How Breiner Forged a Built-to-Last Supplier Relationship with Kennedy Tank
125 years. Few manufacturers can claim to have lasted and thrived in their industry for such a long time, yet Kennedy Tank and Manufacturing Co., Inc. has done so.
As a manufacturer of custom, built-to-order tanks, pressure vessels, and heat exchangers, Kennedy Tank has upheld a reputation of quality production and customer care. Through these steel-based products, Kennedy Tank creates industrial tanks to support manufacturers across various fields—including oil, liquid natural gas, chemical, water filtration, transport, fuel storage, and agriculture.
So, what could such a successful and diversified manufacturer like Kennedy Tank need from Breiner Innovative? According to Purchasing Manager, Dan Yoder, quite a bit.
With a relationship starting before 2015, Breiner Innovative has supported Kennedy Tank’s quality production and delivery to customers with a steady supply of gaskets. Using non-metallic materials from Thermoseal’s Klingersil®—or Klinger C-4401—to vegetable fiber gaskets, Breiner has continuously supplied custom-made gaskets for Kennedy Tank, helping them properly seal over 95% of their projects.
Why are these gaskets so important? Simply put, these gaskets help Kennedy Tank craft all their custom-made projects up to industry standards. According to Dan, their products “all share the common theme that the nozzles or flanges have to be bolted up and completely seal the tank off before we can move it out of the shop.” Meaning for every tank or vessel—which may have anywhere from 2 to 30 nozzle penetrations to seal— “every single one has to have a gasket, bolting, and a blind flange that has to go on and be tested for quality before the item can leave the facility.”
So, what could such a successful and diversified manufacturer like Kennedy Tank need from Breiner Innovative? According to Purchasing Manager, Dan Yoder, quite a bit.
With a relationship starting before 2015, Breiner Innovative has supported Kennedy Tank’s quality production and delivery to customers with a steady supply of gaskets. Using non-metallic materials from Thermoseal’s Klingersil®—or Klinger C-4401—to vegetable fiber gaskets, Breiner has continuously supplied custom-made gaskets for Kennedy Tank, helping them properly seal over 95% of their projects.
Why are these gaskets so important? Simply put, these gaskets help Kennedy Tank craft all their custom-made projects up to industry standards. According to Dan, their products “all share the common theme that the nozzles or flanges have to be bolted up and completely seal the tank off before we can move it out of the shop.” Meaning for every tank or vessel—which may have anywhere from 2 to 30 nozzle penetrations to seal— “every single one has to have a gasket, bolting, and a blind flange that has to go on and be tested for quality before the item can leave the facility.”
“If we don’t have those products, while they may only be only $20 gaskets, in the grand scheme of a $500,000 project, it is still critical that we have those [parts] so we can get the job done,” states Dan. Even with projects priced as low as $10,000-$20,000, Breiner Innovative plays a crucial role as Kennedy Tank’s supply chain vendor.
From prototype testing to final assembly, Breiner Innovative is integral to each part of Kennedy Tank’s manufacturing process, continuing to earn the company’s business on a monthly basis.
While their shared location in Indianapolis helps their relationship, Dan admits Breiner offers so much more as a manufacturing vendor. No matter the project—whether it’s puzzling together large custom gaskets from separate material sheets or picking up emergency parts—the team at Kennedy Tank know they can count on Breiner to come through for what they need.
“There’s been more than one occasion where we have to pick the phone up, call them, and tell them, ‘Hey, I have to send a guy over to pick up this gasket right now,’ and they will throw it on the machine, get it cut, and we’ll go pick it up,” Dan says. This support has given Kennedy Tank a great advantage with field repairs for customers.
The final result: 100% customer satisfaction and confidence from Kennedy Tank, leading to continued reliance and trust in the Breiner Innovative team.
Speaking for the company, Dan reports an overwhelmingly positive relationship with Breiner. “I never have to worry about delivery from [Breiner] being on time,” he notes, which is important for emergencies and routine monthly orders alike.
Even communicating order confirmations comes from the Breiner team within 24 hours or less, making a clear and responsive relationship between the companies. “Due to their reliability, there’s no reason for us to look anywhere else” for another supplier. In Dan’s view, Breiner “definitely goes above and beyond to provide service and making sure we have what we need to do our job every day. I would absolutely recommend Breiner to anyone needing custom gaskets.”
At Breiner Innovative, our expert team of die-cutters and engineers work to support all our customers’ manufacturing efforts. Whatever parts you need, contact Breiner to design and deliver great results, custom-made for you!
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Whether you’re looking for a just-in-time supply chain partner, a prototype, or a one-time custom part supplier with no minimum order requirements, count on Breiner Innovative to help.