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Petroleum, jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, kerosene—we’re hooked on oil. It powers our cars, delivers our Amazon packages, heats our homes, and gives us the freedom to travel the globe. In just over century, we’ve transformed plodding horse-drawn carriages into superfast Ferraris: Fossil fuels have revolutionized our lives. And yet, the average American knows relatively little about that black gold we call oil.

Travel ain’t cheap-ask anyone with a bad case of wanderlust. So, when it comes to shipping consumer goods, rail and truck are by far the most cost-efficient options. But in an ever-shrinking world where consumers ask for mangos in Alaska or expect their heirlooms to be overnighted, the demand for air freight services is on the rise.

Humans have been mining for thousands of years. Literally, thousands of years. Gold, chalk, silver, ore—we have been dependent on valuable minerals for longer than we can remember. But today’s mines look nothing like those of ancient Egypt—or even those of 50 years ago—thanks to steady improvements in technology. With each advancement, the mining process has improved, becoming safer, more efficient, and more cost effective than before. If the past is any indication, the industry will only continue to innovate new and better ways to mine materials. Today’s trends lead to tomorrow’s...

Did you know the average Switzerland resident eats more than 47 pounds of cheese every year? The Swiss are some of the top cheese-eaters in the world, but their cheesy love affair falls short of the French, who lead the world in cheese consumption with an astounding 57 pounds per person annually. Where do Americans fall on the scale? We manage a respectable 40 pounds over the course of a year, giving us plenty of room for improvement—and more cheddar.

To some, scientific terms like “polymer” and “biopolymer” may seem intimidating. They have the power to take us back to high school chemistry class or may cause us to tune out. On the other hand, words like “carbs” or “proteins” are easy, every-day ideas. They spark visions of bagels and roast beef sandwiches—tangible, straight-forward, edible words—and we feel confident in our knowledge of these concepts. Here’s the good news: there’s no need to be intimidated by science jargon—you’re already familiar with biopolymers. Those carbohydrates, proteins, and starches that you know so...

In Part 1 of this blog, we dove into airport fueling systems including what a fueling system is, best options based on the size of an airport, and how a freight-based operator (FBO) operates - read that post here. Now, we continue with a focus on specific topics that help us understand this area in more detail.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… an airport fueling system? Most of us have never given airport fueling systems a second thought, yet anyone who has traveled by plane owes them a debt of gratitude. Not surprisingly, filling an airplane with fuel isn’t as simple as pulling into a gas station and filling up the tank. Fuel systems are complicated and intricate, but they play a vital role in the transport of mail, imported goods, and human beings across the globe. While they’re not exactly Superman, fueling systems might just be the unsung heroes of the skies.

The Bakken Region, home to one of the largest contiguous deposits of oil and natural gas in North America, is no stranger to extreme weather, easily dropping to sub-zero temperatures in winter and rising to over 100°F in the summer.

What makes a specialty contractor special? As opposed to a general contractor, a specialty contractor is someone who concentrates on one particular area of construction, such as plasterwork, site preparation, plumbing, or electrical work. Specialty contractors are often hired by general contractors and project managers for a certain level of expertise on the worksite. Many specialty contractors have received extensive training in their field of practice and must be licensed in the state in which they work. You are likely familiar with a variety of specialty contractors, but here...

The construction industry is constantly evolving. New technologies, consumer demand, availability and cost of raw materials, and the economy at large all play a role in influencing the field from one year to the next. So, what’s in store for the months ahead? We asked Dixon Regional Sales Manager Chris Jarman to pick a few trends he sees currently shaping the industry.

Food safety is the highest priority for consumers and producers alike. When you think of food production, stainless steel may not be something that typically comes to mind, but perhaps it should.  Stainless steel plays a crucial part in the production and safety of our food. In the food processing industry, stainless steel is used throughout the entire process from harvesting, handling, and storing, to cooking and serving. About 200,000 tons of stainless steel is used each year by the food processing industry in North America alone. To be recognized as stainless steel...