The Latest Industry News

ADOT and AASHTO Propose Siphoning Jobs and Customers from Small Town Business to Fix State Budget
8.25.2010

Statement by NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings:

"In a recent video press release issued by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Arizona Department of Transportation proposes that states should compete with small-town businesses, siphoning jobs and customers to fix state budget shortfalls, by establishing commercial rest areas along the Interstate right-of-way.

Congress outlawed commercial activities at interstate rest areas to foster competition and the growth of local communities near the Interstate Highway System. Today, this policy continues to promote a vigorous competitive environment. In Arizona alone, nearly 1,200 businesses are located within a quarter mile of an interstate highway, employing more than 31,000 people. Nationally, 97,000 businesses, including truckstops, gas stations, convenience stores and restaurants, thrive along the Interstate Highway System, employing 2.2 million Americans.

ADOT’s plan to overturn this law and allow commercial rest areas would drain local businesses of customers, jobs and local tax revenues by putting established businesses in direct competition with the state. At the same time, it would give the state an unfair competitive advantage by granting the state direct access to highway motorists.

Arizona’s plan represents a deliberate attempt to set up businesses on the Interstate right-of-way with full awareness that there are no new dollars or new traffic on the Interstate Highway System.

State budgets nationwide are stressed because of the economic downturn. But addressing those budget problems by adopting measures harmful to small town businesses and local communities is counterproductive and stands to create more problems in the long-term than they solve.

State financial budget problems are not a burden that should be handed to local business owners and local communities. Now is not the time to threaten businesses that will suffer in the form of lost jobs and property taxes used to support schools, police, fire and other public services.

Despite claims that commercial rest areas represent a positive public-private partnership, the reality is they represent state-controlled monopolies on travelers’ food, beverage, retail and fuel purchases because they alone will enjoy the best, easiest-to-access locations. Well-established local businesses that rely on motorists exiting the interstates will no longer be able to compete.

What’s more, while nearby businesses are left to flounder, consumers will pay hidden taxes in the form of higher costs for goods and services at commercialized rest areas as the large multi-national corporations contracted to run them seek to recoup investments and turn a profit for shareholders and the state."

NATSO Urges Senate to Extend Biodiesel Tax Credit
7.12.2010

ALEXANDRIA, VA — NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and travel plazas, along with industry partners, urged congressional leaders to support Sen. Charles Grassley’s amendment to the Small Business Lending Act of 2010 and extend the biodiesel tax credit through Dec. 31, 2010.

In a letter addressed to members of the Senate, NATSO, along with the National Association of Convenience Stores, the Petroleum Marketers Association of America and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, said the blender tax credit is critically important to the survival of the nation’s biodiesel producers and fuel blenders. 

“It is vital that Congress reinstate the biodiesel tax credit to ensure a healthy biodiesel market for producers and consumers,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “The lapse of this credit and drastic cuts in production are undermining fuel retailers’ commitment to offering alternative fuels to the public and to investing in biodiesel infrastructure. The expiration of the tax credit has put thousands of jobs at stake and threatens the industry’s ability to meet the mandated renewable fuels standard.”

Since the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit expired, U.S. biodiesel production has plummeted by more than 80 percent.   At the same time, motorists are changing buying habits as the price of biodiesel surpasses other fuels. The $1 per gallon blender tax credit makes biodiesel cost competitive with conventional diesel fuel. The expiration of the tax credit, coupled with sagging consumer demand, has caused many producers to shut down or severely scale back production. 

The truckstop and travel plaza industry is fully engaged in supporting U.S. environmental efforts. Failure to reinstate the tax credit, however, could force fuel blenders and producers to lay off employees or push them into failure. When the tax credit expired, many fuel blenders and producers continued to pass the $1/per gallon credit on to customers based on an assurance that the credit would not lapse and would cover all of 2010. 

Extending the tax credit will increase biodiesel production while spurring retail investment in the infrastructure necessary to supply biodiesel to commercial carriers and the motoring public.

HMSHost's Contract With Delaware Bad For Business and Consumers
6.28.2010

Statement by NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings:

"In discussing its 35-year contract with HMSHost Corp. to operate the Delaware Welcome & Travel Center, the state of Delaware has grossly exaggerated the benefits of this agreement and failed to inform local residents, businesses and consumers about the deal's significant downside.

Contrary to claims that the facility will serve as an economic tool generating jobs and state revenue, the Delaware Travel Center represents nothing more than a monopoly that threatens to cripple the many businesses offering food, fuel and other retail services near the I-95 exit interchanges.

With direct access to highway motorists, the state now operates at a significant advantage over the businesses that depend on motorists exiting the Interstate. The 4.5 million visitors HMSHost claims it will service are 10 times what many local businesses would see in terms of visitors. This deal represents a classic example of government teaming up with big business to squeeze out small business.

While nearby businesses are left to flounder, consumers undoubtedly will pay hidden taxes in the form of higher costs for goods and services as the state seeks to recoup its investment.

Furthermore, the state of Delaware has said that beginning today it will balance its budget without regard for the needs of local communities. Local businesses typically pay more in local taxes than it will cost HMSHost to maintain the Travel Center. Without thriving businesses, local communities will lose jobs and the significant tax revenues that pay for public services like schools, police and fire departments.

Delaware's so-called 'best investment' in reality rings the death knell for local communities."

Save Highway Business!

NATSO Urges Congress To Extend Biodiesel Tax Credit
4.12.2010

ALEXANDRIA, VA — NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and travel plazas, along with industry partners, today urged Congressional Leaders to act quickly to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2010, to ensure a healthy biodiesel market for producers and consumers.

In a letter addressed to Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Representatives Sander Levin (D-MI) and Dave Camp (R-MI), NATSO urged lawmakers to quickly convene a conference on the American Worker, State and Business Relief Act of 2010 and to reinstate the tax credit that expired Dec. 31.

The National Association of Convenience Stores, the Petroleum Marketers Association of America and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America joined NATSO in signing the letter.

“The truckstop and travel plaza industry is fully engaged in supporting U.S. environmental efforts. Fuel retailers want to continue making investments in biodiesel infrastructure and want to continue selling biodiesel to customers,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “But without this tax credit, they can’t do that. Congress imposed biodiesel production mandates to stimulate renewable fuel development. Without an extension of the tax credit, the production mandate is meaningless and consumer demand for the product erodes.” 

Since the biodiesel tax credit expired, U.S. biodiesel production has plummeted by more than 80 percent.  At the same time, motorists are changing buying habits as the price of biodiesel surpasses other fuels. The $1 per gallon blender tax credit makes biodiesel cost competitive with conventional diesel fuel. The expiration of the tax credit, coupled with sagging consumer demand, has caused many producers to shut down or severely scale back production. 

Furthermore, failure to reinstate the tax credit could force fuel blenders and producers to lay off employees or push them into failure. When the tax credit expired, many fuel blenders and producers continued to pass the $1/per gallon credit on to customers based on an assurance that the credit would not lapse and would cover all of 2010.

Extending the tax credit will increase biodiesel production while spurring retail investment in the infrastructure necessary to supply biodiesel to commercial carriers and the motoring public.

NATSO Applauds DOT Decision to Reject I-80 Tolling
4.07.2010

ALEXANDRIA, VA— NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and travel plazas, applauds the Department of Transportation’s rejection of Pennsylvania’s application to toll Interstate 80. 

Auto drivers would have paid $25 and truck drivers would have paid $100 to drive on the Interstate, which runs east to west across the entire state. NATSO criticized the endeavor, arguing that fuel taxes remain the most equitable source of revenue to support the Interstate. 

NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings hailed the decision, saying tolling I-80 would have caused trucks and motorists to find alternative routes to bypass the tolls, further weakening businesses along the Interstate that already are struggling against a weak economy. New tolls also would have double taxed motorists who already pay for the Interstate system through state and Federal fuel taxes. 

“We’re pleased that DOT has moved away from the idea of tolling the Interstate as a means of generating revenue,” said Mullings. “Tolls divert traffic to secondary, less-safe roads as well as away from those businesses operating along the Interstate that are most equipped to handle highway traffic. This marks a major victory for highway-based businesses. We hope that other states will see that tolling existing Interstate is not a viable solution to revenue problems.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) submitted a joint application to DOT in late October requesting to implement tolls on I-80. The application was the third such attempt by the Commonwealth after two previous applications were denied. However, the most recent application was the first submitted under new leadership at DOT. After this third rejection, Rendell classified I-80 tolling attempts as “over.”

“We would like to thank the Members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation for their efforts in defending businesses all across I-80,” Mullings said. The leadership of Representative Glenn Thompson, along with fellow state Representatives Paul Kanjorski, Kathy Dahlkemper, and Chris Carney, was instrumental in this victory.” 

The original plan to toll I-80 was derived out of Act 44, approved by the Pennsylvania legislature in 2007. Act 44 established a system in which the PTC would “lease” I-80 from PennDOT, paying annual lease payments under the expectation that I-80 would be converted to a toll road. In all three applications, DOT found that the application to toll I-80 did not meet the criteria of the pilot program under which the applications were submitted.

Fuel Management Software Company QuikQ Joins NATSO
2.25.2010

ALEXANDRIA, VA. – QuikQ, a newly formed fuel transaction processing software designer, joined NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and travel plazas, at the highest level to work more closely with its industry counterparts.

Ernie Betancourt, President of the Franklin, Tenn.-based QuikQ, said QuikQ is pleased to join NATSO to improve the trucking industry’s method of processing diesel fuel transactions. "Since QuikQ is a startup company with several patent applications intended to modernize the way the motor carrier/truck stop relationship works, we know that having this kind of access to the NATSO leadership will help us reach our mutual goals successfully."

QuikQ is a privately held software development company that will utilize 21st century technology to improve the method to process diesel fuel transactions as well as provide security measures to drastically reduce fuel fraud. QuikQ offers a card-less direct fuel connection between the truckstop point-of-sale systems and the motor carrier’s enterprise management system. The software engine processing fuel transactions can operate as on-premise software or in the software as a service (SaaS) model. QuikQ’s product DFConnect™ is intended to reduce fuel fraud, reduce or eliminate driver data entry, and provide new management and marketing tools for the truckstop. Betancourt launched QuikQ in December 2009 after selling Innovative Computing Corp.

QuikQ joins NATSO at a time when the truckstop and travel plaza industry is tackling such critically important issues as rising fuel prices and rising interchange fees. The industry is working to ensure a viable retail market for all truckstop and travel plazas nationwide. QuikQ is committed to helping the truckstop and travel plaza industry face these challenges.

Representatives of QuikQ will attend The NATSO Show 2010 scheduled to be held Feb. 27 to March 3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev.

NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings welcomed NATSO’s newest member saying, "QuikQ’s decision to join NATSO is an important addition to the association." She praised the company for its willingness to take a leadership role in NATSO as a Chairman's Circle member to improve its business and the truckstop industry.

QuikQ provides new fuel processing solutions connecting truck stops and travel plazas throughout the United States with their customers in both the on-premise and software as a service models.

Portage-Based Owner-Operator Jim Goetz to Receive NATSO Hall of Fame Award, First-Time, Second-Generation Winner in Award History
2.10.2010

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Travel plaza owner-operator and past NATSO chairman Jim Goetz will receive the association’s Hall of Fame award at The NATSO Show 2010 in Las Vegas, Nev., later this month, announced NATSO, the trade association representing the truckstop and travel plaza industry.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals for notable participation in their communities, the truckstop and travel plaza industry and in NATSO. NATSO has presente the award only twice since 2004. NATSO members nominate candidates for the award. NATSO’s executive committee and past Hall of Fame recipients select the winner.

As the owner-operator of Petro Travel Plaza in Portage, Wisc., and vice president of Goetz Co., Goetz has served professional drivers, the traveling public and NATSO for more than 20 years.

"Jim’s dedication to the travel plaza industry is obvious through his countless volunteer hours and the sheer enthusiasm he brings to the table. He wants to see everyone in the industry succeed and is willing to share all he knows," said Scott Paulson, NATSO chairman and owner of Watkins Co., which operates Tomahawk Auto Truck Plazas in Colorado and Arizona.

"I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award than Jim. He leads by example, consistently demonstrating his strong work ethic, personal integrity and sound judgment," added NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. "NATSO and its members have greatly benefitted from Jim's involvement through the years, whether he is advocating for the industry on Capitol Hill, chairing the board of directors, or contributing his expertise to a NATSO working group."

Goetz served as NATSO’s chairman in 2006 and has served on the executive committee and the board of directors. He also served on the government affairs, education, information and research, nominating, conventions, and budget and audit committees.

Goetz’s father, James Goetz, Sr., received the Hall of Fame award in 1995. This marks the first second-generation recipient in the history of the award.

NATSO will present the award to Goetz during the opening session of The NATSO Show 2010 on Sat., Feb. 27 at Caesars Palace. The session will include the joint panel discussion on The Future of Trucking sponsored by Shell Lubricants. NATSO and the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) have partnered to present the panel of experts who will discuss the critical issues facing trucking and their impact on the truckstop and travel plaza industry in 2010 and beyond.

NATSO will host its annual show in Las Vegas Feb. 27 to March 3 at Caesars Palace. The full lineup of speakers, exhibitors and schedule appears at www.natsoshow.org.

Grocery and Foodservice Supply Chain Solutions Provider McLane Joins NATSO
2.1.10

Alexandria, VA. McLane, a leading supply chain service company, joined NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and travel plazas, at the highest level to work more closely with its industry counterparts.

Steve Brady, Vice President, Sales Military and Convenience for the Temple, Texas-based grocery and foodservice supply chain company, said McLane is pleased to join NATSO to help play a role in finding solutions to the challenges facing the truckstop industry. 

"We view this organization as a committed advocate and leading source of valuable information for the truckstop and travel plaza industry," said Brady. "With a large number of truckstop and travel plaza customers, combined with the fact that McLane operates one of the nation's largest private fleets, we fully support NATSO's mission to advance the success of this important industry."

McLane joins NATSO at a time when the truckstop and travel plaza industry is tackling such critically important issues as the future of highway funding, rest area commercialization, and rising interchange fees. The industry also is working to ensure a viable retail market for diesel exhaust fluid, required to help new model tractor trailers meet Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards. McLane is committing to help the truckstop and travel plaza industry face these challenges.

Representatives of McLane will attend The NATSO Show 2010 scheduled to be held Feb. 27 to March 3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev. 

NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings welcomed NATSO's newest member saying, "McLane's decision to join NATSO is an important addition to the association." She praised the company for its willingness to take a leadership role in NATSO as a Chairman's Circle member to improve its business and the truckstop industry.

McLane is a $34 billion supply chain services leader, providing grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions for thousands of convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores and military locations, as well as thousands of chain restaurants throughout the United States. With 38 modern distribution centers and one of the nation's largest private fleets, the company optimizes the purchase, flow and sale of products from thousands of suppliers to over 60,000 locations. Every year, McLane delivers more than 10 billion pounds of merchandise in every state and county in the U.S. The company also provides logistics services in Brazil and exports to 34 countries around the world. McLane is a wholly owned unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK) and employs 15,000 teammates globally.

NATSO and TCA Team Up To Offer Joint Panel on the Future of Trucking
1.27.10

ALEXANDRIA, VA. Tapping into two highly-anticipated shows to create a must-attend event, NATSO, the trade association representing the truckstop and travel plaza industry, and the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) announced today they will team up to offer a special, joint panel discussion on The Future of Trucking during their annual conferences in Las Vegas, Nev.

On Feb. 27, 2010, NATSO and TCA together will host a panel of experts who will discuss the critical issues facing trucking and their impact on the truckstop and travel plaza industry in 2010 and beyond. The heavy-hitting roster includes U.S. Xpress Enterprises co-chairman and president Pat Quinn, O&S Trucking, Inc. President Jim ONeal, ACT Research partner and senior analyst Kenny Vieth, and Ernie Betancourt, former president and CEO of Innovative Computing Corporation and president of QuikQ LLC.

The transportation industry must continually transform itself to remain competitive, said TCA President Chris Burruss. This session allows opportunities for industry partners to exchange ideas and promote innovations that will chart a roadmap back to profit for everyones benefit.

Were crafting a powerhouse event with a clear message: Now is the time to create your future, said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. This is a pivotal moment to identify steps to take today to prepare our industries for tomorrows opportunities.

NATSOs meeting will proceed concurrently with the TCA annual meeting, enabling industry members to network with customers, suppliers and thought-leaders all in one value-packed trip to Las Vegas. NATSO will host its annual show in Las Vegas Feb. 27 to March 3 at Caesars Palace. TCA is scheduled to host its 2010 annual convention at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort Feb. 28 to March 3.

Sponsored by Shell Lubricants, The Future of Trucking session is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., and is open to all attendees who are registered for either The NATSO Show or the TCA Annual Convention.

The NATSO Show is a catalyst for industry innovation, annually delivering vital information, networking and a trade show targeting the diverse constituency of the truckstop industry. The NATSO Show 2010 marks the launch of NATSOs year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary. The lineup of speakers, exhibitors and schedule appears at www.natso.com.

The TCA Convention is a forum for truckload executives and industry suppliers to gather to share ideas, network and solve common management issues affecting the truckload industry. Approximately 1,500 industry representatives will convene Feb. 28 March 3, 2010, for this 72nd annual event.

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NATSO is the professional association of Americas travel plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate.

The Truckload Carriers Association was founded in 1937 and has represented the interests of truckload carriers throughout the United States and Canada. TCA members join with hundreds of other transportation leaders working to ensure safe, high quality, reliable and efficient truckload transportation services. TCA is the non-profit association exclusively representing the truckload industry.