Over five decades ago, Geoff Cross, a young and ambitious 25-year-old, embarked on a journey from the United Kingdom to Canada, seeking new horizons. However, fate intervened upon his arrival in the United States, leading him to California. It was there, in the Golden State, that he would lay the foundation for Bulk Transportation, a name now synonymous with premier tank truck carrier services and comprehensive intermodal solutions in the bulk transportation industry.
“My wife and I traversed the East Coast over four transformative years, taking on various roles from parking cars to lobster canning and truck driving,” recounts Cross. “We were driven by the pursuit of the American dream, searching for opportunities to build something meaningful.”
That dream materialized in 1958 in California when Cross, in partnership, established Brown and Cross Trucking, initially focused on hauling clay.
“Our humble beginnings involved two used truck trailers and a vintage track loader,” Cross reminisces about the early days. “We were dedicated to delivering clay to brickyards. As we expanded, we began hiring drivers, but in 1961, a contract loss in clay hauling prompted a shift to transporting rock, sand, and gravel.”
By 1966, Cross had become the sole proprietor, rebranding the company as Bulk Transportation, operating with a single power unit and five dry bulk trailers. A significant milestone was reached on September 27, 2008, when the company celebrated its 50th anniversary at its Walnut, California headquarters, marking a golden jubilee in the bulk transportation sector.
From Humble Beginnings to a Leading Bulk Carrier
The genesis of Bulk Transportation dates back to over half a century ago when Cross was nurturing a nascent trucking venture in Manchester, England. Prior to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Cross served in the Royal Navy for over two years. Finding neither naval service nor the entrepreneurial climate in England at the time entirely fulfilling, Cross sought new opportunities.
In 1954, a pivotal decision was made by Cross and his wife, Alma, to journey to America. “This decision proved to be profoundly positive,” Cross reflects. “Though the initial path wasn’t without its challenges.”
Today, at 78, Geoff Cross has passed the leadership baton to his son, Gary Cross, who now serves as president and CEO. His daughter, Susan Duffield, as corporate secretary, also plays a vital role in the company’s administration. Despite transitioning leadership, Geoff Cross remains engaged in various ventures and maintains a keen interest in the company’s operations within the bulk transportation landscape.
To manage its diverse interests, Bulk Transportation has cultivated a robust management team, including Dwight Anderson, VP and Director of Logistics and Marketing; John Erwin, VP of Operations; and Karen Finley, CFO, ensuring continued excellence in bulk transportation services.
A Storied History in Bulk Hauling
Bulk Transportation’s initial foray into trucking began with sand and gravel. However, by the mid-1970s, Cross strategically pivoted towards the specialized realm of bulk transportation. This transition was marked by the acquisition of MC331 tank trailers for hauling ammonia and propane. Concurrently, the company expanded its service portfolio by acquiring a carrier specializing in animal fats transport, further diversifying its capabilities in bulk transportation.
“The industry landscape has transformed considerably over the years,” notes Cross. “While feed and grain bulk transportation was once heavily reliant on trucks, rail transport now dominates. The landscape of Los Angeles has also changed, with the decline of local slaughterhouses that were once sources of animal fats.”
Cross broadened his dry bulk commodity operations in the late 1960s to include grain, feed, fertilizer, and dry products requiring pneumatic trailers. Recognizing evolving market demands, Bulk Transportation adapted to transport products like acids, chlorine, and caustics. “Initially, these chemicals were transported in drums, but tank trucks soon became the preferred method for large-volume bulk transportation,” he explains.
A fleet of Bulk Transportation trucks showcasing the scale of their bulk transportation operations.
By 1970, the Walnut acreage was established as the company’s corporate headquarters and terminal. Strategic acquisitions followed, augmenting the fleet with more tractors and tank trailers. Bulk Transportation’s growth trajectory was closely linked to supporting its expanding customer base across various geographic locations, solidifying its position in bulk transportation.
In 1991, Bulk Transportation strategically refocused its core business on the liquid and chemical sector, divesting most of its dry bulk operations. Today, the company specializes in transporting products such as caustic soda, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid for mining companies and industrial and specialty chemical processors, demonstrating its expertise in specialized bulk transportation.
Expanding Horizons with Transload Services
As Bulk Transportation expanded, the potential of bulk transloading emerged as a synergistic and viable division. The company inaugurated its first transload facility in Stockton, California, in 1980. Currently, Bulk Transportation operates six truck and rail transfer stations across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon, with approximately 100 railcar spots company-wide. These facilities are strategically served by Union Pacific Railroad Corp and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, facilitating the transfer of liquid chemicals, solvents, acids, and water treatment chemicals, enhancing the efficiency of bulk transportation logistics.
“Southern California urgently needs more transloading facilities, but regulatory constraints are hindering development,” Cross points out, highlighting the demand and challenges in expanding bulk transportation infrastructure.
While transloading represents a significant part of the business, the trucking division remains the cornerstone of Bulk Transportation. Through years of expansion, the company now operates a substantial fleet of 257 power units and 400 tank trailers, making it a major player in bulk transportation.
Terminals are strategically positioned in Buckeye and Safford, Arizona; Walnut, Compton, and Stockton, California; Carlin, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Pasadena (Houston), Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tacoma, Washington, ensuring broad coverage for bulk transportation needs.
A Bulk Transportation transloading facility, essential for efficient bulk commodity transfer from rail to truck.
State-of-the-Art Vehicle Fleet for Bulk Freight
Bulk Transportation has standardized its fleet with Kenworth tractors, powered by Cummins 370-horsepower engines and equipped with Eaton Fuller nine- and 10-speed transmissions. The running gear includes Meritor steering axles and Eaton drive tandems with a 3.70 ratio, Eaton brakes, Spicer clutches, Kenworth suspensions, and Alcoa aluminum wheels. Owner-operator tractors further expand the fleet to over 200, ensuring capacity for diverse bulk transportation demands.
The company’s 250 Polar DOT407 tank trailers are outfitted with Girard pressure-relief vents and vacuum breakers, and Betts discharge outlets. The running gear features Hendrickson air ride suspensions, Alcoa aluminum wheels, and Michelin tires. Tank trailers also incorporate the SkyBitz GLS 210 satellite tracking system, integrated with TMW Systems software for data compilation, enhancing fleet management in bulk transportation.
Additionally, Heil and Beall tank trailers and Reinke chassis, among others, contribute to a total fleet exceeding 400 units, providing versatility for various bulk transportation requirements.
Beyond Bulk Transportation, Geoffrey and Gary Cross have also acquired DTI and West Coast Bulk, operating them as separate entities. Collectively, these three companies, with 200 drivers, offer specialized highway tank vessels for transporting chemicals (liquid and dry), food products (liquid and dry), mining commodities, and specialized rail-to-truck off-loading equipment, creating a comprehensive bulk transportation network.
Bulk Transportation extends its services to intermodal operations for international and domestic tank containers requiring specialized handling, further showcasing its comprehensive approach to bulk transportation. Another unique service involves hauling a tank trailer owned by Phos-Chek, utilized in forest firefighting efforts, demonstrating the company’s diverse capabilities within bulk transportation.
Comprehensive Maintenance and Tank Wash Operations
Integral to Bulk Transportation’s operations is its vehicle maintenance division. The Walnut shop is a Kenworth-certified warranty service provider, with dedicated facilities for tank trailer repairs, holding an “R” stamp for tank repair and fabrication. Additional maintenance shops are located in Stockton, Compton, and Victorville, California, and Safford, Arizona, ensuring fleet readiness for reliable bulk transportation services.
The Walnut terminal also features an in-house designed tank wash rack equipped with Spraying System spinners.
Inside Bulk Transportation’s maintenance shop, ensuring the fleet is in top condition for bulk transport services.
Capable of cleaning approximately 50 trailers daily, about 60% of the fleet undergoes in-house cleaning. The cleaning system utilizes Peerless pumps and a Miura 70-horsepower boiler, with cleaning agents supplied by Advanced Blending.
For enhanced worker safety, the tank wash is equipped with a safety harness bar along the rack’s length. Trailers are positioned to ensure the dome and clean-out entrance are safely surrounded by a drop-down walkway with guard rails.
The cleaning facility offers commercial services in addition to in-house maintenance, highlighting Bulk Transportation’s diversification into transportation-related businesses, further supporting its bulk transportation ecosystem.
Future Outlook on Bulk Transportation
Drawing on five decades of experience, Cross offers valuable insights into the future of bulk transportation. He anticipates a robust tank truck industry, albeit with occasional challenges. Simultaneously, he foresees growth in the utilization of tank containers, emphasizing their risk-reducing benefits for long-distance rail shipments. “In the coming years, we may see a shift away from truck transport for anhydrous ammonia,” Cross predicts, pointing towards evolving trends in bulk transportation methods.
Cross envisions continued opportunities across diverse methods of moving bulk products. For instance, Bulk Transportation currently transports box containers fitted with interior bladders for international wine shipments, illustrating innovative approaches to bulk transportation.
Cross also shares his wisdom for business success: “The cornerstone of any business is effective communication. Keep your customers, creditors, suppliers, and all partners informed about your operations. This fosters trust, which is absolutely essential for sustainable success in bulk transportation and beyond.”
