Drivers Appreciation Week: CSTK Stands by Owner-Operators with Thermo King APUs

There is probably no better way to keep drivers happy and save on costs than a Thermo King APU. Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) offer increased driver comfort, greater fuel savings, better driver recruitment/retention, idle reduction, lowered maintenance costs, and higher tractor residual values. In the extremely competitive world of transportation, APU units are becoming business “necessities” instead of “nice-to-haves.”

And nobody knows this better than owner-operators. With Drivers Appreciation Week approaching, CSTK wanted to show our support and gratitude for these business owners and entrepreneurs that are the backbone of the industry. We are committed to providing the best service, the best products, and the best value to each and every one of you. We know that an investment in a Thermo King APU is an investment in your future, and we will do everything we can to make that investment a success.

Jack Henry, owner operator of J&D Enterprises (913-515-0394), got his new TriPac APU after spending time researching and asking other drivers which unit they preferred. The answers all came back the same.

“Everyone kept coming back saying Thermo King was the way to go,” Jack explains. “And I have no problem saying the same. My experience with CSTK Kansas City and Thermo King has been great. Rick Arnold, my sales guy explained everything to me upfront about the process. The mechanic who installed it explained everything he was going to do. They made me very comfortable. The whole thing took less than 3 days.”

“The unit itself is fantastic. No more idling. Keeps me comfortable. It was money well-spent and I wish I had had one installed on my rig from the very beginning. Now I’m the one telling other drivers how great it is!”

For Mark Barnes, an independent contractor and owner-operator for the past 11 years, installing a new Thermo King Evolution APU was not only about comfort, but maximizing profits, as well.

“Constantly idling is just bad for business. You’re burning up fuel. You’re damaging your engine. And some of the places I run routes, like New York or Pennsylvania, don’t allow trucks to just sit and idle anymore. So, an APU became a necessity when I purchased a new truck.”

Mark continues, “One of the main reasons I went with Thermo King is trust. I’ve always worked with Thermo King so I knew their products. I knew how good their dealership network was. Being able to get it serviced anywhere across the country was important to me. And to that point, the folks at CSTK couldn’t have been better. There was a slight delay getting my new truck ready, so Rick and CSTK made sure to hold the APU unit until it could be installed. I know they have big clients and a lot of demand, so they didn’t have to do that. But that kind of personal touch from the dealership for an independent operator is why I consider my APU worth its weight in gold. Of course, not having to sleep in a zero-degree sleeping bag in my cabin during winter is pretty nice too!”

CSTK stands ready to fulfill all your Thermo King and APU needs. Each one of our locations has the Thermo King parts, the trained technicians, and knowledgeable sales staff to get you exactly what you need.

Contact us today to get the conversation started.

And to all the drivers out there on the road – What you do is important. Keeping the supply chain moving, especially in today’s times, is a critical job. Each and every one of us owes you a debt of gratitude. Please stop by any CSTK location for a free pair of driver gloves. It’s just our way of saying – THANK YOU!

A note from CSTK Vice President and Kansas City General Manager Dave Burns:

My father was a truck driver all his life, I remember the road trips to El Paso, Texas from Chicago when I was a kid, riding high in that old cab-over was the highlight of my summer. Watching him shift though the gears and talking during that entire trip molded my career in transportation. He’s 80 now, we still talk about those trips, me driving at age twelve and laughing, cherishing those days over-the-road. I’d like to personally say thank you to all of our brave truck-drivers tackling those harsh conditions and doing what it takes for their families back home.

 Sincerely ,

Dave Burns
CSTK