Fox Sports Network (FSN) featured Jost International on their Motorhead Garage television series. The segment was filmed October 18 at the JOST U.S. manufacturing site located in Greeneville, TN.
During the segment, Greg Laarman P.E., JOST vice president of engineering explains how tractor and trailer combinations are safely coupled together mating the tractor fifth wheel with the trailer kingpin. Filming shows the coupling and uncoupling of a combination rig belonging to Big G Express, a Tennessee motor carrier outfitted with JOST fifth wheel, kingpin and landing gear demonstrating how this procedure secures the tractor and trailer for transit. The producers of Motorhead Garage believe understanding this process, which occurs millions of times each day, will give their viewers confidence that the semi's they are sharing the road with are safely and securely locked together.
Jens Polte, vice president operations, provided a tour of JOST's TS16949 and ISO14001 certified Greeneville, TN manufacturing facility, which also included explanations of fifth wheel wear characteristics and rebuild processes. Motorhead Garage co host Sam Memmola carries out a minor rebuild procedure illustrating the ease of maintenance that JOST has become known for. JOST has been manufacturing fifth wheel coupling devices globally since 1956 and began manufacturing for the North America market at the Greeneville facility in 1999.
An overall view of trends within the fifth wheel product segment was given by Rich Carroll, vice president of sales and marketing. Low lube top plates and cab actuated air release options now offered on JOST fifth wheels can offer fleet operators a lower life cycle cost and driver friendly options. Carroll also provided Motorhead Garage a view into JOST's future plans, "We're developing the Smart Gap System (SGS) which is designed to be a significant contributor to meeting the new fuel efficiency standards now established for heavy trucks in 2014-2018. JOST, as a fifth wheel manufacturer, understands we have an opportunity to help vehicle manufacturers and operators meet these new fuel efficiency standards so we're taking up the challenge.