​Kenworth Chillicothe Plant Marks Historic 500,000th Truck, T680 76-inch Mid-Roof Sleeper for Melton Truck Lines

CHILLICOTHE, OH… A Kenworth T680 76-inch mid-roof sleeper with a PACCAR MX-13 455-hp engine was recognized as the historic 500,000th truck produced at the state-of-the-art Kenworth factory in Chillicothe, Ohio. The milestone T680 was presented to Melton Truck Lines, a premier flatbed carrier based in Tulsa, Okla., during a special celebration today before a large gathering of Kenworth plant employees. Melton currently operates more than 1,100 Kenworth trucks.

“Melton Truck Lines is an outstanding company that takes excellent care of its customers and drivers,” said Preston Feight, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “Melton has supported its high standards by adding more than 500 reliable and comfortable Kenworth T680s to its fleet in the past two years, with 400 more to come in 2016. We very much appreciate Melton’s confidence in the T680, and we value our strong partnership.”

Feight presented a special commemorative plaque and the keys to the new Kenworth T680 to Bob Peterson, Melton Truck Lines chairman and CEO and his wife, Cindy Peterson. Also participating in the ceremony were Melton’s Robert Ragan, senior vice president and CFO; Jeff Robinson, senior vice president of maintenance; and 3 million safe mile veteran driver Ronnie French; Charlie Anderson, branch manager of MHC Kenworth – Tulsa, Melton’s Kenworth dealer; Jason Skoog, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing; Daryl Simon, Kenworth assistant general manager for operations; Kevin Baney, Kenworth chief engineer; and Judy McTigue, Kenworth-Chillicothe plant manager.

“The Kenworth T680 provides our fleet with exceptional fuel economy, reliability and driver comfort and helps us grow our business and provide dependable service,” said Bob Peterson of Melton Truck Lines. “We truly value our partnership with Kenworth and MHC Kenworth. It’s an honor to be selected to receive the 500,000th Kenworth truck produced by the great employees here at the Chillicothe plant.”

“Melton Truck Lines is a leader among flatbed fleets as a result of its service and dedication to customers and its drivers. Melton relies on the industry-leading Kenworth T680, and MHC’s 7-day, 24-hour support in major markets. We appreciate our excellent partnership with Melton and the continued opportunity to support its fleet. MHC is proud to participate in the dedication of Kenworth – Chillicothe’s 500,000th truck,” said Tim Murphy, CEO of MHC.

The landmark Melton T680 with the 76-inch mid-roof sleeper and PACCAR MX-13 engine is specified with the Eaton® Fuller Advantage® 10-speed automated transmission, Kenworth TruckTech+, and driver comfort features such as the T680’s drawer-style refrigerator and freezer, television installation package, liftable lower bunk, and stowable folding upper bunk.

The Kenworth T680 is the driver’s truck that provides a comfortable driver environment to help minimize fatigue while also delivering maximum uptime.

Founded in 1954, today Melton features top-notch drivers, a customer service focus, comprehensive safety and wellness programs, as well as state-of-the-art equipment and communications techniques. Melton was recently among 20 fleets named a “Best Fleet to Drive For” by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). For more information about Melton Truck Lines, visit https://meltontruck.com/

The Kenworth – Chillicothe factory was opened in 1974. The plant has received the prestigious ISO 14001:2004 certification for effective environmental management systems to help build trucks in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Chillicothe plant earned national recognition as Quality Magazine's Plant of the Year in the large plant category of over 250 employees in 2006.

“This 500,000th truck milestone is a tribute to the excellent tradition of building quality, dependable, hard-working Kenworth trucks which began at Chillicothe with the first truck in 1974 and continues to this day,” said Judy McTigue, Kenworth – Chillicothe plant manager.

Kenworth is the driver’s truck. See what drivers are saying at http://www.kenworth.com/drivers

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at http://www.kenworth.com/ Kenworth is a PACCAR company.