Aerofficient Receives Frost & Sullivan Award

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerofficient, leading designers and manufacturers of aerodynamic enhancement devices for heavy-duty truck trailers, today announced that it has been awarded the highly prestigious Frost & Sullivan 2012 North American Trailer Aerodynamics New Product Innovation Award for its Aerofficient Slider^® product, Aerofficient's side-fairing product that automatically expands and contracts when the trailer's wheel assemblies are moved forward and rearward. 

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According to the Frost & Sullivan researchers, "Aerofficient's innovative Slider™ technology will be a game-changer, a solution which the trailer aerodynamic market has not seen before." Also, "fixed-side fairings have been proven to save money, but the Slider technology enhances the trailer even further…. Through lab and fleet testing, Aerofficient's Slider technology achieved an extraordinary increase in fuel savings of up to 80 percent in zero wind conditions with a trailer setting of 41 ft., compared to only having a standard side fairing installed. Fleets can expect to see an approximately 7 percent boost in fuel economy compared to only using a fixed-side fairing, which provides on average 3 to 5 percent in fuel savings. Moreover, this astounding boost in fuel economy results in a ROI payback for Aerofficient's Slider^® projected to be only one year."

In addition to the game-changing fuel savings generated by the Aerofficient Slider, Frost & Sullivan noted the high quality and extreme durability of Aerofficient's products. Wallace Lau, lead researcher of the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices research that underlay the award, stated: "Our decision was based in part upon a comparison of competing products' technological innovation, durability, product design, quality of materials, and value added to customers. These parameters were used to derive the innovativeness of new trailer aerodynamics enhancement products in terms of augmenting customer value through the enhancement of fuel efficiency and reduction of life cycle cost associated with the products across a wide range of duty cycles and application areas. At the core of Aerofficient's products is the embodiment of these crucial traits. They are exceptionally lightweight and durable, fabricated from quality materials, and engineered to survive the rigors of long-term use. These traits were key factors resulting in Aerofficient being presented with the new production innovation award."

"We are extremely honored by this award," said Jim Reiman, Aerofficient CEO. "Aerofficient is all about customer ROI, so when an independent research firm with the standards of Frost & Sullivan says our products are better than our competitors' because they yield superior savings and are more durable, it is a validation of our efforts and approach."

Reiman accepted the 2012 North American Trailer Aerodynamics New Product Innovation Award at a banquet in San Jose, Calif., hosted by Frost & Sullivan. In his acceptance comments, Reiman acknowledged the contribution of Aerofficient's manufacturing partner, Quality Metalcraft of Livonia, Mich. 

"Aerofficient understands aerodynamics and the details that make a trailer fairing a successful design," said Reiman. "Converting that design into a commercial product, capable of production at a competitive price and possessing the strength and other characteristics to survive the rigors of long-term use by truckers, however, is another matter. To do this, we partnered with Quality Metalcraft. Quality Metalcraft deserves the credit for making our designs a reality. Their professionalism, attention to detail, quality engineering, and manufacturing prowess are the reasons that we are here today."

Aerofficient's "Slider" fairings and other products are manufactured in Livonia, Mich., and are available direct from Aerofficient and through trailer and truck dealers nationwide.

About Aerofficient

Aerofficient designs and builds aerodynamic solutions for the heavy-duty trucking industry to assist in the reduction of truck fuel consumption. Current products include high-quality, lightweight and extremely durable side skirt fairings.  Soon to be introduced products include a front gap fairing and a collapsible rear fairing.  Engineered and built in the U.S. and Canada, Aerofficient products are tough, easy to install and capable of withstanding the rigors of fleet operations and the high mileage of owner-operator drivers. All Aerofficient fairings have been designated by the EPA's SmartWay program as Advanced Trailer Skirts, estimated to generate at least 5 percent in fuel savings. For more information, visit www.aerofficient.com or call 855-AERO NOW (237-6669).

SOURCE Aerofficient