Many truck fleets use unmanned card key club re-fueling stations, which are computer run systems. They fill a niche for companies, which do not want to go to a truck stop to buy fuel and wait in lines. It is a win/win for those who run the facilities because since there is no labor costs, the company selling the fuel can offer discounts having saved the cost. Indeed the company with the truck fleets is also winning, as they save thousands of dollars per month with cheaper fuel costs.

Generally you will see these stations such as Pacific Pride, Fuel Man or an off brand with these re-fueling automated stations in and near industrial areas. A full truck stop may not be able to make money doing in these areas as there is not a enough traffic for them to pump 50,000 to 80,000 gallons per day to break even. But the automated unmanned fueling station can, since its costs are so much lower.

Often a few folks will get together in a partnership with some friends who are wholesale and retail gas distributors and put in one of these re-fueling truck automated unmanned stations and take a cut from diesel fuel sales. Then as things get going they will look for other venues to increase revenues, for instance an unmanned Truck Wash, similar to a car wash at some of the gas stations where you drive your car thru and it cleans it pretty good but not perfect after you buy your fuel.

Having studied them due to our Truck Washing Business, the Truck Wash Guys, although we do not sell them and it does appear to be a good add on business for the fuel card automated unmanned re-fueling fleet truck stations. So think on this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/