Bulk Transporter (2025)

17/09/2025

Matlack Leasing this week launched a new Chemical Reactions podcast series hosted by Alex Steakley, Matlack national sales manager, that explores the world of liquid bulk transportation and chemical innovation, and I was lucky enough to be the guinea pig, I mean first guest. We discussed how the tank truck sector has weathered recent challenges, explored the impact of tariffs and nearshoring on domestic chemical manufacturing and transportation, highlighted the latest in cutting-edge tank trailer technology, spotlighted the work of National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. on behalf of the industry, and touched on several other topics during our 54-minute conversation.

And of course, I had to give a shoutout to my alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin. Hook ‘em Horns!

Follow the link for the full video, and make sure to subscribe to Matlack's new podcast series (just in case I pop up again).

Host Alex Steakley sits down with Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel for a deep-dive discussion on the world of chemical transportation in the debut episode of the equipment...

26/06/2024

DANA Companies is growing its tank container network with the addition of a depot in Kansas City, Kansas, adjacent to a Union Pacific site.

The new ISO tank depot is expected to open in mid-July.

“We’re excited about it,” Shawn Hensley, Dana regional operations manager in Kansas City, told Bulk Transporter.

Newly leased property adjacent to a Union Pacific location—and close to Dana chemical and plastics transloading facilities—expected to open in mid-July

06/06/2024

This article is different for me, but lease-purchase abuse is in important issue FMCSA’s Truck Leasing Task Force currently is investigating. And though the bulk segment is largely “insulated” from “bad-actor” carriers, their conduct can have damaging repercussions for tank truckers. This report includes insights from NTTC’s newly elected chairman of the board and workforce committee chair—and an FMCSA official on ELD manipulation. Please check it out!

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Larry Atkinson, a truck driver from Charleston, South Carolina, thought he was living the dream when he climbed into his new Kenworth T680 as a lease operator with Super Ego after previously driving company-owned trucks. “It was cool,” he recalled. “I felt like I was my own boss, I could turn down loads, and I wouldn’t have to go up north in the winter if I didn’t want to. It was a good feeling.”

But Atkinson says he soon realized he wasn’t in control, and his dream dissolved when he discovered the carrier was altering rate confirmation sheets from third-party brokers to appear lower than the contracted prices, then paying him off the fraudulently reduced amounts. Atkinson confronted a dispatcher who denied his claim, leaving him angry, frustrated—and feeling he had no recourse to right this wrong.

“It rubbed me the wrong way,” he said. “Basically, I felt helpless, like I didn’t have any angles. I’m just a guy who wants to take care of his family, and someone is taking from me—taking from my kids, taking from my family, and taking from my household—and there was nothing I could do about it.

“I could scream and shout—but it was going to happen regardless.”

Transportation attorney says abusive lease-purchase deals are chasing potential tank truckers out of the industry, supressing rates, driving up premiums—and damaging safety efforts...

28/05/2024

Highway Transport Drivers takes us behind the scenes with Ed Heard in this final installment of a three-part series following his journey to National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.’ 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, where NTTC crowned Usher Transport driver Dave Powell as its 2023-24 Driver of the Year.

Highway Transport Logistics

Highway Transport takes us behind the scenes with Ed Heard in this final installment of a three-part series following his journey to National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2024 Annual ...

23/05/2024

My latest on the long-running Intellistop pulsating brake lamp saga—which I've been covering for three years now—featuring exclusive new insights from retired FMCSA executive director Jack Van Steenburg and technical trooper Nick Wright, lead instructor for the Kansas Highway Patrol’s commercial motor vehicle enforcement troop:

Gemini Motor Transport, the primary fuel hauler for Love's Travel Stops, collected its third North American safety championship May 7 during National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.’s 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

It won the first exemption for Intellistop’s pulsating brake lamp module three days later.

The long-awaited Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration decision, secured with help from NTTC and Intellistop president Michelle Hanby, finally hit the Federal Register more than 15 months after it was published, 20 months after it was submitted, and nearly 3½ years after Intellistop filed the original exemption application for its safety device, which FMCSA only denied after Hanby petitioned a D.C. court to compel a ruling—all of which leaves Gemini’s Jim Dillon scratching his head.

“No one is more aggressive when it comes to safety than Gemini,” Dillon, Gemini truck assets manager, insisted. “We look at every aspect, and every single angle we can, to make our equipment safer, not only for our drivers but for the motoring public who’s out there with us. So it’s hard to believe it took this long, and this much struggle, to get something a lot of people feel is going to make trucks safer.

“I don’t have a good explanation for their rationale in dragging this out forever.”

FMCSA grants three-time safety champion’s long-delayed exemption request—but with new stipulations that limit the deployment of a preferred safety device

21/05/2024

Tank Tex now is open for business in Kemah, Texas.

The full-service tank trailer repair and maintenance facility, which secured its Certificate of Authorization and “R” stamp from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors on April 29, features a five-bay shop with offices located on 13.5 acres of cleared land at 2514 Anders Lane.

New Houston-area, R-stamp certified tank trailer repair and maintenance facility boasts an experienced staff led by industry veteran Charlie Dill Sr.

16/05/2024

The American Chemistry Council recently named Highway Transport Logistics its Responsible Care Partner Company of the Year for the fourth time in the last six years.

ACC recognized the Knoxville, Tennessee-based tank truck carrier and this year’s other winners during the 2024 Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference & Expo held last week at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

“We are excited to achieve this milestone for the fourth time, a distinction that underscores our commitment to safety and sustainability,” Rick Lusby, Highway Transport vice president of safety and fleet services, told Bulk Transporter.

“Our employees are committed to safety and have worked hard to make this goal a reality.”

Knoxville, Tennessee-based tank truck carrier claims American Chemistry Council’s Partner Company of the Year honor for the fourth time in six years

14/05/2024

Modern is more than a fancy moniker at Modern Transportation, it’s a motivational mantra embedded in the carrier’s mission to provide superior solutions in the “safest, most professional, and efficient manner” possible.

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based bulk carrier’s commitment to leading-edge technology adoption and equipment innovation empowers employees to take “extreme ownership” of that lofty goal. Recent examples include deploying artificial intelligence (AI)-powered dashcams and testing novel smart-trailer systems that improve driver safety and comfort—and facilitate long-term customer relationships.

“We’re a very mission-driven company,” said Patrick Cozzens, Modern president. “Our mission means everything to us. And we don’t call it a mission statement. People hang mission statements on walls, where they collect dust, and no one pays attention. We say mission because we live it every day.

“That truly is what differentiates us.”

Now Modern is making another bold move, replacing the legacy transportation management system (TMS) managers rely on daily with BeyondTrucks’ easily configured, cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform.

Pennsylvania-based carrier with a legacy of equipment and technology innovation chooses BeyondTrucks for future-focused bulk transportation management

09/05/2024

LAS VEGAS—G&D Trucking, Inc./ Hoffman Transportation, LLC and Gemini Motor Transport both won their third North American safety championship.

They still have a long way to go to catch the 2023 Harvison division winner.

Groendyke Transport, which already owned a record eight Heil trophies, collected its ninth championship Tuesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on the same day National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. honored long-time Groendyke Chairman John Groendyke with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference.

“It’s an incredible day for Groendyke Transport,” said Greg Hodgen, Groendyke CEO and John Groendyke’s son-in-law, who took the stage after Chris Pape, Groendyke vice president of safety and training, accepted the trophy.

“This award really means a lot to us. It’s in our DNA. It means a lot to our employees. They ask about it every year. And it means a lot to the Groendyke family. And it comes down to the quality and exceptional character of every member company in this association. That’s what this award is about—all of us.”

Follow the link for more, including an image gallery, and make sure to stay tuned for extended coverage of all of NTTC's 2023 North American safety champions in an upcoming issue of Bulk Transporter.

Groendyke extends record with ninth North American safety championship, and G&D/Hoffman and Gemini each win their third award during NTTC’s 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas...

07/05/2024

LAS VEGAS—The William A. Usher Sr. Trophy is coming home.

For the first time in the 11 years since National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. created the Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award—which is named after the highly regarded, long-time Usher Transport Inc. owner and president—an Usher driver is the winner after Dave Powell secured the honor Monday at the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

“It’s great to finally bring it back home,” Patrick Usher, Usher vice president of corporate governance, told Bulk Transporter.

“Our granddad is smiling down right now. He’d be just as proud of Dave as we are.”

Follow the link for more, including an image gallery!

For the first time since National Tank Truck Carriers debuted its Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award—which is named for Usher’s long-time president—an Usher driver...

03/05/2024

National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. will name its 10th Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year on Monday in Las Vegas. But first let's take another moment to celebrate G&D Trucking, Inc./ Hoffman Transportation, LLC driver Kenneth Tolliver, the reigning Driver of the Year, and his good friend Ron Baird, the 2020-21 NTTC Driver of the Year—the only pair of winners from the same carrier.

Baird, Tolliver are the only NTTC Drivers of the Year to come from the same company

30/04/2024

Bulk Transporter is the only commercial vehicle title recently invited to Ciudad Juarez to tour the most prolific tank trailer production facility in North America. Follow the link for an extended image gallery highlighting the plant and exclusive insights on the operation that last year turned out 2,700 tank trailers—with plenty of capacity to spare.

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico—Engineered-Transportation International equipment brands include storied tank trailer manufacturers Heil Trailer International, LLC. International and Polar Tank Trailer, which combine to capture nearly 50% of the tank trailer market in North America. And EnTrans’ most prolific plant is its Juarez Trailer Operations (JTO) in Mexico, just across the border from El Paso, Texas, where Heil and Polar can cover 40% of the tank trailer industry’s total annualized demand, according to EnTrans CEO Ryan Rockafellow.

It’s also one of the most efficient facilities in the 43-company portfolio of private-equity owner American Industrial Partners, he adds with pride.

“Over the last two years, when AIP brings in interns and new hires, and wants to show them what good looks like, they bring them to this facility,” Rockafellow told Mexican officials and other special guests Feb. 27 during the unveiling of a vintage tank wagon and tour of the “maquila” opened here 10 years ago.

“It’s the people in this plant, the lean OpEx activities here, and the quality.”

Bulk Transporter takes an exclusive tour of the Heil and Polar Tank manufacturing facility in Mexico that last year turned out 2,700 trailers thanks to a deep labor pool, flexible...

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