About Us
Background of the "Black Box:"
Detroit Diesel being the first engine manufacturer
of the new generation of engine electronic controls presented
an opportunity to the fleet manager. He was now able to electronically
control new engine functions, such as speed, engine rpms,
fan temperature setting and a host of other management functions.
Although from the EPA there was word of fuel economy concerns
and emissions issues, the engine could not achieve government
mandated levels without electronics.
The advent of the “Black
Box” appeared. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers)
goals were to sell additional engines, and the Penske pioneers
continued in a “think tank” mode to offer additional
compiled data now gathered from numerous sensors and interpreted
through computer programming.
How about offering “Data
Pages” or “Driver Performance Information?”
Can we sell it to our customers? In order to sell the technology
the OEMs have created tools such as the Detroit Diesel DDEC
III and with further enhancements came DDEC IV and now DDEC
V. With the DDEC IV came the last hard brake and last stop
information. DDEC III was capable of collecting this type
of information but only as an option. And then it had to be
purchased and then turned on. What a great way to capture
accident information! The other OEMs followed with some form
of similar data collection device.
Attorneys became excited
about the “Black Box.” Fleet safety managers found
excitement in new avenues for accident investigation and driver
controls.
Black Box Extraction – The ECM Team
In 2000 Detroit Diesel, corporately made a decision to outsource this service. They
wanted to remove themselves from the liability loop, although
not completely out of the loop, certainly as far away as they
could get. At the same time the corporate support staff and
the sales force was being downsized because of the lack of
sales. The dealers sales people needed to become more productive
and spend time selling and not hooking up their computer for
the shop.
Detroit trained and certified
the ECM Team, although they had years of fleet experience
in general downloading, it was certified training and the
passing of the torch. Detroit in 2001 certified the ECM Team
and notified all of the Detroit Diesel dealers and vehicle
manufacturer dealers, that Detroit Diesel would not be offering
that service corporately. They strongly suggested that they
outsource with the same intent, to remove themselves from
the liability and litigation, as their primary business was
to sell engines, trucks and repairs, not spend time in court.
As a group we are able
to ensure a quick response and can supervise the securing
of downloaded information in a proper legal fashion. We act
in a non-bias position, providing a professional data extraction
service. We represent the combined experiences of over 100
years of fleet maintenance, management and customer service.
We provide conclusive directional information for both plaintiff
and defense teams.
The ECM Team, established March 1, 2000
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Jack Mears, President, Jack Mears & Associates
CERTIFIED DDEC AND MBE DATA EXTRACTION
Internationally recognized as a leader in organizing fleet transportation.
42+ years of industry background.
Knowledgeable in equipment engineering, specifications, maintenance, operations, forecasting, purchasing and leasing.
He was Vice President of Maintenance for Red Ball Motor Freight, Inc., Director of Maintenance, Mid American Lines and Automotive Fleet Engineer for Michigan Bell Telephone Co.
Other industrial experience includes Assistant to Vice President of Maintenance, Roadway Express and City Manager for Hertz Truck Rental.
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL - B.S. in Industrial Engineering and MBA in Marketing/Management.
Website: http://www.jackmears.com
Email: jackmears@jackmears.com
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"We want to thank you for the help in being victorious in this $80 million dollar legal case. We needed your expertise in the Fleet Maintenance Management area."
Perry Wilson/ Mike Emerson, Barber, McCaskill, Jones & Hale, P.A.
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