What J & M Tank Lines does

J & M Tank Lines is a family-owned dry bulk trucking company founded in 1948 by Jimmie McClinton with a $125 loan and currently headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Operating under Sumerford family ownership since 1981, the company runs a fleet of 450 tractors and 800 trailers across 11 terminals in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and several adjacent states, with full 48-state operating authority. J&M self-positions as the Southeast's largest dry bulk carrier, specializing in bulk aggregates (lime, calcium carbonate, cement, sand), food-grade products, and plastic pellets transported via pneumatic vacuum tankers, with a sales motion that is direct to industrial B2B customers via website quote forms and phone contact.

J&M's operational technology stack is composed of industry-standard transportation management and telematics platforms rather than proprietary AI or software products. The company dispatches operations through TMW software, deploys Geotab telematic devices across the fleet for real-time tracking, and operates the proprietary "J&M Mobile App" (available on iOS and Android) as a driver-facing tool for dispatch, payroll, home time, and paperwork — the company's principal digital touchpoint and a workforce engagement lever in a tight driver market. Sister/affiliate companies — TransChem USA, Specialized Delivery Systems, and Sumerford Logistics — extend the offering into chemical and specialized transport and brokerage.

Revenue is generated through four streams: core dry bulk trucking on a transaction-fee basis (mileage- and commodity-priced), brokerage/logistics services, trailer leasing (recurring), and ancillary services including silo clean-out, material transfer, and mobile storage. The economics mirror the asset-heavy model typical of dry bulk: customer pricing is quote-based; driver compensation is performance-based at $1,200–$1,600 per week depending on assignment. J&M does not disclose financials and is not externally financed — it operates as a private family business with no external institutional investors.

Name

J & M Tank Lines

Legal name

J & M Tank Lines, Inc.

Website

https://jmtank.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

J & M Tank Lines is a family-owned dry bulk trucking company founded in 1948 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Operating 450 tractors and 800 trailers across 11 terminals in the Southeast and South-Central US, it transports aggregates, food-grade products, and plastics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dry Bulk Trucking Services

NAICS

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Dry Bulk (Hopper/Pneumatic) TL Carriers (TLADADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dry Bulk Trucking (End-Dump/Walking-Floor/Hopper) (TLADAKAC)

Keywords

• Dry bulk trucking
• Bulk aggregate hauling
• Food grade shipping
• Pneumatic vacuum tanker
• Transportation logistics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dry Bulk Trucking Services: Core B2B trucking services for transporting dry bulk commodities including aggregates, food-grade products, and plastics. Revenue is generated through transportation fees based on mileage, commodities hauled, and service requirements.
2. Brokerage / Logistics Services: Brokering services to supplement direct trucking operations, connecting shippers with carriers.
3. Trailer Leasing: Trailer leasing services offered to customers as part of comprehensive transportation solutions.
4. Ancillary Services: Additional services including silo clean-out, material transfer services, and mobile storage solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

J & M Tank Lines is a family-owned dry bulk trucking company that transports industrial commodities including lime, calcium carbonate, cement, sand, food-grade products, and plastics using pneumatic vacuum tankers and dry bulk trailers. The company operates 450 tractors and 800 trailers across 11 terminals in the Southeast and South-Central US with full 48-state operating authority. Complementary offerings include brokerage/logistics, trailer leasing, silo clean-out, material transfer, and mobile storage solutions.

Product overview

J & M Tank Lines is a family-owned dry bulk trucking company founded in 1948, offering a comprehensive portfolio of transportation and logistics services. The core offerings include Bulk Aggregate Hauling for industrial materials (lime, calcium carbonate, cement, sand), Food Grade Shipping with contamination protection, and Plastic Products Transport using pneumatic vacuum tankers. The company provides supporting services including brokerage/logistics, trailer leasing, silo clean-out, material transfer, and mobile storage solutions. Digital capabilities include a J&M Mobile App for drivers and customers, and a Quick Rate Quote system for quote requests. With full 48-state operating authority and operations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas, the company operates 450 tractors and 800 trailers across 11 terminal locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bulk Aggregate Hauling Dry-bulk trucking services for industrial-grade products including lime, calcium carbonate, cement, and sand, moving shipments of various sizes from point A to point B.
• Food Grade Shipping Specialized shipping service that protects food-grade products from contamination and spoilage during transport, ensuring safe delivery with no mess or contamination.
• Plastic Products Transport Transportation of a wide range of plastics products using pneumatic vacuum tankers, delivered free of contaminants, safely and on time.
• Brokerage / Logistics Services Third-party logistics and brokerage services that complement direct trucking operations by connecting shippers with carriers.
• Trailer Leasing Trailer leasing options provided to customers as part of comprehensive transportation solutions.
• Silo Clean-out Services Silo clean-out services for industrial facilities handling bulk commodities.
• Material Transfer Services Material transfer services for handling bulk commodities between storage and transportation stages.
• Mobile Storage Solutions Mobile storage solutions for temporary storage needs at customer sites.
• J&M Mobile App Proprietary mobile application for drivers and customers to access scheduling, payroll, home time information, and daily dispatches; available on iOS and Android.
• Quick Rate Quote Online form for customers to request shipping quotes by describing their needs, with team response on availability and options within 24 hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Won NTTC Competitive Safety Contest for 31.5-40 million miles class based on 2019 safety record
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kourageous Outdoor Kids (KOK)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024J&M Tank Lines partners with Kourageous Outdoor Kids, a non-profit founded in 2022 dedicated to serving children with life-altering illnesses. J&M owners Harold and Peter Sumerford donated land usage through their 1,000-acre Sumerford Farms in Americus, GA for outdoor activities and hunting experiences.
• Lutzie 43 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Official partnership announced March 2022 to help end distracted driving and impaired driving. J&M drivers serve as safe driving ambassadors through the 43 Key Seconds initiative, promoting clear head, clear hands, clear eyes, and seatbelt usage before operating any motor vehicle. J&M CEO Harold Sumerford Jr. introduced the partnership at the annual Managers Meeting.
• Georgia Department of TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022J&M participated in a Safe Driving Summit with Lutzie 43 and the Georgia Department of Transportation to bring awareness to local teens about safe driving.
• Wreaths Across AmericacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018J&M has participated in Wreaths Across America since 2018, delivering wreaths to cemeteries including Arlington National Cemetery. The company provides a dedicated 53-foot wrapped trailer and volunteer drivers for the cause. In 2021, J&M hosted the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit at their corporate office.
• Trucking Cares FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJ&M contributes to the Trucking Cares Foundation, the trucking industry's charitable arm. In March 2022, the foundation donated over $40,000 to Ukrainian humanitarian relief efforts.
• National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ&M is an active member of NTTC. CEO Harold Sumerford Jr. served as NTTC Chairman in 2015, following his father Harold Sumerford Sr. who served as Chairman in 2002. The company participates in NTTC safety contests and driver awards programs.
• American Trucking Associations (ATA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ&M is an active member and CEO Harold Sumerford Jr. was inducted as the 77th Chairman of ATA in 2021. The company works with ATA on federal legislation, safety regulations, and industry initiatives. J&M participated in ATA's registered apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Georgia Motor Trucking Association (GMTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ&M is an active member and President Peter Sumerford serves as GMTA Chairman. The company works with GMTA on state-level trucking legislation and industry advocacy.
• Alabama Trucking AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ&M is an active member of the Alabama Trucking Association, participating in safety awards and industry events.
• Women In TruckingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJ&M partnered with Women In Trucking to host Girl Scout Troops at a unique event centered around the trucking industry, introducing girls to career opportunities in the industry.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trimac Transportation: North American bulk trucking provider specializing in chemicals, food-grade, and dry bulk commodities across the US and Canada. Directly comparable to J&M in core commodity mix and pneumatic tanker operations, but operates broader Canadian exposure.
• Quality Distribution: Large US bulk tank carrier (formerly public, now part of CSX logistics ecosystem) serving chemicals and food-grade markets. Directly comparable to J&M in tank-truck operations and food-grade specialty, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Kenan Advantage Group: One of North America's largest tank truck carriers, specializing in bulk commodities including chemicals, food-grade, and petroleum. Highly comparable to J&M in customer base (industrial dry bulk shippers) and equipment type (pneumatic and liquid tankers), but operates at much larger national scale.
• Schneider National: Major publicly-traded trucking and logistics company with bulk, intermodal, and logistics services. Comparable to J&M in core trucking operations and broad logistics offering, but at much larger national scale and with broader service portfolio.

Regional players

• Hirschbach Motor Lines: Refrigerated and dedicated trucking carrier serving industrial customers across the US. Comparable to J&M in fleet scale (1,000+ tractors), private ownership, and B2B industrial customer orientation, though specialized in temperature-controlled freight rather than dry bulk.
• Heartland Express: US dry van and trucking operator with national footprint, comparable to J&M in long-haul truckload operations but with different commodity focus (general freight vs. dry bulk specialty).

Direct peers

• Groendyke Transport: Major US tank and bulk carrier headquartered in Enid, Oklahoma, hauling chemicals, petroleum, food-grade, and dry bulk. Closely comparable to J&M in service mix and commodity focus, with similar family-influenced heritage and longstanding safety reputation.
• Indian River Transport: Florida-based bulk transportation company hauling chemicals, food-grade products, and dry bulk commodities via tank trailers. Comparable to J&M in tank-truck specialization and Southeast US presence, with overlapping industrial customer base.
• Bulk Transport Company: Specialty bulk carrier focused on dry bulk commodities using pneumatic tankers and trailers. Closely comparable to J&M's core dry bulk service line, including similar commodity mix (cement, lime, fly ash, plastic pellets) and pneumatic equipment.
• A&R Transport: US-based dry bulk carrier hauling cement, fly ash, lime, and other industrial commodities with pneumatic trailers. Directly comparable to J&M in commodity mix, equipment type, and industrial customer base, though with a different regional footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/jmtanklinesinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfUemYfv9EYSWghAzuD6Mqg
• Facebookfacebook.com/jmtanklinesinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/j&m-tank-lines
• Instagraminstagram.com/jmtanklines
• TikToktiktok.com/@jmtanklinesinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about J & M Tank Lines