Auxiliary Power Dynamics, manufacturers of the Willis APU, recently moved to a new facility in Sparks, Nev., which is five times bigger than Willis’ previous location. “We’re enjoying tremendous growth because the Willis APU is a product that dramatically reduces fuel consumption and reduces pollution for truck operators,” says Samy Karuppana, Auxiliary Power Dynamics president and chief executive officer. “Our growth rate shows how popular our product has become.”
The building is located at 945 Spice Islands Drive, about two miles northeast of the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, and about one mile south of Exit 20 on Interstate 80. Karuppana says when the company outgrew its previous facility, company officials looked for a new location that could offer room to grow and could provide truck operators easy access into and out of the facility. Space at the new facility meets the company’s current needs while offering additional space for anticipated growth, he says.
The Willis APU is designed to eliminate idling by providing auxiliary power as soon as the truck is parked. The Willis APU distinguishes itself from other APUs, Karuppana says, by delivering more heating and cooling capacity up to 33,000 BTU (British thermal units). Its three-cylinder, 18-hp Kubota engine is engineered to make it quiet, powerful and inexpensive to maintain, Karuppana says, and at 350 pounds, it’s also one of the lowest-weight APUs on the market.
