Quality Steel Corporation

What Quality Steel Corporation does

Quality Steel Corporation, founded in 1957 by Lowry Tims and headquartered in Cleveland, Mississippi, is North America's largest manufacturer of propane storage tanks, operating three U.S. manufacturing facilities — Cleveland, MS; Fremont, OH; and West Jordan, UT — with 300+ employee-owners. The company is structured as an employee-owned subsidiary of LT Corporation, a diversified industrial holding company whose affiliated businesses include LP Cylinder Service (refurbished and recertified tanks), Buckeye Fabricating (custom fabrication), Kryton Engineered Metals (acquired January 2023), Tate Metal Works, LT Logistics, and Tanco Engineering.

Quality Steel's core technology is the design and manufacture of ASME Section VIII steel pressure vessels — including aboveground tanks, combination aboveground/underground tanks, underground tanks, anhydrous ammonia (NH3) tanks, and dispenser tanks — produced from SA-414G plate steel with proprietary coating systems (TGIC polyester powder, phenolic epoxy powder, liquid urethane topcoats) and stress-relief processes for NH3 service. Components such as RegO valves, third-party independent daily quality testing, vacuum pre-purging for simplified first-fill, and integrated cathodic-protection anode studs differentiate its vessels. The company holds ASME U Stamp, ASME R Stamp, UL 644 listing, National Board Registration, and Canadian Registration Numbers (CRN), and is the only propane tank manufacturer that publicly discloses a 5-year warranty on aboveground tanks.

Commercially, Quality Steel sells exclusively B2B — not to the public — through Regional Sales Managers, an inside sales force, an extensive distributor network (F.W. Webb, Alliance Truck & Tank, Fairbank Equipment, R.E. Michel, Tri-State, Worthington, among others), and consignment partners (Certified Cylinder, IPS Equipment, Rutherford Equipment, ThompsonGas, Teeco Products). Pricing is quote-based with credit applications for commercial buyers and a third-party financing/lease option via Lease Finance Now. Revenue is generated primarily from one-time hardware sales of propane, ammonia, and dispenser tanks in capacities ranging from 120 to 2,000 water gallons, supplemented by refurbished tank revenue through LP Cylinder and custom fabrication through Buckeye Fabricating. End customers are propane dealers, agricultural operations, small commercial and industrial buyers, and international/Canadian distributors.

Name

Quality Steel Corporation

Legal name

Quality Steel Corporation

Website

https://qualitysteelcorporation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Quality Steel Corporation, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Cleveland, Mississippi, is North America's largest manufacturer of ASME-certified steel propane storage tanks. It operates three U.S. facilities producing aboveground, underground, anhydrous ammonia, and dispenser tanks sold B2B to propane dealers, distributors, and agricultural customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pressure vessels and propane storage tanks

NAICS

Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing (33242)

SIC

Fabricated Plate Work (Boiler Shops) (3443)

akta.pro primary industry

Pressure Vessels, Columns & Storage Tanks (ASME/Process Vessels) (IMAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Steel Plate, Sections & Welded Assemblies (IMADACAD)

Keywords

• Propane storage tanks
• Pressure vessel manufacturing
• ASME certified tanks
• Anhydrous ammonia tanks
• Underground propane tanks

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Propane Tank Sales: One-time sale of steel propane tanks and pressure vessels to propane dealers and distributors. Tanks are sold in various configurations including aboveground, underground, anhydrous ammonia, and dispenser tanks ranging from 120 to 1,990 water gallon capacity.
2. Financing and Leasing Options: Quality Steel offers financing and leasing options to customers through a third-party partner (leasefinancenow.com/QualitySteel), providing flexible payment options for tank purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Quality Steel Corporation manufactures and sells steel pressure vessels and propane storage tanks, including aboveground, underground, combination, anhydrous ammonia, and dispenser tanks ranging from 120 to 1,990 water gallons. The company also offers refurbished and recertified tanks through sister company LP Cylinder, and custom fabricated tanks through Buckeye Fabricating. Production occurs at three U.S. facilities with all vessels manufactured to ASME Section VIII standards and most aboveground tanks UL listed.

Product overview

Quality Steel Corporation offers a comprehensive portfolio of steel pressure vessels and propane storage tanks, manufactured in the U.S.A. since 1957. The product line centers on six core tank types—Aboveground Tanks, Aboveground/Underground Tanks, Underground Tanks, Anhydrous Ammonia Tanks, and Dispenser Tanks—complemented by refurbishment services through LP Cylinder and custom fabrication through Buckeye Fabricating. The company has recently expanded its offerings through a partnership with Mopeka® for cathodic protection monitoring. Tanks range from 120 to 2,000 WG capacity, conform to ASME Section VIII standards, and are manufactured across three strategically placed U.S. facilities in Cleveland, MS, Fremont, OH, and West Jordan, UT.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aboveground Tanks Steel propane storage tanks designed for aboveground installation, rated at 250 psig, featuring a 5-year warranty as the only tank manufacturer to offer this coverage. Available in 120-1,990 WG capacity with RegO valves, for residential, commercial, and agricultural propane storage applications.
• Aboveground/Underground Tanks Combination propane storage tanks for residential or small commercial applications that can be installed above ground or as shallow burial storage solutions. Available in 120-1,990 WG capacity.
• Underground Tanks Pre-purged, ready-to-bury underground propane tanks with formulated coating designed to work with cathodic protection. Features vacuum pre-purge for simplified first fill and anode connections for cathodic protection. Available in 120-1,990 WG capacity.
• Anhydrous Ammonia Tanks NH3 (anhydrous ammonia) tanks manufactured at the Fremont, Ohio facility with rigorous testing to meet ASME guidelines. Feature engineered roll-over cage, seal-welded stainless steel data plate, and 3-year limited warranty. Available in 1,000-2,000 WG capacity, designed for agricultural fertilizer storage applications.
• Dispenser Tanks Compact tanks for use in conjunction with propane filling stations where space is limited. Available in horizontal and vertical configurations with 500-1,990 WG capacity, featuring a 5-year warranty for aboveground models.
• Refurbished & Recertified Tanks Refurbished and recertified propane tanks available through LP Cylinder (affiliated company), providing a cost-effective alternative for propane storage needs.
• Custom Fabricated Tanks Custom tank fabrication services provided through Buckeye Fabricating (affiliated company) for specialized tank requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Best lead times in the industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MopekacoreTechnology or Integration · 17 January 2025Quality Steel announced partnership to integrate Mopeka Cathodic Sentinel devices into their products. This partnership enhances underground tank monitoring and cathodic protection capabilities for customers.
• Kryton Engineered Metals, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 January 2023LT Corporation completed stock purchase of Kryton Engineered Metals, Inc. in January 2023. Part of the LT Corporation family of companies.
• LP Cylinder Service, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated company under LT Corporation parent. Part of the family of businesses including Quality Steel, LP Cylinder, Buckeye Fabricating, Kryton Engineered Metals, Tate Metal Works, LT Logistics, and Tanco Engineering.
• Buckeye Fabricating CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated company under LT Corporation parent. Specializes in custom fabricated tanks as referenced on Quality Steel's website.
• Tate Metal WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated company under LT Corporation parent. Listed as part of the family of businesses operating under LT Corporation.
• LT LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated company under LT Corporation parent providing transportation and logistics services for Quality Steel products.
• Tanco EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated company under LT Corporation parent. Listed as part of the family of businesses operating under LT Corporation.
• National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)coreOthersIndustry affiliation for propane gas associations. Quality Steel maintains membership for industry standards and networking.
• Canadian Propane Association (CPA)coreOthersIndustry association for Canadian propane industry. Supports Quality Steel's Canadian sales operations and compliance.
• Pressure Vessel Manufacturers Association (PVMA)coreOthersTrade association for pressure vessel manufacturers. Quality Steel maintains membership for industry advocacy and standards.
• Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA)minorOthersState manufacturing association. Quality Steel's Cleveland, MS facility participates in this organization.
• RegOcoreTechnology or IntegrationQuality Steel sources RegO valves as components for their tanks, using top vendors in the industry for quality components.
• Lease Finance NowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThird-party financing and leasing partner providing flexible payment options for Quality Steel customers purchasing tanks.
• F.W. Webb CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor distributor of Quality Steel products across the Northeastern United States with multiple locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Rhode Island.
• Alliance Truck & Tank SalesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor based in Missoula, Montana serving the Northwest region.
• Fairbank EquipmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor with locations in South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado serving the Central U.S.
• R.E. Michel CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor with locations in Maryland, Tennessee, Alabama, New York, and Arizona serving the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
• Tri-State DistributorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor serving the Southeast with locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.
• ThompsonGasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsignment partner with location in Frederick, Maryland providing just-in-time tank inventory.
• Certified CylinderminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsignment partner in Crossville, Tennessee providing inventory availability for the Southeast region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Chart Industries: A major industrial gas equipment manufacturer producing cryogenic storage tanks, transport containers, and process equipment across a broader portfolio that includes LPG/propane storage; competes in adjacent pressure vessel categories though not exclusively in the propane end-market.

Direct peers

• Engineered Pressure Systems International: A specialty ASME pressure vessel and tank fabricator serving industrial, chemical, and energy customers; comparable to Quality Steel in code-stamped, low-to-mid-volume steel tank manufacturing.
• Worthington Industries: A large publicly traded steel processor and pressure cylinder/tank manufacturer that produces propane tanks and other ASME pressure vessels, overlapping directly with Quality Steel's product portfolio. Notably, Worthington Industries also appears as a distributor in Quality Steel's channel network, highlighting the dual competitor/partner relationship.
• Tank Holding Corp (Snyder Industries): One of the largest North American producers of rotationally molded and fabricated bulk storage tanks and intermediate bulk containers serving industrial and agricultural markets; competes for similar storage and bulk liquid containment applications.
• Manchester Tank & Equipment: A longstanding North American manufacturer of propane tanks (DOT cylinders and ASME storage tanks) and other pressure vessels, competing directly with Quality Steel in the residential, commercial, and industrial propane storage market.
• Wessels Company: A US manufacturer of ASME pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and storage tanks for HVAC, plumbing, propane, and industrial markets; directly comparable to Quality Steel in code-stamped steel tank manufacturing.
• Assmann Corporation of America: A US manufacturer of polyethylene and steel storage tanks, IBCs, and specialty containment vessels serving industrial and chemical customers; overlaps with Quality Steel's industrial bulk-storage customers.
• American Welding & Tank: An ASME-certified fabricator of pressure vessels, propane tanks, and specialty tanks serving industrial and energy customers; closely comparable to Quality Steel in product mix and customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quality Steel Corporation