GE launches Trailer Mechanic University to build skills and career opportunities

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, OCTOBER 30, 2006-GE has announced the formation of Trailer Mechanic University, an internal training program intended to attract and retain qualified trailer mechanics to serve the trucking industry. Instructors will include both in-house experts and trainers from leading trailer manufacturers and major sub-component firms. Agreements have already been reached with Carlisle Motion Controls Inc, Michelin, Trucklite and ArvinMeritor. The news came during the American Trucking Associations' annual Management Exhibition & Conference, being held here near Dallas.

GE's Trailer Mechanic University will offer classes exclusively to employees of Trailer Fleet Services through a combination of on-site and Web-based instruction. Upon completion, students will become "GE-certified," enabling them to advance their career and earning potential in GE as a trailer mechanic.

"Trucking companies know how much the shortage of truck drivers can affect the bottom line," said Siva Balakrishnan, senior vice president of Operations at GE's Trailer Fleet Services business. "With three times as many trailers as tractors out on the road, it's just as important to have qualified mechanics to keep cargo moving safely and on schedule."

Operating from 100 branches across North America, GE's Trailer Fleet Services business offers significant opportunities for its skilled mechanics. The company, a division of GE Equipment Services, also manages more than 200 Mobile Maintenance Service vans, with mechanics performing repairs and collecting maintenance data at customer sites on both leased and customer-owned trailers.

In fact, last year GE mechanics inspected a quarter of million trailers and made nearly a half-million distinct repairs. Each repair is entered into a massive database, from which GE can extract trends and advise customers on how to manage their maintenance spend. For example, some instances of repeated damage can be traced to less-experienced drivers, who may dock abruptly, make too-sharp turns, or drive too close to low-hanging obstructions such as tree limbs. In other cases, higher maintenance costs can signal it's time to refresh the fleet with newer trailers.

With 50 years of experience in servicing trailers, GE has long been an employer of choice for trailer mechanics seeking competitive benefits and pay within a stable company. As with other roles in trucking, increased competition outside the industry has impeded the flow of applicants to new positions. The company launched a comprehensive recruiting effort this summer to attract new mechanics, and the formation of GE Trailer Mechanic University is intended to give continuous training to both new and existing mechanics.

About GE's Asset Intelligence and Trailer Fleet Services

GE's Trailer Fleet Services business (formerly known as Transport International Pool, or TIP), is based in Wayne, Pa., and is a single-source provider for all aspects of trailer fleet management. For nearly 50 years it has been a recognized leader in over-the-road trailer solutions, which today includes everything from leasing, renting, financial services, insurance, maintenance, remarketing and asset tracking. GE's Trailer Fleet Services business has 135,000 over-the-road trailer assets, and operates a North American network of 100 branch locations, staffed by a sales and operations team of 900 employees. Its website is www.trailerservices.com.

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To learn more about our Trailer Mechanic recruitment efforts, click here.

MEDIA CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION:

GE, Trailer Fleet Services, Wayne, PA
Patrick Brennan, Media Relations Manager
484-254-0127 or patrick.brennan@ge.com