Bulk Transporter - July/August 2024

Operational insights for the bulk logistics industry

NTTC Annual Conference Report

Industry celebrates safety, advances causes in Vegas Page 10

NTTC chairmen Best and Evans

• Familiar faces win 2023 Heil trophies

Page 15

• Usher driver claims

Usher DOY award

Page 20

Progress is about MOVING FORWARD.

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DRIVERS

Champion finalist reflects on empowering journey

An inside look at Highway Transport driver’s DOY experience in Las Vegas.

BulkTransporter.com/55042372

SAFETY

Lytx identifies safety risks with new ‘State of the Data’

Video safety provider’s latest report illuminates issues for fleets to monitor.

BulkTransporter.com/55054950

Bulk Transporter

VP/Market Leader

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Keeping you at the top of the food chain.

For Reynolds Nationwide, Polar Tank Trailer continues to engineer lowcenter-of-gravity trailers with the industry’s lightest-weight designs to deliver unmatched durability for hauling a wide range of food-grade products and boost their bottom line. “The longevity, versatility and ruggedness of the Polar trailers allow us to run different products when needed through extreme conditions of snow, ice and desert. For our kind of business, there’s no comparison to the number of miles per dollar we get. In the end, it all adds up on our bottom line.”

NTTC working hard on workforce initiatives

Jason McDaniel Editor

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Efforts to expand apprenticeship, branding campaign continue, and those who stand in the way should hide

Bailey Glendenning Stark, CEO of Glendenning Brothers and chairman of National Tank Truck Carriers’ Workforce and Young Executive committees, delivered updates on NTTC’s branding campaign and Tank Truck Apprenticeship program during the 2024 Annual Conference. And it’s no surprise she recently voiced her frustration with lease-purchase abusers to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Truck Leasing Task Force after learning how much works goes into those critical initiatives.

Shipper relationships and pricey equipment “insulate” the tank truck space from bad-actor carriers, but lease-operator abuse in other sectors still hurts bulk haulers, suppressing load rates, driving up insurance premiums, and chasing potential tank truck driver candidates out of the industry, argues James Stark, an attorney with Frame Zeller (visit BulkTransporter.com/55056464 to read more); and anything that hinders Bailey’s extensive efforts to expand the driver pool for all bulk haulers is bound to draw her ire.

To advance the apprenticeship program, which the Department of Labor officially recognized in April 2022, NTTC next needs to establish a non-profit organization, tentatively named the Tank Truck Institute, to help fund the initiative, and appoint its board of directors, with proposed members including Bailey as executive director; Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO; Stark as attorney; Lindsey Trent, president of the Next Generation in Trucking Association; and David Guess, Usher Transport CFO.

Once the new business materializes, the Internal Revenue Service must authorize the entity—a process that takes six to 18 months. In the meantime, the committee will continue to develop the curriculum, website, promotional materials, and logo; and begin working on grant applications, Bailey reported.

Additionally, the institute will help fund NTTC’s branding campaign going forward.

The six-month pilot, which expired March 31, drove 170,327 new users to the gotanktruck.com website with a cost per visitor of $1.62, reached over 3.8 million unique devices in the Chicago- and Houston area test markets, and generated over 19 million impressions and 5,124 leads, which are defined as an outbound click to a member site—SVTN, Schneider, and Love’s saw the most traffic—or a career quiz submission. But the marketing push that fueled those results ended with the pilot, so NTTC aims to secure grant funding to back a full-year, national rollout of its “See yourself in a tank truck” campaign.

Without advertising support, NTTC expects a decline in website traffic, landing page visits, and member site clicks, Bailey warned.

She also said NTTC needs to play the “long game” to truly reap the workforce rewards.

“This is like the ‘Got Milk?’ thing,” she said. “We’re not selling a specific brand of milk. We’re just trying to raise awareness for milk.”

The campaign’s success also depends on member awareness, so it’s important to ensure recruiters, human resources personnel, talent acquisition, and other internal divisions know these creative assets exist, added Will Lusk, NTTC director of education and government relations. And those who don’t support the association’s efforts to find new tank truckers likely will end up on Bailey’s bad side, too.

“The material that has been developed is outstanding,” Lusk said. “Countless hours have been invested … [so] it’s a very well-thought-out, well-researched product.

“But it’s going to be worthless if nothing is done with it.” BT

INDUSTRY NEWS

Highway Transport claims ACC Responsible Care award

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

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

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

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

The Partner Company of the Year award recognizes the superb performance and safety record of companies involved in the distribution, transportation, storage, use, treatment, disposal and/or sales and marketing of chemicals, ACC said. The other 2024 winners are Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals in Houston and Total Quality Logistic in Cincinnati.

“Being a leading example of safety in an industry where responsibility and sustainability matters is an emphasis for Highway Transport,” Lusby said.

“Our entire Highway Transport family celebrates this important achievement in 2024.”

ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company (large-size category) and FMC Corporation (medium-size category) won the Responsible Care Company of the Year awards; and Indorama Ventures (medium) and Nisus Corporation (small) secured the association’s Responsible Care Initiative of the Year awards.

“The principles of Responsible Care are fundamental to how we operate at ExxonMobil, so it’s an honor to receive this award for the third consecutive year,” Karen McKee, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company president, said in a news release. “This reflects the extraordinary dedication of our teams around the world who are continuously working to improve our safety and environmental performance. We are committed to creating sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet so-

ciety’s evolving needs in ways that help protect people, the environment, and the communities where we operate.”

Additionally, ACC recognized organizations with exemplary performance in product safety, facility safety, waste minimization, reuse and recycling, and energy efficiency.

Eagle Transport Corporation won an award for its corporate waste minimization and beneficial reuse project, and Quantix secured four facility awards (export, dry bulk transportation, in-plant services, and liquid transportation) for companies with significant achievements in employee health and safety performance.

“Responsible Care isn’t just a commitment—our companies and employees are taking meaningful actions to drive safety and sustainability, setting a standard of performance for the entire industry to aspire to,” said Chris Jahn, ACC president and CEO. “Our 2024 award winners serve as beacons of excellence in fostering a culture of safety and promoting the health and safety of people, communities, and the planet.”

From left to right are Mitchell Toomey, ACC VP of sustainability and Responsible Care; Rick Lusby, Highway Transport VP of safety and fleet services; Travis O’Banion, Highway Transport managing director of safety and sustainability; and Chris Jahn, ACC president and CEO.

Photo: Highway Transport

KAG Logistics secures supplier honor

Novus International recently presented American PetroLog, part of Kenan Advantage Group’s KAG Logistics team, with its 2023 Key Supplier of the Year award.

Logistics coordinator Melody Sumrall and national account executive Cedric Brown accepted the award on the group’s behalf, KAG reported.

“When chicken feed season hits, Mel and Cedric work around the clock, making sure the team at Novus is well-stocked throughout North America,” Bailey Bobbitt, American PetroLog vice president, stated in a news release.

Novus shared its thanks, saying KAG Logistics’ service “is critical to the success and reputation of our company as a reliable supplier.”

ABC driver wins VTA safety award

The Virginia Trucking Association recently named Atlantic Bulk Carrier’s Erik Josephson its 2024 Safety Professional of the Year.

Josephson, the carrier’s lead trainer, earned the VTA recognition for his 20 years of service at Atlantic Bulk as a driver, terminal manager, recruiter, and integral part of the tank truck carrier’s safety department.

“This award celebrates Erik’s unwavering dedication to safety, consistent pursuit of excellence, and steadfast support for drivers,” Dale Bennett, president and CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association, said in a news release.

“His invaluable efforts significantly contribute to Atlantic Bulk Carrier’s consistently outstanding safety record and the VTA’s efforts to promote safe driving with the motoring public.”

Josephson began his career with Atlantic Bulk in January 2000 as a company driver. He spent several years delivering liquid and dry products for the Providence Forge, Virginia-based carrier before leaving to pursue independent ownership. Josephson brought his truck back during a period when Atlantic Bulk contracted with owner-operators and then sold his truck and returned as a company driver and trainer.

Josephson’s experience led to a role in operations, and he then helped establish and run a terminal in South Carolina before returning to Virginia.

“Erik is what I like to call a ‘utility player,’” said J. Ward Best, Atlantic Bulk vice president and newly elected National Tank Truck Carriers chairman.

“He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that we try to use throughout our company.”

Josephson helped develop the current driver training manual used by Atlantic Bulk and remains active as a driver trainer, delivering products and providing on-site training. He also collaborates with the safety department to review crashes and violations and serves as the primary contact for recruiting.

Savage acquires butane blender Texon

Savage recently acquired Texon, a Houston-based midstream provider of butane blending and energy marketing.

The addition of Texon and its team, which will continue to operate under its legacy brand, “significantly” bolsters Savage’s existing energy business, the company reported.

“With the acquisition of Texon, we’re adding an excellent team with deep expertise and an outstanding reputation in the energy space,” Kirk Aubry, Savage president and CEO, said in a news release. “We see tons of opportunities to drive value for our customers through our combined teams, assets, and services.

“We’re excited to welcome the Texon team to Savage and continue to connect end-to-end supply chains.”

Founded in 1989, Texon is a pioneer of blending butane into finished gasoline and holds patent rights around the world, Savage said. Texon’s proprietary blending systems are customized to test gasoline and optimally blend butane and other natural gas liquids to meet finished product quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. Its systems are designed for use in pipelines, depots/terminals, marine docks, and truck loading racks. Texon does business across the continental U.S. and has begun introducing butane blending expertise into the international marketplace.

Savage’s infrastructure business supports the energy industry by providing multi-modal transportation and logistics solutions and assets for electricity generation, oil and gas production and refining, and liquid renewable fuels refining. The company operates over 50 rail-connected transload terminals across North America through its Savage transload network.

“When we decided to pursue a sale, we set an important goal that we’d only consider potential buyers who would invest in the business and provide opportunities for our team to grow and thrive,” said Terry Looper, Texon founder and retiring CEO. “We believe Savage is committed to growing Texon’s business in the right way, with excellent leadership, strategy, and resources that will ensure a bright future for our team members and customers.”

Photo: KAG

Photo: ABC

Sphere of influence

Tank truckers visit Las Vegas to celebrate safety, advance industry causes

By Jason McDaniel

LAS VEGAS—Familiar faces and industry issues commanded attention at National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2024 Annual Conference at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where 543 attendees gathered within sight of the new Sphere venue to celebrate three repeat winners of NTTC’s for-hire carrier and private-fleet safety championships and advance efforts to fight “unreasonable” zero-emission vehicle deadlines and find more tank truck drivers.

The latter is boosting bulk buy-in— and sending the association to all-new heights.

NTTC bolstered membership for the second straight year, adding 43 total members in fiscal year 2023, and increased its investment balance to a record $5.86 million going into the fourday event, which ran May 4-7.

“Your association is strong,” Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO, said

during his address to NTTC’s board of directors.

“We have a firm foundation, and we continue to build on our success.”

The association grew despite uncertainties in the market and political landscape, with new members like Stevens Transport, Irving Oil, Continental Tank Lines, Thorntons, Hagen Johnson, and Caledonia Haulers helping add 1,340 power units to its representation—and

NTTC needs all the strength it can muster, Streblow said.

“We have an administration that is looking to push its agenda on you, overregulate you, and promote unobtainable EPA standards,” he said. “They’ve gotten into this process of continuing to hand out free money across the board, they’ve yet to successfully address inflation, they’re restricting employer control, increasing salary thresholds for “white-collar” exemptions, and declaring that non-compete clauses are unfair and in violation of the FTC [Federal Trade Commission] Act.

“Though it is not tank specific, that’s an issue we really need to address.”

Streblow also called out Washington’s lack of border control, which he said is fueling national security concerns and

Photo: Matt Ferguson

delaying commodity and equipment crossings, and the upcoming exodus of Congressmen, with 53 retirements announced as of May 7. Newly elected NTTC chairman J. Ward Best agreed with Streblow’s assessment, but insisted tank truckers still can win, if they stick together. “Our industry is at a critical moment in time,” he said. “We face a continued shortage of drivers, we have a regulatory body that’s running wild in Washington D.C.—primarily with zero-emissions timelines and the push toward electrification of our trucks— and on top of that, we get a national election later this year.

“Despite that, I am optimistic about what’s coming up. I’m very hopeful—and

The startling new Sphere music and entertainment venue in Las Vegas made for a majestic background during the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference.

a large part of the reason for that is this association.”

NTTC also coronated Usher Transport’s Dave Powell as the 10th Driver of the Year at this year’s Annual Conference; delivered the latest economic updates from Bob Costello, American Trucking Associations’ chief economist, and Kim Beck, vice president of benefits consulting at Cottingham & Butler; and welcomed several new guest presenters, including Drōv Technologies’ Bob Davis, Roland Berger’s Walter Rentzsch and Rishi Iyengar, and inspirational keynote speaker Ben Newman.

The 2025 NTTC Annual Conference is set for April 22-24, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.

NTTC appoints 77th chairman Best, vice president of Atlantic Bulk Carrier, officially succeeded Herb Evans, Eagle Transport Corporation vice chairman, as NTTC chairman during the Annual Conference.

Past chair Rob Sandlin, president and CEO of Florida Rock & Tank Lines, presented Ward as the association’s 77th chairman during the board of directors meeting, where he also helped Evans don his chairman’s jacket, and Great West Casualty’s Steve Ponder and Matt Wise presented Evans his chairman’s portrait and crystal tank truck.

“I extend my sincere thanks to my predecessor and good friend, Herb Evans of Eagle Transport, for his dedicated

service,” Ward said. “It is a great honor to be chosen as the 77th chairman of National Tank Truck Carriers. I am humbled by the trust my colleagues have placed in me, especially during these dynamic times.”

Streblow also expressed his support for Ward’s ascension to the chairmanship.

“We are thrilled to have Ward Best as our new chairman,” Streblow said. “His dedication to the industry and wealth of experience make him an excellent choice to lead NTTC forward.

“We look forward to working closely with him to advance the mission of our association.”

Ward brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

He has worked with NTTC throughout his 28 years with Atlantic Bulk, learning from Tank Truck University and earning his registered hazmat cargo tank inspector certification before rising up the leadership ranks.

Now he’s hoping to add to the legacy of those who came before, including now recent past chairman Evans, and 10 other active past chairs, including Sandlin (2021-22); Randy Clifford, Ventura Transfer Company (2022-23); Greg Hodgen, Groendyke Transport (2011-12); Kevin Jackson, Liquid Cargo and U.S. Container Depot (2020-21); Jeff McCaig, Trimac Transportation (2009-10); Greg Price, United Petroleum Transports (2006-07); Jack Schwerman, Tankstar USA (2003-04); Bill Usher Jr., Usher Transport (2008-09); John Whittington, Grammer Logistics (2018-19); and Brian Wood, TransWood (2016-17).

“By working together, we can overcome the obstacles ahead, and propel

The 2024 NTTC Annual Conference drew 543 tank truck industry stakeholders, including for-hire carrier and private-fleet executives and associate members, to Las Vegas for four days of celebrations and educational sessions.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

our industry to even greater heights,” Ward asserted. “NTTC is well-positioned to lead the way, leveraging our collective expertise and advocating for our members’ interests at the national level.”

NTTC leadership

The board of directors meeting included 26 of the 39 directors, who approved NTTC’s Executive Committee for 2024-25.

Key changes include UPT’s David Price moving into first vice-chair, placing him next in line to succeed Best; Highway Transport’s Marshall Franklin joining Cox Petroleum’s Jeremy Mairs as vice-chairs; Usher’s Patrick Usher taking

on the secretary role; Clifford transitioning to nominating chair; and Sandlin, Schneider Bulk Carrier’s Jason Howe, and Kenan Advantage Group’s Grant Mitchell filling the at-large spots.

Ad-hoc committee chairs for 2024-25 are Patrick Usher (Energy Service committee); Jerry Curl, G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation (Dry Bulk and Food Grade committee); Anthony Coruccini, All Chemical Transport (Chemical committee), Bailey Glendenning Stark, Glendenning Brothers (Workforce committee); and Hans Schaupp, LCL Bulk Transport (Endowment committee).

Schaupp also chairs the Advocacy

committee, and Stark also chairs the Young Executives committee.

Lifetime Achievement award

NTTC presented its 2024 Lifetime Achievement award to John D. Groendyke, 79, from Enid, Oklahoma, who rose to Groendyke vice president in 1966, succeeded his father, Harold C. Groendyke, as CEO and chairman 20 years later, and reigned as NTTC’s 200102 chairman before retiring in 2019— when the company he helped flourish generated $240 million in revenue and finished the year with 1,400 employees.

The veteran tank truck executive guided Groendyke through trucking

NTTC President and CEO Ryan Streblow, at right, presents John Groendyke with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Las Vegas.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

At left, newly elected NTTC Chairman Ward Best, Jeremy Mairs, and recent past chair Herb Evans chat before the Act 1 opening-night celebration. Above, the Hoffman family visits with motivational keynote speaker Ben Newman

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

Kim Beck, Cottingham & Butler vice president of benefits consulting, delivers the latest compensation and benefits report.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

deregulation, greatly diversified its product mix, and moved the carrier into Canada and Mexico for the first time in its history.

“Deregulation was a challenge for everybody, but I don’t know if it was more difficult than the challenges we’ve faced in the last three or four years, with medical issues, and hiring and keeping truck drivers,” he said. “We still have some of the same challenges we faced earlier, too, and though we don’t have the ICC to deal with, we still have the EPA and other groups that regulate our business—whether we like it or not.

“So all I can say is thank you very much to the NTTC.”

Economic update

Costello said the tank truck sector is outperforming other sectors of trucking, but the largest expenses for general long-haul freight, including average hourly earnings, recently increased at the “fastest clip ever seen,” and associated cost and market pressures have been “deadly” for many truckload fleets.

He also teased the 2024 Tank Truck Industry Market Analysis, which now includes data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey he said facilitates better tank truck industry estimates. “As a result of this change, you cannot compare the new report

At top right, NTTC displays the 2023 Heil trophies in the exhibit hall before the winners were announced at the 2024 Annual Conference. At right, NTTC’s Jackson Eberts, Hagen Johnson’s Brandon Johnson, and G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation’s Jerry Curl lead discussion during the Dry Bulk and Food Grade committee meeting.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

coming out to previous reports,” Costello explained. To provide a historical perspective, the report includes a 2019 comparison, along with industry forecasts for 2028 and 2033, and 50 pages of data on tank truck tonnage, revenue, and tractor counts for for-hire and private

fleets across 13 commodity groups, including agricultural products.

“You are one of the few groups that did see some increases in tonnage, and

A who’s-who of tank truck industry executives gather during NTTC’s Board of Directors meeting in Las Vegas.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

we think it will continue to grow in the future,” Costello predicted.

Gasoline accounted for 23.5 percent of tank truck tonnage by commodity in 2023, according to the report. Diesel and other types of fuel oils made up 20.2%, sands came in third at 14.6%, and chemicals (excluding fertilizers and cryogenics) were fourth at 9.7%. By revenue, however, chemicals led the way at 24.1%, followed by gasoline (13.9%), diesel and other types of fuel oils (13.8%), and food and beverage (10.8%).

Costello expects to see a 5.9% growth in tractors by 2028, when the tank truck industry will have 2.6% more freight to haul.

Industry revenues are expected to grow from $42.9 billion in 2023 to $50.1

billion in 2028. “The fact of the matter is, you folks have a growing industry, and that means you’re going to have to haul this freight and find enough drivers to do it,” he concluded.

Financial review

Matt Faure, Trimac president and CEO and NTTC treasurer, credited the association’s record endowment to its well-attended events, which brought in $626,500 in fiscal year 2023, and the staff’s cost control efforts, which helped NTTC beat its total operating income budget for last year by 192%. Faure also expects the association to finish fiscal year 2024 in the black for the fourth consecutive year after losing money from 2016 to 2019.

Those successes allowed NTTC to put over $1.3 million back into the association to fund a “multitude of solutions” for members over the last four years, Streblow shared.

Additionally, NTTC’s political action committee had raised $85,970 after two PAC events during the annual conference, putting it just over halfway to its record goal of $170,000 in contributions to support advocacy.

The association last year raised $114,100 after a record $127,250 in 2022.

“From a financial perspective, [NTTC] is in good hands,” Faure said.

“We’re delivering what we’re supposed to be delivering, we’re managing to our budget, and our endowment is growing.”

Rishi Iyengar discusses the results of Roland Berger’s electrification study at the North American Safety Awards luncheon.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

Great West Casualty’s Steve Ponder, at left, and Matt Wise present outgoing chair Herb Evans with his chairman’s portrait.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

Signs in a hallway at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel honor 10 years of Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year winners, starting with Groendyke’s James Starr in 2013-14.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

J&M Tank Lines’ Eric Hanson, at left, and NTTC’s Will Lusk, at right, enjoy a moment in the exhibit hall as Sam Bloch records.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

Championship pedigree

Familiar faces earn 2023 Heil trophies

By Jason McDaniel

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

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

Groendyke Transport, which already owned a record eight Heil trophies, collected its ninth championship May 7 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on the same day National Tank Truck Carriers honored long-time Groendyke Chairman John Groendyke with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference.

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

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

The Enid, Oklahoma-based bulk hauler founded in 1932 by Harold Groendyke, John’s father, emerged in the Harvison division for for-hire carriers whose trucks traveled more than 15 million miles last year, edging out Grand award winners Service Transport Company (Class 5), Slay Transportation

Groendyke CEO Greg Hodgen, at left, and G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation president and CEO Kevin Hoffman stand with their 2023 North American safety championships.

(Class 4), Western Dairy Transport (Class 3), and Trimac Transportation (Class 1). Competing in Class 2, the division’s second-highest classification, Groendyke posted an accident frequency of 0.162.

Groendyke also won Heil trophies for outstanding safety performance in 1973, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2016, and 2018.

“Our goal every year is to compete for this award, not to win it,” Pape said. “We strive to continuously improve in everything we do, but most importantly in safety, and by contending for this award regularly, we have achieved our ultimate victory of getting our drivers home safely and protecting those around them.

“The icing on the cake is this Heil award.”

G&D/Hoffman, which prevailed in the Sutherland division for for-hire carriers

Photos: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

The 2023 Heil trophies before the winners were revealed May 7 in Las Vegas during the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference.

Ryan Rockafellow, EnTrans CEO, reveals the Sutherland division Heil trophy secured by G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation and Jerry Curl, G&D/Hoffman director of operations, at right, during the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

under 15 million miles, collected its third championship in seven years. The Channahon, Illinois-based tank truck carrier also won for 2017 and 2019, and secured the 2023 award with an accident frequency of 0.174 in Class 6, beating out Reed Hurst Trucking (Class 7), Alaska West Express (Class 8), MBH Trucking (Class 9), and Ventura Transfer Company (Class 10), who also earned Grand awards in NTTC’s Competitive Safety Contest.

“This is quite an honor,” said an emotional Jerry Curl, G&D/Hoffman chief operating officer, who credited Kevin Hoffman, G&D/Hoffman president and CEO, for their safety success. “I kid you not, there is such a relentless pursuit of safety excellence here it is unbelievable. He is laser-focused on it, and it’s ingrained in all 300 employees. We operate with no safety department. We have 300 safety directors. That’s how we accomplish this.

“A remarkable man, a remarkable family—and we’re just getting started.”

Chris Pape, Groendyke vice president of safety and training, accepts Groendyke’s North American safety championship.

Curl also thanked his wife, Bobbi, for standing behind him through adversity, vowing not to be “seduced by success” in reference to the message keynote speaker Ben Newman delivered during Monday’s opening breakfast; and praised G&D/ Hoffman drivers who work tirelessly to deliver critical commodities. “We have never advertised for a driver,” he said. “We maintain a waiting list. That starts with culture, and that’s the glue that holds this company together—the love, care, compassion, hard work, and dedication they show up with every day. Thank you on behalf of all of us at Hoffman and G&D.

“We love you and we can’t do it without you.”

Gemini, the primary fuel hauler for Love’s Travel Stops based in Oklahoma City, earned the inaugural private-fleet championship last year and repeated with a 0.255 accident frequency in Class 1, the division’s highest mileage class, while competing against Grand award winners CLI Transport (Class 2), Irving Oil (Class 3), Poolsure (Class 4), and Cato, Inc. (Class 5).

The G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation team and family stand with their third Heil trophy during the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

Gemini also won a Heil in 2017 in the Harvison division. “This marks our third time winning this,” said Brent Bergevin, Love’s executive vice president of transportation.

“Trust me, it never gets old.”

He also said he was coming after John’s record—but was unable to make up any ground.

Bergevin thanked wife Emily, who joined him on stage, and his Gemini team, which includes Jeremy Gravely, director of operations; Andy Lash, general manager of logistics; Jim Dillon, truck assets manager; Todd Singleton, manager of maintenance and compliance; and David Hargrave, manager of transportation accounting. “That’s my ‘A’ team and I couldn’t do anything without those guys,” he said.

“They are outstanding difference makers for us every single day.”

Every contestant was rated on five critical factors, including accident frequency, as determined by DOT recordable incidents; safety record improvement; vehicle maintenance, driver training, and controls; personnel safety; and other contributions to the cause of highway safety, particularly as it applies to the tank truck industry. The judges were David Heller (Truckload Carriers Association), Robyn Kinsley (The Chlorine Institute), Brenna Lyles (American Trucking Associations), and Bill Reese (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance).

Previous Heil trophy winners (since the contest split into multiple divisions) include:

• 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

From left to right, Jordan Hoffman, G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation vice president of sales; Kevin Hoffman, G&D/ Hoffman president, CEO, and owner; and Greg Hodgen, Groendyke CEO, discuss their safety success after NTTC revealed the 2023 Heil trophy winners.

• 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

“Heil Trailer and EnTrans [Heil’s parent] truly appreciate the opportunity to sponsor this award, which we have done for the last 40-plus years,” said Ryan Rockafellow, EnTrans CEO, who revealed the winners. BT

2023 Competitive Safety Contest

For-hire carrier Grand Award winners

Class 1: Trimac Transportation (.238 accident frequency)

Class 2: Groendyke Transport (.162)

Class 3: Western Dairy Transport (.159)

Class 4: Slay Transportation (.230)

Class 5: Service Transport Company (.118), Chevron Phillips Chemical (.000)

Class 6: G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation (.174)

Class 7: Reed Hurst Trucking (.251)

Class 8: Alaska West Express (.000)

Class 9: Ee-Jay Motor Transports (.000), MBH Trucking (.000)

Class 10: Ventura Transfer Company (.000)

Private fleet Grand Award winners

Class 1: Gemini Motor Transport (.255)

Class 2: CLI Transport (.263)

Class 3: Irving Oil (.134)

Class 4: Poolsure (.000)

Class 5: Cato, Inc. (.000)

2023 Personnel Safety Contest

For-hire carrier Grand Award winners

Class 1: Foodliner/Quest Liner (1.426)

Class 2: Dana Transport Companies (1.363)

Class 3: Genox Transportation (.688)

Class 4: Slay Transportation (.762)

Class 5: Tandet Group (.000)

Class 6: G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation (.000)

Class 7: Reed Hurst Trucking (1.615)

The Gemini Motor Transport team and family stand with the fuel hauler’s third North American safety championship trophy during the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

The Groendyke team stands with their record ninth NTTC North American safety championship.

Class 8: AJ Weigand (.000)

Class 9: Ee-Jay Motor Transports (.000), MBH Trucking (.000), PAR Trucking (.000)

Class 10: J&S Transport (.000), Lacy’s Express (.000)

Private fleet Grand Award winners

Class 1: Pilot Flying J (.091)

Class 2: ADM Trucking (.000)

Class 3: Irving Oil (.279)

Class 4: LSP Transport (.000)

Class 5: Cato, Inc. (.000), Chevron Phillips Chemical (.000)

2023 Improved Competitive Safety Contest carriers and fleets

• Alaska West Express

• All Chemical Transport

• Andrews Logistics Texas

• Associated Petroleum Carriers

• Casey’s Services Company

• Cato, Inc.

• CLI Transport

• Crossett

• Dupré Logistics

• Eagle Transport Corporation

• Florida Rock & Tank Lines

• Foodliner/Quest Liner

• G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation

• Gemini Motor Transport

• Genox Transportation

• Grammer Logistics

• Groendyke Transport

• Iowa Tanklines

• Kenan Advantage Group

• LCL Bulk Transport

• MC Tank Transport

• Oakley Transport

• Pilot Flying J

• Poolsure

• Quality Carriers

• Schneider National Bulk Carriers

• TransWood

• Trimac Transportation

• Ventura Transfer Company

• Weaver Bros.

• Wynne Transport Service

Coming home

Usher’s Powell claims carrier’s first Usher trophy

By Jason McDaniel

LAS VEGAS—The

William A. Usher Sr. Trophy is coming home.

For the first time in the 11 years since National Tank Truck Carriers created the Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award—which is named after the highly regarded, long-time Usher Transport owner and president—an Usher driver is the winner after Dave Powell secured the honor May 6 at the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

“It’s great to finally bring it back home,” Patrick Usher, Usher vice

president of corporate governance, told Bulk Transporter

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

The 44-year-old driver from Pendleton, Indiana, emerged as NTTC’s 10th Driver of the Year from a group of eight Champion Finalists that included Cox Petroleum’s Robert “Newt” Newsome and John David Contreras, Grammer Logistics’ Brian “Butch”

Usher Transport driver Dave Powell collected the bulk carrier’s first Usher trophy during the 2024 NTTC Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

Photos: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation driver Kenneth Tolliver, the 2022-23 NTTC Driver of the Year, helps Usher Transport driver Dave Powell don his championship jacket.

Jennings and Mark Schroyer, Kenan Advantage Group’s Bill McNamee, Highway Transport’s Ed Heard, and Eagle Transport Corporation’s Hal “Wayne” Moody.

Powell was Usher’s fourth finalist— but first to hoist its namesake trophy.

“I am humbly honored to bring it home to us for the very first time,” Powell told the crowd gathered for NTTC’s opening breakfast.

The two-time finalist and firsttime NTTC champion carries 2.1 million accident-free miles, including 1.3

million in 11 years with Usher. Powell, an owner-operator the last 17 years, hauled his first load in 2003 and spent time in refrigerated and flatbed transport before transitioning to tank trucks. He is a six-time recipient of the Usher Extra Mile award, he claimed the carrier’s Driver of the Year honor in 2017—and he already proved he’s capable of serving as an admiration-worthy ambassador.

Powell stars in the “See Yourself in a Tank Truck” branding campaign NTTC debuted last year.

NTTC’s 2023-2024 Driver of the Year Dave Powell, of Usher Transport, at left, and 2022-2023 Driver of the Year Kenneth Tolliver, of G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation.

“Throughout this next year, I vow to positively promote and advocate for our industry, help to advance new ideas for the education of safety, and promote forward thinking in our recruitment processes, all of which I am confident will provide better service to our customers and our community,” he said.

Ryan Usher, Usher president—who followed in his grandfather’s footsteps as an Air Force pilot—is confident Powell is up for the job. “He’s a natural leader, he sets very high standards for himself, and holds his people to the same standards,

Usher Transport driver Dave Powell, at left, and Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO.

National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2023-2023 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Dave Powell of Usher Transport.

From left to right are Usher Transport’s Patrick Usher, Dave Powell, Beau Mosley, and Ryan Usher.

but he helps them, too,” Ryan raved. “He’s an advocate for them.

“And he’s very deliberate about who he surrounds himself with, so he’s a leader who’s also technically sound in the way he operates.”

Powell thanked his wife, Emily; his father, who led him into the transportation industry; his grandfather, who helped him finance his first Peterbilt tractor; and Beau Mosley, Usher chief risk officer, whose guidance he called “paramount” to successfully navigating the Driver of the Year process in his second go.

“Dave’s an exceptional individual— as were the other seven—but Usher Transport could not be prouder of Dave and what he accomplished here today,” Mosley said. “He’s a phenomenal example of what a tank truck driver should be.”

The Usher trophy goes to the driver who best demonstrates their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages, and overall safe driving record. This year’s judges were Rebecca Brewster (American Transportation Research Institute), Adrienne Gildea (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance),

Dan Horvath (American Trucking Associations), Teddy Butler (America’s Road Team Captain), and Jeff Rose (America’s Road Team Captain).

They selected Powell from a group with a combined 220 years of experience and 17.6 million accident-free miles.

“He’s going to be great,” Patrick said.

“He’s been an amazing ambassador for our company, and he’s brought in a lot of great drivers, just from knowing him, so I’m excited to see what he does.”

Previous winners of the NTTC Driver of the Year award, which is sponsored by

Usher Transport driver Dave Powell and his proud family.

Great West Casualty Company, 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 Tolliver delivered the winning envelope to Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO, and helped Powell don his championship jacket.

Now he’s ready to go to work for the industry—and the tank truck carrier whose family name adorns his new hardware.

“One cannot be affiliated with a better company,” he said. “From the top down, throughout our entire organization, I am surrounded by greatness, which has allowed me to flourish as a business owner and a leader.” BT

Fully engaged

Newly crowned champion tank trucker targets mental health as NTTC’s next industry ambassador

By Jason McDaniel

Dave Powell was going through the motions. The veteran Usher Transport driver, and newly crowned National Tank Truck Carriers 2023-24 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year, had just learned he and wife Emily finally landed their dream home in Central Indiana, so his mind was elsewhere—in a very happy place—when he nearly lost his perfect driving record.

Fortunately, he reacted in time to avoid a collision, but the close call made him realize all distractions aren’t created equal—some are good, some are bad, some are physical, and some are beyond anyone’s control—but they’re all distractions, and more exist today than ever before. That’s why discussing mental health, and helping drivers find ways to stay focused on the road, is his top priority as NTTC’s ambassador.

“You have to keep a clear mind,” Powell said. “Twenty-three years ago, when I started, the only distractions in my truck were an AM/FM radio and CB radio. We didn’t have GPS, electronic logs, dashcams, or sensors telling us we’re following too close, and beeping

at us. Nor did we have cell phones. If something bad happened, you didn’t learn about it until you got home, when you were out of the truck. Today, it’s lightning speed and our brains are trying to process everything. If we’re on the road and we stop for a couple hours, we’re looking at our phones, checking emails and texts. Everything’s at our fingertips, so our minds are processing so much more than when I started, and it’s a lot. And you have to stay focused when you’re driving.

“So I truly believe mental health is the starting point for enacting all the fundamentals we’ve learned. I’ve taken safe driving courses, I’ve been to the proving ground in Michigan, and completed all

kinds of training. But if you’re 2 seconds too slow because your mind is in left field, it doesn’t matter.”

To discover what matters to Powell, Bulk Transporter sat down with the 44-year-old in Las Vegas soon after he secured NTTC’s William A. Usher Sr. trophy to discuss his love for Caterpillar engines, what led him to Usher, and why he sticks around, how he stays safe will while driving America’s highways, and what the award means to him.

Questions and answers are edited for length and clarity.

Bulk Transporter: You transported refrigerated and flatbed freight before joining Usher in 2013. What led you to tank trucking?

Dave Powell: “I hauled fuel for Advantage Tank Lines, now part of KAG, for a little while, but I left when the economy slowed in 2008. So I always wanted to get back into gas, but I was still hauling steel when I moved from Ohio to where I live now, in Pendleton, Indiana. I didn’t know anyone there … but I knew people from back home who worked at Usher, and I always heard great things about them. So I talked to Usher for a year or so before I finally made the switch. They didn’t have a big footprint in Indianapolis and that worried me. But I liked the company’s philosophy, how they conducted business, how they treated their contractors—everything. It was more the workload that scared

Usher Transport driver

Dave Powell enjoys a moment with family and Beau Mosley, Usher chief risk officer, at right, May 5 during the Act 1 opening night event in Las Vegas.

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

me. But things were deteriorating with the steel hauling, so I decided to give it a whirl. Eleven years later, I’m still here.”

BT: You said on stage you enjoy the home time and the challenge of driving a tank truck. How is it challenging?

DP: “Hauling gas, you need mathematical skills. You must be able to calculate whether a load will fit, so there’s a lot on you to make sure the right product goes to the right place, and you’ve reconciled the gallons so the load will fit. And some places are unmanned. You could be delivering fuel to a gravel pit, and you only talked to somebody on the phone who said, ‘There’s the tank, this is the size, the tank gauge is up top, leave the paperwork in the mailbox beside it.’ So there’s a lot of responsibility.”

BT: You’ve only driven Peterbilt tractors in your career—a 1995 your grandfather helped you purchase, a 2004, and your current 2014 Model 389 you spec’d new and later rebuilt with a glider kit and Caterpillar engine. Why Caterpillar?

DP: “Because that’s all I’ve ever had. My previous Peterbilts had Cats. Cummins makes a great engine, too—they all do. But you get used to one, and you’ve got to drive them all a little different. Also, I’m good with my hands, as far as working on stuff, and I’m familiar with Cat systems. And they used to have a lot of hype. There are certain people who are diehard Caterpillar people. So they have good resale value.”

BT: You’ve been driving the truck for 10 years now, racking up nearly 500,000 miles on that replacement Caterpillar. What keeps you in it?

DP: “I’m a sentimental guy. I spec’d that truck and I’m the only person who’s ever driven it. And if I was going to buy another truck, I’d probably build the same one, and you can hardly get Caterpillars anymore. You can, but that truck’s going to cost almost double what it did 10 years ago.”

BT: What is one tip you give younger drivers to help them stay safe?

Dave Powell stands with the NTTC branding campaign trailer wrap bearing his image during Tank Truck Week 2023.

Photo: NTTC

DP: “Treat every day like it’s your first. As time goes on, you do fall into a groove, and you can get lazy. It’s human nature. So, think about those things. Have a routine. Most people are trained well when they start, so don’t fall away from that, even when you’re more relaxed, and seasoned. Do the right things when no one is looking, and it usually pays off in the end.”

BT: We hear a lot about the transition to electric vehicles. As an owner-operator and fuel hauler, do you worry about abandoning diesel and ICE-powered vehicles?

DP: “No. I promote change. As humans, that’s what we do. We evolve. I mean, 150 years ago, we were riding horses around and look what we can do today. So electric doesn’t scare me, but I don’t think we’re ready for it yet. Do I think one day there’s a good chance we’re all electric, or maybe hydrogen or some other alternative fuel? Of course, because that’s what we do. But we’re not ready for it yet.”

BT: What has kept you at Usher for the last 11 years?

DP: “They’re awesome. In the transportation industry, overall, you get a lot of false promises, and they truly are an open-door, family-owned company. One cool thing we do is hold regular CDT [certified driver trainers] calls … with [Usher President] Ryan Usher, all our upper management, regional managers, our COO, Eric Mink, and safety personnel, and they usually end up lasting 2-2½ hours.

“We all have time to talk, we can bring up anything, and it’s not just letting drivers vent or raise concerns. They have

real input into the changes that could affect them. So it’s just very open. Usher is truly a genuine company.”

BT: What does it mean to you to bring home the first Usher trophy?

DP: “It’s awesome. I had a conversation with Bill Usher Jr. last year in Boston, and we talked about his dad, Ryan’s grandfather, and Ryan and Bill Sr. were very close. Bill Sr. gave Ryan the itch to fly, and Ryan is in the Air Force today. So I know how close they were, and being the first Usher driver to win the William A. Usher Sr. award is special.

“I’m prouder to bring it home to us than me because I think so highly of this company.”

BT: What is your goal as NTTC’s reigning tank truck industry ambassador?

DP: “I want to talk about safety, and drivers’ mental health, because it’s not really discussed. I’ve talked to a lot of drivers in 23 years, and I’ve asked them, ‘Do you hear about this in your company’s safety meetings?’ It’s a difficult topic, and it’s very gray and convoluted. It’s not black and white. You can’t track your mental health like your blood pressure. So, I don’t necessarily know how to navigate the issue, but I think the more we discuss it, the more people will feel open to considering what’s going on in their lives, good or bad. It’ll make it easier to say, ‘Hey, I’m a little off today, can you give me a couple hours before I come in or cut my day short?’ Because you can have all the fundamentals in the world, but if you can’t execute them in a split second, they’re not worth anything.” BT

Partial victory

Gemini wins first Intellistop exemption

By Jason McDaniel

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

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

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

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

this long, and this much struggle, to get something a lot of people feel is going to make trucks safer.

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

The first Intellistop exemption took so long that Jack Van Steenburg, whose emails to Hanby in January 2022 provided the first indication FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration aren’t fully aligned, retired from his position as FMCSA executive director—the agency’s highest career office—and spent a year on the sideline before returning as a commercial vehicle safety consultant ready to share his frustration with a system that limits the speed of innovation.

“By the time we do more research and come up with a new rule in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, it’s too late,” he told Bulk Transporter. “The technology we have today is still evolving, and the federal government gets caught

up with rulemaking—and the process to change a rulemaking is not efficient at all.”

The research

Besides, NHTSA already conducted extensive research on this issue.

The administration first examined enhanced rear lighting and signaling systems in 2002, and in 2009 it produced the “Evaluation of Enhanced Brake Lights Using Surrogate Safety Metrics” report, which acknowledged “previous work had shown promise for reducing the number and severity of rear-end crashes” with flashing brake lamps, and its current work indicates “flashing improves rated attention getting.” Additionally, Groendyke Transport

Groendyke secured the first pulsating brake lamp exemption in 2019.

Photo: Groendyke

Photo: Intellistop

showed in 2017 tank trailers equipped with auxiliary brake-activated pulsating lights were involved in 33.7% fewer rear-end collisions than trailers with only “steady-burning” brake lamps over a two-year period, compelling evidence of the lamps’ safety benefit that helped it score the first “parts and accessories” exemption from Part 393.25(e) of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations allowing the installation of pulsating brake lamps on the rear of trailers in April 2019.

Every current and former law enforcement officer Bulk Transporter interviewed over the last two years is equally convinced.

Nick Wright, a technical trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol’s commercial motor vehicle enforcement division— who also is the troop’s public resource officer and lead instructor—cited Groendyke when he first saw the lights. Then he talked to Groendyke’s Wichita terminal manager, who revealed their trucks enjoyed an 80% reduction in rear-end crashes the first year they were installed, leading Wright to tell officers to use “common sense” when writing flashing-light violations going forward.

“My take was, I don’t know of anything that has probably saved lives and reduced injuries and property damage so significantly—especially for something that was illegal when it first came out,” he said.

FMCSA granted three similar exemptions over the next three years but skipped Intellistop’s application, neither ruling for or against until Hanby filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Sept. 7, 2022, long after the federally mandated window of 180 days for a decision expired. The U.S. Department of Transportation agency finally ruled against Intellistop on Oct. 7, 2022—659 days after Hanby filed the application, leading seven motor carriers, including Gemini, to submit their own Intellistop exemption applications, which FMCSA published in January and February 2023.

An appeals court later upheld FMCSA’s confounding decision in July 2023.

“How many accidents have happened that we could have prevented?” Hanby wondered. “How many people have died? And NHTSA’s already done the research—$2 million worth of research—with taxpayer money.”

The rivalry

So why did Intellistop’s request languish in bureaucratic limbo for two years?

See Bulk Transporter ’s previous reporting for a deeper dive, but essentially, Intellistop’s application invoked the authorities of both FMCSA, which regulates the “in-use” operation of commercial vehicles, and NHTSA, which oversees the assembly of new vehicles, equipment, and technology; and while NHTSA grudgingly accepted FMCSA’s previous determinations, which allow fleets to install auxiliary brake-activated pulsating lamps, it was unwilling to agree to an exemption that allows “manufacturers” to make existing trailer lights “inoperative.”

The agency impasse also involved the definition of “steady burning,” the difference between pulsating and flashing lights—pulsating lights dim and brighten while flashing lights turn off and on—and the standard for granting an exemption. “We weren’t on the same page,” Van Steenburg confirmed. “Their view was the device is contradictory to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and maybe it is, but the statute allows us to grant an exemption that differs from the FMVSS [No. 108 in this case]—if you establish that an equal or better level of safety is likely to be achieved if the exemption is granted. I

think NHTSA got it wrong on this one.” So does Luke Loy, an engineer whose name is on FMCSA’s Intellistop denial and multiple exemptions the agency granted before he retired in June 2023 following a 33-year DOT career with FMCSA and NHTSA.

He said last year FMCSA wanted to approve Intellistop’s application, but NHTSA blocked it, and he called the ruling he helped compose “arbitrary and capricious” because California’s long-standing vehicle code permits flashing stop lamps on any motor vehicle. “Did NHTSA ever tell California this was an unsafe technology?” asked Loy, who served in FMCSA’s Vehicle and Roadside Inspection Division. “Because California doesn’t mandate it, but they sure as heck allow it. So how can you sit there as NHTSA and say ‘Well, we don’t know what the unintended consequences are.’ Why don’t you ask California? It’s only the most populous state.”

In 2022, Bulk Transporter asked Richard Van Iderstine, a retired NHTSA lighting standards engineer, about pulsating brake lights and Intellistop’s module. He didn’t oppose using flashing lights on trailers and even suggested it might be time to revise an ancient regulation given advances in lighting technology. However, he also said NHTSA historically is “adamantly against” flashing brake lights on vehicles without center-mounted stop lamps because someone might mistake one for a turn signal.

So, instead of waiting for NHTSA to evolve, Van Steenburg and Loy sought to grant Intellistop’s exemption. “I believe in change,” Van Steenburg said. “I believe in trying new things. I don’t believe in complacency. Complacency will kill you. It’s not a good thing. So you’ve always got to try to reinvent the wheel. I stood for that my whole career. I like trying different things, so I was very supportive of it.”

The reality

NHTSA, and the few public commenters who’ve opposed pulsating brake lamp exemptions, frequently cite the potential for confusion or distraction for

Intellistop president Michelle Hanby

Photo: Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter

their position. Wright doesn’t buy it. “To me, if there’s any confusion [with a turn signal], it’s going to be resolved in half a second, because they’re going to think, ‘What’s that? Oh, OK, they’re stopping,’ or ‘OK, it’s a right-turn signal,’” he said. He compared the “minimal” delay to the time drivers take to process unfamiliar signals in new locations and said the more pressing issue is passenger vehicles rear-ending tank trailers—a problem exacerbated by today’s cell phone-distracted drivers and a nearly 100-year-old, hazard-creating regulation that requires vehicles transporting hazardous materials to stop at all railroad tracks.

“My opinion is the regulations need to be changed to avoid some of these rear-end crashes,” he said. “But I hope these flashing lights on tankers will help reduce some of that and catch peoples’ eyes better.” Wright also acknowledges the inconsistencies in enforcement, state legislation, and recommended best practices regarding flashing brake lamps;

and agrees with Van Steenburg’s assertion that society can’t wait for more data when it comes to proliferating life-saving devices when distracted driving is statistically worse than drunk driving—and most people will never admit to texting while driving. “Are there going to be a few people who run into the back of truck because they don’t know what the light means? Maybe,” he said. “But how many crashes are we avoiding? And you’re probably never going to know that number. It’s difficult to determine what you’re actually preventing.”

Intellistop’s pulsating brake lamp module

Proponents of Intellistop’s module, which pulsates the rear clearance, identification, and brake lamps four times in 2 seconds when the brakes are applied, argue the device is safer, cheaper, and easier to install than competing solutions. In Gemini’s case, 25 of the 26 commenters, including NTTC, American Trucking Associations, the National Truck Equipment Association, and the Transportation Safety Equipment Institute, favored the exemption, and FMCSA finally approved it—with unanticipated limitations.

BETTS SANITARY MANWAY

“We were excited to finally receive the exemption because we truly believe in the product,” Dillon said. “We think it does make our trucks safer by notifying drivers that we’re slowing down or stopping, so it’s nice to now have an exemption where we can officially install them on some of our units. The downside is

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there are a bunch of reporting requirements we weren’t expecting.”

The rub

The five-year exemption limits Gemini to installing Intellistop’s module on 25% of its trailers the first year and 50% the second year while maintaining an equal-size control group and submitting

quarterly and annual data updates. “If NHTSA wants data—and they always want data, that’s what they hang their hat on—why wouldn’t they allow us to generate more data quicker?” Hanby lamented. “Twenty-five percent of a fleet is not a lot of trailers. It’s certainly not a business plan. Nobody is going to stay in business selling a safety product by

only equipping 25 trailers here, 25 trailers there. But FMCSA had to appease NHTSA to get the exemption through. That’s why the stipulations are there.

“FMCSA knows Intellistop works. Unfortunately, they have to play the game.” Even worse, they’re already late to this one, Van Steenburg added.

“If we had started the research three years ago, when Intellistop’s exemption first came in, we would be three years into it,” he said. “Now, Gemini has to start supplying data, and we’re already three years behind.”

Oddly, Gemini wasn’t the first fleet to file for an Intellistop exemption either. Encore Building Products’ application hit the Federal Register on Jan. 27, five days before FMCSA published Gemini’s. Now Hanby is left to wonder how much longer the other six fleets must wait for a ruling, if their exemptions will include similar stipulations, and how FMCSA will handle other parts and accessories exemptions granted to NTTC, Grote Industries, and Waste Management— and for other emerging technologies— when they’re up for renewal if operators already installed the devices on more than 25% of their vehicles.

“If this is the new guideline, I hope they at least keep it consistent,” she said.

She’s also hoping more fleets will now file for their own exemptions, although Van Steenburg, just like Loy, says that approach is onerous for carriers and could cause further complications for the agency. “If a thousand carriers wanted to use this technology, FMCSA most certainly would not have the means or capability to do its due diligence with all those requests. It’s certainly a lot easier to exempt the manufacturer.”

Of course, nothing in this saga has come easily—or expeditiously—and Hanby doesn’t expect that to change. But she’s optimistic this is a positive first step toward wider adoption of a preferred safety product. “Gemini is one of the safest fleets in the nation,” Hanby concluded. “They just won their third Heil trophy.

“They’re who FMCSA should look to for safety, and follow their lead.” BT

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Wabash tanker plant earns safety award

Wabash recently secured 2023 Plant Safety Awards from the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) for its tank trailer operation in San José Iturbide, Mexico, and platform trailer operation in Cadiz, Kentucky.

TTMA’s award determinations are based on a direct comparison of injury data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Annual Summary Form 300A, the same data used by the National Safety Council and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Awards are given to trailer manufacturers based on the number of man-hours worked.

“At Wabash, safety is core to how we show up to work every day,” Donald Winston, Wabash vice president of global operations, said in a news release. “Our teams are constantly seeking innovative ways to engineer safety into our products and designing operating environments that put people first.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication to operational excellence demonstrated by our employees across Wabash. On behalf of the entire Wabash team, I share my congratulations and gratitude to our entire team for their continued efforts in upholding our safety values and ensuring a safe workplace for all.”

The company’s tank trailer manufacturing facility in San José Iturbide was recognized in Tank Category A for plants that reported more than 750,000 man-hours last year, Wabash said. TTMA honored the company’s platform trailer production plant in Cadiz as its

Most Improved Trailer Plant for 2023. “Our Cadiz operation, in particular, is a shining example of how a transformation in workplace culture can yield significant results,” Winston added.

“The dedication of our entire team in Cadiz to our ‘Respect for People’ ethos has resulted in a remarkable 81% reduction in Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) from 2022 to 2024. This extraordinary improvement is a testament to the commitment of every manager and department, and I commend Plant Manager Michael Almy and EHS Manager Logan Choat for their exceptional leadership in driving these outstanding outcomes within a short period of time.”

Is Your Fleet Stuck in the Past?

FleetPanda, iRely software combine fuel distribution systems

FleetPanda, a cloud-based dispatch platform for petroleum marketers, recently integrated with iRely, a provider of back-office software for petroleum marketers, in a partnership they say makes it easier for mutual customers to select their dispatch system after implementing iRely’s software solution.

“FleetPanda is the most advanced and feature-rich dispatch solution serving petroleum marketers,” Dylan Gamboa, iRely senior vice president, said in a news release. “I am confident that FleetPanda will be a modern and reliable choice for iRely customers.”

Moffitt Services, a Texas-based fuel and lubricants distributor with a rich history, is a prominent shared customer. Moffitt implemented FleetPanda in 2022 and began implementing iRely early this year, the companies reported.

“We believe that data is our most reliable path to operational efficiency, customer service, and profitability,” said Carl Kleimann, Moffitt co-owner. “FleetPanda allows us to capture, process, and report on an endless array of KPIs such as Fill Efficiency, ROI on Tanks and other assets, Dry Runs, Daily Deliveries and Gallons, and so much more. And iRely helps us and our 95-plus vehicle fleet run at its efficient best.

“The integration allows the data to flow seamlessly and provides unmatched visibility into our operations.”

The companies said they formed the partnership to deliver a seamless, end-to-end solution for businesses in the fuel distribution industry.

Michelin adds X Works D pre-mold retreads

Michelin recently added the Michelin X Works D pre-mold drive position retread to its Michelin Retread Technologies on-road/offroad line. The latest retread offering is optimized for exceptional wear performance, toughness, and traction in mixed and aggressive applications, the company said.

A complement to the Michelin X Works D new tire, the retread delivers traction in both new and worn condition, stone ejectors and unique siping to help minimize stone retention, improved wear mileage, and directional tread.

“The Michelin X Works D retread is designed specifically for the construction, energy, concrete, and logging industries,” Pierluigi Cumo, Michelin North America vice president of B2B marketing, said in a news release. “These vehicles operate in aggressive and mixed-use environments, driving off pavement at least 10% of the time on a daily basis and subjecting tires to any number of harsh conditions.”

With its unique tread design, the Michelin X Works D pre-mold retread offers a mix of stability and traction. Its tread pattern is designed to help keep drivers in control on multiple surfaces—even as the tire ages. “The innovative Michelin X Works D pre-mold retread delivers outstanding traction, durability, and wear resistance for on- and off-road fleets, reflecting our dedication to sustainability now and into the future,” Cumo added. “Michelin believes that finding a harmonious balance between social, economic, and environmental issues is critical to safeguarding the planet’s future.”

The new product is available in both the U.S. and Canada in six sizes: 210 mm, 220 mm, 230 mm, 240 mm, 250 mm, and 270 mm, all with a tread depth of 30/32”.

ACME Cryogenics, part of OPW Clean Energy Solutions, recently developed new 6-in. and 8-in. valve sizes for its Model CV Valve product line.

Global investment in hydrogen infrastructure is leading companies to develop largescale production and storage equipment that requires larger components, so ACME created the valve sizes in response to growing customer requests for hydrogen valves with larger bore sizes, the com pany reported.

The 6-in. and 8-in. valves are available in actuated and manual versions featuring a Class 150 pressure rating. Additionally, ACME is working on creating a bellows-sealed option that will be able to handle pressures up to 550 psi, which will make it an optimal choice for hydrogen-handling applications, ACEM said. The supplier also is developing models that will have 10-in. and larger bore sizes.

ACME Model CV valves possess design and operational benefits that make them ideal for the handling of hydrogen.

They also are compatible with applications that require the use of vacuum-jacketed valve and piping systems. All Model CV valves are compliant with ASME B31.3 and CSA B51 regulations that govern the use of valves in industrial applications with various pressure and tem-

Model CV valves are rated for hydrogen-handling use in a wide range of markets and industries, including aerospace, food and beverage, electronics, vehicle refueling, industrial manufacturing, and medical.

ACME Cryogenics, part of OPW, expands line of CV Valve products

RegO device streamlines LPG tank testing with Presto-Link device, app integration RegO, a part of OPW, recently launched the RegO Presto-Link device and RegO app integration.

Presto-Link redefines the landscape of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) container and regulator testing, the company reported. With a focus on speed, accuracy, and efficiency, the Presto-Link mobile app delivers updated features designed to streamline leak-testing processes for propane systems. The app can also enhance safety for on-site service personnel through its ability to perform accurate digital testing and document results.

The RegO App integrates with the Presto-Link Bluetooth device, which communicates with RegO Presto-Tap products placed on propane-system components requiring testing. This connection enables “swift and precise” leak detection and pressure readings, eliminating the need for manual recording of results and helping to mitigate the risks associated with human error, RegO added.

"Our aim with the improved RegO app is to provide a solution that not only enhances safety and accuracy, but also simplifies the testing process for our valued customers,” Cody Reeves, RegO propane energy solutions product manager, said in a news release. “By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we’re empowering service personnel to perform their duties with greater confidence and efficiency.”

The app’s intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate and utilize key features. Moreover, the addition of paperless propane safety documentation checks further enhances convenience and can help reduce environmental impact.

The RegO app also offers integration with Cargas back-office software through the customer portal, facilitating accurate data transfer and providing customers with peace of mind regarding information integrity. For customers with existing management software, the RegO portal offers flexibility and compatibility, ensuring a smooth transition and optimal functionality.

“The RegO app and Presto-Link device marks a new era of efficiency and reliability in LPG tank and regulator testing,” said Paul Courson, RegO propane energy solutions technical Sales director. “Our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction drives us to continuously evolve and improve our solutions.”

Peterson’s weapons in the fight against corrosion are the Defender® and PetersonPATRIOT™ wiring harness systems. These two products save you in the following ways:

• Reduce Safety Violations

• Reduce Lost Revenue Due To Downtime

• Reduce Maintenance Costs

Teletrac

Navman

advances AI-powered safety

Teletrac Navman recently added driver distraction, cell phone usage, and drowsy driver detection to its AI-powered dashcam and video telematics solution, the IQ Camera.

“AI-powered video telematics solutions leverage advanced algorithms to monitor different aspects of driver behavior,” Mayank Sharma, Teletrac Navman global head of product management, said in a news release.

“We are excited to bring these new detection features to the market through the IQ Camera and provide real-time alerts and insights to reduce the likelihood of incidents and promote the well-being of drivers.”

The IQ Camera’s video telematics capabilities can identify behaviors, such as mobile phone use, erratic head movements, and gaze deviations, helping the driver maintain focus on the road, the company reported. For driver fatigue, continuous monitoring of physiological indicators, such as eye closure duration and head position, triggers timely alerts to combat drowsiness and fatigue-related collisions.

The system's Drowsy Driving detection feature addresses the critical issue of driver fatigue by analyzing eye closure duration to detect signs of drowsiness, providing timely alerts. The suite’s Cell Phone Distraction Monitoring is designed to combat the dangers of mobile phone-related distractions by detecting when drivers hold their phones to their ears for a specified duration, taking proactive measures to discourage illegal behavior and promote a safer driving environment.

In cases when distraction, cell phone use, or drowsiness is detected, and the time parameters are met, an alert is triggered to the driver. They’ll hear an audible spoken word alert and the incident is relayed to the back-office team as an event with footage and telematics data in TN360, Teletrac Navman’s fleet management system.

EVENT CALENDAR

■ September 8-12, 2024

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Annual Conference and Exhibition, Big Sky, Mont. cvsa.org/events

■ September 15-17, 2024 2024 Trimble Insight Tech Conference + Expo, The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, Nev. transportation.trimble.com/insight

■ September 15-19, 2024

ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition (TMCSuperTech), Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, N.C. trucking.org/events

■ September 15-21, 2024

ATA’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week trucking.org/events

■ September 17-18, 2024

International Milk Haulers Association (IMHA) Leadership Summit, Middleton, Wis. milkhauler.org

■ September 28-October 2, 2024

National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2024 Tank Truck Week, The Westin Charlotte and Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C. tanktruck.org

■ October 7-9, 2024

The Utility Expo, Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky. theutilityexpo.com

■ October 7-10, 2024

NACS Show 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. convenience.org

■ October 7-10, 2024

Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) Convention at NACS Show 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. pei.org/convention

■ October 12-15, 2024

ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition (MCE), Music City Center, Nashville, Tenn. trucking.org/events

■ November 6-7, 2024

Intermodal Tank Container Association’s 2024 Intermodal Bulk Liquid Symposium, Sundance Grill II, Kemah, Texas itcatank.org

■ November 12-14, 2024

SIGMA Annual Conference, The Westin Copley Place, Boston, Mass. sigma.org

■ December 10-12, 2024

NISTM’s 17th Annual National Aboveground Storage Tank Conference & Trade Show, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands, Texas nistm.org

■ January 20-23, 2025

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2025, Gaylord Texas Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas hdaw.org

■ January 29-31, 2025

National Tank Truck Carriers’ Executive Forum, Trump National Doral Miami, Miami, Fla. tanktruck.org

■ February 6-7, 2025

PACEshow Petroleum and Convenience Expo, Kansas City paceshow.com

■ February 18-20, 2025

Western Petroleum Marketers Association (WPMA) Expo, TBA wpma.com

■ March 2025

National Tank Truck Carriers’ Call on Washington tanktruck.org

■ March 4-7, 2025

National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Week 2022, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. worktruckweek.com

■ March 10-13, 2025

ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, Music City Center, Nashville, Tenn. trucking.org/events

■ March 27-29, 2025

Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky. truckingshow.com

■ April 23-25, 2025

NISTM’s 27th Annual International Aboveground Storage Tank Conference & Trade Show, Orlando, Fla. nistm.org

■ April 2025

International Milk Haulers Association (IMHA) Annual Conference, TBA milkhauler.org

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Fleets

Eagle Transport Corporation recently promoted Brain Bell to operations manager at its terminal in Knoxville, Tennessee. He started with Eagle in 2020 as a billing clerk before rising to dispatcher. In his four years with the carrier, Bell has worked through difficult situations, assisted other terminals, and stayed until tasks were completed, earning the respect of coworkers and customers.

Associations

Eagle Transport recently promoted Chris Lance to operations manager in Richmond, Virginia. Lance joined the Richmond team as a dispatcher in February 2007 and has steadily grown his understanding of Eagle and this industry, leading to his promotion.

Jeff O’Connor recently retired from his position as chief operating officer at Heniff Transportation Systems. As part of a planned succession, Scott Templeman, Heniff president, is replacing O’Connor; and Steve Lowman, senior vice president of operations, is succeeding Templeman, who joined the company in 2002. Templeman brings over 30 years of experience to his new role; and Lowman, who came to Heniff from Superior Bulk Logistics in 2019, brings over 29 years of bulk transportation experience.

Suppliers

Westmor Industries recently promoted Colton Hayes to territory manager for the southwest sales region. In his new role, Hayes will serve the propane and petroleum industries, providing bobtail, refined fuel truck, and crane service truck expertise to his customers. He previously spent 10 years as a service technician with Westmor.

Tremcar USA recently expanded its sales team, appointing Owen Grace as senior sales manager for the Southern U.S. and introducing Chris Cooper as a regional sales manager for the Southeastern U.S. Grace began his career at Miller Transporters, where he held various positions, including quality control manager and assistant director of maintenance. He came to Tremcar via Ergon Trucking, where he served as maintenance manager.

The American Transportation Research Institute recently appointed J&M Tank Lines CEO Harold Sumerford Jr. to its board of directors. Sumerford, who joined J&M in 1976 and rose to CEO in 2002, boasts more than 45 years of experience in trucking. He’s been involved in various industry associations throughout his career, including National Tank Truck Carriers, American Trucking Associations, the Georgia Motor Trucking Association, the Alabama Trucking Association, ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee, and the Truckload Carriers Association.

The American Trucking Associations’ board of directors recently voted unanimously to extend the contract of Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, through 2029. The extension adds on to the fiveyear contract Spear signed in 2021. Since 2016, Spear has served as the ATA’s ninth president and CEO. During his tenure, Spear has advanced major policy priorities for ATA, including federal infrastructure investment, lawsuit abuse reform, interstate commerce protections, and the defeat of truck-only tolling schemes.

The International Liquid Terminals Association recently promoted Leakhena Swett to president, replacing Kathryn Clay, who exited in January after five years helming the association. Swett, who joined ILTA in 2019, previously served as executive vice president. As president, she assumes broader responsibilities in shaping ILTA’s vision, advocating for the industry, and leading initiatives to further advance the liquid terminals sector.

Obituaries

John “Jack” E. Olsta, who founded tank trailer equipment specialist The Jack Olsta Co., died April 27. He was 81 years old.

Olsta, who grew up New York and New Jersey, entered the tank trailer industry in 1967 as a salesman for then-family-owned equipment maker The Heil Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In the early 1970s, he accepted a new position in Huntsville, Texas, where he remained for the next 46 years, including 22 with Heil as a “fierce customer advocate with a steeled work ethic,” the family reported in his obituary.

Olsta started The Jack Olsta Co. in 1987 and continued to traverse the Gulf Coast, providing support and solutions to customers. “Single-unit fleet or major oil, they were all the same to Jack—people in need of assistance [and] customers who became valued friends,” the family said. Olsta retired in 2007 but continued to spend time at the office.

Bell

Lance

O’Connor

Grace Lowman Templeman

Cooper Hayes

Sumerford

Spear Olsta

Swett

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