Alpha Baking Company, Inc., a national bakery products distributor and home to the iconic S. Rosen's brand, has selected Penske Truck Leasing to serve as its commercial truck fleet maintenance service provider for its 2013 ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas powered Ford E-450 bread delivery trucks operating in the Chicago-metro area. The trucks are fueled by clean-burning, domestically produced and affordable propane autogas.

Alpha Baking is introducing the 22 propane autogas trucks to reduce emissions while also continuing to meet its operational performance needs and factory warranty without a decrease in engine horsepower or torque. The new alternative fuel vehicles were officially put into service today during a commemoration ceremony with Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition at Alpha Baking's North Aurora truck depot.

The alternative fuel trucks will emit about 2 million fewer pounds of carbon dioxide over their lifetime. These easy-to-spot trucks are emblazoned with words emphasizing their fuel choice, such as "non-toxic," "lower carbon emissions," "progressive," and "100 percent propane powered."

"After much research and testing the time has arrived for Alpha Baking to integrate propane autogas equipment into our fleet," stated Bob McGuire, Alpha Vice President and Director of Logistics. "The technology is here and it is affordable.

"We're doing this because it's the right thing to do. First, these propane-powered bread delivery trucks will emit fewer emissions and our company has been extremely progressive in doing the right thing for the environment. Second, propane is produced here in the U.S. and is therefore good for our economy. Lastly, this strategy reduces our dependency on foreign oil," McGuire added.

"Chicagoland is the real winner today, benefitting from cleaner air and reduced noise levels due to the commitment of companies like Alpha Baking," said Todd Mouw, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. "Alpha Baking joins a long line of progressive fleets choosing to fuel with American made and environmentally friendly propane autogas."

Compared to conventional diesel counterparts, propane autogas vehicles reduce smog-producing hydrocarbons, virtually eliminate particulate matter, and lessen noise levels by 50 percent.

"We're proud to support Alpha Baking and its sustainability endeavors," stated Jack Sullivan, Penske Truck Leasing's Vice President of Sales. "Penske has been maintaining alternative-fueled fleets of vehicles for more than a decade around the country."

Alpha Baking Company, Inc. is a privately owned manufacturer of bread, buns, and rolls. Headquartered in Chicago, Alpha Baking produces bread products for retail and fresh local distribution and frozen distribution nationwide.

With production plants in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, Alpha Baking employs over 1400 people and utilizes over 300 trucks in its delivery fleet. Well-known retail brands include Natural Ovens Bakery and S. Rosen's, which was founded in Chicago in 1909 and is served in over 90 percent of Chicagoland hot dog stands. For more information on Alpha Baking's product offerings, company history and executive staff, please visit http://www.alphabaking.com.