By Chuck McMenamy
cmcmenamy@bustin-usa.com
It is a cool November morning as Bill pulls out of the distribution center onto Central Highway. Bill's delivery route is concentrated in the Lehigh Valley in Eastern Pennsylvania north of Route 22.
Today Bill's truck is equipped with a new Rx™ ramp. At the Wegman's store off Route 33, one of Bill's first stops, he unfolds the ramp and rolls the stacked plastic bread carts on a hand truck off the truck and into the store. It's so much easier using the ramp.
Bill has been using the ramp for over six months and says it has improved both the ease of delivery and his safety. Bill says jumping in and out of the truck takes a toll on your back and can result in slips and falls. Movement of the pre-stacked trays reduces the delivery time and eliminates the need to jump in and out of the truck.
The walking surface of the Rx™ ramp is slip-resistant, self-cleaning aluminum grating and provides a secure surface even in wet or icy conditions. The ramp folds into three sections and tucks into an enclosure under the floor at the back of the truck. The ramp can be set-up and ready-to-use in only 15 seconds.
The Rx™ ramp was developed by the Bustin engineering group in response to a request from a leading snack food manufacturer. Technical support for the ramp development came from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The innovative ramp design resulted in a U.S. Patent, awarded to Bustin on August 13, 2002.
In an effort to improve safety records and reduce driver accidents and injuries, safety engineers recommended use of the Rx™ ramp in 2002. Although driver safety is their primary concern, greater efficiency and the resulting improved driver satisfaction are added of the ramp.
Bill has been approached by other drivers, including a UPS driver who wanted information about the Rx™ ramp. A bakery truck driver parked next to Bill actually tried the ramp out. The manager at the Wegman’s store wondered why Bill was so fortunate to have such a useful and innovative ramp on his truck.
A Transportation Manager in Knoxville, Tennessee, who saw the ramp for the first time said, “This is such an obvious thing it is surprising someone didn't come up with this design before this.”
Bill and the other drivers depend on the Rx™ ramps for more efficient, safer deliveries. As a result of customers’ suggestions, design changes have been made by the ramps developer, Bustin Industrial Products, to improve the operation of the ramp.
Bustin Industrial Products has designed and manufactured innovative products for the truck and trailer industry for 75 years. Mack Trucks has been one of Bustin’s customers for over 50 years. The Bustin engineering group and the manufacturing operations are located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
For information on the Rx™ ramp contact Chuck McMenamy at 800-933-5166 ext 105. Chuck can also be reached by e-mail at cmcmenamy@bustin-usa.com
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