Bulking up

   Schneider sees potential for growth in its bulk transportation business.
   For many years, the trucking company has provided liquid bulk transport to the chemicals industry, but has started increasing its transportation of bulk food-grade products.
   John Bozac, Schneider’s senior vice president and general manager of bulk, said longtime responsible care requirements for chemicals and recent Food Safety Modernization Act regulations have been front and center of the company’s driver and cargo-handling training. 
   “Shippers know that we do this and want to align with us,” he said. 
   Since bulk products vary widely in terms of their transportation requirements, “we absolutely take a customized approach to each need of the customer. From the truck, trailer and driver, all must be in alignment with the specific requirements of the product, before load one, gallon one, pound one,” Bozac said. “The penalties for non-compliance have become much greater.”
   Schneider also provides shippers with access to 40-foot intermodal containers, which can haul up to 45,600 pounds of specialty chemical and liquid payloads.
   Michael Kukiela, vice president and general manager of Schneider Logistics, noted that out of the $2.5 billion of freight moved annually within its logistics systems, $600 million comes under the bulk and specialty category. 
   “To us, bulk and specialty also includes flatbed, refrigerated, lift gates, LTL (less-than-truckload)… We can offer white-glove touch, engineering and set up for these cargoes,” he said. “We really want to grow in that space.”