Gas station pumps have been one of the last outlets to integrate EMV chip payment technology, but not because business owners don’t see the value.
Many pumps in use today are more than 10 years old and weren’t built with the flexibility to adapt to new forms of payment, meaning owners need to make serious updates to their equipment—or replace it altogether—if they want to be EMV compliant. For businesses that choose not to comply, they risk being held liable for fraud and data theft, which can easily exceed the costs of bringing their payment system up-to-date.
The Growing Threat of “Skimmers”
Credit card skimmers—devices that scan and copy a card’s magnetic stripe—present a real threat to both consumers and business owners. Thieves can attach skimmers directly to payment processors or insert them internally so they’re out of sight—a process that can be completed in a matter of seconds. Additionally, these crooks place hidden cameras nearby, or use keyboard overlays to collect the personal identification numbers of debit card users, giving thieves direct access to the money in their bank accounts.
In a single day, one skimmer can steal data from 30-100 cards, stealing thousands of dollars from customers and exposing their financial data.
To combat the frequent use of skimmers and other types of fraud, credit card companies adopted EMV technology—a more secure option that uses computer chips to create unique transaction codes, replacing the traditional magnetic stripes found on cards. In late 2015, fraud liability shifted, allowing customers to seek reimbursement for fraudulent charges from merchants that aren’t using EMV-compliant equipment.
Staying Compliant
In late 2016, major credit card companies gave gas pumps a special break, extending the deadline for EMV compliance to 2020. While this may seem like a good thing for owners who need more time to make updates to their equipment, it comes with a serious caveat: outdated pumps are sitting ducks for data thieves.
Thankfully, a new generation of pumps are made with flexibility and scalability in mind, so equipment can adapt more easily to new payment types, security threats and industry regulations.
The Wayne iX Pay™ Secure Payment Platform
Wayne iX Pay is one of Acterra’s most sophisticated and trusted payment platforms. We like its modular design, which makes it compatible with most current Wayne dispensers. For older, legacy models and third-party dispensers, iX Pay can be retrofitted with a special kit when replacing the fuel dispenser isn’t an option—a cost effective solution that still allows merchants to enhance their management, maintenance and security capabilities.
In terms of security, iX Pay is built to protect customers’ financial data from credit card skimmers at the pump. It features a full-travel keypad that deters thieves from using keyboard overlays to collect PIN numbers. It also includes tamper response mechanisms that guard against unauthorized access to the dispenser door—an important feature for deterring hidden skimmers.
The iX Pay EMV series also offers a hybrid card reader that accepts both chip cards and those that rely on a magnetic stripe, encrypting customers’ data upon swipe. This allows businesses to serve customers who don’t yet have an EMV chip on their cards, while still offering protection against fraud.
Is your payment system up-to-date?
Take fraud protection seriously and guard your equipment from credit card skimmers. Talk to one of our regional Acterra fueling systems specialists to start a discussion about your options and create a plan for becoming EMV compliant by 2020.
Wayne Fueling Systems has just announced a new financial service program with Lease Corporation of America (LCA). Wayne and LCA signed an Agreement that provides a broad range of financing solutions for Wayne’s distributor customers purchasing Wayne dispensers and petroleum-related equipment through the Wayne distributor network.
The Acterra Group has now become a member of the LCA network, offering our customers up to 100% pre-funding of transactions with Wayne equipment and many other types of equipment. Customers can now apply online, estimate payments, and determine possible tax benefits from equipment purchases. For more information visit the Acterra Finance Page.
When it comes to the performance of asphalt, proper storage is critical.
A customized storage tank system built to handle the needs of your business is the best way to ensure a consistent, quality product that customers can rely on.
Building a new system from scratch is a big undertaking, and just like any new construction product, there’s room for error. But thorough planning can minimize or eliminate delays and setbacks that cut into your budget.
Before you move from the planning to execution phase of your next asphalt storage project, answer the following questions to help you stay on track:
1. What rules and regulations am I obligated to follow?
Failing to understand the local, state and federal rules surrounding not only the storage of asphalt—but the other materials used in the process, like oil used for heating emulsions—is an easy way to derail your project and cause unnecessary headaches.
Unfortunately, rules vary greatly from state to state—even city to city.
Do your due diligence to find out what potential environmental regulations, OSHA standards, and state and local zoning and fire district requirements you will need to follow.
As your tank manufacturer, Acterra uses our expertise to help you understand these rules, and takes them into account during the planning process so there are no surprises come inspection time.
2. What environmental factors should I consider when customizing my tanks?
To minimize heat loss—and profit loss—tanks and pipes should be insulated accordingly to take into account weather extremes. Asphalt storage facilities in the Midwest and other cold areas of the country, for example, will want a fully insulated tank, preferably insulated with fiberglass, as well as insulated piping. Multiple temperature sensors throughout your tank will help reduce errors and improve the accuracy of your measurement.
3. What is your plan for managing the tanks?
Everyday tasks like monitoring and adjusting the temperature of your asphalt are essential to the integrity of the product—and usually one of the biggest operating expenses. If you plan to use heat transfer fluids to heat your emulsion—the now industry-standard option—do you have a plan to maintain them to prevent blockages and clogging?
To make it easier for employees to monitor and manage inventories, consider add-ons like radar level gauges, external temperature gauges, power operated valves, and an actuator that allows them to mix with prevision speed and force.
You should also remember compliance and testing requirements when planning your set-up, and make sure it’s easy for employees to gather quality samples at any time of the year. An optional sampling value can come in handy when it’s time to test the product.
4. How will my needs change in the future?
If you plan to expand your business in the future, consider how your layout could either help or hinder your plans. Will your setup easily allow you to add new tanks or adapt to future technologies? Talk to Acterra about your future needs to create a system that provides the right amount of flexibility for your business.
The Acterra Group is happy to announce John Kindred has joined our Colorado staff in the newly created position of Manager of Construction. John joins Acterra with years of experience in petroleum equipment installation and construction.
Our Government Division was mobilized on Sunday, July 23rd to Minot Air Force Base in Minot, ND, where we provided emergency replacement services to permanently repair a non-functional emergency fuel shut off (e-stop) electrical circuit for their Hydrant Refueling System during a scheduled flight line shut down. The circuit included approximately 30,000 linear feet of stranded wire. The urgent work was completed in eight days—before the flight line reopened.
Our Work
We began by removing the existing conductors. We then cleaned out conduits using compressed air and removed debris from man holes and hand holes. Next, we installed three new conductors and terminated all E-stops (12 total) through a series circuit. We also waterproofed all splices in man holes and hand holes.
Government Services
Acterra has extensive experience working with government agencies to complete projects ranging from design-builds to critical electrical repairs like this. As a full-service contractor, our government clients can rest easy knowing we understand the unique requirements, terminology and regulations needed to complete their project on time and on budget.
The Eastern Iowa Airport contracted with Acterra Group to update their general aviation aircraft fueling system. The new self-service system, to be completed in August 2017, will allow pilots to fuel their aircraft without involvement of the airport’s fixed base operator.
Aviation Fueling Systems
Acterra’s experience constructing and servicing aviation fueling systems allowed us to complete this project within the client’s strict timeline. Additionally, since we build and mount our systems in our manufacturing facilities here in Iowa, we were able to easily ship and deploy the system in the most cost-effective manner.
Learn more about Acterra’s fleet and fuel systems here.
The Acterra Group is happy to announce that Tad Cooper is assuming a new role as President and Chief Operating Officer of the company, effective August 1, 2017. Mr. Cooper will be responsible for marketing, sales, commercial development, and all Acterra Group operating divisions. Terry Cooper, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will continue to be fully involved, on a daily basis, providing leadership and direction in the affairs of Acterra.
Tad Cooper is a 25-year veteran of the petroleum equipment, energy services, and commercial development industries. He is currently a Board Member of Heritage Bank in Marion, Iowa and Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Wayne Fueling Systems has a new Fuel Dispenser on their market. The Ovation HS Ultra-High-Capacity Dispenser Series consists of multiple fuel dispenser models which cater to the needs of every Acterra customer.
With their high-flow hydraulics, user-friendly interface, and durable materials, these new dispensers are ideal for a wide range of fueling stations. Whether you have an inter-city fueling station with general consumer islands or a highway truck stop with high-volume truck islands, the Ovation Dispensers are ideal and compatible for both.
The five different Ovation HS Ultra-High Capacity Dispenser models equipped with a variety of fueltypes are listed below:
The Ovation HS Fuel Dispenser is equipped with satellite dispensers and holds only diesel fuel.
The Ovation HD Fuel Dispenser holds a combination HS diesel and cold climate DEF. This model is equipped with an insulated and heated DEF hydraulic and hose handling cabinet for temperatures falling below 12oF. Due to the hose handling cabinet, this module may be ordered as one sided only.
The Ovation HW Fuel Dispenser is similar to that of the HD Fuel Dispenser in that it holds diesel fuel as well as DEF, but this model is for climates always above 12oF. Diesel and DEF hydraulics are housed together in a standard, unheated dispenser cabinet. This model is a dual-sided dispenser and it is connected to a master diesel hose.
The Ovation D DEF Dispenser is the only model that dispenses exclusively DEF. It can be purchased with a heated DEF hydraulic and hose handling cabinet for climates below 12oF or with a standard unheated cabinet where the temperature never falls below freezing. This model also has the option of being a single and dual-sided dispenser.
The Ovation HL Fuel Dispenser runs high-flow and standard flow diesel. This model can accommodate large trucks as well as passenger vehicles from the same dispenser. A standard-flow hose is provided on each side, that is connected to a master diesel hose.
The Ovation HS Ultra-High-Capacity Dispenser is the new, high-tech model that will take your fueling station to the next level. Equipped with an iX Pay™ Secure Payment system, one of the most secure payment platforms available, these dispensers are designed for investment-protecting regulation compliance. Available only in North America, order through Acterra Group and become “the envy of the truck island”. For more information, visit Ovation Fuel Dispenser.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently revised their rules and regulations regarding the instillation, operation and maintence of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) EPA Federal Register. The EPA implemented these revisions in hopes of better preventing and detecting groundwater contaimination.
The EPA altered the original 1988 UST Regulations and presented the following changes in July of 2015:
UST Instilation for emergency generator tanks, field constructed tanks and airport hydrant systems installed prior to October 13th 2015, must meet the requirements for release detection no later than October 13th 2018. Those installed after October 13th 2015 must meet those requirments when installed.
The EPA also revised the State Program Approval Regulations which directly coinsides with the UST regulations. The SPA gives approval to the local state governemnt to oversee the instilation and maintence of USTs. SPA Approved states have the lead role over the Federal Government and EPA in UST program enforcement. Non-SPA Approved states have to work directly with the EPA to follow the UST enforcement actions.
The Manufacturing Division of the Acterra Group has received the Silver Quality award from the Steel Tank Institute. The award represents 4 consecutive years with no QC non-compliance tags.
STI’s Quality Control Program
Quality control is a crucial aspect of all manufacturing processes. Member fabricators of the Steel Tank Institute’s licensed tank technologies are subject to periodic, unannounced inspections by a team of STI Quality Control Inspectors. These inspectors conduct a rigorous investigation of the manufacturing function at tank fabricator facilities, to ensure that companies are complying with the standards and specifications for manufacture of each licensed STI tank technology.
During the inspection, inspectors also verify that tank construction meets applicable Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and UL Canada (ULC) standards, including UL 58, UL 1746, UL 142, UL 80, UL 2085, and equivalent ULC and international standards. For tanks listed under Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) standards, inspectors provide separate reports to SwRI.
Each year, Quality Award Recipients are chosen based on complete compliance ratings for our random QC inspections. A banner is presented to recipient companies who have achieved three years or more with no quality inspection non-compliance points, to remind employees of their high skill level and encourage continued excellence. Fabricators are required to produce a minimum number of fabricated units to qualify as a Quality Award recipient in these categories.
STI’s Quality Control Program also requires that each member fabricator making STI tanks send at least one representative to our biennial Quality Control Meeting. The gathering was recently held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Wayne iX Pay™ Secure Payment Platform
Wayne Fueling Systems has just announced a new 
The Acterra Group is happy to announce John Kindred has joined our Colorado staff in the newly created position of Manager of Construction. John joins Acterra with years of experience in petroleum equipment installation and construction.
The Acterra Group is happy to announce that Tad Cooper is assuming a new role as President and Chief Operating Officer of the company, effective August 1, 2017. Mr. Cooper will be responsible for marketing, sales, commercial development, and all Acterra Group operating divisions. Terry Cooper, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will continue to be fully involved, on a daily basis, providing leadership and direction in the affairs of Acterra.
With their high-flow hydraulics, user-friendly interface, and durable materials, these new dispensers are ideal for a wide range of fueling stations. Whether you have an inter-city fueling station with general consumer islands or a highway truck stop with high-volume truck islands, the Ovation Dispensers are ideal and compatible for both.