Cincinnati, Ohio-based Home City Ice Company has begun converting its delivery fleet to vehicles that run on natural gas.  Over the past year, the company has added 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered trucks to its fleet of nearly 700, and plans to add another 100 Ford F-650 models by spring 2014, according to the company.

The company's CNG trucks are equipped with Thermo King refrigerated modules and operate out of strategic locations where fuel is available. Home City Ice has CNG fueling stations at three of its own facilities and uses commercially available supplies elsewhere. To accommodate the increase in its CNG fleet, Home City is investing in 10 additional fueling stations on its premises.

Home City Ice, a family-owned ice company, produces 6,000 tons of ice per day at 36 manufacturing plants throughout the Midwest. It delivers ice from 55 distribution centers to sales locations across Ohio and in 14 other states.  Almost 80 percent of Home City Ice customers are within a 25-mile radius of a distribution point allowing for quick, reliable and efficient service, according to the company

According to Home City Ice President Ted Sedler, the shift to CNG is being driven in large part by the company's commitment to sustainability. "By switching to clean, safe, natural gas, we are reducing our carbon footprint and becoming better stewards of the environment.  But the bottom line is also a factor, and we believe CNG will help keep our cost in line for years to come," he said.