Meritor and Trucker Buddy International Connect Truckers with Schools

YORK, S.C., Feb. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Meritor's MTOR long-term partnership with Trucker Buddy International has led to a pilot program that links truckers who deliver materials to its York plant with a local school to drive a better understanding of the industry and the people who haul goods and materials across the country.

Meritor is working with Trucker Buddy International to test the program by pairing three truckers with second-, third- and fourth-grade classrooms at Cotton Belt Elementary School in York. The truckers have become pen pals with the three classrooms.

Trucker Buddy International, which was founded in 1992, typically matches the driver and teachers from around the country. Meritor is working to create connections between drivers who deliver products locally with area schools where Meritor has a presence.

"Trucking is vitally important to the nation's economy and Trucker Buddy helps put a name and a face to the men and women who deliver billions of tons of commodities every year in the United States," said Krista Sohm, vice president, Marketing & Communications for Meritor. "Students who participate in the program will never look at a truck on the highway the same way again, because they will have met and interacted with a driver."

Drivers become teaching aides who work directly with teachers by sending letters, postcards, emails and pictures about their experiences during their travels across the country. Teachers share this information with students, who write back to the Trucker Buddy to reinforce the lesson and improve writing skills.

"Our Trucker Buddy sends emails and tells us about miles traveled, fuel levels and the weight of his truck and loads – and then asks students math questions," said fourth-grade teacher Sherry Whitesides. "Getting to know him and his job as a truck driver has become part of our class's lesson plan."

These interactions often reinforce reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies and history, according to Trucker Buddy International. Teachers work with drivers to choose topics and materials appropriate to pupils' ages.

"The teachers know their classrooms, and each instructor wants something different for their pupils," said Randy Schwartzenburg, executive director, Trucker Buddy International. "Ultimately, when students understand the importance of trucking, they may be more responsible when they become drivers who share the road with truckers. And, they'll respect the important role trucking plays every day for each of us."

Schwartzenburg hopes the pilot program with Meritor will help to expand Trucker Buddy globally by encouraging trucking-related companies to reach out to their local schools.

About Meritor

Meritor, Inc. is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. With more than a 100-year legacy of providing innovative products that offer superior performance, efficiency and reliability, the company serves commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket customers around the world. Meritor is based in Troy, Mich., United States, and is made up of approximately 8,400 diverse employees who apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, joint ventures, distribution centers and global offices in 18 countries. Meritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTOR. For important information, visit the company's website at www.meritor.com.

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SOURCE Meritor, Inc.