In this episode of “On the Road with Randy,” Randy takes us on a whirlwind tour through the Bayou, visiting Geismar, Saint Gabriel, Luling, and Boutte, LA.
His journey begins at their shop in Geismar, a place with a lot of history and potential. Although Geismar is now primarily a shop, it used to be a small terminal before merging with their excellent affiliate, GCEC.
Here, Randy meets Luke, the shop manager, Kevin, the welder, and DeAnthony, one of the mechanics. The shop has three bays and is one of their earliest R-stamp shops, prominently featuring their branded Quality Repair Solutions (QRS) shop. Randy is impressed by the well-organized operation and sees excellent growth potential.
Randy moves to Saint Gabriel, their largest affiliate, from Geismar, where he has two crucial stops at GCEC.
First, he visits the central dispatch operations. It’s been a few years since Randy last visited, and he’s excited to reconnect with William Mattei and Kevin Gautreau. The terminal in Saint Gabriel is their largest single operation. It features a six-bay maintenance shop focusing on trailer and light tractor work.
Randy meets several mechanics with varied experience levels, some of whom have worked together for over 30 years. The central dispatch area, which coordinates and manages all the freight within the GCEC and QC networks, is bustling with activity. Randy finds it fascinating to learn about the history and teamwork that drive this impressive operation.
Next on the tour is the Luling terminal, GCEC’s second-largest, with over 100 drivers. The terminal features a three-bay maintenance shop and services staffed by a dedicated team committed to safety and service.
Randy meets a few of the mechanics and the terminal staff, noting the strong culture that GCEC has created. This culture emphasizes dedication to drivers, mechanics, safety, and customer service, making Luling a standout stop on the tour.
The final stop on Randy’s Bayou tour is the Boutte operation. It is a unique location that primarily serves one of its large customers by shuttling work between a plant and a staging area. Boutte is also the base for its New Orleans intermodal operations, a unique product they’re proud of.
Notably, they are the only ones offering service out of New Orleans for chemicals, highlighting the importance of this operation. Randy is impressed by the team’s commitment to excellence with customers, drivers, and mechanics. He sees the small, well-run shop busy with tasks like a 90-day inspection on one of their new 20-foot ISO tanks.
Throughout his Bayou tour, Randy witnessed each location’s dedication, teamwork, and growth potential. This made it a memorable journey through the heart of their operations. Each stop highlights the unique strengths and contributions of the teams, showcasing their commitment to excellence and their bright future ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ISO tank?
An ISO tank is a standardized container used for transporting liquids, gases, and powders, designed to meet international safety and performance standards.
What is an R-stamp?
An R-stamp is a certification issued by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. It authorizes a facility to perform repairs and alterations on pressure-retaining items, ensuring strict safety and quality standards compliance.
Why is intermodal operations a unique product for the company?
Intermodal operations are unique because they involve multiple modes of transportation (e.g., rail, truck, ship) for transporting goods, offering flexibility, efficiency, and cost savings, particularly for specialized products like chemicals.
