By all accounts, National Tank Truck Carriers put together a winning program for their first-ever Tank Truck Week event. Held October 28-30 in the shadow of the Houston TX Astrodome, the event set performance records for attendance, booth sales, and equipment spots.
The program was held in Houston in an effort to capitalize on the growing energy services segment of the nation’s economy. For the first time, the NTTC expanded its cargo tank maintenance seminar to include a US Department of Transportation cargo tank workshop for 160 trailer technicians and a fall safety meeting with a separate agenda geared towards the industry’s safety professionals. Total attendance grew nearly 34% on a year-over-year basis coupled with a 12% increase in booth sales and a 58% increase in sales of equipment spots.
“As a first-time attendee, I was extremely impressed by the turnout and the expansive exhibit hall,” says NTTC Chairman Jim Shaeffer. “The variety of tank trailers on the floor really highlights the unique nature of the tank truck business. The addition of the training and safety program worked well and reinforced our mission to champion safety and success in the tank truck community and the people we serve.”
Daniel R Furth, NTTC president, adds: “This was the largest NTTC event in history and I think it’s most important to recognize the hard-working team for their efforts under fire. It’s not an easy thing to hold three different events at the same time, yet the entire team came through in the clutch. I would also like to recognize all of those attendees whose support was key to our success. In addition, our gratitude is due our many sponsors and exhibitors whose products and services allow our carriers to prosper in one of the most challenging and unique segments of transportation.”
Named the signature truck builder for show, Volvo Trucks displayed its Optimized Series of tractors that are now available for order. The series includes eight models equipped with proven fuel- and weight-saving specifications to deliver a greater value of ownership for regional tanker, bulk haul, refrigerated, dry van, and flatbed applications.
As part of the Optimized Series, Volvo Trucks is also offering a mid-roof design for its VNM 430 and VNL 430 sleepers to provide additional headroom. Volvo Trucks’ Optimized Series of vehicles includes:
- VNM 200 and VNL 300daycabs
- VNM 430and VNL 430flat-top sleepers
- VNM 430and VNL 430mid-roof sleepers
- VNM 630and VNL 630mid-roof sleepers
Optimized daycabs, 430 sleepers and the VNM 630 modelfeature a Volvo D11 engine with 405 horsepower and 1,550 lb-ft of torque and the Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission. The optimized Volvo VNL 630 model is spec'd with a Volvo D13 engine featuring 435 hp and 1,750 lb-ft of torque. All Optimized Series models utilize an aluminum fifthwheel, Michelin widebase single tires, aluminum wheels, 6x2 tandem rear axle configuration with rear-tag axle, and Volvo Optimized Air Suspension rated up to 38,000 pounds.