Know those common phrases: “business as usual,” or “getting back to normal”?  I’ll let you in on a little secret: as a chemical transportation company with over 45 years of trusted service in this industry, we’ve learned something and it’s that there is no such thing as “business as usual.”

What’s usual is change. What’s normal is uncertainty. Resilient, wise leadership knows that. In our decades doing bulk liquid transport, we’ve seen all sorts of business disturbances, whether as regulation changes, pandemics, shortages, supply chain disruptions, and other business interruptions.

Turns out, when you’ve weathered storms often enough, you get steady in the face of them. You start to know how to navigate uncertainty in all its forms with clarity, strength, and adaptability. It’s important for companies to focus on their ability to stay the course while adapting to new situations. And we’re here to help you do the same.

Staying Alert to Changes: Practical Advice for Customers

If you’re in the chemical transportation industry long enough, you’ll see your fair share of business disruptions, and each one your business will face will have its own unique challenges to navigate. Depending on the nature of the disruption, certain industries get impacted more than others. Knowing the nature of the changes helps you assess the likely impact to your business, whether positive or negative.

When regulation or policy changes surface, dig into the details of whatever it is you’re facing.

• Identify your pivot points. Uncertainty calls for adaptability. Bulk liquid trucking companies that can’t adapt to changing contexts won’t make it for the long haul. So, take an honest look at your business offerings: where might you need to pivot from a stagnant strategy or service? Maybe tank leasing makes good business sense now where it didn’t in the past. Where could you introduce some diversification? Perhaps you can leverage bulk liquid chemical storage services to your advantage while waiting for events to play out a bit more.
• Understand how it impacts your business and your business ecosystem. Connect with your customers to learn how they may be impacted by recent changes. Uncertainty in the market may affect decision-making for your company, your customers, and your vendors.
• Stay connected, and stay informed. Business disturbances call for coming together: sharing knowledge, resources, and strategies to weather the storm. At All Chemical, we’ve developed a deep bench of bulk liquid transport professional associations and memberships that we can draw on when we need. Organizations like Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) and National Tank Truck Carriers provide advocacy outreach, workshops and resources we use to stay informed of industry changes and strategic responses at our disposal. Take stock of your networks and start tapping into them!

The Big Picture for Chemical Transportation Companies: Steer by Your Values

Change happens. It’s the one thing we can all count on; yet most chemical transportation companies panic when there’s change approaching. As a growing organization, All Chem aims to avoid moving too fast when changes are occurring at a fast pace.

At All Chemical, we know there’s nothing abnormal about change, including rapid change, on the horizon. We’re constantly navigating weather changes, like summer surges and the hazards of winter driving, customers’ intricate and complex hauls, and the changing landscape of government regulations for trucking companies and the chemical industry.

In addition to our business operations know-how, we also rely on our company values during times of uncertainty. For us at All Chemical, it’s all about the people. We’re loyal to our customers and our team: always have been, always will be. Because we care about our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve, we hold to safety as our top priority, and we bring an unparalleled level of customer service to all our operations.

Because we’ve invested in our people over the years, in times of business disruptions, our team stays strong. We’ve seen a low turnover rate because treating our team well is a core value at our company, and that results in a loyal retinue of highly-skilled truck drivers who are less likely to leave.

And remember, when business changes happen, turn to a company you can trust. Call us today to discover how we can support you and your company in the midst of business disruptions.

In the Cab with Anthony: The Benefits of Partnering with Chemical Transportation Companies When you’re transporting chemicals, you’re in for some complex chemical logistics. It’s no wonder people turn to chemical transportation companies like ours to help with their fluid transport needs. When it comes to hauling HAZMAT loads and planning tricky interstate routes, you want the professionals on the job.

Naturally, you’ll get plenty of benefits when partnering with any reputable company that specializes in chemical transport.

Benefits of Working with Chemical Transportation Companies

When you partner with a company of chemical logistics professionals, you’re getting:

• Drivers and dispatchers who are knowledgeable about the nuances of piers, ports, and other pickup/drop off locations.
• Experts standing by to troubleshoot any issues that arise during chemical transport.
• Equipment that’s designed and fitted for the task at hand, operated by drivers who know what they’re doing.
• Certified drivers trained in emergency preparedness.
• Systems in place that provide load tracking and accountability, from the beginning of a job to its successful conclusion.

Partnering with a chemical transport company provides all the services you need in one place. Now the question is, which one should you choose?

The All Chem Difference above Other Chemical Transportation Companies

Time and again, our customers find our services go above and beyond in all these areas. We troubleshoot, plan, operate top-of-the-line equipment, and give customers the best of our team’s expertise—and we bring an unparalleled level of customer service throughout.

At All Chem, we don’t just offer the standard benefits of partnership. We go above and beyond:

• We offer one-stop-shop chemical transport services. This translates to peace of mind. Because we handle every detail of a job from start to finish, we eliminate multi-vendor syndrome for our customers. Loading, delivery, storage, washing, and equipment servicing: you name it, we provide it. No need to juggle multiple invoices, vendors—and headaches.
• We’re always on the job. Where other chemical transportation companies often go dark during weekend or holiday hours, our customers know we’re on call 24/7. You can count on us!
• We take on jobs that others cannot, will not, or do not. We do this because we’re confident in our team’s expertise and troubleshooting abilities. Since we’re prepared down to the smallest detail, with a cohort of vetted and licensed drivers at the ready, we can handle almost anything that comes our way.
• We provide an impressively wide range of services. All Chem offers washes (standard chemical, food-grade, Kosher-grade, Kosher-maintenance, diesel), and an array of steam services. At our Lakewood headquarters, we have the capacity to put more than 50 containers out for a steam at once. We also offer delivery and storage offerings, fixed interval monitoring, leasing options and more.
• We’re a company guided by our values. We care about our customers, our team, and the communities we serve. That’s why our driver turnover rate is so low; why our safety standards and secondary containment compliance remain high year after year; and why our customers keep coming back.

Why search further for a chemical transportation company to partner with? All Chem’s expertise in chemical logistics and wide array of offerings—plus our reputation for excellence in customer service—make us the obvious choice. Reach out today to learn how we can partner with you!

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.

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.