AEMP Schedules 5th Annual Fall Asset Management Symposium

July 29, 2011
The Association of Equipment Management Professionals, an organization for asset management professionals of off-road fleets, will present its annual Asset Management Symposium Nov. 1-2 in Nashville. AEMP members and other qualified industry professionals will share expertise on current fleet-asset issues and management tactics, based on the symposium’s theme “Making Yellow Safe, Green and Profitable.” Additional details, including the conference schedule and cost and registration info can be found at aemp.org/education/meetings/2011_ams.html.

The Association of Equipment Management Professionals, an organization for asset management professionals of off-road fleets, will present its annual Asset Management Symposium Nov. 1-2 in Nashville. AEMP members and other qualified industry professionals will share expertise on current fleet-asset issues and management tactics, based on the symposium’s theme “Making Yellow Safe, Green and Profitable.” Additional details, including the conference schedule and cost and registration info can be found at aemp.org/education/meetings/2011_ams.html.

This year’s event marks the fifth anniversary of the symposium and will feature keynote speaker Pat Quinn, president of the American Trucking Association, and co-founder of U.S. Xpress. The symposium’s sessions will focus on AEMP’s executive tract, providing insight to fleet owners, managers and other executive-level members.

Opening day events will include seminars on a diverse range of topics highlighting areas from financial and telematics information to hazardous material safety.

Philip LaGatta, director of construction and forestry sales for John Deere Financial in the U.S. and Canada, along with Neil Ariano, sales manager for John Deere Corporate Accounts, will speak on “Financial Options for the Equipment Industry.” This session will help attendees understand decisions affecting the financial impact of equipment purchases. Attendees can expect to learn about the role of IRS and FASB, as well as common types of depreciation. Lagatta and Ariano will also explore the tax considerations when acquiring new equipment, and will help attendees learn how to weigh which acquisition method – cash, loan, lease or rent – is the best option for their fleet.

Financial planning and cost savings will also be addressed in a session titled “Where’s The Money?” presented by Peter Causer, vice president of national accounts and David Nus, customer solutions director for global mining, quarry and aggregates, both of Volvo Construction Co. Their seminar will outline practical cost reduction strategies by analyzing examples of how small steps like operator training and utilization can affect the bottom line.

Additionally, updates on AEMP’s Green Fleet Initiatives, Telematics Standard and AEMP University will be presented. “There has been some exciting progress for our initiatives already this year,” Orr said. “We’ve achieved some significant milestones, from the official launch of AEMP University to certifying our very first Green Fleet company. We’re really looking forward to sharing what’s on the horizon at the symposium.”

Following the first day’s seminars, AEMP will host an evening reception and dinner, at which time Quinn will deliver the keynote address. Quinn has spent his entire career in the transportation industry, beginning by focusing on transportation law at a firm where he was a partner. He then moved into the equipment and manufacturing side, serving in various roles before founding U.S. Xpress with Max Fuller in 1985. Under the direction of Quinn and Fuller, U.S. Xpress grew to annual revenues of $1 billion and is now the third-largest privately owned truckload carrier in the nation. Their approach has always been to be early adopters of technology to grow their company and enhance their level of service to their customers. Quinn will share some of his experiences and lessons learned in his address.

The Symposium’s second day will feature seminar topics on integrating telematics in fleet operations, leveraging partner agreements, and repair/replace decisions.

Guy Gordon, CEM, director of asset management for Insituform Technologies, and current AEMP president-elect will present on “Life Cycle Analysis - Applications for Upper-level Management” within the construction and fleet management industry. Gordon has more than 25 years of experience in equipment management. In his current position, he is responsible for all asset management activity including equipment, transportation and fabrication operations.

In addition to seminars, discussions, and peer-to-peer networking, attendees will also have the opportunity to take advantage of AEMP’s Professional Development Institute. Through the PDI, participants may attend classes relevant to AEMP’s professional certifications: Certified Equipment Manager, Equipment Manager Specialist or Certified Equipment Support Professional. Each class will cover one of the 17 core competencies identified by AEMP as necessary for a successful career in equipment management. Though strongly encouraged, attending the PDI is not a prerequisite to take the exam.

Those wishing to take a certification exam must submit the appropriate application, and purchase and study the Career Equipment Fleet Manager Manual. Application deadline for this year’s event is Oct. 14, and reduced-cost, early-bird registration ends Sept. 1. Exams will be administered on Nov. 3 from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Registration for the 2011 Fall Asset Management Symposium is now open. Contact vice-president of education, Jim Phillips, at 970-384-0510, ext. 202, email [email protected], or visit aemp.org/education/meetings/2011_ams.html for more information or to register online.

Formed in 1980, the Association of Equipment Management Professionals represents fleet professionals working in construction, government, utilities, energy, mining and more.