Making Superior Tanks’ Production Process Superior

Did you know that the second largest oil tank manufacturer in North America is in St. Stephen, New Brunswick? In business for over 75 years, Superior Tanks makes oil tanks for homes and commercial properties. With 35 employees, the company has good market penetration. But, as more people move to alternative heating sources, Superior Tanks, like many traditional manufacturers, are looking for ways to innovate so they can be more efficient.

Making oil tanks is a labour intensive process that requires the cutting, machining, welding and finishing of various types of metal. There are many steps to their current process, and as a forward-looking organization, the company decided to change one particular part of their manufacturing process that will speed up production and save money.

Specifically, their current production line only allows partially assembled tanks to move in a circular fashion for welding. Spinning in a circle is fine for most of the tank’s welding needs, except at the end of the process. The tank must be removed from the production line to weld the end pieces and then replaced when finished.

Sounds like a problem that’s ripe for innovation, and it is. The company determined that their production process would be much more efficient if the tank’s assembly platform spun and rotated on four axis points. But to do it, the company needed engineering expertise and laboratory facilities that they just didn’t have.

That’s when they came to NBIF and applied for an innovation voucher for $53,000 to cover 80% of the cost of the project, and to find the expertise they need. With NBIF’s help, the company was able to contract researchers at the Metal Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at CCNB Bathurst. The project, now underway, will improve Superior Tanks production process and with ergonomic enhancements, reduce worker fatigue and the risk of injury.