You don't change a lot converting to his system.

• Author: Brown, Kathy
• Position: PEOPLE

Call Bruce Thomas a driving force behind buses, tractor-trailers and other heavy-equipment vehicles. He has marketed them or technology for them more than 25 years. His latest product--a bypass-filtration system that he says will allow tractor-trailers to go 360,000 miles between oil changes--could put him in the fast lane.

The system, which costs roughly $1,000 to buy and install, filters much smaller particles of grit and other contaminants from motor oil than conventional filters, extending an engine's life and improving its fuel efficiency about 3%. It also means the oil can be used longer. Tractor-trailers typically need oil changes every 15,000 miles--10 a year at nearly $130 each.

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Thomas, CEO of High Point-based Clean Technics International Inc., says the system will save about $1,400 in operating costs per truck the first year and $2,400 annually after that. The four-employee company had sales of $220,000 in 2005. He anticipates $4 million this year.

Matthews-based Harris Teeter has been trying out the system on five trucks since last summer. "These test results have shown me that the CleanTechnics International's filter extends service intervals well beyond what was thought possible," says Mike Ellis, the grocery chain's maintenance supervisor. Clinton-based Sampson-Bladen Oil Co., which distributes petroleum products, also is testing it.

CleanTechnics, started in April 2004, is the latest venture for Thomas, 51. After getting a bachelor's in religion from Washington &amp...