For more information, contact: Kate Yeager, Marketing & Advertising Coordinator 800-422-2790, ext. 316 or kyeager@acmecryo.com

Allentown, Pennsylvania -- Problem: Norco, Inc., the largest distributor of welding, safety and medical gases and supplies, needed a more efficient way to deliver liquid oxygen to its Northwest US customers, whose remote locations made it challenging to create an efficient route. Because the customers were so far apart, they were finding themselves having to perform multiple long-distance delivery runs, increasing the time and cost of delivery.

Actions: Norco communicated its issue to Acme who presented the option of a custom trailer designed to offer increased product capacity, while still maintaining the features and performance they required.

Results: The Acme team solved Norco’s problem by designing the largest capacity cryogenic semi-trailer available, featuring a three-axle design, Acme “QCD” quick cool down, low-profile cryogenic pump and a 6,000+ gallon capacity for maximized liquid oxygen transportation. Norco is so pleased with the trailer and its performance that they have already placed orders for more.

A big problem requires and equally large solution and that’s just what Norco, Inc. received when they came to Acme looking for a way to solve a bulk delivery issue: a HUGE custom-built cryogenic semi-trailer that is 48 feet long, weighs more than 96,000 pounds and carries 6,175 gallons of product!

Norco was in the market for a new addition to its fleet of cryogenic semi-trailers. They were looking for a unit that would allow them to maximize the efficiency of their service runs, which, on the west coast, can stretch for hundreds of miles. They also wanted something reliable, easy to maintain and of course, cost-effective. Their timing was perfect. Acme Cryogenics had just completed months of research and development and was ready to introduce their CryoMaxx line of liquid transport equipment to the market.

Through Norco’s relationship with Acme, their President, Ned Pontious, had the opportunity to communicate the company’s needs to Acme Western Regional Sales Manager, Bill Jones. Bill listened and relayed Norco’s requirements to Acme’s Cryogenic Transportation Manufacturing Specialist, Jim Payne. Jim and his team of designers, quality assurance personnel, and technicians worked together to create a custom design that addressed Norco’s total needs. Using Acme’s standard model CMT-6000 two-axle, multi-service semi-trailer as a template, and Norco’s requirements as a guide, the team developed a design that would accommodate their capacity, feature, component and cost requirements, while remaining fully compliant to DOT, ASME and CGA codes and requirements.

The results were more than either party expected. During construction, Norco decided to increase the trailer’s capacity beyond what was originally ordered. Acme was able to make the necessary adjustments, while still maintaining proper weight distribution, pump and motor placement and performance requirements. The changes developed into one of the largest capacity vehicles created to date with a gross weight in excess of 96,500 pounds. Pontious notes that, “the Acme team was very professional, easy to work with, and met the timeline that Norco needed for this trailer."

With the trailer in active use for three months, Norco is extremely pleased with Acme’s successful solution to their delivery efficiency challenge. In fact, they have already placed another order.

Acme offers a full line of CryoMaxx Cryogenic Semi-trailers, MicroBulk units and cylinder filling systems. They offer quality user-friendly designs created with the user in mind and provide maximum product payloads without sacrificing equipment longevity. Each Acme CryoMaxx semi-trailer features the Acme “QCD” quick cool-down cryogenic pump system to maximize pump seal longevity. Standard CryoMaxx semi trailers feature “air ride” suspensions to minimize rear cabinet piping stresses that could lead to premature failures. Custom designs are always available.

Acme also offers the CryoMaxx Liquid Delivery Vehicle (LDV), an innovative alternative to today’s leading MicroBulk units. It features a simplified design, which makes operation user-friendly and cost-effective. The unit is priced at around half the cost of traditional models. Pressure transfer and pump designs are available, and custom options can be incorporated. Through Acme’s tank remanufacturing program, re-sale equipment can be utilized for further savings.

For more information on Acme's CryoMaxx line, call 800-422-2790.