When a food market business in upstate New York needed support with challenges they faced with their fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, Holman quickly stepped to the plate to engage this new customer with innovative solutions to overcome their hurdles.

Tops Friendly Food Market, located in Buffalo, New York, sought a sustainable strategy to support its fleet of 48 semi-trucks. However, they were growing skeptical that CNG was still a viable alternative fuel for their delivery fleet and considered returning to diesel-powered units.

Holman Faces Multiple Challenges of CNG-Powered Fleet

Holman was faced with tackling several challenges concerning Tops’ existing fleet. Their CNG-powered semi-trucks were used to haul 48’-53′ refrigerated trailers, and a majority of the trucks were experiencing maintenance issues, extended downtime, and poor fuel economy concerns.

Tops’ older trucks also lacked the horsepower of the modern semi-trucks. These older models were difficult to maneuver in parking lots and tight loading areas, leading to driver frustration over the experiences.

Another challenge Holman faced in developing a viable solution for Tops was the supply chain constraints in getting them the fleet they needed. Matched against a tight timeline, Holman needed to submit orders quickly to ensure new units would be built and delivered before the end of Tops’ current lease term.

Working diligently against the timeline, the Holman team worked tirelessly with the truck manufacturer, CNG upfiter, and Tops to ensure the trucks would be built and delivered by the April 1^st deadline when Tops’ existing lease agreement expired. Holman understood the challenges Tops faced and worked closely with them to address the root cause of their issues.

Delivering the Solution

Holman played a vital role in finding a solution for Tops’ challenge, and today Tops has a fleet of 48 state-of-the-art CNG tractor-trailer delivery trucks. Tops continues to deliver groceries to their valued customers while reducing operating costs, providing a significantly better driver experience, and continuing their sustainability journey.

After the project concluded, Mark Lumadue, Tops’ Vice President of Distribution, sent this message to the Holman team expressing his gratitude: