The Latest Industry News
Hundreds Attend PEI-NATSO Conference to Prepare for Coming Demand
for Diesel Exhaust Fluid
6.5.09
Nashville,
Tenn. - The Petroleum
Equipment Institute (PEI) – NATSO Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Conference opened today with goal-shattering attendance levels,
demonstrating the commitment of players throughout the industry to
meeting their customers’ need for DEF.
NATSO, which is the trade association of America’s truckstops
and travel plazas, joined PEI, the trade association for petroleum
equipment marketing, in organizing the conference that drew 375
participants representing chemical manufacturers and distributors,
equipment suppliers, fleets, truckstops and other fuel retailers.
“Attendance levels quickly outstripped our initial goal of
reaching 150 people,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings.
“Clearly, players across the supply chain recognize that DEF is
coming, and they are eager to seize opportunities to prepare for
it.”
In a few months, trucks with 2010 engines will be hitting the road.
Unlike their predecessors, most exhaust systems on new trucks
will use selective catalytic reduction to meet emissions
standards. These trucks will require DEF to operate, and
distributors, suppliers, fuel retailers and trucking companies are
preparing now for this product.
“What’s most exciting about this conference is the range
of interests represented in the room,” noted PEI Executive Vice
President and General Counsel Bob Renkes. “Not only did we
see the DEF manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, but also the
regulators, retailers and end users. Every element of the DEF
equation was here, with key players sharing information, making
connections, and putting the pieces in place.”
With business owners formulating plans and identifying needed
investments, the session featured several experts who provided keen
insight on the factors that will drive DEF demand. David Siler of
Detroit Diesel (Daimler) and Rich Moskowitz of the American Trucking
Associations explored the outlook for DEF from the trucking
industry’s perspective. In a special educational session
sponsored by the NATSO Foundation, Transport Fundamentals economist
Noël Perry presented a detailed forecast for DEF demand in the
U.S. and
Canada.
Expert speakers also tackled topics ranging from DEF quality
concerns, label requirements, storage and dispensing requirements
to fire codes and marketing at the truckstop.
The roster of expert speakers included: Jodi Crawford, Airgas
Specialty Products; Kevin Ferrick, API; Tom Heinz, Coffee Cup Fuel
Stops; Jim Spooner, Colonial Chemical; Mark Barolo and Cliff Dean of
EPA; Dave Polak, EZ Fuel; Richard Browne, Gilbarco Veeder-Root; Terry
Ross, Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores; Don Onwiler,
National Conference on Weights and Measures; Bob Benedetti, National
Fire Protection Association; Steve Childers, SPATCO; John Lounsbury,
Terra Environmental Technologies; Chad Dombrowski and Rolf Isberg, Yara
Industrial North America; and NATSO consultant Bill Bartkus.
Airgas Specialty Products, Gilbarco-Veeder Root, Terra Environmental
Technologies and Yara Environmental Inc. sponsored the one-day
conference, which sold out its exhibitor spaces in addition to far
exceeding attendance goals.
###
Founded in 1951, PEI is comprised of more than 1,500
companies engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment
used in petroleum marketing and related operations. Members are located
in 50 states and 81 countries. PEI is the international trade
association for distributors, manufacturers and installers of equipment
used in petroleum-marketing and liquid-handling operations. Users of the
equipment include service station and convenience-store owners,
terminals, bulk plants and airport refueling operations. The Institute's
headquarters are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
NATSO is the professional association of America’s $65 billion
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.
PEI, NATSO Add New Speakers to Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Conference
5.14.09
ALEXANDRIA, VA. – The
Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), the trade association for
petroleum-marketing and liquid-handling, and NATSO, which represents
travel plazas and truckstops, have added several industry experts who
will tap into their decades of experience and expertise to present at
the Diesel Exhaust Fluid Conference on June 5.
It is just a matter of
months before trucks with 2010 engines will be hitting the road. Unlike
their predecessors, most exhaust systems on new trucks will use
selective catalytic reduction to meet emissions standards and require
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to operate. Chemical manufacturers, truckstop
operators, fleets and equipment suppliers will come together for the
one-day, intensive workshop at the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel and
Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Session topics include DEF
quality concerns, label requirements, storage and dispensing
requirements, DEF locator services, fire codes and more.
DEF manufacturers John
Lounsbury of Terra Environmental Technologies and Jim Spooner of
Colonial Chemical will provide a crash course in DEF basics, including
its product characteristics, how it is produced and distributed, when it
will be available and anticipated volumes.
Everyone in the industry
wants to know who is going to be buying DEF and when.
David
Siler of Detroit Diesel
(Daimler), and Rich Moskowitz of the American Trucking Associations will
provide an outlook for the year ahead, sharing their insights on who is
going the DEF route and who isn’t.
Before DEF can make its way to
trucks, it has to be available at the truckstop. The conference will
offer recommendations on how retailers can ramp-up DEF at existing
truckstops and integrate it on the fuel island at new truckstops. The
session will also cover payment systems, equipment costs, and financing
and lease options for DEF equipment.
Europeans have been using
DEF for three years, and those in the U.S. can
learn from their experience. Richard Browne of Gilbarco Veeder-Root
and Rolf Isberg of Yara
Industrial North America will lead a session highlighting lessons
learned from the equipment and infrastructure rollout in
Europe.
The impressive line up of
speakers also includes: Cliff Dean, Office of Transportation and Air
Quality, EPA; Mark Barolo, Environmental Protection Agency; Kevin
Ferrick, API; Bob Benedetti, National Fire Protection Association; Don
Onwiler, National Conference on Weights and Measures; Dave Polak, EZ
Fuel; Steve Childers, SPATCO; Kim Doran of Quixote Group and the North
American SCR Stakeholders Group; and Chuck Mattina of Quixote
Group.
Sponsored by Gilbarco
Veeder-Root, Terra Environmental Technologies, and Yara Industrial North
America, the conference will kick off with a reception on Thursday, June
4. Visit www.natso.comto register today. Registration is $149 for NATSO, PEI, NACS and
PMAA members and $349 for non-members until May 22. Additionally, a
limited number of tabletop exhibits are available for
$750.
###
Founded in 1951, PEI is comprised
of more than 1,500 companies engaged in the manufacturing and
distribution of equipment used in petroleum marketing and related
operations. Members are located in 50 states and 81 countries. PEI is
the international trade association for distributors, manufacturers and
installers of equipment used in petroleum-marketing and liquid-handling
operations. Users of the equipment include service station and
convenience-store owners, terminals, bulk plants and airport refueling
operations. The Institute's headquarters are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
NATSO is the professional association
of America’s 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.
Jobs, Businesses Could Be At Risk Under Virginia
Transportation Board’s Rest Area Plan, says NATSO
4.2.09
ALEXANDRIA, VA. – A
resolution passed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board would
threaten jobs, businesses and the property tax base of local
governments, according to NATSO, a national trade association based
in Virginia.
The board wants Congress
to lift a ban on food and fuel sales at interstate rest areas. The
resolution urges Gov. Tim Kaine to work with Virginia lawmakers against the federal law, which was designed to
encourage investment in local communities.
Counties (such as those
in Virginia) without
commercialized rest areas have twice as many businesses at
interstate exits than those counties with commercialized rest areas,
according to a 2003 University of
Maryland study. Located on the median or shoulder, commercialized rest
areas operate as virtual monopolies because of their location. Any
proposal to establish commercialized rest areas in Virginia would
cripple many of the thousands of travel plazas, truckstops, convenience
stores and restaurants in Virginia that depend on business from
interstate travelers.
More than 63,000 people
are employed by Virginia’s 2,300
businesses at exit interchanges, the 2003 University of
Maryland study revealed. According to
government data released last week, nearly twice as many Virginians are
without jobs than at this time last year. "With unemployment figures
continuing to rise, it is astounding that government officials would
risk Virginia jobs by
proposing rest area commercialization," said NATSO President & CEO
Lisa Mullings. “The Commonwealth Transportation Board has
essentially asked the governor to spend his time working to put
more Virginians out of work.”
Local governments would also
lose under the board's plan. Particularly in rural areas, county
governments need property taxes paid by businesses at interstate exits
to fund schools, police and fire protection.
The board’s
resolution came as Virginia officials drew fire from elected officials, truckers and
residents for a plan to close 25 rest areas, which would result in a
loss of 412 truck parking spaces. Private businesses within ¼
mile of a Virginia
highway offer an estimated 7,300 spaces for professional
drivers.
“This board’s
resolution is not only bad policy, it is also bad math,” said
Mullings. “In an apparent effort to save 412 rest area parking
spaces, the plan would threaten thousands of spaces at businesses
directly off the highway. This is not the solution Virginia needs to
keep the rest areas open.”
When Congress created the
Interstate Highway System, community leaders voiced concerns that the
number of local businesses and jobs would shrink as motorists bypassed
their towns. These leaders opposed commercialized facilities (found on
state turnpikes) that stifled business development. Congress agreed,
limiting the sale of food and fuel at interstate rest areas built after
January 1, 1960.
“Preventing state-owned
rest areas from unfairly competing with businesses near interstate exits
has been an undeniable success,” Mullings said. “A change in
this law would threaten existing businesses that depend on sales to
interstate travelers. These travel plazas, truckstops, restaurants
and convenience stores employ thousands of Virginians and pay millions
of dollars each year to local governments."
PEI, NATSO Announce Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Conference
2.25.09
TULSA, OK – The Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), the trade
association for petroleum-marketing and liquid-handling, and NATSO,
which represents travel plazas and truckstops, will bring fuel retailers
and the petroleum equipment industry together for a one-day workshop to
prepare for the launch of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).
The conference will be held June 4 and 5, 2009.
Beginning in January 2010, diesel exhaust fluid will be required for
the exhaust systems on most new diesel trucks, which will utilize
selective catalytic reduction as an emissions control technology.
DEF is urea-based mixture which is specially formulated for use in the
new emissions systems.
The DEF conference will kick off with a reception on Thursday, June
4, followed by a full-day workshop on Friday, June 5. Sessions
will focus on how DEF will be handled, stored, dispensed and marketed,
and a session will focus on the DEF rollout in Europe three years ago.
Registration for the one-day program is $149 for NATSO and PEI
members and $349 for non-members. Additionally, a limited number of
tabletop exhibits are available for $750. Registration for the one-day
program will begin in early March.
For more information about the conference, please contact NATSO at
(703) 739-2100 or PEI at (918) 494-9696.
Founded in 1951, PEI is comprised of more than 1,500
companies engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment
used in petroleum marketing and related operations. Members are located
in 50 states and 81 countries. PEI is the international trade
association for distributors, manufacturers and installers of equipment
used in petroleum-marketing and liquid-handling operations. Users of the
equipment include service station and convenience-store owners,
terminals, bulk plants and airport refueling operations. The Institute's
headquarters are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
NATSO is the professional association of America’s $65 billion
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.
Fuel Retailer Groups Concur with California Energy Commission That
Automatic Temperature Compensation Would Cost Consumers
12.8.08
December 8 -- The California Energy Commission’s
(CEC) findings that consumers would pay more for their fuel and the
“net cost to society is slightly negative” if automatic
temperature compensation were required statewide was applauded today by
petroleum retailing trade groups.
On Dec. 9, a CEC workshop is scheduled to review the
Commission’s draft report, released on Nov. 26 following a
year-long study of the costs and benefits to consumers associated with
automatic temperature compensation (ATC). The 158-page report found that
the initial costs alone to retrofit fuel pumps in California would
range from $102 million to $123 million, and that annual expenses for
ATC-related maintenance and inspections would range from $4.4 million to
$13.0 million.
Groups representing petroleum retailers – including the
California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA), Petroleum
Marketers Association of America (PMAA), Society of Independent Gasoline
Marketers of America (SIGMA), National Association of Convenience Stores
(NACS) and NATSO, representing truckstops – will provide testimony
on Dec. 9 that the CEC report is a good first step in providing a level
and comprehensive analysis of ATC.
At issue is how a gallon of fuel is defined, based on
changes in temperature. For decades, the standard for a gallon of fuel
has been 231 cubic inches when measured at 60 degrees F. However, when
the temperature of the fuel increases beyond 60 degrees, the fuel
expands; the opposite occurs when the temperature drops below 60
degrees. Every 15-degree swing in temperature changes the volume of fuel
by an estimated 1 percent for gasoline and about 0.6 percent for diesel
fuel.
Proponents of ATC mandates argue that “hot
gas” costs consumers money. The petroleum retailing groups,
however, have consistently maintained that ATC will actually cost
consumers more money.
“Temperature variations are already factored in
to retail prices,” said Carl Boyett, CEO of Boyett Petroleum,
which operates Boyett Petroleum and Kwik Serv stations in and
around Modesto, California. “If retailers are required to adjust the volume of each
gallon of fuel they sell, they will necessarily adjust the price of that
fuel by an equal amount. In addition, consumers will be forced to pay
for the installation and operation of the ATC equipment in the form of
higher prices. We agree with the CEC that ATC will not benefit consumers
it will only increase their fuel costs.”
While the petroleum retailing groups praised the work
of the Commission, they continued to express concern that some of the
costs may in reality be higher than what the CEC estimated because of
inaccurate assumptions concerning retail fuel operations. They also
disagreed with the CEC’s suggestion that fuel retailers could
simply raise prices on convenience store items to cover the costs
associated with installation of ATC equipment.
“The majority of fueling stations in the country
are operated by single-store businesses, not the integrated oil
companies that continue to divest their small retail assets,” said
Tom Robinson, CEO of Robinson Oil Corporation,
which operates 34 Rotten Robbie stations and Mrs. Robbie’s Markets
throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. “Retailers exist on such thin profit margins –
which annually average 1 to 2 cents per gallon – that they depend
upon in-store traffic and sales to support their business. Raising
prices on in-store items to pay for ATC equipment would be
counter-productive, especially when their competitors for those same
items in other retail channels will not incur similar costs,”
stressed Robinson
The groups said that the petroleum retailing industry opposes any
regulatory proposals that will increase costs to consumers without
providing them an equal or greater benefit.
“The CEC study demonstrates that society would pay more for
temperature compensated fuel while receiving no benefit of equal or
greater value. Consequently, we believe proposals to implement ATC at
petroleum retailing locations should be rejected,” stressed Jay
McKeeman, CIOMA’s vice president of government relations and
communications.
-###-
The Society of Independent Gasoline
Marketers of America (SIGMA), representing 270 members, is the premier
national trade association representing independent chain retailers and
marketers of motor fuel, both branded and unbranded.
NATSO is the professional association of
America’s $65 billion
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.
PMAA is a national federation of 46 state and regional
trade associations collectively representing over 8000
independent U.S.
companies marketing gasoline, diesel, heating oil and
lubricants. Many of the companies operate both as fuel wholesalers
and retailers. PMAA companies own 60,000 retail outlet such as gas
stations, convenience stores and truck stops. Additionally these
companies supply motor fuels to 40,000 independently owned retail
outlets and heating oil to 7 million households and
businesses.
Founded in 1961 as the National
Association of Convenience Stores, NACS is the international association
for convenience and petroleum retailing, representing more than 2,200
retail and 1,800 supplier member companies. The U.S.
convenience store industry, with over 146,000 stores across the country,
posted $577 billion in total sales in 2007, with $408 billion in motor
fuels sales.
The California Independent Oil Marketers Association
(CIOMA) is the industry’s statewide association of independent
wholesale and retail marketers of gasoline, diesel, lubricating oils and
other petroleum products. Founded in 1952, CIOMA has approximately 450
members, including nearly 90 percent of all the independent petroleum
marketers in the state.
NATSO, Barjan Join Together to Bring Value to The NATSO
Show 2009; Announce Gretchen Wilson to Perform Opening Night Private
Concert
10.28.08
ALEXANDRIA, VA — NATSO, the only trade association dedicated to
the $65 billion truckstop and travel plaza industry, and Barjan LLC, one
of North America’s leading industry suppliers, are pleased to
announce they’ve joined together to bring even more value and
networking opportunities to The NATSO Show 2009 in Nashville, Tenn.,
Jan. 24-28.
Barjan President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Sciandra, said,
“We’re pleased to announce we are combining our Barjan
Buying Bonanza with The NATSO Show 2009 to give truckstop operators even
more discounts and unbeatable networking opportunities in one convenient
location. As the leading distributor of general merchandise to the
travel plaza industry, we want to help our customers maximize their
profits.”
Show attendees can take advantage of the Barjan specials. In addition
to the Barjan fourth quarter offerings, over 200 industry suppliers will
exhibit at The NATSO Show, displaying their products, answering
questions and providing valuable insights. Many will also offer deep
discounts only available during the show.
Barjan has also announced that it will sponsor an opening night
private concert featuring award-winning singer Gretchen Wilson on Jan.
25. NATSO President and CEO Lisa
Mullings said, “The networking opportunities at
The NATSO Show are unbeatable. We provide countless opportunities for
truckstop operators to connect with their peers and industry suppliers.
We are excited Barjan has made Gretchen Wilson’s performance
possible.”
Wilson is a multi-talented
singer-songwriter who's scored three No. 1 country albums and her smash
hit "Redneck Woman" spent five weeks at No. 1. She's also won
across-the-board awards including a Grammy and ACM, CMA and AMA nods for
best female vocalist. She even authored a New York Times bestseller.
Wilson has been featured on “60
Minutes,” “Dateline NBC,” “20/20
Primetime” and virtually every morning, noon and late-night
television show on the air. Her magazine covers and major newspaper
feature stories could paper an entire wall.
Wilson is busy writing and recording
songs for her next album, “I Got Your Country Right Here,”
due out in 2009. She’ll be performing her hits plus songs
from her upcoming CD at the opening night private concert, so attendees
won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and
experience Gretchen Wilson live and up close!
Mullings said, “All truckstop and travel plaza operators are
invited to attend the show and pack a year’s worth of business
into just a few days. Not only that, Tennessee is within a day's drive
of 65 percent of the U.S. population, so this is the perfect time for
travel plaza operators to take advantage of exclusive savings and
network with their peers and suppliers.” Learn more at www.natso.com.
Energy Expert and Former Shell President John
Hofmeister to Speak at The NATSO Show
10.2.08
Today NATSO, the only
trade association dedicated to the $65 billion truckstop and travel
plaza industry, announced that John Hofmeister, former president of
Shell Oil Co. and the founder and head of Citizens for Affordable
Energy, will be a featured speaker at The NATSO Show 2009 in
Nashville, Tenn., Jan.
24-28.
NATSO leverages 50 years
of powerful relationships with key individuals, associations and
partners in Washington, D.C. to provide
its members with the latest information that affects the industry both
today and tomorrow.
Hofmeister will rely on his 30
years of experience and share his expertise with truckstop and travel
plaza owners and operators in his keynote speech, “The Dilemmas of
Energy Retailing.”
Retailers, consumers and
politicians are all concerned about the current energy situation in
the United
States.
Hofmeister isn’t just watching from the sidelines. He is seeking
solutions. During his time at Shell, he launched an unprecedented
18-month, 50-city tour across the country and met with more than 15,000
business, community and civic organizations.
Upon retirement from Shell,
Hofmeister founded the public policy advocacy firm Citizens for
Affordable Energy that promotes sound energy security solutions for the
nation, including a range of affordable energy supplies, efficiency
improvements, essential infrastructure, sustainable environmental policy
and public education on energy issues.
In an interview with
NATSO’s Stop
Watch magazine, Hofmeister called on Congress
to develop both a short- and a long-term energy plan. He said, “I
think we must drill more of our own natural resources, which are
currently off limits, in order to slow down if not stop this incredible
transfer of American wealth.”
In addition to drilling,
Hofmeister recommends energy supplies come from every possible source
— from hydrocarbons to biofuels. Many alternative sources mean new
infrastructure for retailers. Hofmeister recognizes it is difficult for
retailers to invest heavily in new technology prior to customer demand.
“I’m a strong advocate of an energy plan for the country
that states what the infrastructure requirements are going to be and
then puts in place the appropriate incentives, which will increase the
demand,” Hofmeister told Stop Watch.
Hofmeister will be speaking
during The NATSO’s Show’s Opening General Session on Jan.
25. The NATSO Show brings innovative solutions to truckstop and travel
plazas’ immediate business challenges and gives insights into
coming trends. Learn more at www.natso.com.
NATSO Announces Staffing Changes
8.22.08
Alexandria, Va.– NATSO President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa J.
Mullings announced several changes to the government affairs and
communications departments at NATSO, the national trade association
representing truckstops and travel plazas.
“We have significant energy and transportation
legislative issues facing us, which demand public policy refinement, in
addition to the growth of our public relations activities,”
Mullings said.
Christine K. Schoessler was appointed vice president
of communications and marketing. Schoessler joined NATSO in 2005, where
she has served as director of meetings and special projects. Schoessler
moves into the new position with prior communications and investor
relations experience for global energy firm AES. In addition, Schoessler has extensive experience developing
public outreach strategies and conducting government relations for an
international financial institution affiliated with the United
Nations. She also served as an aide to
Republican Senator Richard Shelby.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with
Christine’s experience and skills, and I am grateful that she has
agreed to step into this critical role,” Mullings
said.
Schoessler’s move was prompted by the departure
of Vice President of Public Affairs Mindy R. Long, who will leave the
association on Aug. 28. Long will continue to contribute to
NATSO’s member magazine, Stop Watch, and pursue additional freelance communications work within the
industry. Long made the move in order to have more flexibility and time
to spend with her young son.
Amy McMahon joined NATSO as public affairs manager and
will be involved in the association’s legislative and regulatory
agenda as well as contributing to the association’s marketing
agenda. McMahon was previously an editorial assistant for Transport
Topics Publishing Group.
Mandi Oliver will stay onboard at NATSO as the public
affairs assistant. She will continue to oversee NATSO’s Web site,
publish the weekly newsletter and write for Stop Watch.
She will also take on additional responsibilities in the government
affairs department, including providing support for NATSO’s annual
Day on the Hill.
Mullings said, “This reorganization reflects the
growing interdependency of our communications and government affairs
agenda as well as the change within our industry this
year.”
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