ST. LOUIS, MO - To better manage its fleet of trucks, St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. has hired Xata Corp., Minneapolis, according to a news release.

Xata aims to help customers improve fleets by cutting costs and ensuring compliance with trucking regulations.

Schnucks, a family-owned food and pharmacy company, operates 100 stores across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi. The company will use Xata software and services to monitor its 85-vehicle fleet.

"A growing company like Schnucks will benefit greatly from intelligent fleet management technology," David Gagne, Xata's executive vice president of field operations, said in the release.  "The visibility XataNet provides will enhance Schnucks fleet operations, resulting in a safer, more efficient fleet that will also save costs and enhance customer service."

XataNet is an online, fee-based subscription service that gives customers access to data on the performance of their fleets, including fuel efficiency and delivery times, according to Xata's Web site.

"Schnucks is one of the few grocers that distributes its own goods, and the ability to improve our fleet operations and provide exceptional customer service is critical as we face growing industry demands," Bob Kramer, director of transportation for Schnucks, said in the release.  "With XataNet, we are confident we will enhance fleet productivity, safety and compliance."