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Kennesaw Transportation, Inc. - Dedicated to Premium Transportation Services

(Minneapolis - March 22, 2007) - Since 1981, Kennesaw Transportation of White, Georgia (30 miles north of Atlanta), has been dedicated to superior service and leadership in long-haul trucking.

From the very beginning, C.W. "Pat" Patrick, president, wanted to establish partnerships that were aligned with his customer's strategies. He started with five trucks and ran a combination of refrigerated and dry product loads. By 1990, Kennesaw Transportation was an all-refrigerated product carrier and has chosen Thermo King as its refrigeration unit supplier and partner through the years.

With 195 Peterbilt tractors and 310 trailers (Great Dane and Utility mix) today – all equipped with Thermo King SB trailer unit models, Patrick has molded Kennesaw Transportation into the transportation industry leader he set out to create 26 years ago.

Kennesaw primarily hauls candy, general food products and produce for a variety of well-known customers. Carpet is often used as an east to west outbound product with produce being the backhaul. Kennesaw teams do the carrying from Georgia to several western states, including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona; single drivers run lanes from Georgia to Florida, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, and Kansas.

According to Patrick, "Product dependability and consistency, along with good service, are the reasons for my long term relationship with Thermo King. The company's products provide the quality performance that we need and strive to provide our customers; it's a great partnership."

Receiving awards such as the Cold Chain Carrier of the Year by customer Fresh Express in 2006 confirms that Kennesaw's operational and product choices are appreciated – and working. "The award was based on the temperature management of Fresh Express products delivered," explained Patrick. "The use of independent monitoring devices placed throughout the trailer by Fresh Express recorded box and product temperatures. We maintained the product temperature closest to required standards. I attribute this to driver awareness and training, great service by our service department, and the refrigeration units' programmable features and performance. We were very proud of this award."

Kennesaw's refrigeration fleet consists of SB-200-30 and SB-210-30 unit models. Another order of 100 trailers with the SB-210-30 units has been placed this year. The company runs a five-year trade cycle on trailers and refrigeration units to maintain a high resale value. A strong dealership relationship with Thermo King Atlanta, product quality and reliability, and warranty and service availability has all helped Kennesaw Transportation meet its performance goals throughout the years. "We're thankful for the very rewarding relationship we've had with Kennesaw since 1990," said Tim Edwards, Thermo King Atlanta sales manager. "We have similar performance and customer service goals, and enjoy bringing new solutions to our customers' business."

Thermo King's hybrid TriPac™ Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System is one of the newer solutions that have helped Kennesaw save dramatically in fuel and maintenance costs, and abide by growing anti-idling regulations throughout the nation. The first Thermo King TriPac system was installed in November 2005, with 136 more being added in 2006 and an additional 40 already ordered this year. "Before the TriPac systems, our average fleet idle time was 40 to 50 percent. That average is now down to 3 to 4 percent," said Patrick. "This is a large fuel and maintenance savings. Our drivers are very happy with the TriPac systems, and I am thrilled. The TriPac has eliminated the need for service calls for dead batteries as well as having to purchase alternators or make air conditioning repairs on the road. The payback on this purchase is within 12 months."

Staying updated on the latest technology, industry regulations, and the proper training for his people are keys to Kennesaw's continued success. Building and utilizing solid partnerships – and tapping into others' expertise – have definitely helped the company through the years. "Dependable suppliers like Thermo King have helped us choose products that improve our operational efficiencies and service capabilities. I'm proud to call Kennesaw Transportation a leading long haul truckload carrier in the transportation industry today."

Thermo King Corporation, a business unit of diversified industrial firm Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, was founded in 1938 and manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities and 17 parts distribution centers worldwide. Sales and service is provided by a global dealer network of 865 independently owned companies in 75 countries.


Contact:
Mike O'Brien, Thermo King Corporation
952-885-3505
Michael_OBrien@irco.com

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