Trimac Acquires California Freight to Expand Food-Grade Tanker Network

Trimac Transportation has acquired California Freight, adding a substantial food-grade bulk transportation and warehousing operation to its North American network. Commercial Carrier Journal reported August 4 that the transaction brings eight terminals, nearly 250 tractors, almost 300 tank trailers and more than 400,000 square feet of food-grade storage into the Trimac group. Financial terms were not disclosed.

California Freight is based in Ripon and serves customers across California and Nevada. Its operations include raw-milk transportation to processing plants, plus work in wine, food, beverage and agriculture. The company began as a regional brokerage in 1989 and added a transportation division in 2012. It will continue using its existing name, with current leadership working alongside a new president appointed through Trimac.

The acquisition shows why specialized freight networks are valuable even when general truckload conditions remain uneven. Food-grade tank operations require sanitary equipment, disciplined wash and inspection procedures, careful product compatibility and dependable scheduling. Storage capacity near agricultural production can also reduce handoffs and help customers coordinate seasonal volume with processing demand.

For drivers, expansion in food-grade hauling can create opportunities, but tanker work is not simply dry-van freight in a different trailer. Applicants should confirm required CDL endorsements, loading and unloading responsibilities, sanitation training, surge-control expectations and home-time patterns. Fleets integrating operations should align maintenance records, safety policies and customer procedures before changing routes or equipment assignments. The deal expands Trimac’s footprint, while day-to-day success will still depend on safe handling and reliable service at every terminal.