Skip to main content

Author: SysAdmin

In the Cab with Anthony: Making Connections and Gaining Insight Through NTTC

In the Cab with Anthony: Making Connections and Gaining Insight Through NTTC

All Chemical understands the importance of contributing to the chemical transportation industry through knowledge sharing and advocacy. We are members of several trade organizations and associations as a means to connect with others in our specialized industry and to learn more about regulations and industry learnings that impact our business.

Here I share how All Chem has been involved with National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC).

NTTC is a trade organization committed to improving the tank truck industry’s safety through advocacy and education. The organization serves as the voice of the tank truck industry and has represented the interests of the tank truck industry since its founding in 1945 in Washington D.C.

How does NTTC contribute to the trucking industry?

NTTC has been an invaluable resource for All Chemical and other companies in the tank trucking industry. The organization offers seminars on safety, security, and cargo tank inspections to keep our employees informed about regulatory changes and updates. The organization also provides webinars and hosts events like Tank Truck Week featuring a top-notch trade show showcasing the latest equipment and services. Having attended this event twice now, it allows us to network with vendors and gain knowledge about industry trends and what’s coming up in the future.

How did All Chem get more involved with NTTC?

For several years, All Chem was involved with NTTC mostly as a passive member. Within the past two years, we have become more active with this trade organization. We started to increase our participation by attending Tank Truck Week in 2022. Don Wrege, All Chem’s Director of Safety and Maintenance, and I have become more involved ever since we attended the conference and saw opportunity within the group. We are looking forward to Tank Truck Week in September 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. All Chem has a terminal in this city and we anticipate sending members of the company to represent us and strengthen these invaluable connections with other industry leaders.

What interested you in going deeper with your involvement with NTTC as a chairperson, board member and volunteer?

At the 2023 Tank Truck Week conference, I attended a session led by a past executive chairman of the Board for NTTC. The meeting emphasized the importance of getting involved in the organization. I decided to join the Chemical Committee and was recently appointed as the chairperson. Despite being new, I was also asked to consider joining the board of directors. At the 2024 Annual Conference, I met with the nominating committee, which led to an unexpected meeting with multiple board members (there are close to 40 individuals representing companies across North America). Although initially overwhelmed, I demonstrated insight valuable toward the organization and tank industry and have since been actively involved in various aspects of the organization, which has been highly beneficial.

What are the benefits of being part of this trade organization?

There are several benefits we have encountered. First, we are making connections with others in the same industry and learning from different companies’ approaches to challenges. It’s certainly one of the benefits for my own professional growth.

Second, we are able to handle situations more effectively by leveraging the network of member companies. For example, we recently needed a tank repair, but it was in Chicago, Illinois. Rather than returning it to New Jersey to complete the repair, I called up an NTTC connection to help us. I had a high level of trust in how they handled the situation.

Third, NTTC helps us stay informed about regulatory changes. This helps us be proactive in decision-making at the company level.

How does All Chem plan to further their involvement with NTTC?

I am in the early stages of my involvement with the organization. My goal is to offer our assistance by providing a fresh perspective and sharing our experiences. This past May, I joined the Workforce Committee, recognizing the importance of addressing workforce challenges, particularly related to driver shortages and an aging workforce. I am ready to adapt and contribute in the most suitable way possible while staying attentive to the organization’s needs.

I have been fortunate to meet knowledgeable leaders through NTTC who are willing to share their experiences. It’s a unique group focused on helping everyone succeed in the transportation industry, especially in the specialized area of transportation or hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals.

NTTC is a trade association that is a crucial segment of the transportation industry, providing a sense of connection and a reality check outside of the usual work bubble. I look forward to our continued involvement with NTTC.

Servicing Companies During Summer Surges

Servicing Companies During Summer SurgesFrom May to August, when the A/C is on and the pressure to deliver is high, our expertise becomes even more critical. As temperatures soar and utility bills spike, water and power companies face increased operational demands. At All Chemical, we understand (and anticipate) these seasonal challenges and are committed to providing reliable and efficient support to these companies to keep essential services running smoothly. This is your behind-the-scenes guide to the types of demand we experience, and our expert levels of preparation.

Rising Resource Demand in the Heat of Summer

During the summer months, the demand for water and power surges. Public pools open, air conditioners run nonstop, and overall consumption peaks. This time frame also sees an uptick in the need for maintenance and repairs, especially for power transformers that need oil removal for disassembly and reassembly. Similarly, water companies require more process chemicals (such as fluorosilicic acid, ferric chloride, and bleach) to ensure safe and clean water supplies. We consistently observe heightened activity by our water and power customers from late spring through the height of summer. Unique requests, quick turnarounds, or specific needs… we’ve got all the tools we need to be a partner ready to jump into action.

Ensuring Employee Safety in High Temperatures

At All Chemical, we prioritize both the safety of our personnel and the integrity of the chemicals we transport.

Here’s how we manage:

  • Hydration and Cool Down Protocols: Around our terminals, we maintain hydration stations and ensure our team stays cool and hydrated, taking breaks from the heat as needed.
  • Extended Transit Times: On the road, we allow extra transit time to account for potential issues caused by the heat. This ensures a safe journey without compromising delivery schedules.

Temperature-Controlled Storage and Transport

For temperature-sensitive loads, we use advanced insulation techniques that function like a thermos, maintaining a stable temperature throughout the transport. This ensures that the chemical properties remain unaffected, even in the sweltering summer heat.

Regulatory Compliance in Extreme Heat

Compliance with regulations is non-negotiable, especially when transporting hazardous materials in extreme temperatures. We employ virgin tires—avoiding recapped tires that can fail under heat stress—and perform rigorous inspections to prevent mechanical issues. By using high-quality tires and equipment, we minimize risks associated with excessive heat.

Safety Protocols and Emergency Preparedness

Safety is our top priority. To prevent heat-related incidents:

  • Avoiding High-Risk Routes: We steer clear of notoriously congested and hot routes.
  • Enhanced Equipment Checks: Our maintenance checklists are more thorough during extreme temperatures, with a strong emphasis on tire pressure and coolant levels.
  • Flexible Delivery Schedules: We may adjust our delivery schedules as allowable by customer demand to avoid unsafe conditions and communicate changes with our customers.

Ensuring Reliable Deliveries During Peak Summer Months

High demand and challenging conditions can strain delivery schedules, but our commitment to reliability never wavers. Our customer service team works closely with our logistics department to adjust routes and schedules as needed, ensuring timely deliveries.

Why All Chemical is Your Trusted Partner in the Summer Surge

When the summer heat makes you sweat, choose a partner who can handle the increased demand with expertise and reliability. With our advanced safety protocols, meticulous equipment maintenance, and flexible delivery options, we ensure that your operations run smoothly, no matter how high the mercury climbs.

Discover the peace of mind that comes with using All Chemical for your summer transportation needs. From bulk liquid transport to comprehensive chemical management, we’ve got you covered. Reach out to us today – or request a quote – and let us help you navigate the summer surge with confidence!

Flexibags: Expanding Our Service Capabilities at All Chemical

Flexibags: Expanding Our Service Capabilities at All ChemicalDid you know that there’s an even cheaper, yet effective shipping alternative to the versatile ISO container—and All Chemical has it?

In this third installment of our ISO container series, we’re talking about Flexibags, the groundbreaking new shipping technology that we here at All Chem offer to our customers.

By now, you’re familiar with our impressive ISO container services—those unsung heroes of chemical and liquid bulk transportation—and such services are central to our success. Well, the Flexibag is like the icing on the cake of what we already offer. They’re cost-effective, readily available, and convenient, yet most bulk liquid transportation companies don’t offer this service to their customers.

It’s our feather in our cap that we provide this service!

The Flexibag Advantage: A Customer’s Story

Recently, a customer approached us with a Flexibag transloading opportunity. Now, at All Chemical, we live by the motto, “There’s nothing we cannot, will not, or do not do for our customers.” So, our team jumped at the chance to help this customer out!

When we arrived on the scene, the customer’s product (coconut oil) was essentially hard as rock, yet it needed to be transloaded—that is, moved from one method of transport to another in the course of shipping. We put our heads together and came up with a plan.

To prepare the oil for transloading, we knew we’d need to set up a heating system. Now, ISO containers have temperature gauges; Flexibags do not. But because of our Flexibag expertise, we knew we could utilize our in-house laser system to troubleshoot and test our way to achieving the product’s required temperature.

Sure enough, it worked! We carefully brought the oil to the exact right temperature to reduce viscosity enough for transloading. Then, we backed up the trailer, hooking a 3-inch-wide hose from the Flexibag bladder to the trailer itself.

From there, it was a matter of throwing the system in reverse, opening the dome lid on the tank, and drawing the oil out until we had a flat bag of product. We could then put the tanker on heat and send it out for delivery, washing and steaming the original trailer to prepare it for its next load.

Another job well done—and another satisfied customer!

Why Flexibags?

As the customer testimonial shows, Flexibags (also called “flexitanks”) do involve a slightly more complex process than typical ISO containers. But they’re more than worth the effort!

Each 20-foot Flexibag has framing around it so the container can be stacked and shipped with ease, but because of its simple construction, these containers tend to be less expensive—and more readily available—than ISO containers.

We offer our customers Flexibag options because versatility is key, in our ever-changing industry. We know that the power to pivot is the power to survive and thrive, for us and for our valued customers.

Flexibags are an important part of that. These innovative containers offer unique benefits:

  • When the ISO and importing business is skyrocketing, customers often struggle to keep shipping schedules on track, as ISO containers are leased out at rapid rates and availability plummets. As a relatively new technology, Flexibags can fill the gap.
  • Leasing and shipping costs for traditional ISO containers skyrocket sometimes, too. When this happens, Flexibags are a cheaper solution, without sacrificing safety.
  • Even when markets aren’t in flux, Flexibags still represent a streamlined option for transport. Because of materials and regulations, ISO container leasing is more complicated. The Flexibag route can mean less headache for you, the customer.

At All Chemical, we’re constantly innovating and exploring the newest technologies to give our customers the above-and-beyond services we’re known for. For us, adding Flexibag offerings was a no-brainer. As other carriers hung back, slow to adopt this emerging method of shipping, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.

With our trademark safety and compliance standards at the helm, we’re proud to give our customers the pivot power the Flexibag option presents. If the market takes a turn, we’re prepared. And with us on your side, so are you!

Q & A: All About Flexibags

If you’re wondering whether Flexibags might be right for your needs, let us answer a few common questions about this versatile shipping option.

What materials can Flexibags haul?

All non-hazardous materials. Currently, for the transport of hazardous materials, ISO containers are still the industry required standard, due to safety and secondary containment concerns.

What chemicals are best for Flexibags?

Though Flexibags can accommodate a wide range of products, we recommend less viscous materials, since lower viscosity makes the product easier to pump out. As befits our “nothing we can’t, won’t, or don’t do” motto, however, we still work with such loads when needed, using steam regulators to adjust to differing PSIs, slowing the pressure to ensure less strain on the bag itself.

What secondary containment procedures do Flexibags require?

Secondary containment standards are the same for Flexibags as they are for ISO containers. Despite knowing this, most competitors avoid working with Flexibags for fear of secondary containment issues.

Thanks to our full compliance in secondary containment regulations through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), our team and our customers can rest easy! We bring our high safety standards to the table with Flexibags as with everything we do, using our thorough, tried-and-true DPCC plan (Discharge Prevention, Containment, Countermeasure).

What do you foresee in the use of Flexibags for liquid transportation and transloading with All Chemical?

Bottom line, our Flexibag service offerings give us a competitive edge that directly benefits our customers. Already in this industry, transloading services are hard to come by, and they’re often a multi-vendor hassle at best.

As hard as that process is for ISO containers when working with other carriers, it’s 3 times harder with Flexibags, because most carriers simply don’t have the expertise and familiarity with this new and innovative technology. As an All Chemical customer, you’re covered! We can load, transload, transport, wash, steam, and store—no matter the container you’re using.

Flexibags, ISO containers, all-in-one steam and wash services, transloading, and storage: our ever-growing array of offerings give us the ability to handle any and all your needs.

Contact us today and discover for yourself the peace of mind that comes with using All Chemical for one-stop-shop bulk liquid transportation!

Elevating Industry Standards at All Chem’s ISO Container Depot

Elevating Industry Standards at All Chem’s ISO Container DepotWelcome to another installment of our ISO container series! We’re shining a spotlight on a critical component of our business: the container depot.

In the bulk hazardous liquid transportation industry, efficiency, safety, and innovation are paramount. With those qualifiers in mind, our ISO container depot stands out as a beacon of excellence. Our full-service facility is not only fully compliant with NJDEP and EPA regulations but designed to cater to the unique needs of our customers.. We’re setting a new industry standard for container depots.

Our Depot: At A Glance

Our depot boasts a remarkable capacity, with the ability to store 1200 loaded ISO containers in secondary confinement and an additional 2000 empty containers in our expansive storage yard. This extensive capacity is complemented by a suite of advanced features and services:

  • State-of-the-Art Transload Station: Our transload station is fully contained and undercover, ensuring seamless operations regardless of weather conditions.
  • Modern Wash Rack: With three bays and a cutting-edge DAF (dissolved air flotation) wastewater system, we offer comprehensive cleaning services for many products.
  • Advanced Heating Solutions: Our steam pads, capable of heating 50+ containers simultaneously with both high-and-low-pressure steam, provide efficient heating options. We also offer hot water heating.
  • On-Site Repair and Testing: Our fully equipped shop handles repairs and pressure testing, ensuring your containers are always in peak condition.
  • Extended Depot Hours: To accommodate outside carriers, we offer extended operating hours for container drop-offs and pick-ups.

Our Commitment to Safety

Safety is at the core of our operations, especially for ISO containers carrying hazardous chemicals. Our depot is equipped with a fully fenced yard and electric gates, with all containers under constant surveillance by both employees and cameras. Our meticulous safety protocols include:

  • Thorough Inspections: Drivers and lift operators conduct rigorous inspections of containers and chassis, ensuring all safety requirements are met.
  • Comprehensive Documentation: Drivers are provided with all necessary documents for hauling hazardous materials, ensuring maximum regulatory compliance.

Our Commitment to You

We Provide a Rigorous Inspection and Maintenance Process

Maintaining the integrity of every container is crucial. Upon arrival, lift operators create detailed trailer inspection reports, recording any damage or safety issues and notifying customers for resolution. Before departure, drivers inspect the entire unit and report any issues to dispatch, ensuring that containers leave our depot in optimal condition. We treat every order with the utmost care, concern, and diligence because your reputation is in our hands, and we take that very seriously.

We Streamline Logistics for Efficiency

To minimize turnaround times and enhance efficiency, we utilize internal processes and systems to track when containers need to be steamed or loaded on a chassis, ensuring timely deliveries. Our port-to-customer service further reduces transit time and costs, while our commitment to 100% on-time service underscores our dedication to reliability.

We Navigate Complex Regulations

Our safety department diligently reviews all regulatory requirements associated with transporting various types of hazardous and non-hazardous liquid chemicals. Safety is our #1 priority, and that means we are efficient without rushing to completion. Compliance updates are promptly communicated and reviewed during mandatory safety meetings, ensuring our operations remain up-to-date with the latest industry standards and best practices.

We Leverage Technology and Innovation

Embracing technology is key to our efficiency and reliability. All power equipment, domestic tanks, and chassis are equipped with transponders, allowing for real-time tracking of loads. Drivers use the latest technology to scan paperwork and upload documents into our system, providing instant access to dispatch and customer service once a load is complete.

At our ISO container depot, we don’t just store and transport goods; we facilitate progress. By investing in cutting-edge equipment and embracing innovative technologies, we empower our team to deliver exceptional service consistently.

Whether you’re seeking reliable transportation solutions or a forward-thinking partner, we’re here to exceed your expectations.

Streamlined Solutions: Your ISO Container Go-To

Streamlined Solutions: Your ISO Container Go-ToISO containers are the unsung heroes of modern logistics. Most of us click “order” and a box appears on our doorstep, seemingly by magic. For those behind the scenes, ISO containers are a daily focus, pivotal in keeping our world running smoothly.

At All Chemical, we’re passionate about providing top-notch ISO container services. Our goal is to help your life and business run seamlessly with these versatile shipping solutions.

What Is an ISO Container?

An ISO container, also known as an intermodal container, is a standardized, steel box designed to specific dimensions and used to transport goods via multiple modes (think ships, trains, and trucks). Though they come in a few sizes, the most common are 20-foot and 40-foot lengths. Each container is built to specifications set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which ensures ease and efficiency of transport across the country—even across continents and oceans!

History of ISO Containers

Before we had these containers, invented by an American trucker named Malcolm MacLean in 1954, shipping was much more precarious and time-consuming. Your goods might make it to port, but chances were high they’d get damaged during loading and unloading. The packing crates might not fit below deck of the only ship available to take them the next leg of the journey.

And you’d better believe such clunky methods took a lot of time. Once the ISO container came on the scene—and especially after its construction was standardized internationally in 1972—all that hassle became a thing of the past.

Benefits of ISO Containers

Today, we can’t imagine life without the ISO container. These impressive containers represent a cornerstone of modern logistics, facilitating the global movement of goods efficiently and reliably. They offer three central benefits:

  • Standardization. Since each container adheres to universal standards, they’re compatible with multiple shipping systems worldwide, streamlining operations and reducing the complex logistics involved in cargo handling.
  • Security and Protection. Durably built to withstand the rigors of long-distance travel, these containers reliably protect goods against the elements and damage from transit.
  • Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness. The standardized fitting of each container ensures easy stacking and securing, optimizing cargo loading and unloading, which leads to faster turnaround and lower costs. Their modular design uses all transportation space to the utmost, maximizing efficiency.

Without this wonder of modern shipping technology, most of the conveniences that make up our everyday lifestyle would be out of reach. In fact, you could say that ISO containers make the world go round!

Inside All Chemical’s ISO Container Offerings

Now that you have a sense for the magic of ISO containers, let’s dive into All Chemical’s ISO container service offerings.

Our customers know: we’re trustworthy, reliable, and efficient. When you work with us, you can rest easy knowing your shipping and storage needs are in good hands. Since our founding over forty years ago, we’ve specialized in transporting ISO containers across diverse modes of transit, ensuring the seamless transitions and speedy delivery our customers know they can count on.

From short-term shipping services to long-term storage solutions, we’ve got you covered. Our growing Lakewood headquarters boasts plenty of amenities:

  • 140+ ISO container chassis
  • 60+ steam stations
  • 7 container lifts
  • 20 acres of container storage

Best of all, we offer these services as a one-stop-shop for our customers. Say goodbye to multi-vendor syndrome and enjoy the streamlined, stress-free experience All Chemical provides! From the moment we pick up your pier-side load, we’re covering all the bases for you. We can transload products from your trailers to ours when needed, transport them to our facility, offer storage, and provide steam services before delivery and wash services after.

Storage, steam, wash, and transload: Who wouldn’t want the all-in-one full service treatment?

So, don’t wait—contact us today to learn more about our ISO container service offerings, and discover for yourself the magic we make at All Chemical.x

Top-Tier Transportation: Our Commitment to Cutting-Edge Equipment

Top-Tier Transportation: Our Commitment to Cutting-Edge Equipment We believe that innovation drives progress and that staying ahead of the curve is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity. Owning and maintaining our own state-of-the-art equipment plays a pivotal role in delivering exceptional service.

As pioneers in our field, we are dedicated to employing top-of-the-line machinery across all our service areas, setting new standards for excellence and efficiency.

Eco-Conscious Solutions

As a company that pursues green initiatives at every turn, we recognize our responsibility to minimize our carbon footprint. That’s why we have integrated the CARB DEF method into all our company trucks. This progressive technology not only recycles emissions from diesel burn to power the engine but also captures exhaust with a fluid coupled with additional fuel, which is then rerun through the engine. By adopting this approach, we ensure that our operations are green and efficient.

Expansive Reach

With a fleet of newer equipment at our disposal, we are more than capable of hauling products across the entire continental U.S. and parts of Canada. Our day-cab and sleeper tractors enable us to undertake both short and long haul trips, providing our truck drivers with everything they need to make a safe, comfortable trip. Moreover, we have strategically allocated our services and equipment nationwide, focusing on key areas where on-demand assistance is most needed.

 

Diverse Equipment Portfolio

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the diversity of our equipment portfolio. Here are just a few examples of the cutting-edge machinery we own and operate:

  • Tankers: With over 310 tankers in our fleet, we specialize in transporting various types of liquid products, including oils, chemicals, and Kosher-certified materials.
  • ISO Container Chassis: Our fleet comprises over 140 ISO container chassis, which are essential for intermodal transportation and container transfers.
  • Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Trailers (FRP): We own over 35 FRP trailers renowned for their strength, durability, and lightweight properties. These trailers are ideal for transporting corrosive materials, agricultural products, and specialized materials for military and utility companies.
  • Polyethylene Barrels with Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Outer Shells (CFRP): Our 6 OMNI Tankers utilize innovative CFRP technology, making them suitable for chemical storage, hazardous waste, agricultural chemicals, water treatment and renewable energy (like hydrogen) storage and transport.
  • Container Lifts: With 7 container lifts in our inventory, we ensure efficient loading, unloading, and transportation of shipping containers at various locations, including ports, container depots, military sites, and intermodal transportation hubs.

A Partner in Progress

At our company, we don’t just transport goods; we facilitate progress. By investing in cutting-edge equipment and embracing innovative technologies, we empower our team to deliver exceptional service to you, each and every time.

Whether you’re looking for reliable transportation solutions or seeking to collaborate with a forward-thinking partner, we’re here to exceed your expectations every step of the way.

In the Cab with Anthony: Insights & What Lies Ahead From Motive’s Innovation Summit

In the Cab with Anthony: Insights & What Lies Ahead From Motive’s Innovation Summit I’m excited to share some highlights from my recent panel attendance at Motive’s Innovation Summit in Nashville this past April. This two-day conference marked our first user conference and offered a valuable platform for industry leaders to converge, exchange insights, and chart the course for our collective future.

 

Our group delved into a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from economic trends to customer surveys. On the panel, I was joined by Motive’s Chief Customer Officer Ryan Plutnicki and Hamish Woodrow, Director of Strategic Analytics. Chief Economist Phil Levy and Thomas Wasson, Enterprise Trucking Expert at FreightWaves, rounded out the group.

One pivotal question addressed was how the tumultuous waves of the post-COVID era have impacted businesses like ours. We shared our journey through the peaks and troughs, from the frenetic rush to meet the soaring demand for sanitation products to the subsequent recalibration as markets stabilized.

Technology emerged as a cornerstone of our strategy for navigating these shifting tides. We spotlighted our utilization of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), not merely as a theoretical concept but as a tangible tool driving efficiency across our operations. With 17 distinct processes seamlessly integrated into our workflows, from paperwork matching to financial reporting, we’re embracing innovation to stay agile in a dynamic market.

Looking ahead, uncertainty looms large, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming election cycle. While the consensus among panelists suggests a looming downturn, the team at All Chemical remains cautiously optimistic, leveraging our resilient service model to weather potential storms. This is my fourth election cycle at All Chemical, and I believe we’ll remain flat as we approach November, and everyone will likely experience a growth boom as we approach January 2025.

Next, I’m gearing up for the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) annual conference. As the Chair of the Chemical Committee, I’m committed to representing our community’s interests and fostering dialogue around critical issues shaping our industry’s future.

Continue to follow along as we navigate these uncharted waters, armed with insights, innovation, and our steadfast commitment to all-around excellence.

Advancing Environmental Excellence: Inside Our New Wastewater Treatment Facility

Advancing Environmental Excellence: Inside Our New Wastewater Treatment Facility Welcome to an exciting update from All Chem! We’re thrilled to share the latest addition to our infrastructure: our brand-new wastewater treatment facility.

This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental stewardship.

Join us as we delve into the details of this innovative construction project and explore how it expands our capabilities to better serve our customers.

Spotlight on Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Our stellar containment rating is in large part due to our new wastewater treatment facility! This is a major upgrade from our previous micro filtration system that could only clean soluble products broken down in water.

Details about All Chemical’s wastewater treatment facility:

  • This facility is a state-of-the-art Siemens model.
  • Construction on the facility started March 2023 and ended October 2023.
  • We have 2 processing tanks equaling 13,000 gallons of holding space!

How does it work?

All tank wash fluid from cleaned tanks and containers feeds into one pit with corresponding floats near max capacity. When the float raises, it kicks on one of the pumps and fills the primary tank. When that tank gets to 95% full, the primary pump shuts down and starts up another pump to fill the diversion tank.

Since this process is carefully monitored, an All Chem employee keeps a close eye on the tank’s LED gauges to understand the exact moment to start draining the water from the process tank into the waste reaction tanks.

The wastewater undergoes processing in distinct stages.

  • Dependent on the PH levels, the system adds either caustic, sulfuric acid, or polymer at differing increments.
  • The reaction tank features an agitator that drops in dissolved air flotation (DAF), designed to push the solid particles to the top.
  • Simultaneously, a cycling scraper skims the solids into another compartment that’s pumped into a sludge box that resembles a roll off dumpster. When the sludge box is full, we call our friends at the waste facility to properly dispose of the byproduct.

The remaining chemical treated water drops into an effluent pump and it’s off onto its next phase of the journey… to the city sewage facility!

Our wastewater treatment facility and DAF system mean we have a limitless capability to treat the varying types of non-poisonous chemicals that we transport.

A New Era of Environmental Stewardship

The completion of our wastewater treatment facility this past year represents not only a significant investment in our infrastructure but also a testament to our dedication to providing top-notch service and environmental responsibility.

With this new facility in place, we are equipped with enhanced capabilities to handle a wide range of non-poisonous chemicals, ensuring the utmost safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

As we continue to innovate and evolve, rest assured that All Chem remains steadfast in our mission to deliver excellence at every turn, offering  customers unparalleled service and environmental sustainability for years to come.

Driving To Success: Jana’s Journey in Chemical Logistics

Driving To Success: Jana’s Journey in Chemical Logistics People come to the chemical logistics industry—and to All Chemical—from many backgrounds and for many different reasons. A few reasons include job security, a promising career trajectory, or more job autonomy.

In Jana Huckaby’s case, many reasons bring this bright, hardworking woman to what would soon prove to be the career of her dreams as a long-haul truck driver for All Chemical.

If you’re not familiar, a long-hauler is responsible for the efficient and safe transportation of goods across long distances, often across many state lines. The job entails extensive periods of driving, often spending days, weeks, or months away from home.

 

Meet Jana

Before Jana became a truck driver, she worked as a customer service representative for 15 years. Soon, though, she noticed how little chance there was for upward growth. After a brief stint with cosmetology and massage therapy, Jana determined that these skill sets weren’t a fit for her.

That’s when she turned her sights to trucking.

Trucking and chemical logistics were in her blood. Jana’s grandfather owned a truck stop, and her father worked as a long-haul trucker for over 40 years. Why shouldn’t she follow in the family trade? Jana subsequently earned her CDL license, and has never looked back.

When Jana found All Chemical, she was excited by the excellent pay and benefits, which directly contribute to the company’s stunningly low turnover rate.

“Every day, I catch my eye in my rearview mirror and say, I can’t believe I get paid to do this!” Jana says, grinning. “It’s a great career, a great living. To be honest, I can’t see myself doing anything else—ever!”

A Rewarding Career

Jana is enthusiastic about the benefits of the long-haul trucker’s life, while realistic about its challenges. “I’d be the first to say this career isn’t for everyone,” she explains. Despite the freedom this job provides, there are a few unavoidable trade-offs. “I’m single, and my kids are grown. When they were younger, I couldn’t have been a long-hauler. Even now, I miss some holidays and special occasions.”

Still, the trucker’s life is the life for Jana. “For me—as someone comfortable with minimal social contact yet not a homebody—the fit is pretty near perfect,” she says. “I even sleep better in my truck than I do at home!” she adds.

Like the rest of the team at All Chemical, Jana keeps safety at the forefront of her work. “Safety is my highest priority,” she asserts. “There is nothing worth my life or the life of another person.” She always has an updated copy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) handbook in her cab, as well as the HAZMAT guidebook, and several emergency response guidebooks. She is constantly keeping abreast of industry trends and chemical logistics regulations to ensure compliance.

This focus on safety led to one of the proudest moments in her career. “Once, from my cab, I saw a woman veer off the road in her pickup truck and hit a tree. All my safety training came rushing in, and I immediately pulled over and called 911.”

Keeping a cool head, Jana assessed the situation. The woman had been thrown partially through the windshield and would need emergency medical attention. Jana stayed with her and held her hand while both women waited for EMTs to arrive.

“She survived,” Jana says. “I was so glad I was there to help.”

Women in Transportation

While popular opinion might see truck driving as a male-centric occupation, Jana begs to differ. She believes long-haul trucking can be a great fit for women and encourages those interested in pursuing a career in chemical logistics to reach out to women drivers, or sign up for a course at a local technical school.

“It’s the best decision I ever made,” she says.

Industry trends show that plenty of women are taking Jana’s advice. Though male truck drivers still outnumber women by about 6 to 1, in recent decades, the number of women truckers in the U.S. went up by 68%. Jana thinks the best way to recruit more women truckers is for the industry to target women in their 40s and 50s whose children are grown, and who are looking for a way to spread their wings. Alternatively, there are a considerable number of women who love to drive, have an interest in travel, and are looking for a rewarding career with great pay and benefits.

Professional organizations like the non-profit Women in Trucking are a great resource for current and aspiring female truck drivers.

Though other women in chemical logistics report problems with discrimination and other gender-related issues, Jana has had only positive experiences in her eleven-year career—especially working for All Chemical.

“The industry is rough on everyone. Both female and male drivers work incredibly hard doing a rough and stressful job, hoping we make it home all over again.”

Stay tuned for more of All Chemical’s behind-the-scenes spotlights, and contact us today to discuss your ongoing chemical logistics needs! And for your next All Chemical order, Jana may be the one ensuring it arrives safely and on time!

Adding Value & Versatility: Inside Our Transload Logistics

Adding Value & Versatility: Inside Our Transload LogisticsOur team at All Chemical specializes in transload logistics, such as taking on complex projects like the transloading of chemicals from ISO containers to tanks.

Transloading products requires careful planning and execution to prevent any accidents or spills. Our team is committed to upholding the highest safety standards throughout the transloading logistics process.

Transloading involves transferring commodities from one mode of transportation to another. In our case, we often transload hazardous and non-hazardous bulk liquids from our customers’ ISO containers into our trailers.

We are known for our ingenuity and our customizable service offerings, which includes transloading. Because there is nothing we cannot, will not, or do not take on, this has led us to some unique transloading experiences.

Seamless, Customized Transloading Services

Transloading allows for products to continue their journey to their final destination using a different mode of transportation, or to consolidate shipments for greater efficiency. This plays a crucial role in supply chain optimization.

This is transloading 101:

  • There are many variables to take into account when transloading a customer’s order: viscosity, ambient temperatures, and container specifications, to name a few!
  • On average, the process takes an hour and a half to 2 hours. That’s a rough estimate, because we take as much time as needed to get the job done right.
  • We transload just about anything with the exception of heavy inhalation hazard chemicals, like Benzoyl Chloride. In our rigorous commitment to safety, we don’t handle chemicals that could pose a safety risk to our team or the surrounding community.
  • We can pick up your container from the pier, bring it to our facility to steam before, and wash after delivery, too!

There are a multitude of reasons why All Chem is everyone’s top choice. Between our dedicated problem solving, our stellar customer service that begins with “Sure, we can do that. How else can we help?”, it’s also because…

We are one of a handful of transload facilities in New Jersey, and our secondary containment capabilities put us a level above.

Not only are we one of the only facilities that can transload, we also aren’t stopped by inclement weather! While weather is a challenge for other carriers, if there is rain or snow, we can easily move operations to our roof-enclosed wash bays. Even better, we have lengthy processes in place to prevent rain from getting into the tank and potentially contaminating the product.

Rain, sleet, and snow… we’ve got you covered!

Over the past few years, we have made significant investments in secondary containment. If a spill or hose breakage occurred during the transloading process (or any of our other transportation services), it’s much more manageable and isolated. There would be no sewage seepage into the ground, waterways and drains. Remember, we are fully compliant in secondary containment regulations with NJDEP (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)!

We’ll Take It From Here

From a standard, routine transloading move to a complex and intricate request, we’ve got it covered.

We prioritize safety, efficiency, and innovation in everything we do, ensuring that our customers receive the highest quality of service, innovation, and flexibility every time, for every job.

Trust us to deliver excellence every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for your transloading needs and beyond.