Corba Member Spotlight – BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC

We are pleased to announce the CORBA Member Spotlight

BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC


ABOUT BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC

Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC (Benchmark) is a liquid chemicals distribution terminal. Located on
the Ohio River on the west side of downtown Cincinnati along US Route 50, and along the CSXT railroad,
Benchmark is uniquely situated to receive and ship bulk liquid chemicals by river, rail, and truck for distribution
throughout the Tristate. Benchmark currently employs 11 full time employees.

Like most terminal operators throughout the country, Benchmark is a critical link in the supply chain for the
chemicals that we handle and is, therefore, deemed essential during this pandemic. Examples of goods and
services that depend on these supply chains include fertilizer for farmer crops, chemicals for water and sewage
treatment, chemicals used in the manufacture of cleaning agents, soaps, and disinfectants, chemicals used in
food processing, and many, many other essential products and services. The work performed by Benchmark
and other related links in the supply chains (i.e. barge operators, railroads, truckers, etc.) can only be
performed by workers present in the field. Throughout the pandemic, Benchmark employees have been on
the job every single day, and, as a result of their hard work and dedication, Benchmark has not miss a single
shipment for its customers. Benchmark would like to take this opportunity to salute all of its employees, and
all of the “heroes” that work in the critical transportation sectors throughout the maritime, railroad, and
trucking fields, but especially terminal operators.


RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS ABOUT BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC

BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC completes expansion at its Cincinnati, Ohio Terminal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 12, 2022

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC (Benchmark) recently completed expansion at its
rail terminal facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio. The expansion includes the addition of 40 railcar spots completed in
two phases beginning in 2022. It also included construction of three 7,100-barrel (300,000 gallon) stainless
steel, specialty chemical storage tanks. The completion of the three tanks concludes the tank expansion
project that began in 2017 and includes a total of eight similar 7,100-barrel stainless steel tanks.
“There has long been a void in the specialty chemical market in the Midwest (Cincinnati) region, and this
expansion allows Benchmark to serve that need,” said Eric Thomas, General Manager at Benchmark. “These

tanks are well-suited and adaptable to handle a wide variety of products and special handling needs such as
customized heating systems, nitrogen blanketing, and other unique handling needs for the various customers
served.”
The added rail capacity brings the total capacity at the facility to 96 railcar spots. The added capacity also
necessitated the addition of a new Trackmobile car mover. Benchmark was also recently approved as a sub-
grantee for a (FRA) CRISI grant, which will allow for the installation of a rail crossing with railroad preemption
at its rail yard. “The new crossing is a further expression of Benchmark’s commitment to safety excellence and
to operating a highly efficient, quality driven operation,” Thomas said.
Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC, established in 2010, is a leading multi-modal, liquid-bulk chemical
handler in the region. In addition to its rail services, the terminal is situated on the Ohio River and receives
bulk liquid commodities by barge. To learn more about Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC visit their
website at www.benchmarkterminals.com or contact Eric Thomas at eric.thomas@benchmarkterminals.com.


YEAR BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC BECAME A MEMBER

Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC became a member in 2011 – the year of CORBA’s origin. Benchmark
River and Rail Terminals is proud to be a founding member company of CORBA. Eric Thomas, Benchmark’s
General Manager, led the steering committee for the creation of CORBA, was the inaugural chairman of the
board of CORBA, and currently serves as CORBA’s executive director. Benchmark is very proud to have been a
part of CORBA since its beginnings!


WHY DID BENCHMARK RIVER AND RAIL TERMINALS, LLC CHOOSE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF CORBA

CORBA continues to play a significant role in promoting the regional maritime interests on behalf of its
members. There is no other entity like it, and no other source for the services and information being provided
by CORBA in the region. CORBA continues to be a strong voice, and is viewed as the leading organization of its
kind up and down the Ohio River valley. CORBA’s continued outreach to the legislatures, economic
development organizations, and the general public is a high-value service for Benchmark and all of CORBA’s
membership.