TravelCenters of America announced today, May 14, that a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) dispensing unit has been unveiled at its location in Ann Arbor, Mich. 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 and is equipped with a weights and measures certified metering device provided by Colonial Chemical Co. of Tabernacle, N.J.
“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.,” says Thomas O’Brien, chief executive officer of TravelCenters of America, based in Westlake, Ohio.
O’Brien says TravelCenters worked closely with Colonial Chemical for an interim DEF dispensing solution without adapting European technology to U.S. standards for bulk dispensing at the fueling island. According to the company, locating the DEF additive indoors at heavy truck repair facilities allows it to resolve any potential issues with product freezing. “We’re thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic supply plan,” says Spooner, Colonial Chemical’s vice president and general manager.
TravelCenters also announced that prepackaged 2.5 gallon containers have arrived at its distribution warehouse in LaVergne, Tenn., which will begin supplying TA and Petro Stopping Centers locations immediately. All of TA’s 234 locations and all of TA’s 400-plus Road Squad emergency roadside assistance vehicles are expected to have supply available by early June, the company says.
