The RKA Petroleum Terminal also leverages Toptech TDS technology with several of its shippers to verify credit and allocation at the rack and to transmit completed bill of lading information automatically to its position holders.
Toptech’s MultiLoad II will be used at the five loading lanes to control product loading. MultiLoad offers the flexibility to accommodate nearly any blending scheme and is capable of handling the tight tolerances required to blend the variety of products at the facility.
The Toptech system will be supporting other investments being made at the facility including the expansion of available loading arms and products available in each loading lane. When the upgrade is complete, the RKA Terminal will offer all grades of gasoline, ethanol-blended gasoline, including E85, diesel, biodiesel, and jet in every bay. This added capacity continues to make the RKA Terminal the leader in petroleum distribution in the region.
The RKA Petroleum Terminal is connected to the Buckeye, Sun, and Wolverine pipelines as well as to the Norfolk Southern rail line. RKA also operates a private pipeline to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. With a state-of-the-art backup generator, the RKA Petroleum Terminal is setup to run even during times of crisis. RKA was the first terminal in Michigan, and only one of a handful in the country, to offer in-line blended biodiesel at the rack. This upgrade will also improve the blending and filtering technology used in RKA’s operation, ensuring that all blends are accurate and of the highest quality.
“I’m extremely pleased about RKA’s selection” said Jim Xander, Toptech Marketing Manager. “There are some real parallels between our two businesses. Both companies have started small and grown through a pursuit to evolve our business to meet our customer’s needs.”
“As Michigan’s premier terminal loading facility, RKA remains committed to providing only the very best to its customers,” added Jason Hittleman, RKA’s Director of Biofuels & Information Systems. “We selected Toptech as our terminal automation provider because of their unique understanding of our business. Their systems are world-class, highly configurable, and highly usable.” Brian Donnelly, RKA’s Chief Operating Officer adds, “The upgrade and expansion will solidify RKA as the premier loading facility in Michigan for many years to come.”
RKA will be speaking and exhibiting at the upcoming Michigan Clean Fleet conference in Detroit on May 17.
About RKA Petroleum Companies, Inc.
RKA Petroleum Companies, established in 1969, is a privately held family business. Certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise and headquartered in Romulus, Mich, RKA Petroleum Companies distributes more than 350 million gallons of fuel annually through its network of retail dealers, commercial businesses and job sites, and its pipeline terminal operation. The company does business throughout the Midwest and Ontario; operates Rex Carriers, its common carrier business; and RKA Petroleum, LLC, its terminal facility.
RKA Petroleum: www.rkapetroleum.com
About Toptech Systems, Inc.
Toptech, a leading provider of terminal automation solutions, and part of the IDEX Corporation’s portfolio of businesses. IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX) is an applied solutions company, serving a broad set of customers in a wide variety of market segments. The IDEX business units are organized into four segments: Fluid & Metering Technologies, Health & Science Technologies, Dispensing Equipment, and Fire & Safety/Diversified Products.
IDEX Corporation: www.idexcorp.com
