KEEPING IT ROLLING
13.5’
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
INTERMODAL
ITCA tackles challenges in liquid bulk transportation
Annual ISO meeting delivers insights on tariff impacts and cyber resilience. BulkTransporter.com/55332525
TECHNOLOGY
Trimble Insight tech roundup for tank truck operators
Trimac embraces AI, Foodliner enhances connectivity, and Tandem partners up. BulkTransporter.com/55335836
Bulk Transporter
Market Leader
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Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
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An editor’s letter from the AI front
Jason McDaniel Editor
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In a season of frozen freight and fast-moving technology, real-world relationships continue to carry the day.
I hope this missive finds you and the rest of our tank truck family in good health.
It’s been three months since we last spoke, and my long, cold winter included chilling treks to Green Bay, Wisconsin, amid a polar vortex that sent temperatures plummeting, and Arlington, Virginia, in the frozen wake of the most snow to bury the region in years. As someone who’s spent most of his life in Southeast Texas, I wasn’t sure I’d survive these travails, but two elements sustained me: a newly procured winter wardrobe (although I might try a scarf next time) and the heart-warming interactions I enjoyed with people I encountered along the way.
While camped in Wisconsin, I covered family-owned LCL Bulk Transport’s centennial jubilee at storied Lambeau Field (page 14), where I visited with the affable Hans Schaupp, LCL president and past National Tank Truck Carriers chairman; immersed myself in the food-grade hauler’s rich history; and witnessed the power of relationships in fueling sustained success. And in Washington, I was fortunate to again join ATRI President and COO Rebecca Brewster, ATA COO Dan Horvath, and two America’s Road Team Captains as judges for NTTC’s Driver of the Year Contest. All eight finalists are elite tank truckers and human beings, so picking one winner was painful—but the experience united us.
“It was great to see these drivers outside of their trucks; learn what they do, where they live, who they work for; and spend time with their families. It’s cool to be around the best of the best and meet people you otherwise wouldn’t because they come from all over,” said David Price, United Petroleum Transports executive vice chairman, who attended the event before convening with Bulk Transporter for this year’s Chairman’s Interview (page 34).
I also spent many hours these past months pondering the evolving role of tanker technology. Amid a frigid freight market and tariff-fueled planning whiteout, many carriers prioritized optimization over expansion, and advanced technologies are increasingly capable of delivering measurable efficiency gains. BeyondTrucks is helping private fleets prove their worth with AI-powered dispatching (page 24), and TrueTMS and TankTroniks are streamlining tank wagon operations with a fully integrated software/hardware solution (page 19). But stops at Trimble’s Insight Tech Conference and the Intermodal Tank Container Association’s symposium—go to bulktransporter.com for those reports—provided a sobering reminder that AI rewards come with all-new risks. Bad actors can subvert AI for nefarious ends, like creating fake documents and automating cloned-voice calls; and it’s already difficult enough to know what’s real and what’s not in a world fraught with altered images, partisan rhetoric, and competing narratives, making direct connections—between people and systems—more essential than ever.
That’s why I was encouraged to learn TrueTMS and TankTroniks are keeping drivers in mind in their technology development, BeyondTrucks CEO Hans Galland prioritizes retaining top talent over raising capital, and LCL is still putting people first 100 years later. They recognize the enduring value of real-world kinship—which I plan to soak in at NTTC’s 2026 Annual Conference (page 28), where like-minded tank truck professionals come together for invaluable education, updates, and trust-building conversations.
I only pray the sun shines warmer upon those Baltimore docks. If our paths should cross while stationed there, I implore you to say hello. Or, if you prefer, put pen to paper and write a letter. I’m feeling nostalgic. Until then, keep the hearth burning bright. I’ll join you when my current business concludes—or the spring thaw finally finds us.
Your devoted editor. BT
Tankers
INDUSTRY NEWS
Heniff partners with Clean-Seas on sustainability
Heniff Transportation Systems will assist plastic waste converter Clean-Seas with the loading and distribution of its plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) through a new agreement with innovative parent company Clean Vision.
“As we prepare to scale operations in the coming months, we are committed to getting our products to market safely and efficiently,” Clean Vision CEO Dan Bates said in a news release.
“We’re confident we’ve found the ideal transport partner to do so with Heniff.”
According to Bates, Clean Vision selected Heniff for its award-winning safety record; certifications to deliver PPO feedstock to purchasers in the Midwest, on the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast, and to Europe; and the carrier’s extensive transmodal infrastructure to service the Plastic Conversion Network (PCN) as it scales across the U.S., and internationally.
“Our facilities are designed for worker and environmental safety,” Bates maintained. “And Heniff clearly shares our standard of care once our products leave the facility.”
Clean-Seas’ West Virginia location is the first PCN facility in the U.S. It will divert 50 tons per day of plastic waste from landfills and incinerators across the mid-Atlantic region and convert it to high-value feedstocks for the circular plastic economy. Phase 1 will generate more than 40 new technical and operational jobs in eastern Kanawha County upon commissioning, the company reported.
Clean-Seas also plans to scale operations in West Virginia, and add additional PCN locations across the U.S.
“We’re excited to work with Clean-Seas and support their vision
of diverting plastic from landfills and incinerators and converting it for circularity and clean fuels,” said Bob Heniff, founder and CEO of the Heniff companies. “Our integrated network of nearly 100 terminals, depots, and rail transloading facilities across North America and Europe provides service efficiencies to our many customers. Our sustainability investments include varied alternative fuel options for our fleet and environmentally friendly transload service options.
“And our participation in the Operation Clean Sweep program to prevent plastic pellet loss offers a natural fit with Clean-Seas.”
Kenan Advantage Group converts energy services customer’s private fleet
Kenan Advantage Group recently completed the private-fleet conversion of “an existing global energy services customer.”
The transition adds three new markets— Kansas City, Missouri; and Pueblo and Alamosa, Colorado—to the KAG Energy division, the carrier reported.
“We’re thankful for the trust placed in us to manage our partner’s transportation needs and for the opportunity to combine our strengths, expand our capabilities, and create even greater value for the customers we serve,” Jason Platt, KAG Energy executive vice president, said in a news release.
As part of the conversion, about 80
professionals joined the KAG team, the company added. This is the first reported conversion since KAG transitioned Koppers Performance Chemicals’ private fleet in late 2023. But the carrier has been converting private fleets since at least 2009.
KAG’s Private Fleet Conversion program allows companies to seamlessly transition out of owning and managing their own fleets while maintaining service continuity, improving operational costs, and gaining resource capacity, KAG stated. “This partnership demonstrates KAG’s continued growth with existing customers, allowing them to focus on their core business
competencies, while trusting KAG to manage their transportation operations and provide scalable transportation solutions across diversified supply chain markets,” the company concluded.
Heniff Transportation Systems will support U.S. expansion of the global Plastic Conversion Network through a new partnership with Clean Vision subsidiary Clean-Seas. Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Photo: KAG
Quantix expands transport network through new tank truck partnerships
Quantix is partnering with MC Tank Lines and Leahy Transportation in a bid to strengthen its transportation network and expand capabilities across North America.
The new partnerships with two leading carriers in the bulk liquid space are expected to enhance Quantix’s ability to deliver flexible, scalable solutions to chemical-industry customers with complex logistics needs, Quantix said.
“Partnering with MC Tank Lines and Leahy Transport allows us to further strengthen our carrier network with organizations that share our values and operational standards,” Tyler Kemp, Quantix senior vice president of liquid operations, said in a news release. “Together, we are well-positioned to support our customers with increased capacity, improved service coverage, and continued focus on safety and performance.”
Working with MC Tank in Schererville, Indiana, and Leahy in Canton, Texas, also
supports Quantix’s strategy of collaborating with best-in-class carriers that share their commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence, Quantix added. MC Tank adds complementary expertise and regional strength, enhancing Quantix’s ability to serve customers across a range of industries and geographies; and Leahy, known for its safety culture and modern equipment, brings decades of experience in bulk transportation.
Their collaboration already is underway, supporting customers across multiple
Trimac pilots hydrogen fuel cell truck
Trimac Transportation is participating in a regional pilot of the Hyundai Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck, marking a key milestone in the introduction of hydrogen-powered heavy transport to Western Canada. “This project is an important opportunity to test the viability of hydrogen fuel-cell technology in heavy-duty transportation within Alberta,” said Abe Masri, Trimac manager of energy transition and sustainability. “We aim to understand how this solution performs under real-world conditions and what will be required to make it practical at scale.”
The pilot test, led by the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), is designed to help carriers build operational knowledge of hydrogen systems. AMTA is rotating the vehicle among participating fleets, giving each company the opportunity to assess performance in real commercial conditions. As part of the initiative, AMTA coordinated training for drivers and mechanics, as well as hosted representatives from Hyundai Global for discussions with carriers, industry stakeholders, and government partners on the future of hydrogen in Alberta’s transportation sector.
The evaluation will continue through early 2026, allowing Trimac to collect additional data on performance, efficiency and operational readiness, the carrier reported. “We recognize that hydrogen adoption requires a broader ecosystem of infrastructure and collaboration,” Masri said. “This initiative supports the foundational efforts needed to enable future zero-emission options for the industry.”
Trimac’s participation aligns with the sustainability commitments in its 2024 ESG Report, which focuses on fleet modernization, fuel-saving tech and the exploration of zero-emission alternatives.
services, reported Quantix, a supply chain services provider headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
The Quantix network now includes more than 70 locations.
“These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to building long-term, collaborative relationships,” said John Labrie, Quantix CEO and president. “By working closely together, we can continue to deliver dependable, high-quality transportation solutions while adapting to the evolving needs of the market.”
ACC adds Continental to Partner program
Continental Tank Lines in Brownsville, Texas, is one of two new Responsible Care Partners recently approved by the American Chemistry Council’s board of directors.
ACC’s Responsible Care Partner program extends Responsible Care’s ethic of safety and sustainability to organizations in the chemical supply chain, including logistics, transportation, and distribution, among others. Partners adhere to the same Responsible Care commitments as ACC manufacturing members, the association reported.
ACC also approved five new manufacturing members and one associate member at its November meeting.
“As challenges and opportunities grow, so does the value that ACC can deliver to our members,” Chris Jahn, ACC president and CEO, said in a news release. “With every new member, we help create a stronger, more unified voice for the U.S. business of chemistry. At the same time, we advance the commitment we share to continuous performance improvement under Responsible Care— which is good for the environment, good for our customers, and good for the bottom line.”
See also: Bulk motor carriers are chemical superheroes
Continental, which also recently joined National Tank Truck Carriers, is a specialized chemical product transporter with over 35 years of experience serving customers domestically and internationally. The carrier’s established clientele includes Exxon Mobil, Olin Corporation, Stepan Company, and Total Energies. Continental now is one of at least 45 companies in the program’s bulk truck segment, which is the largest group of Responsible Care Partners.
Photo: Quantix
INDUSTRY NEWS
Gravitate launches TMS for for-hire fuel transporters
Gravitate recently launched an AI-driven transportation management system for for-hire fuel haulers that it says was developed in partnership with leading carriers like Texas TransEastern and Eagle Transport.
The Houston-based transportation software developer primarily has served fuel retailers and wholesalers since its founding in 2011. Now it’s extending services to the common carrier market, delivering a “modern, flexible” platform designed for petroleum logistics, the company noted.
“Most TMS platforms started in general freight,” Mike Scharf, Gravitate founder, said in a news release. “We started in petroleum, with the country’s largest retailers, private fleets, and common carriers.
“This product reflects that DNA.”
Gravitate also collaborated with CLI Transport, the dedicated carrier for Sheetz, and Aero Energy to develop its new TMS, which the company says is “natively integrated” into the operational ecosystems of many of the country’s largest convenience-store networks. Through Gravitate’s Crossroads integration framework, carriers gain “out-of-the-box” connectivity to high-volume fuel retailers, eliminating costly custom integrations and accelerating onboarding.
“Frictionless” connectivity enables carriers to win more business and provide the real-time data, ETAs, and delivery visibility retailers now expect without adding operational or IT complexity.
“Choosing Gravitate doesn’t just modernize carrier operations,” said Tom Hunt, Gravitate’s vice president of sales. “It connects carriers directly to the customers they want and to retailers who expect real-time transparency from their haulers.”
Purpose-built for fuel haulers
Unlike general-freight platforms, Gravitate’s TMS is designed around the real-world workflows of refined-fuels transportation. Core capabilities include:
■ AI-powered automatic order creation
■ Auto-dispatch with AI-optimized routing and sequencing
■ Freight billing and reconciliation
■ A flexible, configurable driver-pay engine
■ Automated mispull and BOL and drop variance validation
■ Driver mobile and in-cab applications with real-time status updates
■ ELD and telematics integrations
Gravitate’s platform today manages more than 4,200 trucks and 5,800 drivers across carrier and private-fleet operations and processes millions of supply-chain transactions each month, the company reported.
Built with industry-leading partners
Gravitate’s expansion into the common carrier market follows the same strategy that reshaped technology adoption among major fuel retailers. The company partners early with the industry’s most sophisticated
National Tank Services celebrates 20-year safety milestone
National Tank Services (NTS) in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, recently reached 20 years with no lost-time injuries (LTIs) in a record-breaking milestone for the location.
The Sarnia team has gone above and beyond in embodying one of Trimac’s core values—to “Live Safety” by making safety part of every decision, making safety personal, and having the courage to intervene—with great success, totaling 7,300 consecutive safety incident-free days, the company reported.
“This 20-year accomplishment is a testament to the Sarnia team’s commitment to safety and our Trimac safety culture as an
organization,” said John Anger, NTS area manager. “This achievement in a shop environment where accidents can occur at any time is very impressive and worth celebrating and acknowledging.”
An LTI is a workplace injury that is deemed serious enough to prevent an employee from returning to work on their next scheduled workday. Dennis Zajac, NTS service manager for the Sarnia branch, credits the milestone to Trimac leaders, whose safety commitments lay the foundation for a legacy of success passed on to team members old and new, ensuring they work safely while looking out for one another—and
operators, builds deeply around real operational constraints, and scales proven capabilities across the market.
That experience informed Gravitate’s TMS, which is designed for petroleumspecific realities, including preload cycles, split loads, runouts, price-driven supply decisions, rack changes, multi-terminal sourcing, and tight retailer delivery windows.
Transforming carrier-retailer collaboration
Carriers using Gravitate’s TMS gain immediate advantages, including:
■ Faster onboarding with major fuel retailers
■ Improved forecasting, planning, and demand visibility
■ Higher service levels and on-time performance
■ Lower IT and integration burden
■ Better access to high-volume freight from leading fuel networks
everyone goes home in the same condition in which they arrived.
“Trimac truly puts safety first,” Zajac said. “Each year, Trimac and NTS keep improving in ways to keep our people safe.”
The celebratory milestone coincided with the terminal’s driver and support staff recognitions. Speeches were given, a catered lunch was provided, and gifts were handed out to employees as a way of thanking staff for taking safety seriously.
“This is a stat to be proud of, and it’s an inspiration,” said Garry Peacock, NTS north director. “We all need to go home the same way we came in to work every day.”
Photo: Eagole Transport
INDUSTRY NEWS
FMCSA overrides NTTC’s safety concerns to grant jet fuel waiver
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently posted a final rule that amends federal safety regulations to allow states to waive the hazardous materials (HM) endorsement requirement for holders of Class A CDLs who transport no more than 1,000 gallons of aviation-grade jet fuel in support of seasonal agricultural aircraft operations.
The proposed rulemaking to amend 49 CFR Part 383, first posted in December 2024, received 64 comments, of which 42 “fully supported” the rule, 20 “generally supported” the rule with modifications— mainly to expand the waiver’s applicability to other CDL classes, FMCSA reported—and only two opposed the rulemaking, with one of those coming from an anonymous source.
National Tank Truck Carriers was the only named dissenter.
The trade association voiced concerns raised by members of its Safety and Security Council, Workforce Committee, and Energy Services Committee regarding a range of safety matters, including driver training, incident response and reporting, and equipment safety, stating the proposed rulemaking would exempt certain drivers
from having to complete the four-step process of obtaining an HM endorsement, including a theory training module, a written exam, a TSA Security Threat Assessment, and, if applicable, paying a state driver licensing agency fee.
“It is no secret that safety is at the heart of everything NTTC does, especially given the nature of the often-hazardous materials commodities transported by NTTC carriers,” Will Lusk, NTTC director of education and government relations, wrote in a Feb. 3, 2025, letter to FMCSA. “These carriers have expressed concern that, if approved, FMCSA-2024-0121 would open the door for even more use of inexperienced, undertrained and unqualified HM drivers that will almost certainly result in additional risk exposure for all parties involved and the motoring public. Given the inherent dangers hauling hazardous materials, an accident involving even less than 1,000 gallons of fuel can still result in catastrophic consequences.”
Lusk concludes in his remarks that “approval of FMCSA-2024-0121 would allow unscreened and under-trained commercial drivers to haul volatile aviation fuel
Chalk Mountain ranks among TCA’s safest fleets
Chalk Mountain Services of Texas is among the 18 division placers in the Truckload Carriers Association’s 50th Annual Fleet Safety Awards.
The annual awards recognize truckload carriers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to safety by achieving the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles within six mileage-based divisions, TCA reported. The association recognized first-, second-, and third-place fleets across six divisions; and Chalk Mountain—which last year claimed its third grand championship in four years in the Texas Trucking Association’s Truck Safety Contest—took second in Division III, which includes fleets that traveled 15 to 24.99 million miles.
“We’re proud to support TCA’s Fleet Safety Awards and the carriers recognized this year,” Andy Engardio, transportation vertical leader at contest sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher, said in a news release. “These companies are investing in their drivers,
prioritizing safe operations, and holding themselves accountable every day.
“We congratulate this year’s winners and appreciate TCA’s continued leadership in promoting safer roads for everyone.”
The 18 division placers advanced to compete for one of two grand prizes—one awarded to carriers with total annual mileage of less than 25 million miles, and the other to carriers with mileage exceeding 25 million miles. All division placers and grand prize winners will be formally recognized at TCA’s 2026 Safety & Security Meeting, scheduled for June 7–9 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“Great West Casualty Company is proud to sponsor the TCA Fleet Safety Awards, which recognize motor carriers for their dedication to a safety mindset and a culture of risk control,” said Steve Ponder, Great West senior vice president.
“These motor carriers truly stand out across the trucking industry.”
on America’s public highways. This proposed rulemaking does not achieve an equal level of safety currently set for the public; therefore, NTTC urges FMCSA to deny this proposed rulemaking.”
FMCSA: HM waiver won’t reduce safety FMCSA responded to NTTC’s safety and security concerns in its final-rule notice.
Regarding safety concerns related to hauling fuel, the agency said it does not expect the waiver option from the HM endorsement to diminish safe CMV operation because training and testing still are required under 49 CFR Parts 172 and 177, which fall under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s regulations for training and placarding.
Regarding security concerns related to vetting drivers, FMCSA argued the waiver won’t negatively impact safety because the diesel fuel waiver already codified in Section 383.3(i) allows drivers to transport limited quantities of hazardous materials under certain conditions without an HM endorsement. “The diesel fuel waiver has been in place for over 30 years without a negative impact on safety,” FMCSA stated.
Fuel unveils $8M AI optimization initiative
Fuel Transport, a Montreal-based logistics and transportation company, recently introduced an $8 million initiative aimed at operationalizing AI-powered technologies within its workflows. In collaboration with Scale AI, Vooban, CRIM, Geloso Group, and Les Camions Fuel, the initiative, dubbed “Transport Optimization,” will integrate intelligent systems that enhance pricing, quoting, and carrier selection across Fuel’s operations in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
“At Fuel, we believe true progress happens when intelligent technology works hand in hand with human instinct,” Fuel CEO Robert Piccioni said. “We’re proud to collaborate with partners who share this vision and have been instrumental in bringing Transport Optimization to life. With this initiative, we are not only elevating operational efficiency, but also redefining what it means to lead with insight, agility, and responsibility in the logistics sector.”
The legacy continues.
MAC LTT is rebranding as part of the MAC Trailer product lineup, bringing everything together under one trusted name, MAC Trailer.
From dump, flatbed, and transfer trailers, to pneumatic tanks, liquid tanks, and dump truck bodies, MAC Trailer delivers a complete range of solutions backed by the same people, products, and performance youÕve always relied on. Formerly MAC LTT, now branded MAC Trailer.
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin—U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, who represents Wisconsin’s 8th district, arranged for an American flag to fly over the Capitol last year in honor of longtime LCL Bulk Transport matriarch Joan Pomprowitz Schaupp on her birthday, Sept. 29. Hans Schaupp, president of LCL Bulk and chairman of P&S Investments—LCL’s parent company—planned to present the flag to his mom at the tank truck carrier’s 100th-anniversary celebration in December.
Sadly, Joan wasn’t able to receive it. She died July 20, 2025, at 92 years old— five months before the event. “It was hard not having her there so we could thank her for everything she did for this company,” Hans lamented.
“For me, that night largely was a tribute to her.”
Instead, Wied presented the flag, along with a plaque commemorating his celebratory speech on the House floor, to Hans, who wrapped the flag around himself and Wied while posing
Family-owned food-grade hauler celebrates 100th anniversary at Lambeau Field by Jason McDaniel
A special anniversary-edition LCL Bulk Transport tank truck sits in the Lambeau Field parking lot before the celebration.
Photo: Truck Country
for pictures, and reflecting on the proud legacy furthered by Joan and his father, Robert “Bob” Schaupp (who died April 15, 2024)—the second generation to lead the company founded by Joe and Helen Pomprowitz, Joan’s parents, in 1926 in nearby Sobieski, Wisconsin. “They led this company with integrity, faith, and an unwavering belief in its people,” Hans said Dec. 13 at Lambeau Field. “They poured their hearts into this business and everyone who worked alongside them.
“And both came so close to being here to celebrate this 100-year milestone.”
The occasion featured about 100 people, including family, friends, and long-time employees, customers, and vendors, who were undeterred by a polar vortex that dropped temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit; gift boxes for special guests that each contained a $100 bill, a 72-page book, “Keep it Rolling,” on the history of LCL’s first 100 years, and products from key customers, including Kraft Heinz and Hershey; and golden 100th-anniversary coasters on every table for attendees to take home. And LCL’s special guests included Wied, National Tank Truck Carriers President and CEO Ryan Streblow, Truck Country President Doug McCoy, Ingredion Senior Director of Logistics Procurement Matt Wapiennik, and Rob Gilson, a member of the board with the four-time Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers—the third-oldest franchise in the NFL at 106 years old.
Gilson, the longtime CEO of Green Bay-based Imperial Supplies, reflected on the intertwined histories of LCL and the Packers, and what it took for both organizations to surpass the centennial mark—namely resiliency, innovation, and enduring relationships. “Both organizations have a strong history of overcoming multiple challenges to create a winning tradition that produces success and championships over the last 100 years,” Gilson said before reading a letter of congratulations from Packers President and CEO Ed Policy.
“Creating a multi-generational successful business in Green Bay is an
impressive feat that few organizations can accomplish,” Policy wrote. “It took years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to our community to grow your business into what it is today. We are proud to celebrate this moment with you and grateful for the meaningful role your company has played in strengthening our community over the past century. Congratulations again on a historic anniversary.
“We wish you continued success for the next 100 years and beyond.”
Trucking-industry pioneers
The Keep It Rolling book (family members received a longer version) and an
8-minute, 46-second video that featured an AI-generated welcome by Joe and Helen, and a toast between Bob and Joan, historical interviews and images, and news clippings, attempted to capture LCL’s 10-decade history. More briefly here, Joe started LCL Transit—short for less-than-carload—with a brand-new REO Speedwagon as an extension of his family’s new general-store delivery business; and one of his first customers was A&P Tea Company in Green Bay, where he met future wife and business partner Helen VanderLinden Pomprowitz.
Together, they grew LCL into a leading refrigerated carrier over the next 35 years, which included the acquisitions
The Wabash and Stuart Tank Sales teams gave LCL Bulk President Hans Schaupp a glass trophy that commemorates LCL’s 100th anniversary at Tank Truck Week 2025.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Rep. Tony Wied, at right, presented Hans Schaupp with a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol building in honor of LCL Bulk matriarch Joan Pomprowitz Schaupp, Hans’ mother.
Photo: LCL Bulk
of Imperial Truck Lines and Noble Transit, a pivotal partnership with J.L. Kraft—who in 1903 founded the business that became Kraft Foods—and the introduction of only the second Thermo King trailer refrigeration unit deployed in the United States. Along the way, they led LCL through the Great Depression, World War II, and a devastating fire at their Green Bay office. “Keep it rolling was the theme … and even now at 92-anda-half, my heart and soul resonate that theme—we’re keeping it going,” Joan said before she passed.
“Joan was an incredible woman,” added Rhona Vogel, longtime P&S board member. “She never went to business school, in the traditional sense, but had an innate understanding of how to run a company.”
Bob entered the business in 1957, soon after marrying Joan; Jack Pomprowitz, Joan’s brother, went to work for LCL in ’61, the year Joe died; and Joan joined them one year later. The second-gen trio oversaw LCL’s move to a newly constructed headquarters near Lambeau and the O’Donnell Tank Lines purchase, which began its transition from
reefer to bulk transporter; and grew the carrier into one of Wisconsin’s largest employers, with over 500 employees in 1976—when LCL celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Bob and Joan began their long reign as a husband-wife duo who, among other feats, guided LCL through deregulation and created P&S Investments as the parent of an expanding group of companies.
“LCL survived because of my parents’ fortitude and strategic plans, and probably there was a little luck involved as well,” Hans said in the video.
Forward-thinking philosophy
Whether through luck, or the convergence of preparation and opportunity, LCL rolled into the 21st century with third-generation help. Bob and Joan’s four children, Peggy, Fritz, Hans, and Ilse, all worked for the family business at different points; and Hans—who was “coaxed” back full-time in 1983—rose to general manager in ’95, LCL president in 2010, and P&S chairman in 2025.
“He cares about his family, this company, and all the people who work for them,” said Gilson, who’s known Hans for
25 years. “He’s just a wonderful human being, and he makes everyone feel good.
“You forget what people say and do— but you never forget how they make you feel.”
The hits keep coming, from the Great Recession to the Covid-19 lockdown, and resulting supply-chain disruptions, soaring equipment costs, and the tariff-induced uncertainty that plagued 2025. But with Hans at the helm, LCL is still thriving. Leaning on the lessons learned from his forebearers, and an innovative approach—he helped design and patent LCL’s “shaker” tankers for liquid chocolate—Hans is keeping LCL on solid ground by adapting to ever-evolving conditions, including driver preferences, market dynamics, and regulatory shifts.
“We’re a very progressive, forward-looking company in how we operate, and in our commitment to running the safest, most modern equipment,” Hans said. “We want to do it better every day.”
Today, the P&S group includes LCL Bulk, which runs 90 trucks out of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; HFCS (short for high-fructose corn syrup) in
Special guests received a green box filled with anniversary gifts, including a “Keep it Rolling” book and crisp $100 bill.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Joan Pomprowitz Schaupp and husband Bob Schaupp ran LCL together for decades, overcoming many obstacles along the way.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
North Carolina; Morristown Express in Indiana; and St. Joe Express in Missouri. The combined enterprise includes 270 employees; 200 Freightliner, Mack, and Volvo trucks; and 370 stainless-steel Wabash, Brenner, and Polar trailers supported by tank cleaning and heating facilities at every terminal.
LCL originally ran red trucks, reflecting the Pomprowitz’s Polish heritage, but all trucks sport Packers green now.
New tractors primarily are sleepers, but the bunks are backup for the group’s mostly regional drivers; and they all feature the latest technology and amenities, including disc brakes, driver-assistance systems, Lytx cameras, PeopleNet electronic-logging devices, Trimble telematics, SiriusXM satellite radio, refrigerators, and sleep apnea kits.
“We spec our trucks with the latest and greatest equipment,” confirmed Bill Woodstock, LCL vice president of maintenance and supply chain.
Relationship-driven management
Of course, the Pomprowitz and Schaupp families didn’t come this far alone.
They did it with help from long-time board members, employees, customers, and vendors—who were all part of the 100th-anniversary celebration.
Hans gave awards to employees with at least 20 years of service, including Sherri Nelson (41 years) and Chris Reindel (30 years), and thanked board members like Peter Sommerhauser (43 years) and Vogel (35 years) for their steady council. “They’re smart about investment decisions,” Vogel shared. “They manage debt carefully and don’t get themselves in over their heads. So, they’ve got staying power when things don’t go well, and the resources to grow and expand when they do.”
Dedicated, mutually beneficial relationships with key customers and vendors are an integral part of LCL’s staying power. Kraft helped the family establish its trucking operation, Hershey thanked them for open-ended collaboration by naming LCL the first bulk-carrier winner of its “No Boundaries” award, and Ingredion is fully integrated with
HFCS’s systems in a high-trust partnership that enhances driver utilization and profitability. “They’ve been a great partner,” Wapiennik said. “As far as doing what you say, and saying what you mean, they’ve closed those gaps tightly.”
McCoy concurred. Truck Country began supplying LCL with Freightliners, which now comprise half the group’s trucks, 15 years ago after he “cracked the nut” with Bob—who previously ran all Macks—and began a long friendship
with Hans. “He’s down to earth, he’s fair, and he understands business relationships cannot be one-sided. They must benefit both parties,” McCoy said. “And I appreciate the honesty between us. We can both pick up the phone anytime, listen to each other, talk through the issues, and devise a solution together.”
LCL’s leaders never hesitate to give back, either.
“They’re leaders in this community and have been for a long time—100
The Truck Country contingent at LCL Bulk’s 100th-anniversary celebration included company president Doug McCoy, second from right. Photo: LCL Bulk
Packers board member Rob Gilson, at right, gave Hans Schaupp a memorial plaque featuring a letter from Packers CEO Ed Policy. Photo: LCL Bulk
years,” Wied opined. “That trickles down to the people they’re employing, the culture they’re fostering, and their philanthropy.”
Joe and Helen also were heavily involved in the early days of the American Trucking Associations, Jack served as chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association, and Bob and Hans both chaired NTTC, Bob in 1990-91 and Hans in 2012-13, placing them among a select few father-son duos, including Bill Usher Sr. (1986-87) and Bill Usher Jr. (2008-09), and Greg Price (2006-07) and current NTTC Chairman David Price. “Decade after decade, they put their money where their mouth is—staying involved and staying engaged,” Streblow said.
The next 100 years
In addition to LCL’s heated shaker tanks, Hans introduced NTTC’s biennial Call on Washington during his chairmanship, and he continues to move his company forward in an effort to secure its future. The group recently moved to a modernized new floor at their Green Bay HQ, which now features data displays powered by proprietary software around every corner and a “Game On” innovation room; and they’re testing side-view truck cameras while exploring potential new business lines that leverage LCL’s expertise in safety and technology.
“We’re looking at every department to figure out how to turn them into profit centers,” Hans revealed.
“So we will keep evolving.”
Caroline Schaupp, one of Hans and wife Mary’s four daughters, is the only other family member currently involved in the business. But Bob and Joan had 10 grandchildren—eight attended the celebration—and the hope for all involved is to keep LCL in the family for another 100 years. “It’s always been family run and has remained a great place to work for so many years,” said Caroline, who manages marketing and strategic initiatives. “So, it’s the goal of everyone in the family to keep it that way—and make sure it stays a special, incredible company.”
Doing so won’t be easy. Economic and regulatory challenges persist, and Hans,
now 65 years old, isn’t growing younger.
But, then again, it was never easy. “It was always one crisis after another, always— always a crisis—and always getting through the next crisis,” Joan reflected in the video, before grinning—indicating she was never deterred. “Of all the companies [started over the years], we’re probably one of the few that really has survived,” Bob followed. And Hans and
his siblings—who today share ownership of the company—intend to keep it alive through careful succession planning, board structure, and leadership preparation.
That’s what their parents, and their grandparents, would have wanted.
“Being able to own and run your own business is the greatest gift in America,” Hans concluded. BT
LCL Bulk’s new headquarters includes a “Game On” innovation room for employees.
Photo: LCL Bulk
A nearby fireworks show provides the perfect punctuation for an unforgettable evening.
Photo: Truck Country
LCL Bulk President Hans Schaupp and his wife, Mary Schaupp, hold up a 100th-anniversary coaster during the celebration at Lambeau Field. Daughter Caroline Schaupp now is a fourth-generation member of the company.
Photo: LCL Bulk
Fuel delivery, decoded
TrueTMS, TankTroniks streamline wet-hosing with closed-loop solution
By Jason McDaniel
Fuel delivery is a mission-critical operation. It’s also considerably complex. And no variation is more challenging than mobile, metered fuel delivery—aka “wet-hosing” in the U.S. and “wheel-to-wheel” in Canada—via tank wagon. The process begins with order intake and dispatching, ends with delivery confirmation and invoicing, and features numerous in-field steps, from equipment selection to bulk transportation, product transfer, and ticket creation.
“We deliver diesel to remote construction sites and highly dense urban rehabilitation zones,” said Brett Taylor, general manager at Thunder5, an on-site refueler in Nisku, Alberta, Canada.
“In Canada, we’ll pour concrete into the winter, when it’s minus-20 degrees Celsius (minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit) and there’s 2 feet of snow outside, so the ground must be heated before and after the job. And the pour might take a few hours, but our work to fuel those heaters takes weeks—often in treacherous conditions and tight locations tractor-trailers can’t reach. So, these are small deliveries for critical infrastructure, and if we don’t bring fuel, contractors are running with a jerry can and risking a spill. Then it becomes a safety issue.”
Thunder5 drivers, including lead man Trevor Stutters, below, now make up to 50 fuel deliveries every day using the integrated solution from TrueTMS and TankTroniks.
Photos: Thunder5
TECHNOLOGY
Safety always is top of mind in tank truck activities, so Taylor worries about spills in Thunder5’s operations, too. But mobile fuel delivery complexity introduces many risks, and spills are only one. Unintended product mixes and data entry errors are equally grave concerns; and managing the exchange is costly, time-consuming, and typically requires multiple platforms—until now. That’s because the conundrum recently caught the attention of a coalition of technology innovators, including U.S.-based software company TrueTMS and Canadian tanker technology firm TankTroniks, who came together to create a cohesive, end-to-end solution that delivers 360-degree visibility.
“We share the same admiration for this industry, so we have a great relationship,” said George Thellman, TrueTMS director of business development and strategic relations. “You would think that we’ve been working together for years, but really it’s only been a few months.”
TrueTMS and TankTroniks introduced their newly integrated offering—which merges TrueLiquid transportation management with FuelTransIT fuel metering—during the Western Petroleum Marketers Association’s 2026 Expo in Las Vegas, where they spotlighted a pilot with Thunder5 and demonstrated the system’s streamlined simplicity between their digitally connected booths.
“We’re going to fundamentally change how fuel is delivered in North America,” predicted William Breckenridge, TankTroniks president.
Taming the ‘Wild West’ TrueTMS, part of T3 Tech, is a software-as-a-services (SaaS) provider founded in 2022 by Dr. Naren Lakshmipathy, a physician and serial entrepreneur who formed the Pain Management Group before shifting his focus to transport tech with the goal of optimizing onerous business processes. TrueTMS’s webbased products include TrueFleet, TrueCast, and TrueLiquid, launched in 2024 as a modern, affordable transportation management system (TMS) purpose-built to help small to mid-sized bulk fleets enhance safety, efficiency, and profitability. “We
don’t have a big headcount or brick-and-mortar locations,” said Jared Akers, T3 Tech managing director. “We’re strategic in how we deploy our funding, and that allows us to keep our margins at a level where we can pass on that value to customers.”
The company also drives value by eliminating unnecessary functions, accelerating decision-making with MongoDB’s database, and facilitating secure connections through API-centric architecture. And TrueLiquid’s interactive and intelligent dashboard allows tank truck fleets to manage diverse equipment and systems using a single, intuitive interface. “My mom, who’s 77 and not a techie, could run a trucking company with our software,” Thellman joked.
TrueLiquid onboarded 10 fuel-hauling fleets, primarily in the convenience-store delivery space, in its first 18 months. Now, aided by their collaboration with TankTroniks, leaders are aiming to accelerate growth by offering underserved tank wagon fleets a closed-loop solution that simplifies the experience for drivers, dispatchers, and account managers. “It’s the Wild West in tank wagon because existing TMS systems don’t serve them well,” Thellman said.
The TrueLiquid TMS provides interactive trailer diagrams, all-inclusive fleet management, ELD integrations, and a customer portal that allows users to automate critical tasks.
Photos: TrueTMS
TrueTMS’s George Thellman, center, first connected with the TankTroniks team last September at a c-store show in California.
Photo: TrueTMS
“That’s why I think we’ll see growth in the tank wagon companies who adopt this technology, because they’ll be able to handle more capacity—which they don’t know they can do right now because they’re still looking at spreadsheets.”
Implementation is easy due to the team’s customer-friendly approach, and fleets can expect to rapidly recover their initial investment, Thellman added. “We’ve already seen customers grow without expanding their footprint,” he said.
“So, it’s possible to realize your ROI within six months.”
Seamless tech synergy
TankTroniks, founded in 2019, is a family-owned and -operated company led by William and his sons: Cole, product manager; Taylor, controller; and Luke, who’s in production and logistics. William, who’s expertise is in electronics engineering, entered the refined fuels space while working with Titan Logix, where he also developed a relationship with MechTronic, which first adapted French manufacturer ALMA Group’s “Microcompt+” technology in 2016.
MechTronic teamed with fuel distributor Merit Oil, TankTroniks, and Depot Connect International (DCI) to introduce its “OptiMate” to the U.S. last September at the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance Summit. That’s where Thellman got his first look at the system, which automates line and compartment changes, and manifold draining.
“It’s cool,” he said. “It’s completely hands-free. You hook up the hose, scan the barcode, and it automatically dispenses fuel and purges the line.” TankTroniks—which also supplies the Tanker Control Module in the SafeHeat TTS in-transit heater PT Coupling unveiled last July—offers two “FuelTransIT” metering systems tailored for the U.S. and Canada: OptiMate and the “bolt-on” Optio.
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TankTroniks partnered with Merit Oil, MechTronic, and DCI to introduce the FuelTransIT OptiMate solution to tank wagon fleets at the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance Summit.
Photo: MechTronic
“There are about 1,000 of these systems already in use in the U.K.,” William said.
All FuelTransIT systems prevent accidental mixes and unauthorized deliveries through product and customer validations, and record digital delivery data, streamlining the driver process and improving cash flow. And the TrueLiquid integration populates delivery information in real time—without any human intervention. “We’re closing the loop from dispatch to delivery,” William said. “We love people, but they’re prone to mistakes, so we’re ensuring alignment from order to billing, and taking the guesswork and opportunities for error out of the system.”
They’re also creating a competitive advantage for future-focused fleets.
“Early adopters have told us they wouldn’t have survived without FuelTransIT on their trucks,” Cole said. “The error prevention, cost mitigation, and add-on value for customers are indispensable.”
Tested in the trenches
Thunder5 started in 2021 as rolling laboratory for TankTroniks’ tanker technology in Canada—but quickly morphed into a “growing concern” in a niche market thanks to the FuelTransIT system. The company now makes up to 50 deliveries a day with a fleet of three tank wagons: a Ford F-550 Super Duty with a 4,500-liter tank, an F-550 with a 2,000-liter two-compartment tank split 50-50, and a Freightliner M2 with a 9,000liter, two-compartment tank split 65-35. All three run with
Blackmer pumps, GPI nozzles, and FuelTransIT Optio units.
“We have trucks on the road 22 hours a day, across three shift rotations, seven days a week,” Taylor said.
His team, which includes operations coordinator Dan Foster and lead driver Trevor Stutters, began working with TrueTMS in late 2025. “They’ve been great,” Stutters said. “It’s quite refreshing, because they recognize what they don’t have and work with you to figure it out. It’s impressive.” After several months of preparation, Thunder5 began testing the complete TrueTMS-TankTroniks solution in January—with immediate results. “Our team is realizing significant benefits,” Taylor
The FuelTransIT OptiMate system automates manifold draining by controlling tank wagon vents and valves.
Photo: TankTroniks
Thunder5 is a “growing concern” in Alberta with a fleet of three tank wagons, including one Freightliner M2 and two Ford F-550s.
Photo: Thunder5
Thunder5’s “smart” product grade indicators are hard-wired to FuelTransIT, enabling correct compartment selection confirmaton.
said. “Previously, it took five steps, with all the different programs and procedures we used to dispatch, invoice, log, and summarize the information customers wanted.
“With Optio and TrueLiquid, we can complete the process in minutes.”
The holistic system also is boosting driver satisfaction—and Thunder5’s capacity to take on new business, Taylor added. “It’s a privilege to be part of something we believe is groundbreaking for our industry,” he concluded.
Beyond the spreadsheet
The bottom line: Thunder5 isn’t satisfied with the way things are. They’re looking to innovate—just like TankTroniks and TrueTMS. “We don’t do status quo,” Thellman said. “We challenge it, and we think outside the box.”
For Thunder5, that means using their additional capacity to expand their footprint and services, including acting as an “industrial vending machine” for remote customers with multiple needs. And for TankTroniks, it means moving beyond upfitters like DCI and Advance Engineered Products to deliver a factory-installed option—once they’ve generated enough interest. “I’ve talked to a lot of sales guys across the industry who’ve discussed the Optimate solution with fleets,” Cole said. “And there are a lot of people watching to see how these first trials go. Once they see the product works, and does what we say, hopefully it’s just a matter of keeping up with demand.”
TrueTMS leaders expect demand to surge. That’s why they’re setting ambitious growth targets, while also contemplating what’s next, including verifying loaded amounts, integrating delivery intelligence from DTN and Tandem Concepts, and working with insurers to lower costs. Because fuel deliveries will always be critical. But they don’t have to be complicated.
“Tank wagon companies get left behind because everybody focuses on the large gravity-drop deliveries, and they forget
Thunder5 is using TankTroniks’ “bolt-on” Optio system, a slimmed-down version of OptiMate without the automation.
about the smaller infrastructures, or construction sites and airports, that need deliveries, too. Then they try to shoehorn them into generic TMS systems.
“So, I’m excited about this partnership—and we have to get it right.” BT
Photo: Thunder5
Photo: Thunder5
Odyssey Manufacturing cleans up dispatching by ditching paper for a decision-enhancing TMS
By Jason McDaniel
Odyssey Manufacturing, a leading supplier of technologically advanced disinfection solutions to the industrial, municipal, and pool industries in Florida, has doubled in size since Mark Lowenstine signed on as transportation manager in 2017. It now distributes over 200,000 gallons of high-strength sodium hypochlorite, or chlorine bleach, and other chemicals every day.
Yet Odyssey still used pressed wood pulp to manage its private fleet in 2025.
“Dispatching was the toughest job here,” Lowenstine reflected. “It’s seven days a week, and you’re taking orders and creating schedules on paper, converting it for accounting, and then coordinating every load. So we had trouble keeping dispatchers, and I knew it wasn’t sustainable, especially with the younger generation. Then we brought over Ferg [logistics coordinator Fergus Grogan], and he’s new-minded, but with the older generation’s fundamentals.
“That’s when I decided it was time to start looking for a transportation management system [TMS].”
Lowenstine transitioned Odyssey’s 50 tank trucks to electronic logging devices (ELDs) soon after coming on board; and later upgraded to ELDs, cameras, and GPS tracking from Samsara, which he says is “fantastic,” so he wanted to work with another “cutting-edge” provider of transport technology. Then he read about a for-hire bulk hauler who went looking for the “Samsara of dispatching”—and said they found it in
BeyondTrucks. “That is the quote that reeled me in because that’s what I was looking for,” Lowenstine said. What he discovered, after researching other providers and meeting with BeyondTrucks, was a modern, cloud-based solution positioned to grow alongside Odyssey, ensuring business continuity by preserving “tribal” knowledge, and arming Grogan with next-generation software capabilities.
“It’s a great tool,” Grogan said. “When you build loads in BeyondTrucks, you can see everything, and how one decision affects another, whereas before we were sorting through paper schedules.
“Now we can operate more efficiently through bigger-picture visibility.”
Grogan’s primary concern during the TMS selection process, which culminated with Odyssey signing with BeyondTrucks last spring, was securing digital resiliency in disruptive situations, like the consecutive hurricanes that hit Florida in 2024. But as they worked together toward full deployment in February, he grew to appreciate the
From left to right are Ralph Carlini, lead driver; Fergus Grogan, logistics coordinator; Mark Lowenstine, operations manager; and Justine Maville, accounts payable specialist.
Photo: Odyssey Mfg.
platform’s ability to connect key departments, locations, and systems; and the BeyondTrucks team’s collaborative approach.
“What impressed me most was their responsiveness, and how easy it was to make the system fit our business,” Grogan said.
“They provided the blueprint and then let us run with it.”
Bridging the technology divide
A group of investors tapped Patrick Allman, a Navy veteran with a background in engineering, to start Odyssey in 1999. Under the leadership of Allman and later Marvin Rakes, Odyssey president, the company grew to include the distribution of multiple chemicals and related equipment; the longest-running “salt-to-bleach” plant in North America, the largest chemical railyard in the Southeast U.S.—both in Tampa— and four other Florida locations; and 95 employees, including 40 company drivers. To aid in the bulk distribution of its hazardous chemicals—UltraChlor is 12.5% sodium hypochlorite—Allman enlisted Lowenstine, who previously oversaw water and wastewater treatment for Polk County Utilities and now serves as Odyssey’s operations manager.
The company’s fleet includes leased Freightliner and Peterbilt daycabs with Paragon transfer equipment, Omni carbon fiber and TankCon FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic) tankers with specialized plumbing for proprietary products, stainless-steel Tremcar tanks for caustics, and Heil’s pneumatic dry bulkers for salt. With its own in-house transportation division, Odyssey can better control equipment availability, reliability, and customer service, but logistics management still is a relatively small portion of the overall operation. “We don’t have a large staff, so we don’t necessarily want a tremendous amount of data,” Lowenstine said. “We couldn’t analyze all of it.
“I just wanted something that made my dispatcher’s job easier.”
BeyondTrucks delivers there by combining API-assisted integrations,
Odyssey’s manufacturing facility in Tampa, Florida, is the longest-running “salt-tobleach” plant in North America. The company also maintains a chemical railyard in Tampa.
adaptable configurations, and sophisticated algorithms with a user-friendly interface that optimizes decision-making. And for Lowenstine, it’s also a cost-effective path to expedited efficiency gains, and a “data bridge” to future enhancement—long after he steps away. “I’m old school, but I’m
smart enough to know you must embrace technology,” he said. “You have to find common ground with the younger people, and ways to motivate and help them succeed. Technology can do that.”
And developing and retaining talent is high priority for Lowenstine.
“Ferg is his designated successor, or
Photo: Odyssey Mfg.
protégé, so Mark’s doing everything he can to bring him along,” BeyondTrucks CEO Hans Galland observed.
“He’s a wonderful mentor within his organization.”
Real-time responsiveness
Grogan graduated from the University of Tampa in 2022. After studying marketing and management in school, he joined Odyssey’s accounting team in early 2023 and jumped at the chance to fill a logistics vacancy a year later.
“It wasn’t a planned operation, but this company’s been good to me, they’re big on promoting from within, and I thought it would be exciting,” Grogan said. “The job definitely keeps you on your toes. There’s a new challenge every day.”
The newly promoted dispatcher assisted in Lowenstine’s TMS search and worked with BeyondTrucks’ implementation team, including Head of Carrier Success Natasha Martinez and Product Manager Karry Wang, to help them understand Odyssey’s operations and objectives. “We connected on multiple Zoom calls, and they flew in five or six times,” Grogan recalled. “They were there for us whenever we needed them.”
He also took the lead on testing, working double time to pilot BeyondTrucks alongside Odyssey’s old paper processes.
“It wasn’t difficult, but it was time consuming,” Grogan acknowledged.
“We had to migrate our information to their site, and they had to learn what systems we were using.”
One of those systems is Acumatica, Odyssey’s new cloud-based enterprise resource planning software, which handles financials, and now is fully integrated with BeyondTrucks, streamlining the exchange of sensitive information— like unique bill-of-lading identifiers— between dispatching and accounting.
“We used to go in and create everything in Acumatica, after making the paper schedule,” Lowenstine said. “Now we can do everything in BeyondTrucks.”
The system also serves as a web-based repository for Odyssey procedures; supplementary details, like customers’ gate codes, order histories, and storage-tank levels; and mission-critical information that keep trucks moving in emergencies.
“We can’t be worried about how we’re going to respond to a crisis,” Grogan said. “We need to be ready to go.”
Quantifiable efficiency gains
For Galland, who teamed with COO Paul Xie to start BeyondTrucks in 2019, enhancing decision-making with realtime data is the primary objective, and their software is simply the vehicle for delivering optimization technology to their growing client base. “We didn’t set out to construct a TMS when we started this company,” Galland said. “But we quickly realized if you just give fleets an algorithm, or decision tool, you will not achieve full adoption.
“So, we had to expand the product and devise an interface that builds trust with the dispatcher, so they accept the recommendations.”
Grogan is taking them in. He already adjusted six long-established routes using BeyondTrucks’ visual dashboard, which consolidates operational intelligence in a user-friendly display. “No matter how much you can keep in your head, there’s a limit to the factors you’ll be able to consider on the front end, and more often than not, you’ll probably forget some small detail that might have influenced your decision,” Grogan said. “So, having all of this information handy, within two or three clicks, is invaluable.”
BeyondTrucks’ system is a high-powered vehicle for delivering advanced optimization tools to dispatchers in the back office, and drivers on the road.
Photos: BeyondTrucks
Fergus Grogan, above, says Odyssey already is getting “better than expected” buy-in from its tank truck drivers, like veteran Ralph Carlini, at left.
Photos: Odyssey Mfg.
Drivers are adapting to the app just as quickly, Grogan added—and the rewards are quantifiable, Galland insisted.
“In the bulk space, we typically see 15-20% gains in efficiency, and that represents a massive amount of value,” he said.
After initially targeting for-hire haulers in the mid-sized range, BeyondTrucks now is unlocking cost-savings and
service-level improvements for private fleets, a segment that is still growing post-pandemic, according to the National Private Truck Council; but often is deficient in data standardiza tion, Galland asserted. “We enable that process through our driver workflows, so that’s what private fleets are zeroing in on,” he relayed. “Yes, they can give ship pers reliable capacity, but they still must
We Build Custom Trucks and Trust.
justify to corporate why it’s important to own a fleet vs. using a common carrier. “Optimization tools can strengthen that message.”
And, as a bonus, they eliminate piles of paper—which supports the C-suite’s ESG initiatives. “We’re happy with the way it works,” Lowenstine concluded. “Software isn’t cheap, but BeyondTrucks is a bargain.” BT
A BeyondTrucks-Acumatica API integration provides a direction connection between logisitcs and accounting for Justine Maville.
Photos: Odyssey Mfg.
The BeyondTrucks team, including Natasha Martinez, at left, and Hans Galland, center, worked closely with Odyssey to tailor its TMS.
Photos: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Back to business
After a year of celebration and uncertainty, industry leaders seek new opportunities at 2026 Annual Conference
By Jason McDaniel
The 80th-anniversary celebrations are over. Now it’s time to get back to business.
That’s the theme for National Tank Truck Carriers leaders heading into the 2026 NTTC Annual Conference after a year of reflection and regulatory uncertainty in the first year of Trump 2.0. The industry benefited from decelerated electric-vehicle adoption timelines and enhanced relationships with Washington officials, but tariff-related planning complications, operational-cost increases, and manufacturing slowdowns exacted a terrible toll on every trucking segment.
“For the tank truck industry, it was not favorable one bit,” said Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO.
“The biggest concerns revolve around tariffs. Everybody was excited about the Big Beautiful Bill, and we still believe tariffs are a negotiating tactic, but now they’re having a very real impact. And that’s on both the commodities we transport and the raw materials that support our industry.
“Ultimately, when you take a look across the industry, there was very little, if any, organic growth in 2025. The new business one carrier may have received was occupying business from a different carrier. So it was just a trade. And unfortunately, what carriers found themselves with were increased costs on everything from compensation and insurance to capex availability, which means less money to reinvest into their operations, whether it be equipment or personnel.”
The association wasn’t spared either, forcing the board to make difficult decisions regarding events and outreach,
Streblow acknowledged. “This association, for the fifth consecutive year, is in a positive place, operationally and financially,” he said. “But, like our members, we faced a challenging year, without a shadow of a doubt. In 2025, everyone used the term uncertainty, so they were cautious in their approach, and from a
The show is at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront hotel.
Photo: Marriott
MBH won a Heil trophy at last year’s event.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
leadership standpoint at National Tank, we didn’t deviate from that. We were cautious. We made tough choices. And we made moves that were beneficial in the end—for our membership and the association.”
Tank Truck Week 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri, still recorded the second-highest attendance in event history, Streblow pointed out. And NTTC hasn’t curtailed its efforts to advance industry causes, bringing in two new staff members (Aesha Beattle, director of meetings, and Jasmile De-Jesus, program manager for policy); meeting with PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti to discuss the agency’s request for information concerning the risks of using heavy-duty electric vehicles in hazardous materials transportation; and planning out an Annual Conference that once again will feature prestigious awards for the segment’s top companies and driver, and invaluable industry-specific insights from subject-matter experts.
“We’re focused on the opportunities,” Streblow said. “How do we protect today for tomorrow? How do we have those important conversations now that are going to positively impact the future? So, you’re going to see a lot of that in the content and people we’re bringing in.”
The 2026 Annual Conference is set for April 20-22 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Workforce, wisdom, and winners
NTTC plans to introduce a new partnership with Wreaths Across America and officially launch the Tank Truck Institute (TTI) at this year’s conference. The non-profit TTI foundation, which will focus on funding workforce iniatives, now features seven board members: Streblow, Gina Anderson, Mark Mirsky, Jim Mullen, Eric Peterson, James Stark, and Lindsey Trent. Additionally, the association will host an opening-night celebration sponsored by the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry (ACT 1), two PAC fundraising events, and a dozen committee meetings; and unveil its 2026 Tank Truck Industry Market Analysis, and the latest Bulk/Tank edition of Cottingham
& Butler’s Compensation and Benefits Benchmark survey.
“Those reports both are back by popular demand,” Streblow affirmed.
After welcoming NFL greats Jimmy Johnson and Terry Bradshaw at last year’s marquee events, the keynote speaker for this year’s Annual Conference is military veteran Ryan Davis, a former Army Ranger who lost both legs and his right arm in battle—but didn’t lose his will to thrive. “He’s a true American hero,” Streblow said. “He has an amazing story, and with the challenging times we’re facing, there’s no one better to motivate us and deliver the message that it isn’t that bad. We will survive.”
NTTC will crown the 2025-26 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year in Baltimore.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Emily Clayton, ATA senior economic analyst, presents the Tank Truck Market report at last year’s NTTC Annual Conference in Tampa.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Trimac’s Lance Hagler, at left, and Florida Rock’s Jim Anderson attend a safety meeting at NTTC’s 2025 Annual Conference. Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
The Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year and North American Safety Awards presentations provide the exclamation point. The Driver of the Year breakfast, which includes the keynote from Davis, starts at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21; and the Safety Awards luncheon—where NTTC will honor two for-hire carriers and one private fleet with Heil trophies—starts at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 22. “You’re talking about the MVP and Super Bowl champions of our industry,” Streblow said. “Those are the marquee events we put on.”
The eight 2025-26 Driver of the Year finalists, who made their way to Arlington, Virginia, in late January for the final round of judging, are Jarrod Alsobrooks (SWTO), Andrew Givens (ADM Trucking), Joseph Hafford (Kenan Advantage Group), Jorge Hernandez (Certified Express, Inc.), Bruce Jones (G&D Trucking/ Hoffman Transportation), Michael Key (Kenan Advantage Group), Anthony
NTTC’s
1985 Younger Brothers, Houston, Texas
1986 Ruan Transport, Des Moines, Iowa
Rocha (Foodliner), and Scott Tempus (Quest Liner).
Previous winners of the Usher trophy include:
• 2013-14: James Starr, Groendyke Transport
• 2014-15: Bobby Weller, Hahn Transportation
• 2015-16: Darryl Nowell, Eagle Transport
• 2016-17: Todd Stine, Carbon Express
• 2017-18: Paul Emerson, Foodliner
• 2018-19: Barbara Herman, K-Limited Carrier
• 2019-20: Program suspended due to pandemic
• 2020-21: Ron Baird, G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation
• 2021-22: Thomas Frain, Highway Transport
• 2022-23: Kenneth Tolliver, G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation
• 2023-24: Dave Powell, Usher Transport
• 2024-25: Mark Schroyer, Grammer Logistics
“These Champion Finalists are all topnotch, high-caliber drivers,” Streblow said. “You have two repeat finalists [Jones and Key] in there, and so many incredible stories about professionalism, their path to the tank truck industry, their motivations, and their inspirations.
“Every one of them deserves to be a Grand Champion.” BT
North American safety champions over the last 40 years
2005 Distribution Technologies (formerly Manfredi), Newbury, Ohio
2006 Miller Transporters, Jackson, Miss.
1987 Manfredi Motor Transit Company, Newbury, Ohio
1988 Boncosky Transportation, Algonquin, Ill.
1989 Enterprise Transportation, Houston, Texas
1990 Groendyke Transport, Enid, Okla.
1991 Groendyke Transport, Enid, Okla.
1992 Manfredi Motor Transit Company, Newbury, Ohio
1993 Manfredi Motor Transit Company, Newbury, Ohio
1994 Roeder Cartage, Lima, Ohio
1995 Manfredi Motor Transit Company, Newbury, Ohio
1996 Matlack, Wilmington, Del.
1997 Manfredi Motor Transit Company, Newbury, Ohio
1998 Transport Service Company, Hinsdale, Ill.
1999 Groendyke Transport, Enid, Okla.
2000 Groendyke Transport, Enid, Okla.
2001 Usher Transport, Louisville, Kentucky
2002 Trimac Transportation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2003 Mission Petroleum Carriers, Houston, Texas
2004 A&R Transport, Joliet, Ill.
2007 Trimac Transportation, Calgary, and Houston, Texas
2008 Jack B. Kelley, Amarillo, Texas
2009 Andrews Logistics, Irving, Texas
2010 A&R Transport, Joliet, Ill.
2011 Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Jacksonville, Fla.
2012 Usher Transport, Louisville, Kentucky
2013 Superior Carriers, Oak Brook, Ill.
2014 Tidewater Transit, Harvison; Wynne Transport, Sutherland
2015 Miller Transporters, Harvison; Carbon Express, Sutherland
2016 Groendyke Transport, Harvison; GLS Transport, Sutherland
2017 Gemini Motor Transport, Harvison; G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation, Sutherland
2018 Groendyke Transport, Harvison; Tandet Logistics, Sutherland
2019 Trimac Transportation, Harvison; G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation, Sutherland
2020 Suttles Truck Leasing, Harvison; LSP Transport, Sutherland
2021 Service Transport Company, Harvison; Lacy’s Express, Sutherland
2022 Tandet Logistics, Harvison; Harmac Transportation, Sutherland; Gemini Motor Transport, private
2023 Groendyke Transport, Harvison; G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation, Sutherland; Gemini Motor Transport, private
2024 Trimac Transportation, Harvison; MBH Trucking, Sutherland; LSP Transport, private
Past chairmen Greg Price, at left, and Hans Schaupp unite at NTTC’s 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa. Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
By Jason McDaniel
Right Price
UPT vice chair reflects on ‘perfect fit’ as association head amid imperfect times
David Price didn’t expect to be here. Growing up, he was more interested in playing baseball and pursuing a career in athletics than participating in the family’s fuel-hauling business, so he never envisioned one day leading United Petroleum Transports—much less becoming the face of the tank truck industry as National Tank Truck Carriers’ 78th chairman of the board.
But this is right where Price is supposed to be.
“Every chairman is different,” said Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO. “So, it is tough to characterize David, but I would say that he has the best interests of the tank truck industry in focus every day. He’s quieter, but very thoughtful, so when he talks, he has valuable insights to share. And he’s done a spectacular job as chairman, coming in during a difficult time, and helping lead our organization while we’re having to make some tough operational decisions.
“He’s been the perfect fit at the perfect time.”
David’s chairmanship is playing out amid historic times, too, and not because of the government shutdown or freight recession, which both set dubious records last year, or the tariff volatility that made planning impossible. On the contrary, this is a period worth celebrating for the Prices. David started
his term as chair—a position previously held by his father, Greg Price— at NTTC’s 80th-anniversary gathering in Tampa, where he succeeded Atlantic Bulk Carrier Vice President Ward Best; and he’s ending it in UPT’s 60th year of operation. “This isn’t a box I’m checking because I had to,” David said. “I didn’t do it because my dad is a prior chair. I wanted to get involved. Then you build relationships, move through the seats, and get exposed to different things, and suddenly you’re at the end of a six-year commitment to the association, wondering, ‘How did this happen?’ But I was raised to recognize my responsibility to give back to the industry that has supported our family for so long.
“So, I see this as a service, not, ‘Oh, look at me.’”
Fuel-hauling legacy
Keith Price, David’s grandfather, founded the carrier in 1966; Greg, who entered
in 1978, now serves as executive chairman; and David, who changed course in 2011—after working in the University of Oklahoma athletic department—rose to executive vice chairman in 2022. After acquiring Florida Rock and Tank Lines in 2023—in the largest transaction in the company’s history—the combined UPTFlorida Rock operation now boasts more than 900 tractors, 1,000 drivers, 1,500 team members, and 30 locations across the South stretching from Las Vegas to Port Everglades, Florida—and ranks as one of the largest for-hire fuel haulers in North America. “It all comes back to the people who got us here,” David reflected.
“It certainly wasn’t just me. I haven’t really been around that long. But it wasn’t just my dad, and it wasn’t just his dad either. It took the combined efforts of many family members, along with hundreds of other employees, and thousands of professional drivers, to get us to this point.”
NTTC named David Price chairman at its 2025 Annual Conference.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
The company focused on fuel from the beginning. As the story goes, Keith was fresh off serving in World War II when his mom told him to get a job or she’d find one for him—which she did, at a local service station. The rest is, well, history. Greg joined Keith after graduating from Oklahoma and formed UPT in 1980. They ran UPT and OTL together until Keith’s death in 1993; and the family finally unified operations under the UPT brand in 2012. Kevin Price, Greg’s younger brother, also spent many years with the company, but David was the only third-generation family member for eight years—until his older brother returned in February.
“Matt spent 10 years in the business before moving to Colorado in 2018 to open a restaurant, but he’s back, and it’s great to have him,” David said. “He’s going to be our vice president of culture and brand strategy, and help us tell our story through our website, newsletters, and branding—and our 60th-anniversary celebrations. As we continue to grow, we want to maintain a family culture, and that message carries a lot of weight when it comes from a family member.”
Connecting to the future
Unlike his brother, Matt did immerse himself in the business as kid. “He was the one running the hallways and working odd jobs in the summer,” David recalled. “You might have seen me at a Christmas party. But that’s because I was always playing sports and going to camps.” When David decided he’d rather help grow UPT than someone else’s sports team, he started as a dispatcher at UPT’s Houston office—and ended up staying after meeting wife Jessica, the president of Palletized Trucking, through the Texas Trucking Association’s Emerging Leaders Council.
Price spent five years as chief operating before assuming his current role in 2022, when UPT hired Matt Herndon as president, making him the first non-family member in leadership. As executive vice chairman, David now focuses on
building relationships with employees, customers, and vendors, and serving as the company’s voice at the association level. And he took the same approach into his tenure as NTTC chair, aiming to strengthen connections with NTTC staff and members—while helping ensure the association moves forward.
Before handing the reins to incoming chair Jeremy Mairs, president and CEO of Cox Petroleum, David took time to talk to Bulk Transporter for our annual “State of the Industry” address, covering everything from Trump 2.0, electric tank trucks, and technology adoption to stepping outside his comfort zone. Questions and answers are edited for space and clarity.
Bulk Transporter: What has this year been like for you?
David: “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s great to have more frequent interactions with the staff. I always knew the NTTC staff is good, but this past year solidified how well run our association is. Everyone knows their role. I met with each one of them right after the Annual Conference, just to get to know them, and everybody was very clear about what they do and why they do it. And it was very comforting to know they didn’t need me every day, and Ryan and Moira [Smith, NTTC VP of finance and administration] are great partners to spearhead this organization.
“So, it’s been rewarding, and certainly
NTTC Chairman David Price, at left, stands with NTTC President and CEO Ryan Streblow during a trip to Beloit, Wisconsin for the opening of STE’s new manufacturing facility.
Photo: NTTC
David Price visits with Diane Hendricks, at right, during a tour of STE’s tank trailer plant.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
an honor to represent this industry and our family of companies.”
BT: What did you learn from your father that is helping you as an industry leader?
David: “I learned to question everything, or at least analyze and inspect every detail. That doesn’t mean always distrusting people or the information given to you. It just means, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, or question why. Why do we do this? What’s this for? What’s the purpose? Those questions force people to think outside the box. And if I ever hear, ‘This is what we’ve always done,’ then we need to reevaluate, because every decision needs a purpose.”
BT: Have you had to step outside your comfort zone as NTTC chairman?
David: “Am I more reserved than Ward? Yeah, that’s obvious. I don’t have a voice that travels like his, or my dad’s. I always joke that my voice travels 4 or 5 feet in front of me, then dissipates, whereas my dad can whisper in the back of the room, and the person on stage can hear him fine—and so can everyone else. I didn’t get that, but that’s OK. I’ve had people asking if I’m enjoying myself, or if I’m uncomfortable, all my life, and I’m like, ‘No, I’m good.’ Do I love having the bright lights shining on my bald head? Not necessarily. I remember the first time I took the stage, I was shaking like a leaf, honestly. But I’m also a firm believer in continuing education and personal growth, so I’ve really enjoyed the challenge. And now I can lean on these experiences the next time I have an opportunity to speak in public.”
BT: You didn’t join the family business until you were 26. Fifteen years later, can you see yourself doing anything else?
David: “Both our grandfathers [David’s and Jessica’s] were older than us when they started their businesses, which are still thriving decades later. So, in theory, could I go in a different direction? Yeah, I could. But do I see myself doing that? No. I have a lot of fun most days. Every day isn’t fun. Let’s not kid ourselves. But as long as the good days, and the
people I get to work with, outweigh the struggles, and the risks we take every day, I’m here to stay.”
BT: How did bringing in Herndon alter the company’s trajectory?
David: “Matt certainly brought us a different viewpoint on where we could take this business. My dad would probably say he gave us the energy we needed to achieve what we set out to achieve, and we’ve done that in the last three and half years since he joined. So, he’s helped us make the organizational changes that were needed. His presence has really revitalized us, and helped us get to the next level, grow the platform, and create more opportunities for people to join our business.”
BT: How do you see the current state of the tank truck industry?
David: “Big picture, the industry is still waiting for a turn. It’s like a big ship that’s slowly turning around. It’s not a hockey stick. It’s a big ‘U’ where we’re seeing signs of coming out of a multi-year trough, but people don’t know whether to believe it or not. Most of them probably don’t because everyone thought 2025 was going to be the year, and then tariffs hit, or the talk of tariffs, and the different changes that caused indecision; and that volatility still exists in our market. And so, until
we see consistency in the turnaround, it’ll be hard for people to believe it’s real—but I believe it’s coming. It has to. It always does. And the companies that are best positioned and prepared are the ones that will succeed when it finally happens.”
BT: Is the tank truck space still a good segment to be in?
David: “In terms of trucking, yes. We’re a little more insulated from economic pressures. But none of us are immune to rising insurance, service-provider, and labor costs. Everything keeps going up in an already-tight market, which is why we saw a number of closures last year, despite a quieter M&A market. So, we’ll see how 2026 shakes out, but I believe M&A activity will increase.”
BT: What are the greatest challenges for the industry right now?
David: “Insurance costs are up there. That’s hurting a lot of people. We’re in a risky business, but the increases have been substantial over the last few years, and I don’t see it slowing down. And there’s still a shortage of quality drivers. It’s not the hot topic now, but it’s still under the covers, and when freight turns around, we’ll be talking about it again. We’ve made strides with labor, and the next generation, but we still have a long way to go, so that’s another concern of mine.”
UPT leadership includes, from left to right, Chairman Greg Price, President Matt Herndon, and Vice Chairman David Price. Photo: UPT
BT: Chemical haulers were hit hard in 2025. How did fuel haulers fare?
David: “If the interest rates drop, people will buy more goods, and that will help all of us. They’ll invest more in building, whether it’s residential or industrial, and that drives everything else. And for us, the price of crude controls everything. It was stuck around $60 for months, almost like trading stopped. But it’s been creeping up a little bit, and I think there’s a sweet spot for everybody involved, because the price of crude not only impacts drilling, but everything else a barrel of crude can help produce. I believe we’d be in a good spot between $70 and $80, or somewhere around there. If it goes above $80, things start to get too pricey.”
BT: How would you grade the first year of Trump 2.0?
David: “That’s a loaded question. From an association standpoint, we have great relationships with people at different regulatory agencies, even at the EPA, which nobody would have thought possible two years ago. But relationships don’t sign our checks. So, with everything else going on in and outside the country, it’s tough to give a fair grade. Looking at it with my industry glasses on, I’d be nice to say a ‘B.’ It wasn’t a total flop, but it wasn’t a home run either. So, I’d give a passing grade and say let’s move on to the next year.”
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
BT: Is forced electric-vehicle adoption still a concern for the industry?
David: “For us, EVs make no sense at all. And not using them makes all the sense in the world. And not just from a power-source perspective—it’s a safety issue. There are so many other applications where electric trucks make sense, so we don’t need to use a broad brush. They have a place at the table, but a lot of other alternative fuel sources do, too. It’s just, how big is the chair? I think
that’ll all work itself out, but we need a plan beyond forcing everyone to use EVs, especially people pulling aluminum tanks filled with flammable liquids.”
BT: Given the state of the market, and evolving economics, has technology adoption reached a tipping point?
David: “It makes sense. The tank sector is forward-leaning toward various safety technologies, aside from driverless trucks, but it tends to be a little behind the curve when it comes to adopting non-safety-focused technologies in the trucking space. And there are differing opinions on why that’s the case. But as adoption occurs, and the ball starts rolling, it has a snowball effect. That can still be a bad effect if you don’t manage it well. You can have too much technology and data overload, and then you have all this information you’re paying for but not utilizing. But in 2026 and beyond, leveraging technology is the only way anybody will survive. The best companies out there today, in any segment, really are just tech companies. And if you do it right, it can make you operate more efficiently—but it should be the lower-cost solution in the long run.”
Past NTTC Chairman Ward Best, ABC vice president, at left, shares a laugh with David Price during the association’s 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida.
UPT helped the National Motor Freight Traffic Association show how criminals can hack into a tank trailer’s anti-lock braking system during a 2023 cybersecurity conference.
Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporterr
EQUIPMENT NEWS
MAC Liquid Tank Trailer rebrands as MAC Trailer
The MAC Liquid Tank Trailer (LTT) brand is going away.
After a merger in late 2025, the tanker line now is part of MAC Trailer Enterprises and no longer a standalone company, MAC reported. The manufacturer will phase out the LTT logo “gradually” and align liquid bulk people, products, and facilities under the MAC Trailer umbrella going forward.
The rebrand unifies MAC operations across all locations, including the tank trailer manufacturing plants in Ohio, Michigan, and Montana.
“MAC LTT changed the liquid tank trailer industry, and we are excited to continue the legacy of innovation as we grow together,”
Bill McKenzie, MAC Trailer president of sales, said in a news release. “This alignment allows us to better serve our customers by bringing additional resources, expanded support, and a more unified approach to the market.”
The transition expands MAC Trailer’s offerings to include liquid tanks for the refined fuel, chemical, and food-grade sectors.
“This is a positive step for customers,” said Matt Niemeier, MAC director of liquid tank trailer products. “By aligning under MAC Trailer, we are creating a stronger platform to support long-term product quality, consistency, and service across the liquid tank market.”
Kraft Tank partners with Trail King
Kraft Tank is expanding its offerings to include heavy-haul equipment through a new partnership with Trail King that makes Kraft an authorized Trail King dealer in Kansas City and Oklahoma City. Additionally, Kraft will provide warranty service for Trail King customers in Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Houston; and parts distribution in Odessa, Texas, and New Jersey.
“This is an investment in our customers’ uptime,” Kraft CEO Spencer Kraft said in a news release. “Trail King builds a strong product, and we’re building the resources behind it, from spec guidance to service and long-term support. The goal is simple: make it easier for customers to keep moving.”
■ Trail King equipment available through Kraft includes:
■ Hydraulic detachable gooseneck (TKHDG)
■ Sliding axle (TKSA)
■ Detachable gooseneck (TKMG-HG)
■ Large tilt trailers (TKTLP)
■ Utility tilt (TKTU)
■ Hydraulic tail (TKHT)
For Trail King, the partnership strengthens access and support in the region. “We are excited to partner with Kraft Tank, a respected dealer organization, to expand sales and enhance support for Trail King customers in the Kansas City and Oklahoma City markets,” said Eric Thomas, Trailer King sales director.
“We look forward to the continued growth and success this partnership will deliver.”
Now, with authorized dealer capability paired with warranty service and a multi-location parts footprint, Kraft and Trailer King customers can work through one team for selection, ordering, and post-delivery work.
“In heavy haul, the details matter, especially strength and deck height,” said Jeremy Capra, Kraft chief revenue officer. “Trail King builds for that. We’re excited to make it easier for customers to get the right trailer and to support it with the Kraft service and parts network.”
Tremcar grows distribution network
Tremcar appointed Post Leasing & Sales as an official distributor in a new partnership that further strengthens Tremcar’s presence in the U.S. market, and its ability to serve clients in the Southeast.
This agreement is the latest in a series of 2025 moves designed to enhance the Canadian tank trailer manufacturer’s ability to serve U.S. customers. Tremcar partnered with Kentucky-based distributor Mid America Trailers last February; California-based equipment tanker equipment specialist BigDuty in April; dealers Elite Trailer Sales & Service in Tennessee and Universal Truck Service in Minnesota, both in May; and acquired Pacific Truck Tank in October.
Post Leasing, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been a trusted name in the transportation industry since 1965. The company specializes in used and pre-owned fuel trucks, tanks, and trailers, offering an extensive inventory that includes well-known brands such as International, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Sterling, and Freightliner. Their available stock ranges from newer models—such as a 2023 International with an aluminum tank—to older, reliable equipment like a 2002 Sterling with a 5300×4 aluminum tank.
“We are thrilled to welcome Post Leasing & Sales into the Tremcar family as an official distributor,” said Daniel Tremblay, Tremcar president. “Their longstanding history, market knowledge, and commitment to customer service make them an ideal partner for Tremcar. Together, we will better serve customers in Tennessee and across the Southeastern U.S.”
In addition to equipment sales, Post Leasing offers customization services tailored to unique customer needs. Services include plumbing, meters/registers, hoses, paint, and full branding packages, including company logos. The company also assists clients in selling fuel trucks, tanks, and trailers, while providing expertise in helping customers find or build fuel tanker trucks that best meet their operational requirements. To streamline the process, Post Leasing also operates a mobile app for inventory management and customer interaction.
The MAC Liquid Tank Trailer brand is going away and MAC’s liquid and dry bulk tank trailers now will run under the MAC Trailer name after a late 2025 merger. Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Defensive posture: Heil Trailer scales up with $9.8M Athens investment
Heil Trailer International is expanding its manufacturing operations in Athens, Tennessee, as part of a $9.8 million investment after securing a new 10-year contract to produce Tactical Fuel Distribution System (TFDS) trailers for the U.S. Army. The project will include the construction of warehousing space, stateof-the-art automated paint and welding systems, a testing area, and an expanded welding and training school; and create 18 jobs for technicians.
The trailer manufacturer’s Heil Trailer Defense team also hosted a low-rate initial production event in conjunction with the announcement from Tennessee’s economic development agency that featured Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, National Tank Truck Carriers President and CEO Ryan Streblow, and Army Lt. Col. Michael White. Ryan Rockafellow, CEO at Heil parent EnTrans International, said the company expects to
produce more than 2,100 TFDS petroleum refueling tankers for “warfighters” over the life of the contract.
“Heil Trailer Defense has been building equipment for the U.S. military for the past 40 years and we are just getting started,” Rockafellow said in a LinkedIn post.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announcement generated praise from several national and state officials, including Sen. Adam Lowe, Rep. Mark Cochran, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who said Heil’s decision underscores why the state is “leading the nation” as the best place to live, work, and raise a family. “I look forward to this company’s continued success and the lasting impact this project will have on our Southeast region,” Lee said in a news release.
Heil, which this year is celebrating its 125th anniversary, produces approximately 50% of all tankers in the U.S., according
to the release. “I’m proud Heil Trailer has made yet another investment in our workforce and will continue its presence in our community that has existed for 48 years,” McMinn County Mayor John Gentry said.
Cochran said the manufacturer’s latest investment will contribute to Tennessee’s “booming automotive and transportation sectors.” Rockafellow thanked the city, county and state for their support; and called the TFDS project a “milestone initiative” in its partnership with the Army and Athens.
“The TFDS program represents a monumental win for Heil Trailer, EnTrans, and the Athens community, aligning directly with the Army Transformation Initiative to deliver critical capabilities to soldiers rapidly, at scale, and affordably,” Rockafellow concluded. “In support of this mission, Heil Trailer is expanding its Athens facility to ensure TFDS orders are produced on time and on budget.”
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Heil Trailer marks 125 years of industry leadership
Heil Trailer is marking its 125th anniversary in 2026. The Engineered Transportation International subsidiary—which joined Canadian holding company TerraVest Industries in March 2025—will be promoting the milestone throughout the year, including a commemorative logo and an update to its website, which includes a tradeshow calendar and other anniversary elements, the company reported.
Heil’s story began in 1901, when Julius Heil established the Heil Rail Joint Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By 1902, the company was already innovating, manufacturing the first riveted oil tank.
Today, Heil remains a worldwide leader in tank trailer solutions, driving the industry forward with cutting-edge innovations and a core commitment to safety. Engineered to meet the most stringent region- and load-specific requirements in 85 countries worldwide, its petroleum, dry bulk, stainless steel, crude and asphalt trailers are backed by an extensive dealer network.
“It’s incredibly rare for a company to survive and thrive for 125 years, so this anniversary is a true testament to Heil’s customer focus and the premium, enduring performance of our products,” EnTrans CEO Ryan Rockafellow said. “I thank our dedicated team
and valued customers who’ve helped us advance the transportation industry and introduce innovations that enhance safety, efficiency, and security. Key Heil innovations include:
■ First electrically welded compartmental tank in the mid-1920s
■ First stainless-steel milk hauling tank in 1927
■ First fully welded aluminum tank truck in 1930
■ First tank with a fully streamlined design in 1934
■ Heil trailerized tank in 1935
■ First trailerized train in 1950
■ First titanium transport in 1981
■ First trailer with low center of gravity in 1989
■ West Coast Truck & Pull and 102-in.-wide SuperFlo in 1997
■ Production began for Aero JET 1040 in 2011
■ Launch of purpose-built Aluminum DOT 407 petro chemical trailers in 2012
■ Juarez facility approved for production of DOT 400 series cargo tanks in 2013
■ Launch of Fleet Duty petroleum trailers in 2017
■ LightGUARD safety enhancements introduced to the market in 2021
■ Tank Ai, a suite of advanced technologies that enhance fleet management and safety,
■ introduced in 2022
■ Planned expansion into the liquid hydrogen market in 2026
FMCSA renews NTTC, Grote brake lamp exemptions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officially renewed the pulsating brake lamp exemptions granted to National Tank Truck Carriers and Grote Industries following the end of the record-long government shutdown and reopening of the Office of the Federal Register.
The agency published both notices Nov. 17, 2025.
NTTC’s five-year exemption, originally granted Oct. 8, 2020, allows motor carriers operating tank trailers to use a red or amber brake-activated pulsating lamp positioned in the upper center position or in an upper dual outboard position on the rear of trailers. The renewal runs through Oct. 8, 2030. Grote’s exemption, originally approved Dec. 7, 2020, allows motor carriers to use Grote’s amber brake-activated auxiliary pulsating lamp on the rear of their commercial motor vehicles. The renewal is good through Dec. 2, 2030. Both exemptions only authorize carriers to use the pulsating brake lamps in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
FMCSA received 15 public comments on NTTC’s exemption-renewal request—13 in support of the exemption, one opposing it, and one that misunderstood the application, the agency reported. Gemini Motor Transport, Oakley Transport, Island Transportation, and ADM Trucking all reported reductions in rear-end collisions and improved visibility after equipping their fleets with pulsating brake lamps. ADM specifically noted that positive results from early adoption across 100 units led to fleetwide installation being considered.
■ March 10-13, 2026
National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Week, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. worktruckweek.com
■ March 16-19, 2026
ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, Music City Center, Nashville, Tenn. trucking.org/events
■ March 26-28, 2026
Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky. truckingshow.com
■ April 14-16, 2026
M-Pact Fuel and Convenience Tradeshow, Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. m-pact.org
■ April 19-22, 2026
National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibits, Baltimore, Md. tanktruck.org
■ April 28-30, 2026
NISTM’s 28th Annual International Aboveground Storage Tank Conference & Trade Show, Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, Orlando, Fla. nistm.org
■ April 2026
EVENT CALENDAR
International Milk Haulers Association (IMHA) Annual Conference, Gila River Wild Horse Pass, Chandler, Ariz. milkhauler.org
■ May 4-7, 2026
Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Conference and Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. actexpo.com
■ May 31-June 3, 2026
Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC), Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center, Williamsburg, Va. eufmc.com
■ June 8-10, 2026
2025 Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo, Henry B. Gonzalez Conventer Center, San Antonio, Texas sw-expo.com
■ September 13-19, 2026
ATA’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week trucking.org/events
■ September 20-24, 2026
ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition (TMCSuperTech), David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. trucking.org/events
■ September 20-24, 2026
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Annual Conference and Exhibition, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Orlando, Fla. cvsa.org/events
■ September 27-30, 2026
National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2026 Tank Truck Week, Oklahoma City, Okla. tanktruck.org
■ October 6-9, 2026
NACS Show 2026, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. convenience.org
■ October 6-9, 2026
Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) Convention at NACS Show 2026, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. pei.org/convention
■ October 17-20, 2026
ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition (MCE), Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C. trucking.org/events
■ October 2026
International Milk Haulers Association (IMHA) Leadership Summit, TBD milkhauler.org
■ November 9-11, 2026
SIGMA Annual Conference, Hollywood, Fla. sigma.org
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Fleets
Kevin Roycraft recently stepped down as CEO and president of Adams Resources and Energy following its successful privatization and the sale of its Service Transport Company chemical division to Trimac Transportation, both in 2025. Tres Energy agreed to acquire Adams and its affiliates for approximately $138.9 million in November 2024 in an all-cash transaction that delisted the company’s shares from the NYSE American stock exchange. Adams still retains control of Firebird Bulk Carriers and Gulfmark Energy. Roycraft previously served as Service Transport president before taking on additional responsibilities in 2020.
as Murry’s successor. Murry began his Martin tenure in 1988 as Berry Petroleum plant manager and transferred to Martin Transport in 1999. His career also included 11 years with Crystal Oil and many years of active membership with National Tank Truck Carriers and American Trucking Associations.
Eagle Transport recently promoted Bridgette Martin to operations manager at its Spartanburg terminal in South Carolina and welcomed back Martin Lukes as the terminal manager in Greensboro, North Carolina. Martin, who joined Eagle in October 2024, brings a wealth of industry experience, having previously served at Tidewater Transit and Dana Transport, where she developed a deep understanding of logistics coordination, driver support, and safety compliance. Lukes first joined Eagle in 1997 and served as a driver, dispatcher, operations manager, and terminal manager in Greensboro, Orlando, and Tampa before leaving in 2010. He spent time with Wilco Hess, Florida Rock and Tank Lines, and Speedway before returning to Eagle.
Joe Kogut recently joined global ISO tank operator EXSIF as an accounts manager for the Americas. Kogut previously served as director of transportation at CBSL Transportation Services before joining The Jack Olsta Company in 2022 as the CEO of sister company Tank Works. Kogut gives EXSIF more than 30 years of leadership experience across operations, sales, transport, tank cleaning, and facility management.
G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation recently hired Nick Stoutenburg as vice president of business development. Stoutenburg brings nearly 15 years of experience from Dow, where he served in a variety of supply chain roles, including senior logistics manager within Dow’s packaging and specialty plastics business.
Johnnie Murry, who most recently served as Martin Midstream Partners’ senior vice president of land transportation, retired Dec. 31 after a 49-year career, including 38 years with Martin companies. Martin promoted John Scott to serve
McCoy Group recently appointed Jon Sarrazin as the president of its transportation division, making his responsible for all of the group’s North American transport companies, including Foodliner and Quest Liner. Sarrazin joined the company in 2022 as president of Quest Liner. The following year, he added oversight of Foodliner and Quest Liner’s international operations to his duties. Prior to joining McCoy, Sarrazin spent nearly 13 years at John Deere in positions of increasing responsibility across multiple functions and geographies. Sarrazin succeeds Greg McCoy, who will continue in his role as McCoy president and CEO.
Quality Carriers recently added Jose F. Acevedo as vice president of its Quality Depot Solutions (QDS) business. Acevedo brings more than a decade of experience in the logistics industry, including leadership roles in sales, operations, and business development, with previous stops at Boasso and Gantrade. He will oversee all aspects of QDS, including planning, development, implementation, maintenance, customer service, compliance, and financial performance.
Trimac Transportation recently welcomed Simon Roberts as its new director of investigation and learning. With more than two decades of global experience across mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, and regulatory environments—including stints with ConcoPhillips and ExxonMobil—Roberts brings expertise in incident investigation and building learning cultures. Simon will oversee Trimac’s investigation playbook, lead and coach high-consequence investigations, ensure strong evidence capture, and turn findings into actionable recommendations.
Associations
National Tank Truck Carriers recently welcomed Aesha Beattle as director of meetings and Jasmile De-Jesus as program manager for policy. Beattle joins NTTC as a staff member after supporting the association as a contracted partner for several years. She will lead the planning and execution of NTTC’s meetings, conferences, and professional gatherings. De-Jesus will support the association’s policy and regulatory affairs efforts, working on federal legislative and regulatory issues impacting the tank truck industry. Beattle
Roycraft
Martin
Sarrazin
Kogut
Stoutenburg
Murry
Acevedo Roberts
Lukes
De-Jesus
Scan QR for President Trump’s Congratulatory Video Message during STE’s Grand Opening