By Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association Executive Manager Employment and Training Elisha Radwanowski BCom (HRM & IR).
The fuel industry is one where the product is sold ‘sight unseen’, moving from refineries/terminals, to trucks, to underground tanks and then into customers vehicles through equipment and systems that are designed to keep customers, community and environment protected from the inherent risks of these dangerous goods. A key element of this system is the underground fuel storage tanks. ACAPMA Partner Envirotank was the first to introduce the (now best practice) fibreglass underground tanks to Australia over 30 years ago, and is the focus of this week’s Partner Highlight.
Until Envirotank entered the market, Underground Storage Tanks (UST’s) for the fuel storage market had been manufactured of steel. Typically, steel tanks were single tanks without compartments and typically ranged in size from 2000 litres to 110,000 litres with 30,000 to 55,000 litre tanks being the preference in retail fuel storage applications.
In entering the market in 1990, Envirotank first looked at providing our customers with a real difference that would provide greater flexibility with innovative products. After an exhaustive technology evaluation Envirotank had decided on a USA licenced technology from Owens Corning Tanks, which at the time had been successfully supplying tanks to the USA and Canada for almost 30 years at that point.
With the technology selected Envirotank delivered an industry first 30-year warranty, completely backing the distinction of fibreglass tanks as being corrosion resistant.
One of the key and common elements of tanks today, compartment/split tanks, was also introduced by Envirotank. The innovative design allowed for tanks to be split into 2, 3 or 4 sections resulting in the capacity for costs to be significantly lowered, not just in the cost of tanks but also in the costs associated with installing the tanks and lowering the total fuel system and site build costs.
In 1995 Envirotank brought another first to the Australian market – the very first double wall FRP tank that included “HydroGuard®” an interstitial tank integrity monitoring system. Only Envirotank Double-Wall Tanks provide a 360° defined interstitial space that constantly monitors 100% of both the inner and outer surfaces of the tank including the internal bulkheads.
All Envirotanks are now supplied with factory installed HydroGuard® Monitoring System, a coloured water-based monitoring fluid. The fluid is dark blue in colour and is preinstalled at the factory and is used to perform visual leak testing during shipment and during installation at the jobsite. Offering a leak detection capability that is superior to other methods by constantly monitoring both the inner and outer walls under all installed conditions.
In 1997, Envirotank introduced a small refinement with a massive impact on the safety of installers and the reduced the total cost of installation, when they added a new hold down and strapping system that reduced the “in hole” time and tank top works.
In response to customer requests, in 2014 Envirotank entered into a licence agreement with UK based company Premier Tech, a leading producer of sewage plant, waste water treatment and environmental equipment, which led to the development and introduction of the Clereflo Oil/Water Separator to the Australian market, proving the market with a cost-effective choice for forecourt stormwater treatment devices.
As Envirotank celebrates 30 years in the Australian market, and the holding the distinction of being the longest continuously operating petroleum storage tank manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand, Director Dale Timms reflected, “We are so proud when we look back at the 10,000 tanks and 25,000 plus compartments supplied to the Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Rim markets. We know that those tanks continue to perform, day in and day out, with incredible reliability and peace of mind for their owners”.
“To all our valued customers, new and long term, a very big “tank you” from the Envirotank team and we look forward to another 30 years of customer first service!” concluded Dale.
Envirotank had become the market share leader with a growing reputation for quality, reliability, service and cost-effective pricing and is committed to continuing this focus for another 30 years.
More information
Envirotank Contact – Phil Quinan philq@envirotank.com.au or 0417 384 285.
ACAPMA
