Earlier this year Glid signed purchase order with Its first Customer, Taylor Transport, of Vancouver, WA that operates a fleet that includes a multitude of trailers, tractors, and commercial equipment utilized as a part of their daily operation to move commodities such as glass, aggregate, and sand (to name a few). Taylor Transport’s property has a rail spur of sufficient length that connects to a local short-line track where goods and services are shipped making it perfect for a conversion over to Glid technology. This access will serve as the proving ground for Glid to test Its beta units by picking up unmodified semi-trailers and moving them from road to rail and off again. This access to private property and rails gives Glid the ability to autonomously test its vehicles without interfacing with any public roads. The combination of becoming a Customer to ship goods with Glid and having access to rails created a strategic partnership between the Companies.
Glid also signed a partnership agreement with the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR) to evaluate Glid units on Its rail lines. This historic partnership Between PVJR and Glid is the first in the United States to grant access to an autonomous and electric vehicle to move unaltered semi-trailers on and off the rails. PVJR leases 33 miles of railroad from Clark County between Vancouver and Chelatchie, WA. The PVJR has excellent access to both the Port of Vancouver, as well as the Portland Metropolitan area.
Earlier this month Glid signed a binding exclusive manufacturing partnership agreement with Bart Manufacturing, Inc. to build Glid units which is projected to start at the end of the summer once final joint design for manufacturing activities are completed, at Bart’s world-class manufacturing facility in Stockton, CA. Glid hopes to complete the first 10 sets of Beta units that will be deployed in the field to prove out the durability, reliability, and quality of the product. The learnings from the Beta Program will be applied to Glid and Bart’s commercialization program.
