team that has brought us to this point.”

The production line in the Mack Experience Center is in Mack’s former Customer Adaptation Center, where vehicle modifications occurred.

The Customer Adaptation Center has since moved to Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations in Macungie, where all Mack Trucks Class 8 vehicles are assembled.

Production of the HDTs began in the first quarter of the year, following an investment of $6.5 million to create a dedicated HDT production line at the facility.

The new HDTs were designed to increase the U.S. Army’s operational effectiveness and readiness, while supporting mobility, counter-mobility, survivability and sustainment operations for the Joint Force.

Mack Defense moves to Allentown customer care center

The Mack Customer Care Center in Allentown –

Mack Defense has moved from its leased office space in Upper Macungie Township to the Mack Customer Center in Allentown.

In a release, David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense, said the move will give staff more space and will make it easier to showcase its vehicles.

“The Mack Customer Center is an outstanding facility and presents our company and the Mack brand in a way we could not replicate at our previous location,” Hartzell said. “We have easier access to a number of unique features at the MCC, such as the test track and industrial space, while still retaining the robust security requirements that are required when working on military contracts.”

Hartzell said the move was timed so that Mack Defense would have the enhanced capabilities available at the MCC to support the current active contract with the U.S. Army to provide heavy dump trucks.

In May of 2018 Mack Defense was awarded a $296 million contract from the U.S. Army to produce up to 683 of its M917A3 HDTs.

The Mack Customer Center had available space after some engineering groups were moved to Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations in Lower Macungie Township to be closer to production operations they support.

The move did not impact employment levels.

Mack Lehigh Valley honored by Department of Energy for reducing waste

Mack Truck Lehigh Valley in Lower Macungie Township PHOTO/FILE –

The Mack Trucks plant in Lower Macungie Township was among facilities honored by the U.S. Department of Energy for reducing waste.

The Volvo Group North America, which owns Mack, said it received the DOE’s Better Plants Better Practice Award for preventing and reducing waste at its Lehigh Valley plant and several other of its North American facilities. Volvo Group implemented several initiatives to help the company work toward landfill-free status.

Four of its manufacturing facilities, including Mack Lehigh Valley, are certified as landfill-free, as are two other Pennsylvania facilities — Middletown Remanufacturing in Middletown, near Harrisburg, and the Volvo Construction Equipment facility in Shippensburg, Cumberland County.

“Reducing and eliminating landfill waste is imperative to helping protect our greatest resource – the environment,” said Rick Robinson, Volvo Group North America director of Health, Safety and Environment. “We are pleased that our efforts were recognized by the DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plants program, and we hope to continue moving toward landfill-free at all of the Volvo Group’s North American facilities.”

In addition to the facilities already certified, the Volvo Group said it has three other sites that are in the 12-month certification process for landfill-free status.

The certification process includes the documentation and mapping of all waste types, implementation of waste reduction, reuse and recycling program and sustaining landfill-free status for a minimum of 12 months. Certified sites must apply to the Volvo Group Environmental Committee for re-certification every three years.

Mack Trucks to continue NASCAR hauling partnership

Mack Trucks and NASCAR today announced a multi-year extension of their partnership agreement continuing the designation of Mack as the “Official Hauler of NASCAR.” –

Before NASCAR’s race cars hit the track, they need to be hauled there, and, thanks to a new partnership agreement, Lehigh Valley-made Mack Trucks will continue to do the job.

Mack and NASCAR signed a multi-year extension of their partnership, which has Mack as “The Official Hauler of NASCAR.” Part of that agreement has Mack providing a dedicated fleet of custom Mack Anthem trucks to transport cars, equipment and technology needed for NASCAR’s 36 annual races.

“Our relationship with Mack Trucks continues to deliver a transportation solution that plays an integral role in our success every weekend,” said Elton Sawyer, vice president, officiating and technical inspection for NASCAR. “With their partnership, we have developed a customized fleet of NASCAR trucks that has simplified our transportation logistics and in turn, help us remain focused on our events.”

The Anthem trucks, like all Mack trucks sold in North America, are built in Lower Macungie Township.

Mack first became NASCAR’s official hauler in 2016.

Mack featured its partnership with NASCAR and all of the work that goes on behind the scenes in an episode from the first season of its #RoadLife series.

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