15 minute read
Company Profile: Oelo’s colorful
Oelo’s colorful lights pull double duty, saving money
ABOVE: The North Jefferson County Ambulance District installed permanent holiday lights on its new building. (Photo provided)
TOP PHOTO: Oelo permanent structural lighting accents this Tarleton State University building. These lights are tethered to eight other campus facilities, all accented by Oelo cloud-based lighting system. (Photo provided)
By AMY SPEER
Calm settles over Tarleton State University. Another bustling day has come to an end as hundreds of lampposts across the Stephenville, Texas, campus wink on to guide lingering students back to their dorms. A purple glow emanates from nine buildings across the 122-year-old campus, accenting some of the university’s most visited buildings.
The glow is new, an addition that was made in December 2020 when Tarleton Facilities Management and Campus Operations invested in Oelo Permanent Structural Lighting to dazzle students. The patented color-changing lighting system features permanent weather-resistant channels that blend in with the buildings’ exterior, available in acrylic or optional aluminum. Tarleton opted for custom powder-coated aluminum channels for a seamless match.
And while Oelo is practically invisible by day, it’s hard to miss at night. Not only can Tarleton accent its structures in Tarleton purple, but campus operations can use the Oelo cloud-based lights to customize 6 million hues and 10 movement settings to celebrate special
occasions, university causes and favorite holidays. The system can also create the iconic white “bulb” look often seen accenting shopping plaza rooflines.
And with so many color variations, Oelo pulls double duty as holiday lights whenever the season calls for it. From a management standpoint, Oelo is a no-brainer, helping municipalities eliminate the ongoing time and money it takes grounds crews to hang holiday lights on an annual basis. Featuring a five-year warranty, each system is rated for 100,000 hours of use —the equivalent of 22 years of nightly 12-hour glow. In comparison, LED string lights and neon tube lights are only rated for 10,000 to 40,000 hours.
Tarleton’s system features 7,500 lights, 35 power supplies and 14 control units on nine buildings, and while the addition is new to the university, Oelo isn’t a newcomer in the facilities management space. You can find Oelo lighting on community centers, like the Platte Valley Community Center in Wyoming, or on fire and ambulance stations, like the Calabash Fire Department in North Carolina or the North Jefferson County Ambulance District in Missouri. Oelo has also made a name for itself among franchisee owners, becoming a favorite commercial lighting partner on Chick-Fil-A and Human Bean storefronts.
“During the holidays, it’s definitely a blessing having this system,” said Human Bean franchisee owner Frank Sherman, who bathes most of his coffee storefronts in Oelo hues. “We don’t have to hire contractors to climb ladders and hang string lights around the building, and after Christmas, they don’t come back to take them down. I don’t like roofs and ladders. The combination creates liability, and it also impacts business. With Oelo, a professional team installs them once, and after that, we enjoy them year-round.”
And while Tarleton is a fan of purple hues, Sherman likes rocking pink during Human Bean’s Coffee for a Cure event, a day when the franchise owner pools together 100% of his sales from 10 northern Colorado Human Bean locations to benefit local breast cancer funds. Most years, Sherman raises more than $50,000 to aid his community. The lights, he said, helps create important awareness.
Sherman said he stumbled across Oelo when he was building a food truck for his coffee franchise.
“I was working with SVI Trucks, an international world-class company that builds emergency vehicles, to build a custom food truck. During the process, we spent a lot of time at the SVI facility, and that’s when we discovered Oelo, one of SVI’s sister companies,” Sherman recalled. “We gave the lights a try, and now, every time we add a store, we’re adding Oelo lights because we know it’s a product backed by a very strong parent company.”
In short, Oelo COO Clay Horst said Super Vacuum Manufacturing, Oelo’s parent company, knows the ins and outs of government projects. Incorporated in 1954, Super Vac also has two other divisions that offer specialty lighting products in the emergency vehicle industry.
“It’s sort of neat that Oelo was born from that industry,” Horst said. “While sourcing some great LED products for our other divisions, we thought it would be cool to hang these color-changing lights on buildings, and that’s how the idea of permanent holiday lighting was born. Since then, we’ve discovered just how versatile these lights can be in the municipal space.”
Some might even say it’s the only kind of structural lighting that keeps on giving — and all without yearly hassle and annual costs. The Calabash Fire Department in North Carolina glows Oelo red, white and blue for the Fourth of July. (Photo provided)
Oelo adds a welcoming glow to this library. (Photo provided)
Oelo’s color-changing lights are a great accent to gazebos and other park structures. (Photo provided)
XL Fleet partnering with Curbtender to develop all-electric and plug-in hybrid refuse trucks
BOSTON, MASS.—XL Fleet Corp. announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Curbtender. Under the terms of the agreement, XL Fleet and Curbtender will jointly develop a series of battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric commercial trucks for use in waste management applications.
The two companies have committed to developing and launching a battery electric refuse vehicle equipped with a XL Electric propulsion system and a Curbtender Quantum rear loader refuse truck body within the next year. The agreement also includes the joint development of plug-in hybrid electric versions of the vehicle, as well as a range of Class 3 to Class 8 vehicle solutions for the waste management industry.
Refuse trucks represent a $7 billion market segment within the global commercial fleet industry, with over 62,000 units sold globally in 2018 and growing annually by 4%. Refuse collection trucks travel 25,000 miles annually on average and contribute around 1.4% of the transportation industry’s overall fuel consumption, making them an attractive application for electrification and reflecting a high-impact opportunity to drive decarbonization within the commercial sector.
Demand for sustainable vehicle solutions in this market has grown steadily in recent years, and XL Fleet and Curbtender expect to be well positioned to serve that demand through this partnership. Refuse collection vehicles have extremely demanding drive cycles, and both companies are committed to delivering reliable electrified solutions that meet the operating needs of customers while also satisfying their increasingly strict sustainability and cost targets.
For information, visit XL Fleet’s Investor Relations website at https:// investors.xlfleet.com.
Stertil-Koni calls in fire department to save Polar Plunge fundraiser
STEVENSVILLE, MD.—When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to disrupt the Maryland State Police Polar Plunge fundraiser recently, a beloved annual tradition enjoyed by Stertil-Koni employees and friends, the company knew exactly who to call—its local fire department.
In a normal year, the Polar Plunge hosts hundreds of corporate teams, schools and individual plungers, all diving into the frigid Chesapeake Bay in late January to raise funds for the Special Olympics of Maryland.
But this has been anything but a normal year.
In an effort to encourage social distancing this year, the Polar Plunge cancelled its beachside party atmosphere and encouraged participants to find creative ways to “plunge”—from homes or offices.
Talk about creative, enter heavy-duty vehicle lift leader Stertil-Koni, which prides itself at being a terrific problem-solver for a North American customer base that includes some of the largest transit agencies, trucking firms, airlines, pupil transportation providers, municipalities and even the U.S. military.
It’s a chilling thought, but this plucky team of 18 plungers wasn’t about to let the “new normal” dampen their spirits—or their fundraising.
And that’s why Kevin Hymers, director of operations at Stertil-Koni, and CPO (Chief Plunging Officer), enlisted the help of the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department. The KIVFD was more than happy to help, arriving at the Stertil-Koni headquarters with a ladder truck, a tanker truck and a crew of firefighters eagerly awaiting the opportunity to douse the team. As the wind whipped up late on a Friday afternoon while the temperatures dipped, the Stertil-Koni team ran through the water raining down from above. They laughed with glee, or so it seemed.
As Hymers noted, “Our group loves to go ‘freezing for a reason.’ A big thanks to the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, which not only made it possible, they helped keep our Stertil-Koni tradition alive and well.”
To learn more about the Maryland State Police Polar Plunge and its cause, the Special Olympics of Maryland, visit plungemd.com.
Three new members elected to Green Truck Association Board of Governors
FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. — NTEA’s Green Truck Association announced the results of its 2021-2022 Board of Governors election.
New board members beginning three-year terms in March 2021 include Dominik Beckman, director, marketing and dealer operations for Hino Trucks (Novi, Mich.); Kerri Garvin, executive director of Greater Indiana Clean Cities (Indianapolis, Ind.); and Grant Niebuhr, manager—green fleet for Altec Industries (Elizabethtown, Ky.).
The 2021-2022 Board of Governors will transition during the second week of March. Serving as officers will be Chair Scott Phillippi of UPS (Atlanta, Ga.); Vice Chair Paul Kokalis of Fontaine Modification Co. (Charlotte, N.C.); and Treasurer Ed Hoffman of Alliance AutoGas (Swannanoa, N.C.). Meighan Read of Duke Energy (Charlotte, N.C.) will continue as governor at large. 2020-2021 Board
Current GTA board officers include Chair Jim Castelaz of Motiv Power Systems (Foster City, Calif.); Vice Chair Scott Phillippi of UPS (Atlanta, Ga.); and Treasurer Paul Kokalis of Fontaine Modification Co. (Charlotte, N.C.). Governors at large are Ed Hoffman of Alliance AutoGas (Swannanoa, N.C.); and Meighan Read of Duke Energy (Charlotte, N.C.).
Established in 2010 as a division of NTEA—The Association for the Work Truck Industry, GTA is a voice for companies creating vocational trucks and products to help maximize fuel efficiency and mitigate environmental impacts. Over the past 11 years, the association has made significant strides in improving work truck efficiency and productivity through the development and deployment of strategies to reduce diesel and gasoline consumption. The Board of Governors is responsible for setting organizational policy and strategy, and plays an active role in developing programs and services. The 2020-2021 Board of Governors helped guide the development of education for Work Truck Week 2021, including Green Hour, highlighting new technology and efforts to move to a zero-emission environment.
Learn more about GTA at greentruckassociation.com.
NRPA applauds Congresswoman Barragán on commitment to outdoor equity
ASHBURN, VA.—Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association, issued the following statement regarding Congresswoman Nanette Barragán’s push to codify the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program into law:
“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Outdoors for All Act through an amendment by Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA). This important action is a major step in the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program becoming law—protected to fulfill its promise of increasing access to quality parks and green spaces for all. The ORLP program provides crucial funding for urban areas that lack local access to parks, and this amendment will help our collective efforts to increase equity in outdoor recreation.
“The Outdoors for All Act, which was introduced in 2019 by thenSenator Kamala Harris, directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to permanently establish ORLP. The program awards federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as part of a nationally competitive grant program for urban parks. Through this program, eligible entities are provided funding for the development of new parks and/or renovation of existing outdoor recreation facilities. Priority for this funding is given to communities that have sizable populations that are economically disadvantaged and are underserved in terms of outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Although ORLP was established in 2014, it was created by an appropriations act, which means it was not a permanent program. Codifying ORLP into law will ensure that the program is not upended, as it was in the final days of the previous administration.
“We commend the representatives who voted for this amendment and are grateful for Congresswoman Barragán’s leadership on this critical legislation. ORLP will ensure that future generations will have access to the social, physical and mental health benefits that local parks and recreation provides.”
Tips for Small to Midsize Townships Investing in Work Truck Fleets
ANDY HOLVERSON, VP OF MUNICIPAL SALES, MONROE TRUCK
EQUIPMENT —Across the country, townships looking to invest in a work truck fleet have several considerations to make. Each region has different needs, and each township has a unique budget, workforce and area to consider. However, despite all the regional features or challenges townships may face, they likely need to concentrate on building a core fleet of trucks that have one of two main objectives: a versatile, robust, year-round landscaping/dump truck or a snow and ice workhorse.
Highway needs
Typical township responsibility includes snow and ice management on town roadways. Often, major roads and highways are prioritized as first to be plowed and salted because they are major roadways connecting different parts of town.
Snow and ice professionals are tasked with clearing snow off the most important highways as quickly and safely as possible. The right equipment will help street departments clear those major roadways quickly, so safe traffic can resume.
Small to midsize townships in the snow belt should consider investing in trucks that feature: • Stainless steel body. • Integrated hydraulic package. • Stainless steel hydraulic components. • Straight blade or Vee-blade style plow package. • Under tailgate or Vee-box spreader.
• Warning light package. • Rear towing package.
Versatile needs
Small to midsize townships often feature small, winding or nontraditionally sized roads and walking areas. Township workers are responsible for year-round maintenance for all roads, no matter how challenging those areas may be.
Townships should invest in at least one versatile truck can clear, maintain and protect these areas. The benefit of investing in a truck is that they are versatile enough for year-round use. The same trucks that will control snow and ice are also able to landscape cemeteries and other hard to navigate areas, take care of waste management in small alleyways and maintain residential areas.
For more versatile, year-round truck options, look for midsize trucks that include: • Lower working height. • Better turning radius. • Lower purchase price than Class 7 and 8 patrol trucks. • Better fuel mileage. • May not require CDL drivers. • Lower maintenance costs.
Customized to your region
One of the greatest benefits of concentrating on these two types of work trucks is that you can really customize your fleet to meet your particular challenges.
Maybe you only need two heavy-duty plows, but need 10 versatile, year-round dump trucks with extra equipment storage and landscaping accommodations. Or maybe you have less landscaping and maintenance to do year-round, but really need to empower your team with the equipment needed to plow through miles of highways and roadways quickly and safely.
Whatever your needs may be, there are fully engineered upfitting options that help you make the most of your work truck fleet.
Consolidated purchasing
When building a fleet that is particular to your region’s needs, upfitting unique features helps municipalities get the most bang out of their buck. However, purchasing becomes a pain when you have to hop location to location to choose a chassis, plow, dump and add any unique working features your team wants.
Finding a trusted work truck manufacturer and upfitter will help you save time, money and headache while building or scaling your work truck fleets.
An investment for the future
Small and midsize municipalities have unique needs that change region to region. The benefit of investing in two main truck types: a hard-working plow and spreader and a more versatile, year-round work truck can address a number of seasonal challenges in almost all regions. These two truck types cover nearly all municipal tasks and can be easily scaled up to accommodate the size and population of the municipality.
News releases regarding personnel changes, other non-product-related company changes, association news and awards are printed as space allows. Priority will be given to advertisers and affiliates. Releases not printed in the magazine can be found online at www.themunicipal.com. Call (800) 733–4111, ext. 2307, or email swright@the-papers.com.
ANDY MOHR FORD COMMERCIAL DEPT.
We are a stalker Radar Distributor
CONTACT KENT GOLDMAN fleet9000@aol.com TOM DATZMAN TomDatzman@aol.com
2020 & 2021 POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITIEs
Ready for immediate delivery. Call for Government Pricing We Stock Ecoboost, Hybrids and V6’s. Can Upfit to Meet Your Needs
2017 ForD PoLIcE INtErcEPtor UtILIty ExPLorEr AWD
500A Police Order Pkg., 3.5L Eco Boost Gas V-6, Pkg. includes Dual twin sirens and intersection howler, Havis center console, Lap top holder, PA system, 10-8 in-car video camera with wireless mic, Stalker duel head top-of- the-line radar runs four vehicles simultaneously, Duo Interedge Whelen Lighting Red/Blue with take-down lights and optional scene all white lights and dash light red/blue with white scene light, also rear inter-edge rear lighting in rear glass inside lift-gate. AWS (Automatic weapons security system) includes over head hand gun locker with red and white reading lamps, Rear automatic rear gun locker with Barrier/Fence and top storage, plus Aux drawer under the weapons box, Rear file cabinet with printer stand in back seat, Vehicle has remote start with only 37,000 miles in great condition. Balance of Power Train Warranty for 100,000 miles until 08/2022 with zero deductible.
Government Purchase Only. Call Kent for Details 317-279-7141 | 812-325-4465
