Lightweight Spec’s Help Praxair Maximize Profits Across the Border

Bob Miskelly had a 12,000-pound weight problem. As director of distribution for Praxair Canada, he’s responsible for moving carbon dioxide 45 miles from Ferndale, Washington, to Vancouver, British Columbia, as efficiently as possible.

“In the perfect world, there would be a seamless border and there would be no weight differentials between our two countries,” Miskelly said. “In Canada, our gross combination weight maximum is just over 92,000 pounds. But, in the U.S., we haul 12,000 pounds less, so we have to work smart to reduce the impact of the weight restrictions.”

When Praxair bought the Vancouver carbon dioxide business from a competitor in 1996, it inherited their trucks, Miskelly explained. “It was clear they were trucks built with Canadian weight laws in mind. They had double-steel frames and 46,000-pound rear ends and they were more than capable of maximizing loads of CO2. But, when they were returning from Ferndale, they were less than full due to the state’s 80,000-pound weight restriction.”

The problem was solved when Praxair teamed with PacLease to custom spec Kenworth T800s for their operation in early 2002.

“Our PacLease national sales manager knew our application incredibly well and knew what would and what wouldn’t work,” recalled Miskelly. “When all was said and done, we signed a full-service lease for two T800s and each weighed about 3,000 pounds less than the previous trucks.

“What we saved in tractor weight now means more product goes into our trailers,” smiled Miskelly. “We’re running fully loaded and that means a great deal to us in increased productivity and revenue. We’re also saving time with 110 less border crossings per year, the result of increased load sizes. That eliminates 150 hours per year, per tractor, that would normally be spent in border traffic.

“All told, we couldn’t be happier with our Kenworths and relationship with PacLease,” concluded Miskelly. “They helped solve our transportation dilemma.”