Major Sound and Lighting Firm Depends on New Kenworth T170s for On-Time Performances

MONTREAL, Quebec, June 4, 2008 – When the greatest names in show business go on tour, many entrust their intricate sound, lighting and video extravaganzas to Solotech, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.
Solotech was founded over 30 years ago and has supplied the technical equipment for major world expos including Seville, Spain; Hanover, Germany; and Aichi, Japan. The company provides hardware and expertise for television production companies, touring bands, outdoor festivals and indoor show events of all kinds. “Our lighting, projections and sound systems wow audiences all over the world,” said Gilles Deguire, transport director at Solotech. “We have to deliver on time. If we have a delay or a truck broken down on the side of the road, it can be disastrous. We simply cannot risk it. That’s why we own Kenworth trucks.”
In eastern Canada, Solotech maintains a fleet of 15 trucks, mostly Kenworths. In January, the company took possession of four new Kenworth T170 Class 5 models, some of the first to go into service in North America. “These new trucks were thrown right into our harsh Canadian winter,” said Deguire. “I can tell you they handle very well in snow, slush and ice.” Two new Kenworth T170s serve Montreal, while the other two trucks serve the rest of the Quebec market. When deciding to purchase the Kenworth T170s, Deguire wanted — first and foremost — an extremely durable truck that is comfortable to drive, highly maneuverable and can operate nimbly in an urban environment for a long, long time.
“Here, we don’t trade our trucks after three or four years; we drive them forever,” said Deguire. “Kenworth trucks are constructed so much better, and that’s important to us. We want the longest lasting truck we can find.”

Solotech’s trucks average about 100,000 km (60,000 miles) per year. “Ninety percent of those kilometers is in city traffic,” Deguire said. “Our trucks run all day making deliveries to shows, hotels, festivals and so on. They operate seven days a week, day and night. We can’t afford delays, breakdowns or unreliable trucks.”
With just three months of service on his new Kenworth T170s, Deguire said he already sees a trend. “Our drivers are very happy with the T170s,” he said. “The visibility is great and the power is excellent for city driving.”
Solotech’s T170s are spec’d with PACCAR PX-6 engines and Allison 5-speed automatic transmissions. “That’s a really good transmission, really smooth,” said Deguire. “It doesn’t kick out between speeds and has a lot of torque.”
Since purchasing its first Kenworth truck in 1995 — a T600 still in operation — Solotech has worked with Kenworth Montreal to handle all its maintenance needs. “It’s a pleasure working with Kenworth,” said Deguire. “They have a very stable and reliable staff, so I know I am in good hands. They understand our business and whenever a truck goes in for service, they know we need it back quickly. They always take care of us.”
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best™ heavy and medium duty trucks. In addition, Kenworth is the recipient of the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates awards for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Over The Road, Pickup and Delivery and Vocational Segment Class 8 trucks. Kenworth’s home page is www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.