Welcome to Lynden News! Knik's smooth moves in McGrath praised by DOT Posted on Tue, Nov 16, 2021 Share Knik Construction's crew is rumored to have paved the smoothest runway in Alaska on the McGrath Airport Runway 16-34, according to a test required by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT&PF) for acceptance of the placement of asphalt. Each paving job has a specification and smoothness factor computed by a profilograph roughness test. "Our reading was 0.15 on the McGrath Runway and the previous record was 0.9 according to the profilograph technician and the project engineer representing DOT," says Knik President Dan Hall. "We are proud of our crew's superb work." Knik is completing the federally funded McGrath Airport Reconstruction and Erosion Protection project to reconstruct the pavement for runways, taxiways and the aprons, install erosion protection off the end of Runway 34, and replace the airfield lighting and signs. Knik was awarded the project in September of 2020 with a contract completion of September 2022. Knik has already barged in equipment, developed the Noir Hill Quarry, and hauled rock from the quarry to the project site to make the various materials needed to complete the project. Currently, Knik is reconstructing Runway 16-34 and Taxiway H which includes removing asphalt, replacing lighting, placing a foam asphalt base course, and repaving. "Our crews fight weather and logistical challenges every day to get our projects completed throughout Alaska," says Dan. "Knik employees are skilled, resilient and build award-winning infrastructure. Crews also completed the Soldotna Airport Rehabilitation Project this fall. The resurfaced runway is now ready and open for air traffic for the City of Soldotna and the aviation community." 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: Knik Construction Alaska Marine Lines wraps up strong fish season Posted on Mon, Nov 08, 2021 Share "We had a very good seafood year," says Tyler Maurer, Alaska Marine Lines Seafood Sales Manager. The 2021 fish season for Alaska Marine Lines and the supporting Lynden companies has been strong. Alaska salmon runs were 15 percent higher than projected, and the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run stunned scientists with a record 66.1 million fish, with a catch of approximately 40 million which was 90 percent of the record 44 million. At Lynden, salmon season is an 'all hands on deck' event typically lasting from May through September. All Lynden companies were busy keeping up with the volume this year, prompted not only by larger returns, but by restaurants opening back up after pandemic closures and a change in consumer buying habits. Each year, Lynden Air Cargo flies fresh fish from Naknek, Emmonak, Cold Bay, Sand Point and Dillingham to Anchorage where Lynden Logistics provides support for transloading to Alaska Marine Lines, Alaska West Express and Lynden Transport and ships seafood with other air carriers all over the world. LTI, Inc. trucks provide Seattle surface delivery support and provides transportation to locations in the Lower 48. On average, Alaska Marine Lines moves 7,000 containers of fish each year from Alaska fisheries southbound to Seattle. "We moved over 11,000 containers this year," Tyler explains, "and we still have more frozen and canned product to clean out of Alaska for a few more weeks to come." Alaska Marine Lines moves significant volumes of frozen and canned fish from all over the state departing Western Alaska, Prince William Sound and Southeast. "We also have a new facility in Kodiak and have started to move domestic fish from the island. We use Kodiak as a re-handle port for fish originating in Western Alaska," Tyler says. To prepare for the push each year, Lynden asks its customers for projections so it can build realistic expectations for staffing and equipment. "We knew this would be a big year," Tyler says. "We just didn't expect it would be this big of a year with all regions having strong returns." Equipment reliability is extremely important when moving a temperature-controlled, high-value commodity like fish, so reefer techs take on an even more important role during fish season. "With Copper River Kings selling at $80 per pound to retailers in the Lower 48 states, to start the season, we must have everything in place and running well to deliver the fish in pristine condition," Tyler says. "We are sometimes pushed to the limit in the summer months, but we all get the job done safely. From top to bottom, it's a Lynden-wide group effort, and we all lean on each other to get the job done including our partners at Western Towboat, Bering Marine and Dunlap Towing." 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: LTI Inc., Alaska West Express, Lynden Air Cargo, Seafood, Lynden Transport, Alaska, Lynden Logistics, Multi-Modal, AML Rhubarb juice and oat milk new hauls for LTI, Inc. Posted on Mon, Nov 01, 2021 Share Rhubarb juice and oat milk have joined canola oil and whiskey in LTI, Inc.'s growing list of special commodity hauls. Since March, LTI, Inc. Sunnyside drivers have picked up oat milk from Ogden, UT and delivered it to Delta, B.C. for Oatly. "The Oatly brand is international, available at retail stores and is used at Starbucks locations across the U.S.," explains Marcos Bustamante, Sunnyside Operations Manager. Around 35 miles away, in Abbotsford, B.C., LTI, Inc. drivers are on the job picking up rhubarb juice for delivery to a winery in Hill City, South Dakota. "International projects like this require collaboration between Sunnyside and LTI, Inc.'s Mount Vernon group to deliver the products across the border," says Greg Masset, Sunnyside Dispatch. Drivers Chad Haarsma and Jonathon Harshfield haul the juice from the plant in Canada to Sunnyside, where Jerome-based team drivers pick it up and deliver to the winery in South Dakota. Drivers sometimes deal with unplanned same-day load add-ons, but "luckily, we have great drivers that always come through for us and understand how important it is to take care of our customers," Marcos says. "Our success wouldn't be possible without the help of all the other Service Centers and our great drivers. I especially want to thank the Sunnyside dispatch team and special commodities team for the great job they have been doing." Marcos says LTI, Inc. is always looking for other food-grade products to carry. "Our canola oil business has grown with the addition of a new customer called Viterra that has led to Sunnyside investing in special trailers dedicated to hauling oil," he says. Drivers supporting the oat milk project include: Guadalupe Bustamante, Brandon Call, Pablo Valdes-Medina, Jose Rivera, Mark Nickerson, Jose Gonzalez Vargas and Scott Scherzinger. 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: LTI Inc., Bulk, Specialized LTI, Inc. receives sixth consecutive SmartWay Excellence Award from EPA Posted on Wed, Oct 27, 2021 Share The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has once again honored LTI, Inc. and its Milky Way division with a SmartWay Excellence Award. It is the sixth consecutive award for LTI, Inc. and affirms its status as one of North America’s most efficient and lowest emitting tanker fleets. The SmartWay Excellence Award is reserved for the top performing SmartWay Partners and is the EPA’s highest recognition for demonstrated leadership in freight supply chain energy efficiency and environmental performance. This year only 62 carriers were selected out of 4,000 SmartWay partners. LTI, Inc. is one of only 12 companies who have earned six awards. “To be recognized for a sixth year is a true testament to our team,” says LTI, Inc. President Jason Jansen. “Our entire group is consistently focused on innovation and efficiency. We are continually seeking opportunities to remove waste from operations. All these efforts reduce the impact of transporting freight on our environment. This award is only possible because of the dedication of our people. I am extremely proud of their achievement.” LTI, Inc. and Milky Way became SmartWay partners in 2010. Each year the companies voluntarily submit operational data to the EPA for consideration. The companies consistently score in the top 1 percent of tanker carriers in the nation for low carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions per ton mile while operating in extreme weather and carrying the heaviest payloads. “For 17 years the SmartWay Transport Partnership has worked with the freight industry to find innovative ways to reduce pollution for goods movement,” says Sarah Dunham, Director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “We commend the innovation, drive, and collaborative spirit of our partners whose efforts are helping to meet the challenge of climate change and to create a healthier environment for us all.” 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: LTI Inc., Awards, Green Lynden, Milky Way Everyday Hero Profile: Brian Zweegman Posted on Wed, Oct 20, 2021 Share Lynden is recognizing employees who make a difference every day on the job and demonstrate our core values, Lynden's very own everyday heroes! Employees are nominated by managers and supervisors from all roles within the Lynden family of companies. Learn more about the people behind your shipment. Introducing Brian Zweegman, Welder/Fitter at Lynden Tank Company in Lynden, Washington. Name: Brian Zweegman Company: Lynden Tank Title: Welder/Fitter On the Job Since: 1995 Superpower: Exceptional memory Hometown: Lynden, WA Favorite Movie: The Bourne Ultimatum Bucket List Destination: Alaska and Holland For Fun: Attending my kids’ sporting events and activities, RV camping, traveling and trap shooting How and when did you start working for Lynden? I started working at Lynden Tank in March of 1995 when I was 17 years old. The Mt. Baker Rotary Club had a job shadow program and Guy Jansen, who is a member of the Rotary, brought me to the tank shop as part of that program. I was given a job that same day. At one point, I drove for Milky Way for about a year, and I also drove for LTI, Inc. for about a year and did maintenance. I have done many projects through the tank shop for various other Lynden companies. What is a typical day like for you? On a typical day, I start work at 6 a.m. and work until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. No two days are exactly the same. Some days I am running a press brake, bending up components used for manufacturing milk tanks. Other days I could be inspecting a coded/chemical trailer or welding up components or doing a final inspection before a new set of milk tanks hits the road. There are some days that I do a bit of it all. My daily tasks depend on what is needed and what is a priority for the company. What has been most challenging in your career? Currently, our biggest challenge is navigating through material shortages and delays in getting the supplies that we need to build a quality product that meets our high standards. Personally, one of my challenges on the job is that I am color blind so I cannot do any wiring. What are you most proud of in your career? Every time we turn out a new set of trailers, I think we (all the tank shop employees) are proud of the work we put into them. When I am traveling in Washington or Idaho or beyond and I see a set of trailers I am proud that I had a small part in building them. Can you tell us about your family and growing up years? I grew up north of Lynden on a dairy farm that my parents still run today. My two brothers, my sister and myself all went to school locally, and we all still reside within 30 minutes of the family farm. Growing up, I was very active in the Lynden High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) and spent a lot of time working on Ag (Agriculture) mechanic projects in our school shop. I won various awards for these projects and also my tractor driving skills at both the state and national levels. Today I still live in Lynden with my two kids. My son Case is a senior at Lynden High School and plays football and baseball. My daughter Maddie is a sophomore at Lynden Christian High School where she plays fastpitch and is involved in FFA. What was your first job? As a child of a dairy farmer, my very first job was on the family farm. When I was 11 years old I fed bull calves for a neighbor which was my first job off the family farm. What would surprise most people about you? I think a lot of people would be surprised to know that underneath my somewhat rough exterior I am a bit of a softie who wears my heart on my sleeve. How do you spend your time outside of work? When I’m not at Lynden Tank or watching my kids’ sports and activities I still work on my parents’ farm doing maintenance and crop harvest. When time allows, I like to take my travel trailer to new locations and explore new areas. What do you like best about your job? The first and most important thing that I like about working at Lynden Tank is my boss Len Kilmer. He is fair and honest, and he creates a great environment for us to work in. A very close second is the entire tank shop crew. They make coming to work fun, and I enjoy working with them all. I also like that no two days are ever the same which keeps things fresh. Very early on in my career with Lynden I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Mr. Hank Jansen. Those times produced great memories which I will never forget. 1 Comment Click here to read/write comments Tags: Lynden Tank Company, Lynden Employees, Everyday Heroes Lynden Air Cargo completes campaign in Afghanistan Posted on Fri, Oct 15, 2021 Share Lynden Air Cargo completed its campaign in Afghanistan in June after flying six flights and over 68 flight hours for the U.S. military. "We operated out of Bahrain for just under a month providing scheduled service and hauling Cargo Returning West (CRW) out of Bagram, twice a week," says Flight Engineer Mike Schuler. One Lynden crew was dedicated to Afghanistan flights while other crews served Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. "The June Afghanistan campaign was a short one compared to the ongoing services we are providing around Kuwait," Mike explains. "No day was the same. We adapted and performed in true Lynden Air Cargo fashion despite changing and often challenging circumstances." "This was a volunteer campaign, and we really appreciate all the crew members who accepted this duty," says Michelle Fabry, Director of Safety. "The security situation required good communication with the crew prior to every flight to ensure each mission could be safely operated. They did an excellent job." 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: Lynden Air Cargo, Safety, Charters, Air Lynden responds to crises at home and abroad Posted on Fri, Oct 01, 2021 Share The month of August brought temperatures so hot that wells ran dry in Oregon. The month also delivered devastation in Haiti with a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. In typical Lynden fashion, LTI, Inc./Milky Way and Lynden Air Cargo quickly mobilized people and equipment to help. "Like many states, Oregon has been suffering from drought conditions this summer. When I first talked to the Oregon Emergency Management Team about this project in late July, there were 55 dry wells. That quickly increased to 187 and numbers continued to climb," says LTI, Inc. Klamath Falls Operation Manager John Bailey. The state reached out to LTI, Inc./Milky Way to see if its tankers could haul water, instead of milk, to stranded residents. Oregon's Bootleg Fire was in full swing and water tenders were scarce. John, Regional Manager Greg Tolle and Lynden leaders came up with a viable plan and moved forward to meet the state's needs. A milk tanker is not set up to pump water, so alterations were needed to make the deliveries. "On day one it took two drivers, one to run the pump and the other to hold the end of the hose so it wouldn't come flying out of the tank," John explains. "On the second day, we built a 2-inch PVC fitting that slips into the tanks making it a one-man job. That worked so well another water hauler copied us." John says he was surprised at the overwhelming support from residents when they first saw the Milky Way tankers pulling down their streets. "Driving a 6,700-gallon milk tanker on city streets can be challenging. In some instances, we had to ask neighbors if it was ok to back into their driveway to get turned around." Each day, the Oregon State Water Master emails a list of homes needing water to LTI, Inc. and the delivery route is built from that information. The Lynden team will continue serving Oregon residents through October. A half a world away an earthquake struck Haiti on Aug. 14 leaving thousands dead and many injured. Haiti is still dealing with the fallout from an earthquake in 2010 that killed an estimated 300,000 people. As it did in 2010, Lynden Air Cargo began flying relief missions immediately. "Our first three flights were assisting with the movement of a search and rescue team's gear from Washington, D.C. to Port-au-Prince in Haiti," explains Dan Marshall, Lynden Air Cargo Charter Manager. "We have also flown two supply missions from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Port-au-Prince. Authorities that grant landing permits switch from one day to the next which adds to the confusion on the ground, however the Lynden team persevered and operated all flights very close to the originally scheduled date and times." The two crews flying to Haiti include: Captains Brent Ellender and Chris Nichols, Flight Officers Random Dudley and Guillaume Saget, Flight Engineers John McClellan and Cliff Ayers, Loadmasters Ron Pine and Kevin Boyles, and Mechanics Bill Hamilton and Jim Brookshire. 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: LTI Inc., Lynden Air Cargo, Disaster Relief, Milky Way, Drivers, Truckload, Specialized, Community Everyday Hero Profile: Jerry Crisp Posted on Tue, Sep 21, 2021 Share Lynden is recognizing employees who make a difference every day on the job and demonstrate our core values, Lynden's very own everyday heroes! Employees are nominated by managers and supervisors from all roles within the Lynden family of companies. Learn more about the people behind your shipment. Introducing Jerry Crisp, Regional Maintenance Manager at LTI, Inc. in Sunnyside, Washington. Name: Jerry Crisp Company: LTI, Inc. Title: Regional Maintenance Manager On the Job Since: 1992 Superpower: Imparting important knowledge to the team Hometown: Yakima, WA Favorite Movie: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Bucket List Destination: Going to Florida to visit my brother that I haven’t seen in 12 years, traveling through the U.S. and holing up when I find a place with 80-degree weather year-round. For Fun: Spending time with family and friends and traveling How and when did you start working for Lynden? I started in Sunnyside on Dec. 2, 1992. I was informed about the mechanic position opening by a friend that worked for LTI, Inc. I was looking forward to going from a small one-man shop working 24/7 to a shop that had a crew of three others to share the workload. Then eight years later, I was in the manager position overseeing six mechanics and four wash bay techs. What is a typical day like for you? Very unpredictable! I don’t think a day has gone by where the day went as I planned without a hiccup at some point. But I actually think I prefer it that way – it adds variety to the day. What has been most challenging in your career? The most challenging is trying to be ahead of operations in getting prepared for harvest and winter-time challenges. We have equipment that sits idle until we need it for the local harvest, and then we start prepping it about a month ahead of time. Winters are very unpredictable, so you have to be ready for the worst-case scenario. What are you most proud of in your career? Being able to finish out my career at LTI, Inc. To put in so many years in at one company is very rewarding. Can you tell us about your family and growing up years? My family consists of my siblings, two sisters and two brothers, I am second to the youngest. I think most of my childhood memories come from living in Nile River north Naches, WA. It was the best place to grow up, fishing, swimming in the river and climbing the mountains was the best you could ask for. What was your first job? My first job was pumping gas at Eagle Rock in Nile (now it’s called the Woodshed). Hunting season was the busy time of the year with all of the hunters coming to get gas and food. They would throw their keys at you and say fill it up and park it for me. I guess I looked older than I was then! What would surprise most people about you? Well, I have never been arrested, and I’m a nice guy! How do you spend your time outside of work? I spend most of my time thinking about work, but I see that changing in the near future. What do you like best about your job? It has to be the people. We have such a variety of people – office staff, drivers, mechanics, yard crew and wash bay. A lot of them are either fathers, daughters, brothers, sons, uncles or cousins to one another. It is nice to work with all of the different generations of families. 1 Comment Click here to read/write comments Tags: LTI Inc., Lynden Employees, Everyday Heroes Lynden International announces name change to Lynden Logistics, Inc. Posted on Mon, Sep 20, 2021 Share Lynden International announced today that the company will begin operating under the name Lynden Logistics, Inc. (“Lynden Logistics”) to more accurately reflect its full range of capabilities and services. The name change is effective today, Sept. 20. Since its inception in 1977, Lynden International has expanded from a pure air freight forwarder to a full-service provider of logistical services and solutions that support the entire supply chain. Adding ‘logistics’ to its name also represents Lynden’s ongoing commitment to invest in technologies that help customers manage and streamline their transportation and logistics processes. Lynden offers logistics platforms such as its customizable EZ Commerce shipping portal, a mobile app providing real-time shipment updates, barcode scanning processes, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) interface with customers, and other specialized technology programs. “We are excited about the change to Lynden Logistics and believe that the services we provide in the offshore markets of Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally and within North America, are best-in-class,” says President John Kaloper. “The transition to Lynden Logistics is not related to a change in company ownership, management, structure, or resources. Our full-service capacity remains intact, and our focus on providing customers the highest level of service is greater than ever. We will continue to create customized solutions to fit customers’ logistics needs and leverage the full multi-modal capabilities of the Lynden family of companies.” 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: Lynden Logistics Lynden first trucking company in AK to earn SHARP awards Posted on Fri, Sep 10, 2021 Share Lynden Transport employees earned the prestigious title of being the first trucking company in Alaska to earn a SHARP award (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) from the Alaska Department of Labor Standards and Safety. The award is part of AKOSH, a program to promote safe and healthful jobs for Alaskans while recognizing employers who operate exemplary safety and health systems. Both the Anchorage and Soldotna Service Centers were assessed and found to meet or exceed OSHA's safety and health guidelines. According to HSSE Manager Richard Hennagin, Lynden Transport has worked with the group AKOSH Consultation and Training Services for many years. "This partnership, and a strong commitment from our management and operations teams, has led to improvements in the Lynden Transport safety and health programs over the years," he explains. "Employees in all departments have shown their commitment to improving the safety and health culture. When you consider that our people have been able to do all this in the conditions we endure — weather, traffic and a pandemic — it is truly humbling." 0 Comments Click here to read/write comments Tags: Awards, Lynden Employees, Lynden Transport All posts Next Subscribe to Lynden News Your email: Latest Posts Knik's smooth moves in McGrath praised by DOT Alaska Marine Lines wraps up strong fish season Rhubarb juice and oat milk new hauls for LTI, Inc. LTI, Inc. receives sixth consecutive SmartWay Excellence Award from EPA Everyday Hero Profile: Brian Zweegman Lynden Air Cargo completes campaign in Afghanistan Lynden responds to crises at home and abroad Everyday Hero Profile: Jerry Crisp Lynden International announces name change to Lynden Logistics, Inc. Lynden first trucking company in AK to earn SHARP awards Browse by Topic 3PL (22) Air (54) Alaska (168) Alaska Marine Trucking (12) Alaska West Express (49) AML (77) Automotive and Marine Parts (2) Awards (76) Bering Marine Corporation (12) Brown Line (18) Bulk (15) Canada (17) Charters (31) Community (96) Construction (14) Disaster Relief (21) Drivers (26) Energy (22) Everyday Heroes (27) Freight Forwarding (21) Government and Military (8) Green Lynden (52) Grocery Chill and Frozen (26) Ground (85) Hawaii (18) Hazmat (6) International (61) Knik Construction (14) LTI Inc. (36) LTL (33) Lynden (115) Lynden Air Cargo (65) Lynden Employees (141) Lynden Logistics (113) Lynden Oilfield Services (6) Lynden Tank Company (5) Lynden Training Center (3) Lynden Transport (121) Milky Way (25) Mining (10) Multi-Modal (45) Ocean (52) Oversized/Heavy Haul (61) Project Logistics (40) Puerto Rico (6) Retail (18) Safety (22) Seafood (14) Specialized (22) Temperature-Controlled (28) Truckload (42) United States (43) © 2015 Anchorage: 6441 South Airpark Place, Anchorage, AK 99502 • Seattle: 18000 International Blvd, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98188 © Copyright Lynden Incorporated • Terms & Conditions