Arrow Trucking Co., the Tulsa-based flatbed and dry van carrier, has signed an agreement with MHC Kenworth-Tulsa for the purchase of 400 new 2006 Model T600 Kenworth tractors.
The purchase price was not disclosed.
Arrow executives said Monday that the new trucks largely are replacing older units. However, the company will add 100 trucks to its current fleet of 1,400 trucks after the Kenworth Model T600 units join the fleet, said Doug Pielsticker, president and chief executive officer of Arrow.
"We were quite pleased to place this order with MHC Kenworth after a thorough review of alternatives," Pielsticker said. "We believe that the Kenworth T600 will provide the functionality and reliability required to meet the demands of our growing fleet.
"Although most of these units will serve as replacements for older vehicles, we expect to grow our fleet from 1,400 units currently to 1,500 tractors after the completion of this purchase."
The new equipment is being financed by Paccar Financial, a subsidiary of Paccar Inc., the Bellevue, Wash.-based parent company of Kenworth Truck Co. of Kirkland, Wash.
Pielsticker said Arrow is negotiating the purchase of an additional 600 trucks that would be delivered in 2006.
"We'll continue to evaluate all of our options as we seek to replace our older units in advance of the tighter emissions rules scheduled to go into effect for the 2007 model year engines," Pielsticker said.
In addition to its 1,400 trucks, Arrow operates 2,900 trailers.
A truck in Arrow's fleet has an average age of 1 1/2 years
The company employs 1,300 drivers, company officials said.
The Kenworth 2006 Model T600 72-inch Aerocab tractor includes a Caterpillar Acert engine, a full-length clothes closet, storage shelves, insulated rubber floor mats, vented access doors and a 42-inch mattress.
Featuring an aerodynamically sloped hood, swept-back fenders, chassis fairings, cab-to-sleeper fairings and side extenders, the Model T600 has been one of the commercial trucking industry's most economical units since it was introduced nearly 20 years ago.
MHC Kenworth -- Murphy-Huffman Co. -- has been selling Kenworth trucks since 1975.