Industry Update

Kane Transport Relies On Blackmer TX and TXS Series Pumps For Versatility, Reliability

Press Release -- June 24, 2008 -- While gasoline and diesel have been the backbone of Sauk Centre, MN-based Kane Transport’s distribution business, the company was fortunate to get in on the ground floor of the ethanol-distribution segment of the industry, thanks, in part, to Minnesota’s early acceptance of biofuels as an alternative to petroleum products. Kane Transport is a third-generation family-owned business and one of the largest traditional and alternative fuel distributors in the Upper Midwest.

Currently, Minnesota mandates all gasoline to contain 10% ethanol (20% by 2012) and all diesel fuel to contain 2% biodiesel. This increased emphasis on biofuels has resulted in upwards of 15% of Kane Transport’s deliveries consisting of biofuels, which can range from loads of E10 to E85 and B2 to B100. Throw that on top of the traditional gasoline and diesel, as well as the fringe products like asphalt and propane, and the success of Kane Transport depends greatly on the versatility of its fleet.

To take advantage of this versatility, Kane Transport outfits its trucks with equipment that is adaptable to rapidly changing delivery conditions. For the past 25 years, that has included TX Series Sliding Vane Pumps from Blackmer, while, more recently, the fuel-hauler has added multiple TXSD3E pumps to its fleet. The TXS pumps used in Kane Transport’s biofuels operations are made with elastomers that are not only capable of handling ethanol, but are also compatible with all of the petroleum products that Kane Transport delivers.

“One day our tractors will be hauling fuel, the next day ethanol, the next day asphalt. We like the versatility that we have to use the trucks to haul different products at different times. Having the Blackmer pumps available makes it easier for us to make deliveries to different types of customers,” said Pete Kane, Vice President Twin Cities Operations. “All of our customers are all unique and with the versatility that the Blackmer pumps provide we can match their needs. We have close to 200 Blackmer pumps in service today. It’s been a product we can count on and something we recognize we need to have to do the job.”

The Blackmer TX Series pumps have been designed for use in truck-mounted applications for the delivery of petroleum-based products, including motor fuels, oil and lubricants. With flow rates from 26 to 270 gallons per minute and pressures up to 125 psi, the TX Series pumps offer fast, quiet, trouble-free operation thanks to Blackmer’s renowned sliding vane operation, which compensates for normal wear in the pumping chamber, ensuring like-new performance for the life of the product, while the higher pumping capacities at lower speeds also increase service life.

For more information on Blackmer TX and TXS Series Sliding Vane Pumps, please visit us at www.blackmer.com.

Contact:

Thomas L. Stone, Director of Marketing, stone@blackmer.com, Blackmer, 1809 Century Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1530

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