Expansion 

This has been an exciting year of growth for Tank Connection. Strong demand for our RTP dry and liquid bolted tank product lines, coupled with strong demand for our shop welded tanks and system installed tanks is driving more and greater opportunities throughout our entire business system. Our customers have been asking for more products and support from every area of our organization. Since our customers have been demanding more engineered intensive storage products than ever before, we are actively working to address the increased demand along with meeting any additional product requirements. We have been taking steps such as increasing the number of personnel in the Quality Department and adding new positions to allow us to meet the many challenges that this growth brings. Staffing will continue to keep pace with the growth to allow us to maintain our commitment to quality. Expansion of our ISO processes will be part of the growth we are enjoying. It is very exciting to be a part of the changes being made which will position us to perform at the next level, so we will be ready for the next series of opportunities presented to us.

Continuous improvement 

The Tank Connection management team provides solid support for continuous improvement throughout our entire business system. Without the resolve and cooperation of management to support this process, the progress we are enjoying would simply not be possible. The commitment of every person in our organization also has an impact on the outcome of our efforts, so it is important to cultivate and maintain a mindset that embraces the pursuit of excellence in our approach to what we do every day at every level. Together we are doing something that is much greater than anything we could do alone. The result of this is that we continue to see improvements becoming a part of what we do everywhere. Rather than seeing a rule of “diminishing returns” we are seeing how each improvement can lead to still more improvements. These changes make it to the “bottom line” and are clearly making a big difference to our customers. I want to congratulate and thank the Tank Connection personnel who continue to raise the bar of excellence within our organization.

“Tank Connection personnel are committed to the relentless pursuit of continuous improvement in all of our business operations to fulfill the needs of our customers.”

Enjoy the journey!

The LAX project was a good example of what we would like to see more of in the liquid market. The tank, a 86’ x 52’ with an aluminum dome, will be used in a deluge fire protection system to protect a hanger at the LAX Airport. Tank Connection worked with the specifying engineer for nearly a year writing the specification and sizing the tank around Tank Connection standards, yet keeping it generic enough to meet the municipal requirement of not sole sourcing. When it was time for the project to bid, the contractors came to Tank Connection for our bid and also our insight to the project. For 2013, our focus will be to make a concerted effort by our liquid sales team and our various representatives to get Tank Connection specified on municipal and industrial projects. Tank Connection is becoming better known in the liquid market, but there are still many opportunities to “educate” the engineers about Tank Connection’s great products.

Below are examples of the product lines that we target in the liquid market.

• Potable Water Tanks
• Wastewater Tanks
• Fire Protection Tanks
• Industrial Liquids
• Digesters
• Petroleum
• Liquid Chemical Storage

In dry bulk storage, we are the industry leader for large bulk storage facilities in North America.

TC’s modular RTP construction is now requested worldwide by leading U.S. corporations. We load containers daily and provide expedited deliveries. The tank shown on the left side of the adjacent picture is bolted RTP construction (right side, shop welded). It will install in 1/3 the field time required for its field-welded counterpart. Jack built from grade level at any international location.

ALPINE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS specializes in Integrated Bulk Storage & Material Handing System Projects from concept to completion including nation wide plant expansions, receiving & load-outs, transload terminals, and services all industries. Along with outstanding personal service we specialize in providing quality and cost-effective solutions to meet your needs.

PROJECT PROFILE FEATURES

Frac Sand Transload Terminal with three (3) 26’ dia. x 80’ tall fully skirted tanks with truck drive through, dual scale system, dust free load-out equipment, three (3) rail spur unloading pit with reclaim conveyor and pent house with stair access, bucket elevator, stair tower, diverter valve, chutes and supports, dust collection, sump system, compressed air system, controls & MCC building. This project was provided as a turnkey design build (EPC) to include all concrete, structural, mechanical, and field electrical, with the exception of the rail road work, site drainage, and asphalt.

Just about any storage facility can be expanded in the field, but modular storage systems can be designed for simplified future expansion. It is a “plug and play” approach to quickly increase storage capacities. The shop-welded aggregate storage systems shown can be expanded in a fraction of the time required for typical battery installations. IQ storage systems by TC, an intelligent choice for the future.

Not a “fun in the sun” location to take your spouse, but if you are into tanks (like us), a fly-over may be warranted.

TC aluminum geodesic domes being installed on field-weld tanks, located off the coast of Panama.

As softly announced in our last newsletter, TC has secured another tank manufacturing facility for the production of SIT’s (system installed tanks), XL shop-welded tanks and aluminum domes. (Note: SIT applications are a unique approach to a growing industry. If you have any questions on these applications, please talk with our SIT Team.)

Expanded aluminum geodesic dome designs including architectural designs. (Notes: TC recently purchased the latest state-of-the-art fabrication equipment to service this industry. The equipment is installed and turning out aluminum dome components for a global market.)

• Looking for the best dome design? This would be TC domes.
• Looking for the highest quality? Again, this would be TC.
• Looking for the best price? TC rules!

Any questions?

We have expanded our engineering services to fulfill client needs for the future. We are the experts in storage solutions. When questions exist on future applications, please contact us any time for assistance and the right answers.

More specialized coatings and coatings technology offered. [Note: Of course, this is why an FBE (fusion bond epoxy) powder coat line was originally chosen over a vitreous enamel /glass line at our new bolted tank facility.] TC’s FBE coating performance in the field will outperform glass, of which one glass tank manufacturer now acknowledges. The TC advantage is the versatility of what we can offer with other specialized, advanced coatings systems. Our multi-million dollar powder coat line and technology is unmatched globally in modular, bolted panel fabrication. Our processes allow versatility which is far beyond competitor capabilities. Our processes represent the future of advanced coating systems to service the industry with superior products.

Every type of storage tank TC offers has its application. The shop-welded tanks shown are custom fabricated in the shop and shipped to the field as one piece construction. When they arrive, they can be picked with a crane and immediately set into place or staged for installation at a later date.

When shop-welded tanks are utilized, field installation timeframes can be greatly reduced. The only negative in utilizing shop welded tanks are the limitations of capacity. Typically, these units are limited to a maximum capacity of ~8500 cubic feet of storage, as a one piece unit.

• On the left, in the background, nice corroded blue color — Horizontal glass panel tank.
• On the right in the background, vertical flat panel — A VFP tank is a poorly conceived storage tank design. There is no market for this product except uninformed and unsuspecting buyers.
• Up front — Bolted RTP tank by Tank Connection under construction. The premier product of choice available in the industry.

We build the largest hopper bottom tanks in North America. Bolted RTP tank construction is limited to under 50’ diameter. In a field-weld design, we typically limit hopper tank construction under 65’ diameter range. Proprietary hybrid hopper applications utilizing a composite hopper design can be built even larger, but the economics and installed cost rarely justify this approach compared to an optimum number of tanks in a battery arrangement.