Stevens Transport, one of the largest trucking companies in the United States, is closing down its entire tanker division, reportedly laying off 586 people.
Stevens Tanker Division served mostly oil and gas drilling companies. Their largest service area was based in Texas where they hauled water and sand. In a letter sent to employees however, Stevens Tanker Division Executive Vice President Scott Mellman explained that orders for sand and water had dropped sharply.
“The final decision to close was the result of unforeseen business developments over which Stevens Tanker Division had no control, including a 65% reduction in sand orders starting on September 20, 2019 and the continual loss of production water due to customers’ increased use of piping,” wrote Mellman according to Freightwaves.
While Stevens Tanker joins the growing list of trucking companies closing their doors suddenly, it seems like they’ve done it in accordance with the law. Unlike HVH and LME whose operations stopped the same day they announced that they were closing, allegedly stranding drivers across the country, Stevens Tanker filed a federally-required WARN notice. At least 60-days’ notice is required of any company with 100 or more employees that goes through a mass layoff.
Other Stevens Transport divisions are thought to be unaffected by the closing of the Tanker Division which will close its doors for good on October 15th, 2019.
Source: overdrive, freightwaves, yahoo
Rawdog says
Good , one less (portion) of a mega fleet out there! Never a bad thing!!
Knucklehead says
Unless you’re one of the drivers who are losing their job. Then it’s a VERY bad thing. Idiot.
Bob Lee says
You are the type of person that the trucking industry needs to get rid of. You are probably a big loser at your company if you are even working at this time who likes to make others feel bad because you are.
JohnT says
All those drivers will run vans and flatbeds…rates to drop further in those areas!!!
Mike says
The oilfield drilling is not geared for mega fleets. I’m surprised they lasted this long. There are empty sand wagons on repo lots all over south texas.
charles says
yes the oil n gas industry is hit hard with lower rates .. i am in sand now and seen first hand the reduction in fracing.. pnumatic work was high dollar compared to boxes but now run even.. the water and oil have stepped up … its the cycle thing going on…too many trucks for the amount of work… this winter will be interesting and the political outcome will keep work and production down till after the election comes and goes
Jack says
Never fear, Elizabeth Warren or Joe Biden will keep you guys working overtime in the gas and oil business! Cannot believe I said that with a straight face!
Lou says
Jack, admit it. Your face wasn’t straight.
Vito says
They want cracking to stop and oil production to cease.. Warren wants to tax, Biden wants oil Company to stop !!!?!
Jerry R says
Absolutely crap because they are still pulling bulk sand. Tankers and other oilfield tankers. I 20 today
Max says
Official closing date is April 15. Virtually all the drivers were offered a position in the Refrigerated division and most of the office personnel (are being) moved downstairs into Refrigerated operations center.
bruce says
I can’t believe how heavily censored these site are. Is this America?
D says
Not anymore commrad.
MT Pockets says
Well, that’s a bummer for those drivers at Stevens. At least they’ll be home now instead of months on the road like their reefer division requires you to do. Zillions of other companies hiring, always will be, so they should have no problem finding work elsewhere if their driving record is acceptable.
There will be many other companies closing their doors in the next 12-18/mo putting drivers out of work and an opportunity to stay out of the trucking cesspool and find work in other industries where you can have a life and not be treated like a dirtbag like you are when you’re a trucker nowadays. Sad but true.