Alpha Baking Co. accepted the Propane Autogas Award from the Propane Education & Research Council.

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — Wholesale baker Alpha Baking Co., Inc. took top honors for its propane-fueled delivery fleet, earning the Propane Autogas Award from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

The award celebrates one public or private fleet every year for leadership in sustainability by switching to clean, American-made propane autogas. Alpha Baking, Chicago, developed and put into service a fleet of 22 Ford E-450 bread delivery trucks in 2012 with the help of Roush CleanTech, Livonia, Mich.

“Alpha Baking’s primary reason for adopting propane autogas was because it was the right thing to do,” said Bob McGuire, vice-president and director of logistics at Alpha Baking. “Propane autogas reduces harmful emissions, it’s made in the U.S., it reduces our dependency on foreign oil, it’s efficient, and it keeps our communities clean. Choosing vehicles that run on American-made propane autogas has also allowed us to lower fuel costs without sacrificing performance.”

Mr. McGuire accepted the award during the Green Fleet Awards ceremony of the Green Fleet Conference & Expo, held at Schaumburg, Oct. 28-30.

“Alpha Baking has proven to be an alternative fuel leader in both its community and nationwide,” said Tucker Perkins, chief business development officer at PERC. “The bakery’s investment in propane autogas embodies how fleets across the U.S. can implement green practices in an economic and practical way.”

Propane autogas helps fleets reduce emissions and deliver a strong return on investment. Since making the switch from diesel to propane autogas two years ago, Alpha Baking reduced harmful emissions by 50%.