Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne has extended greetings and congratulated the Automotive Transportation Service Superintendents’ Association (ATSSA) on its 75th Anniversary this year.

Wynne applauded the ATSSA for exploring, promoting and implementing procedures meant to enhance commercial vehicle safety and foster fellowship among fleet maintenance professionals.  She congratulated the ATSSA for providing its members the opportunity to establish their professional networks, and further their training and development.  Premier’s congratulatory certificate was presented by Manan Gupta, Publisher, Road Today Media Group to Dan Cushing, President ATSSA Toronto.

The ATSSA monthly meeting in November was sponsored by Mack Trucks Canada and its GTA based dealers. Steven DeSousa, National Fleet Service Manager reviewed the latest developments with respect to dimethyl ether (DME) powered Mack trucks during his well received presentation. DME, a non-toxic, clean-burning alternative fuel and offers many environmental and societal benefits, including that it can be made from multiple sustainable feedstocks. One of the most significant advantages of the fuel is that it produces no soot, eliminating the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF). DME can provide up to a 95 percent CO2 reduction compared with diesel when produced from biomass or biogas.

Steve took the opportunity to provide update on the recently launched Mack GuardDog Connect, a telematics solution strengthening communication among the truck, driver, customer and dealer enabling quick diagnosis of issues and proactive scheduling for repairs.

The awards presentation for the ATSSA sponsored class in the ‘Modified Apprenticeship Program’ (‘MAP’) 32 at Centennial College was also made during the meeting. The award takes the form of a scholarship fund for the top three apprentices: $2,500 to the first place winner (Wan Li Yu), $1,500 to second (Aaron Jones), and $1,000 for third (Xin Lin).  These top three apprentices were also rewarded with the long standing traditional Mack Truck Canada award plaques.