New DuraPlate ®AeroSkirt®, composite jacket and Lean Duplex stainless steel options reduce total cost of ownership for tank truck carriers
NEW LISBON, Wis. – Sept. 16, 2013 – The Walker Group, a division of Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) and a leading producer of liquid transportation systems, recently introduced a number of innovations that improve fuel economy, reduce weight, and enhance damage resistance in tank trailers.
“In today’s operating environment, the ability to provide tank truck carriers with innovative solutions that reduce the trailer’s total cost of ownership, enhance productivity and improve fuel economy is more important than ever,” said John Cannon, Vice President of Engineering of The Walker Group. “We’re pleased to offer our customers products that have a track record of performance and success in the market.”
Working with sister division Wabash Composites, The Walker Group now offers an optional DuraPlate® AeroSkirt® designed specifically for tank trailer applications. The DuraPlate AeroSkirt, which has been so successful on dry van and refrigerated van trailers since its introduction in 2009, delivers fuel economy savings up to 7 percent in tank trailer applications, based on field tests with a leading tank truck carrier.
The DuraPlate AeroSkirt is the most durable aerodynamic solution for over-the-road trailers. Its proven structural composite material consists of two external steel skins thermally bonded to a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) core, for superior strength that resists damage. A proprietary spring-bracket design allows for inboard and outboard deflection, to further resist potential impact damage, leading to longer service life.
The Walker Group introduced a next-generation composite jacket in 2012 that reduces tank trailer weight by at least 250 pounds and is more impact resistant than traditional stainless steel wrap. The composite jacket was featured at the annual Walker Group Expo in June 2013.
In addition, the second-generation Lean Duplex tank trailer, introduced in 2010, continues to offer customers a new type of stainless steel that offers improved temperature performance, cost stability and corrosion allowance while reducing weight by 700 pounds from the typical DOT 407 chemical tank trailer. Brenner Tank, a unit of The Walker Group, originally introduced Lean Duplex to the market in 2006, when nickel costs escalated to nearly $25 per pound, essentially doubling the price on common chemical tank trailers.
Customers can learn more about the DuraPlate Aeroskirt for tank trailers, as well as the composite jacket and Lean Duplex options, at 800-558-9750 or sales@brennertank.com.
About The Walker Group
Headquartered in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, The Walker Group is a leader in designing and manufacturing high-quality, stainless steel products for the dairy, chemical, food and beverage, aviation, personal care, pharmaceutical, sanitary, energy and nuclear industries. Its innovative products are sold under the Walker Transport, Brenner Tank, Garsite, Progress Tank, Tri State Tank, Bulk Tank International, Walker Defense Group, Walker Barrier Systems, Walker Engineered Products, and Extract Technology Ltd. brand names. To learn more, visit www.walkerstainless.com or www.wabashnational.com.
About Wabash National Corporation
Headquartered in Lafayette, Ind., Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design and production of dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, platform trailers, intermodal equipment, liquid tank trailers, frac tanks, engineered products, and composite products. Wabash National’s operations are largely organized under three wholly owned subsidiaries: Transcraft Corporation, Walker Group Holdings LLC and Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National®, Transcraft®, Benson®, DuraPlate®, ArcticLite®, Walker Transport, Walker Stainless Equipment, Walker Defense Group, Walker Barrier Systems, Walker Engineered Products, Brenner® Tank, Beall ®, Garsite, Progress Tank, TST®, Bulk Tank International and Extract Technology®. To learn more, visit www.wabashnational.com.
