Caledonia Haulers’ second wash rack finally is ready for the big stage.
The Minnesota-based bulk transporter is hosting an open house for the new food-grade tank cleaning facility Sept. 19 in Janesville, Wisconsin, in conjunction with the International Milk Haulers Association’s third Leadership Summit, which runs Sept. 17-18 in Madison, four years after purchasing the 9-acre site from Transport America.
The facility opened last year but the parking lot wasn’t fully paved until late last month.
“It’s been a long, dragged-out process,” said Dennis Gavin, Caledonia president and CEO. “Part of it was getting equipment and supplies, and part of it was waiting our turn for permitting. But we’re happy with the facility.”
The open house runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3717 Bell Street. Food will be provided.
See also: Caledonia remains committed to customers, community
The state-of-the-art facility—which Bulk Transporter will spotlight in greater detail in next year’s tank cleaning issue—features four bays for cleaning out Caledonia and third-party equipment, and five for truck and trailer maintenance and repairs. It’s also certified by four food-grade shippers, including Cargill and ADM.
“It’s finally done—for the most part—and with the International Milk Haulers’ event going on in Madison, the timing was right to showcase the facility,” said Gavin, who’s on the association’s board of directors.
IMHA’s two-day Leadership Summit provides a forum for rising professionals in the dairy transportation industry to collaborate with peers, build leadership skills, and prepare for the next step in their leadership journey, while exploring trends shaping opportunities and challenges for the sector. Speakers include Wisconsin state Sen. Joan Ballweg and Laura Traas, dairy manager for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Food and Recreational Safety division.
“Our Leadership Summit provides the tools that help bring out our members’ best, which is necessary to face the challenges of today’s constantly changing food supply chain,” said Brandon Johnson, IMHA president. “We’re excited for the two full days in Wisconsin—and the continued growth of the event.”
See also: IMHA does milk industry good
The event also features six educational sessions, including “Organic Growth and Leadership Development” and “Preparing the Next Generation to Lead the Family Business,” multiple networking opportunities, a dinner at Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club, and a tour of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Babcock Dairy Plant.
Sponsors include tank trailer manufacturers Mac LTT, STE, Tremcar, and Wabash.
“There’s a lot that goes into running a business,” Gavin said. “You’re trying to network, figure out what works and what doesn’t work, from equipment to software and people, and prepare the next generation.
“That’s where we’re at right now—making sure we keep this business rolling.”
