Originally planned for the second half of 2009, the bulk DEF dispensing unit is housed in TA's heavy truck repair facility on the Ann Arbor site. The unit is equipped with a weights and measures-certified metering device provided by Colonial Chemical Company of Tabernacle, New [image-nocss] Jersey. TravelCenters believes that Colonial Chemical's bulk dispensing unit is the only U.S. certified device for retail dispensing of DEF at this time.
"Jim Spooner and his team at Colonial Chemical provided a fast and seamless response to our push to begin rollout of bulk DEF capability across the U.S.," said Thomas O'Brien, CEO of TravelCenters of America. "While other companies have been working to adapt European technology to U.S. standards for bulk DEF dispensing at the fueling island, we worked closely with Colonial Chemical for an interim dispensing solution for the DEF additive."
Locating the DEF additive indoors at TA's industry leading heavy truck repair facilities allows TA to solve product freezing issues TA's competitors and other suppliers are currently struggling to solve.
"TravelCenters of America has been a part of the DEF discussions longer than anyone in the industry," said Jim Spooner, vice president and general manager of Colonial Chemical. Their locations offer consumers more choices because they can distribute bulk, prepackaged product, top-off fill and emergency fill services like no one else. We're thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic supply plan."
TravelCenters also announced that prepackaged 2.5 gallon containers have arrived at its LaVergne, Tenn., distribution warehouse and will immediately begin supplying its TA and Petro Stopping Centers locations.
All of TA's 234 locations and all of TA's more than 400 Road Squad emergency roadside assistance vehicles are expected to have supply available by early June.
TravelCenters of America said that believes it has the most comprehensive and flexible DEF supply plan of any truck stop or travel center chain.
Colonial Chemical Co., headquartered in Tabernacle, N.J., is a leading producer of DEF for 2010 model trucks with SCR systems. It offers high-purity DEF that exceeds the ISO 22241 specifications and is American Petroleum Institute (API) certified. Its product is available today in bulk, IBCs, drums and bottles.
TravelCenters of America (TA), headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, is a leading national chain of travel centers in 41 states and Canada under the TravelCenters of America and Petro brands. With convenient locations on interstate exits, TA offers its customers diesel and gasoline fueling services, full and quick-service restaurants, heavy truck maintenance services, 24-hour convenience stores, electronic communication (WiFi) and other services, all within large, high traffic facilities.
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