Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    Fuel Economy
     Company Profile

  Headquarters Location
  Hopedale, Massachusetts

  Contact:
   Cindy Normandin
   Vice President
   SmartWay Transport
   Partnership Representative
   (508) 473-8405
cnormandin@braunsexpress.com

  Number of Employees:
 Strategy Category:
    Fuel Economy

 Number of Trailers:
       180

 Number of Power Units:
       92
                                p-,rtnpr
                                         11 i c i
                                Profile
                                BRAUN'S
                                         EXPRESS
                               Braun's Express
     Environmental conservation has always been a prominent issue for the
     family of David and Cindy Normandin, owners of Braun's Express. Braun's
     Express, a carrier that specializes in carpet and flooring, hauls products to
terminals throughout the New England, New York, New Jersey, Eastern
Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. "We've always been an environmentally
conscious family, which has helped us be conscious in the business and help us
decrease our fuel consumption and emissions," explains Stephen Normandin, son
of David and Cindy. To the Braun's Express family, joining SmartWay Transport
Partnership in fall of 2003 seemed like the next logical step.

Braun's Express utilizes electronically controlled shut-down devices in their
short haul trucks, which turns off trucks after five minutes if idling. In addition,
the company just switched to wide-based tires, resulting in increased fuel sav-
ings. Through the use of wide-based tires, Braun's Express has experienced a 3%
fuel savings, in addition to weight savings of 850 pounds. In order to increase
aerodynamics  and increase fuel efficiency, Braun's Express utilizes air foil tops
and the road trucks are equipped with aerodynamic bumpers. Braun's Express
has saved approximately $40,000 through the use of aerodynamics. Mileage is
improved with speed management tools and automatic tire inflation devices.
Through speed management strategies, Braun's has saved approximately $8,000
in fuel.  In the future, the company hopes to implement side shields and,
additionally, install APUs on 30 of their road trucks.

In addition,  Stephen Normandin states that Braun's Express is "trying to be as
responsible  as possible," while also trying to  promote the  program to others.
Braun's Express cites bringing the environmental issues to the companies as one
of SmartWay's strong points. According to Cindy Normandin, "SmartWay helps
keep emissions reduction and increasing fuel efficiency on your mind." Through
their partnership with
SmartWay, Braun's
Express has benefited
from various marketing
advantages  and
SmartWay provided
information on
technologies.
 http://www.epa.gov/smartway
                                                                              EPA420-F-07-003

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