Tank Trailer Cleaning completes major wash rack refurbishment
Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM
After almost a quarter of a century in the same location, just about any business could use a makeover. That certainly was as true for Tank Trailer Cleaning Inc (TTC) as any other business.
The 23-year-old wash rack operator in East St Louis, Illinois, went through a comprehensive five-month overhaul that started in July 2007. By the time it was all over, workers had replaced or refurbished the flooring in all six wash bays; new cleaning solution tanks and work platforms had been installed; and the lighting in the bays was enhanced.
“This was the most extensive renovation we've ever done on this facility,” says Gary Hunter, president of Tank Trailer Cleaning. “We're constantly working on the facility to keep it in good shape and improve the way we serve our customers. However, the wash rack definitely showed the wear and tear that came from heavy use over nearly 25 years.”
Charlie Stock, vice-president and chairman of Tank Trailer Cleaning, adds that the company does as much as it can to make the facility comfortable and inviting to truck drivers and other customers. “We also want to provide the most efficient tank cleaning service we can,” he says. “The changes we made enable us to clean more tanks more efficiently and faster. In short, we modernized our operation and positioned it for success for the next 25 years.”
Impressive facility
Well before the 2007 wash rack makeover, Hunter and Stock had made their mark by developing one of the most impressive, customer-friendly tank trailer service facilities in the industry. Most noteworthy is the restaurant that is open around the clock and provides meals at no cost to customers while their tank trailers are cleaned. Other customer-oriented features include a comfortable shower area, washer and dryer, computer weather center, wireless Internet service, video arcade, and a driver's lounge with a large flat-screen television.
Spread across approximately 25 acres, Tank Trailer Cleaning offers ample room to build terminal facilities for fleet customers. Office space also is available for fleet operations, including dispatch and sales. Vehicle maintenance and repair are offered through AAA Trailer Service.
Despite the diversification, tank washes remain the core focus. Tank cleaning services are available 24/7, and the company operates a 15,000-sq-ft rack with four chemical wash bays and two foodgrade bays. The foodgrade side is Kosher certified.
Cleaning services include caustic and detergent washes, hot and cold water flushes, pre-solve and solvent spins, and passivation. High-pressure steam is available, and the wash rack can provide nitrogen purges.
