ST. LOUIS -Freightliner Trucks announced Tuesday that Asplundh Tree Expert Co. has taken delivery of its first Freightliner Business Class M2 106 trucks.

Based in Philadelphia, Asplundh is a world-class service company, primarily serving the vegetation management and construction needs of the electric utility industry. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Asplundh has more than 26,500 employees internationally. Asplundh's fleet is dominated by medium-duty vehicles, mostly trucks with aerial lifts and/or split dump chip boxes mounted on them.

According to John Talbot, manager of fleet services for Asplundh, the company has very precise requirements for its trucks - such as a specific front axle because of where the pedestal of an aerial lift is mounted. Other specs on Asplundh's trucks include a low cab height and hydraulic brakes. Flexibility and customer service is a high priority in its choice of equipment manufacturers.

"Our truck requirements are all about safety and our customers' needs, and we need a partner who will work with us every step of the way," said Talbot. "The vocational sales and marketing group at Freightliner worked with us, really listened to our needs and most importantly, responded by building a truck to our exact specifications at a very competitive price."

Added Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks: "The Business Class M2 106 is also versatile and tough - ideal for the demanding vegetation management work that Asplundh performs."

The Business Class M2 106 trucks are equipped with powerful and fuel-efficient Cummins B-series diesel engines. Other features on the Business Class M2 106 include an aluminum body that is light and non-corrosive, a low profile dash and an expansive 2,500 square-inch windshield for excellent visibility. The truck's 55-inch wheel cut, set-back front axle and swept back bumper result in excellent maneuverability in tight environments.  

Talbot also noted that Freightliner's knowledgeable dealership and extensive service network is another key benefit.

"We need to be able to respond very quickly to our customers with the appropriate trucks and tools, so it's important to have the support of a world-class truck manufacturer like Freightliner," said Talbot. "We were very pleased with the flexibility and customer service that Freightliner offered."

Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore., and is a heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 4-8 trucks and is a Daimler company, a commercial vehicle manufacturer.