FoodLogistics.com |

Minneapolis: Thermo King Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have worked together for a number of years on the latest in efficient, green technologies. Thermo King’s products, including the Spectrum multi-temperature trailer reefer unit and the TriPac Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System, are helping Wal-Mart move toward its environmental sustainability goals, including improving the efficiency of its fleet.

When Wal-Mart wanted a three-zone, multi-temperature reefer unit for trailers with a 30-foot frozen compartment in the middle, they came to Thermo King and, after much development and testing, the Spectrum SB was born. Today, every one of Wal-Mart’s fleet of approximately 6,000 refrigerated trailers is equipped with a Spectrum.

The Spectrum SB with SmartReefer2 controller provides Wal-Mart with numerous environmentally-friendly features. The unit is available with electric standby, which allows it to use electricity during loading and stationary operation, reducing fuel consumption, diesel emissions, maintenance and noise. The hybrid model 50 units offer electric-to-diesel-switching as a standard feature and all models feature bio-diesel compatible engines. Another important environmental edge provided by the Spectrum SB is the TK486V engine, which meets EPA Tier 4 emission requirements, exceeds current Tier 2 requirements and meets all EPA requirements through 2012.

“The Spectrum helps Wal-Mart reduce costs in a number of ways. It’s good for the environment and good for our business,” says Tim Yatsko, senior vice president, transportation, Wal-Mart.

The highly successful TriPac system also came about as a way for Wal-Mart to address a specific need: the company loved the efficiency of the Espar cab heaters they were using, but wanted air conditioning as well. Wal-Mart played a key role in the testing of the TriPac system.

The hybrid TriPac system provides heating, cooling and power to the truck cab while charging the battery, all without needing to run the engine. The fuel savings and reduction in emissions with the TriPac system was so significant that Wal-Mart retrofitted its entire fleet of 7,000 tractors with APUs. “We believe the TriPac system is the most efficient and reliable APU on the market,” says Yatsko. “We estimate that this installation could help us save $25 million in fuel costs.”