From left: Paul Wilkin, workshop manager; Robyn Wilkin, company director product assembly; Nicholas Ling, president of Heil Trailer Asia; Scott Wilkin, general manager; Matt Coloma, director of FP & A at Entrans International; and Mark Wilkin, managing director.
In September, the 500th tanker built by Tanker Solutions took pride of place at a celebratory lunch in its Porirua workshop, before heading to its new owner, McFall Fuel, based in Mt Maunganui.
Mark and Robyn Wilkin founded Tanker Solutions in April 2007 when they recognised the need for an independent customer- focused tank wagon constructor based in Wellington. Today, the company employs 30 staff – including their sons, Scott and Paul – in three locations.
The company is New Zealand’s leading supplier of tankers and tank trailers to the domestic petroleum industry and has built tankers for Allied, RDP, MOVe Fuel, Farmlands RD, McFall Fuel, Waste Petroleum, Aratuna Distributors, Symons Transport, and many more.
It supplies a range of tankers from 5000L up to 20,000L, as well as dog trailers from 20,000L four-axle units and 33,000L five- axle units, 30,000L tri-axle semis to 46,000L quad-axle semis, and B-trains up to 55,000L combination. They can provide anything from a dust cap to a complete turnkey new build tanker and trailer, fully certified to deliver fuel.
The team has collectively amassed more than 100 years’ experience in servicing the New Zealand petroleum industry. They have fully embraced modern technology and have the strategic backing of leading international suppliers of petroleum equipment.
General manager Scott Wilkin says building the 500th tanker was very special to the team, and he wanted to thank everyone at the celebratory lunch for their support.
“It’s very important for us because if we didn’t do what we do – build tankers – and you didn’t do what you do – deliver fuel – we couldn’t have achieved this.”
Scott says the team recently purchased an HSG fibre laser for cutting flat-plate steel/ stainless steel/aluminium. “This will enable us to become more efficient and secure our future because we can do this in-house rather than outsourcing.”
Managing director Mark Wilkin says he wants to thank the customers who purchased tankers in the early days, such as Jim Ramsay from Hooker Pacific, who placed an order for four tankers.
“I’d also like to particularly thank our staff, people who have been with us right from the start, and in particular, Bevan, Paul, Mark and Omran. Also, Robyn, my wife and business partner. I couldn’t have done it without her support.
“It has been a lot of fun – highs and lows but mostly highs. I want to thank you for supporting us and I look forward to the next milestone of 1000 tankers.”
Two special guests were in attendance – Nicholas Ling, president of Heil Trailer Asia, and Matt Coloma, director of FP & A at Entrans International in the United States, the parent company of Heil Trailer and Polar Corp.
Heil is a global manufacturer of specialty transport trailers, including petroleum, dry bulk, stainless, crude and asphalt trailers. The company makes premium trailers engineered to meet the most stringent region- and load-specific requirements in 85 countries worldwide.
Nicholas says Heil had been associated with Tanker Solutions since the company was established in 2007, but before that, he had dealt with Mark at Fuelquip.
“Compared with what runs in Asia and Africa, here in New Zealand they take a step up with their safety standards. The majority of players don’t last this long, but Tanker Solutions has done a fantastic job with all their customers, and that is down to the support they offer. Their customers are in good hands.
“This partnership between Heil and Tanker Solutions involves a lot of teamwork and trial and error. They have really gone a long way to get to the 500th tanker. Their success is our success and we look forward to the next 500 or 1000 tankers.”
This is Matt’s first time in the southern hemisphere, and he says it was great to come and share in TSL’s success.
“Tanker Solutions is a major customer for us. They take one of our core products and improve it for the New Zealand market and how the customers here utilise the end product.
“We have been making this product for more than 120 years, and we’re very proud of our association with Tanker Solutions. It’s been mutually beneficial for both of us, and we look forward to being here for the next 500. As long as the market can accommodate it, I can see growth.”
Tanker Solutions started with five staff in a leased factory in Porirua but outgrew that within a few years and built a purpose-built factory in Makaro Street. Scott, a qualified builder, was project manager on the build. The factory was completed in time to build 10 trailers for Allied Petroleum for the change in supermarket fuel suppliers in December 2012. Scott says the team would like to thank Allied’s transport manager, Kevin Sim, for that order. The company has continued to expand its product range with pumps, meters, electronic registers, hose and dry break fittings and tank fittings.
A paint shop in nearby Mohuia Crescent was added, enabling full painting of truck parts, chassis and trailer suspension, etc.
In 2015, a service depot in Barnes Street, Seaview, was opened with Bevan Hare at the helm. The depot caters to the growth and continuing need to inspect, certify and calibrate tankers in the lower North Island.
Tanker Solutions provides a one-stop shop for the supply of road tankers and trailers, the parts and products to build and maintain them, combined with the experience, knowledge, service and certification to keep them safely on the road and help keep the country on the move.
