Turner Tanks

What Turner Tanks does

Turner Tanks, operating legally as Turner Equipment Company, is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer of small above-ground steel storage tanks founded in 1939 and headquartered at a single facility in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of 16 product lines — ranging from 25 to 4,000 gallons and all UL-142 listed, built in 12-gauge carbon steel and heavier, and available in single-wall and double-wall configurations — including Stout, Utility, Saddle, Skid (Standard and Heavy-Duty), Pit Lube, Obround, Bench, Vertical, Pallet, Catwalk, Dike, Horizontal, Multi-Purpose, and Custom tanks, plus accessories such as tank stands and a Waste Oil Caddy. The underlying manufacturing technology relies on UL-142 certified carbon steel construction with proprietary features including seal-welded legs on 1/4-inch mounting pads, anti-roll bar designs on Utility tanks, and integrated secondary containment on double-wall configurations.

The company serves six primary customer segments — construction (highway, bridge, military installations), manufacturing, automotive (dealerships, quick lube centers), agriculture, commercial, and residential — addressing use cases spanning heavy-equipment refueling, lubricant storage, waste oil collection, and home heating oil storage. Turner Tanks operates an exclusively indirect go-to-market motion, selling through a network of Petroleum Equipment Distributors that covers the Eastern and Central United States from New England to Texas; the company provides direct phone and website support for distributor referrals but does not publicly disclose pricing, instead maintaining a password-protected distributor price list. Revenue mechanics are hardware-sales driven with no recurring software or service component.

Turner Tanks is in its third generation of family ownership, currently led by President R. Ashley Fleming (joined 2008, MBA from East Carolina University) and Secretary Duffy Smithwick Fleming (granddaughter of founder Sumpter Turner), with founder's son-in-law Gary Smithwick now serving as President Emeritus. The company has no disclosed institutional investment, operates from a single Goldsboro manufacturing plant with 11-50 employees, and has remained continuously operating since 1939 across economic cycles and wartime periods.

Name

Turner Tanks

Legal name

Turner Equipment Company

Website

https://turnertanks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Turner Tanks is a family-owned manufacturer of small above-ground UL-142 steel storage tanks (25-4,000 gallons) based in Goldsboro, NC. Founded in 1939, the company sells exclusively through Petroleum Equipment Distributors serving construction, manufacturing, automotive, agricultural, commercial, and residential end markets across the Eastern and Central United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Steel Storage Tanks

NAICS

Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing (332420), Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing (33242), Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing (3324)

SIC

Metal Shipping Barrels, Drums, Kegs & Pails (3412)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Drums (Steel Drums) (IMALADAD)

Keywords

• Above-ground storage tanks
• Steel storage tanks
• Fuel storage tanks
• Petroleum equipment tanks
• Industrial steel tanks

Headquarters

HQ city

Goldsboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Steel Storage Tank Sales: Turner Tanks generates revenue primarily through the sale of above-ground steel storage tanks. Products range from 25 gallons to 4,000 gallons and are sold through a network of Petroleum Equipment Distributors. Tank models are available in single-wall and double-wall configurations with various accessories including pumps, fill caps, emergency vents, clock gauges, and level gauges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Turner Tanks manufactures small, above-ground steel storage tanks in capacities from 25 to 4,000 gallons for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial, and residential end-markets. All tanks are UL-142 Listed, built in 12-gauge carbon steel and heavier, and are available in both single-wall and double-wall configurations across 16 product lines (stout, utility, saddle, skid, pit lube, obround, bench, vertical, pallet, catwalk, dike, horizontal, multi-purpose, custom) plus accessories such as tank stands and waste oil caddies. The company also offers custom tank fabrication services for specialized requirements.

Product overview

Turner Tanks is a manufacturer of small, above-ground steel storage tanks founded in 1939, operating from Goldsboro, NC. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of 16 distinct product lines ranging from 25 gallons to 4,000 gallons, all UL-142 listed and available in both single-wall and double-wall configurations. The product portfolio includes: Stout Tanks (their most popular series), Utility Tanks, Saddle Tanks, Skid Tanks (Standard and Heavy-Duty), Pit Lube Tanks, Obround Tanks, Bench Tanks, Vertical Tanks, Pallet Tanks, Catwalk & Under Catwalk Tanks, Dike Tanks (with secondary containment), Horizontal Tanks, Multi-Purpose Tanks, Custom Tanks, Tank Stands, and Waste Oil Caddies. Tanks are manufactured in 12-gauge carbon steel and heavier, finished with high-quality Gloss Tank Red primer, and are sold through Petroleum Equipment Distributors across the Eastern and Central United States from New England to Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stout Tanks (ST/STDW) Above-ground steel storage tanks in Turner's most popular series, ranging from 150 to 2,000 gallons, available in single or double-wall models with sturdy plate feet seal-welded to mounting pads for mounting to hard surfaces. Typical uses include motor fuels, lubricants, and waste oils for industrial, construction, automotive, and agricultural customers.
• Utility Tanks (AU/AUDW) Above-ground steel storage tanks featuring steel anti-roll bars (4 inch wide by 3/16 inch thick flat bar with welded corner gussets) for permanent stability when placed on flat, hard surfaces. Available in single and double-wall configurations from 150 to 1,000 gallons and popular among farming operations.
• Saddle Tanks (AS/ASDW) Above-ground steel storage tanks with seal-welded steel saddles providing elevated, rugged mounting for industrial and agricultural applications. Available in single and double-wall configurations with capacities from 150 to 4,000 gallons.
• Skid Tanks (SK/SKDW & HDSK/HDSKDW) Heavy-duty above-ground steel storage tanks in standard and heavy-duty variants, designed for construction sites and agricultural use. Feature tow bars for mobility when empty and are available in single and double-wall configurations with environmental protection for remote site use.
• Pit Lube Tanks (PLT/PLTDW) Above-ground steel storage tanks designed to fit tight spaces in quick lube service pits, with standard heights and widths that align with pit openings. Available in single and double-wall configurations from 250 to 2,000 gallons, popular in fast lube centers and new car dealerships.
• Obround Tanks (AB, AU, ST, ABDW, AUDW, STDW) Space-saving obround-shaped above-ground steel storage tanks available in Basement (no legs), Utility, and Stout configurations. Used for various storage applications including home heating oil, where space efficiency is a priority.
• Bench Tanks (LB/LBDW) Space-saving rectangular above-ground steel storage tanks with standardized widths and heights providing a uniform footprint, designed to function as workbenches while storing lubricants and waste oils. Popular in automotive service bays and quick lube centers.
• Vertical Tanks (LV/LVDW) Round and obround vertical above-ground steel storage tanks offering more storage capacity in limited spaces both indoors and outdoors, featuring a bottom angle for elevation. Available in single and double-wall configurations.
• Pallet Tanks (LP) Industrial above-ground steel storage tanks with forklift guides for mobility and space saving around factory floors. Designed for quick lube outfits and factory settings, available in capacities suitable for moving lubricants around manufacturing facilities.
• Catwalk & Under Catwalk Tanks (LC/LCDW & LCW/LCWDW) Above-ground steel storage tanks designed for quick lube shops, featuring serrated bar grating decks, safety rails, and steps. Available in single and double-wall configurations, can be custom-designed with multiple compartments.
• Dike Tanks Above-ground steel storage tanks combining primary storage with integrated secondary containment (diking) for positive protection against rupture or leakage. Provide environmental compliance and spill containment in a single integrated tank unit.
• Horizontal Tanks (AH/AHDW) Basic round or cylindrical horizontal above-ground steel storage tanks that can be modified with combinations of openings, welded flanges, and weldments such as feet or legs. Used for general fuel, lubricant, and oil storage applications.
• Multi-Purpose Tanks (MPO, MPS, MPL) Versatile above-ground steel storage tanks available in obround, square, and L-shaped configurations. Designed for fixed storage or moving fuel to off-highway equipment including tractors, cars, boats, and ATVs.
• Custom Tanks Custom tank fabrication services from start to finish using Turner Tanks' professional manufacturing crew for specialized tank requirements that standard product lines cannot meet. Available for unique dimensions, configurations, or application-specific needs.
• Tank Stands Steel tank stands with 4 sets of cross braces providing rugged and sturdy support for round and obround tanks up to 525 gallons. Used to elevate and stabilize tanks in residential and commercial installations, including basement heating oil tank setups.
• Waste Oil Caddy Mobile 20-gallon capacity waste oil collection unit with built-in baffles to prevent sloshing, featuring a removable expanded metal screen and a low 7-inch profile for easy vehicle access. Designed for automotive service and quick lube operations.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Steel Tank Institute: Steel Tank Institute is a trade association for steel tank manufacturers and suppliers, setting industry standards (STI 60 and other specifications referenced alongside UL-142). Not a direct competitor but a relevant ecosystem organization for the steel tank industry and a buyer/distributor reference channel.

Direct peers

• Xerxes Corporation: Xerxes Corporation manufactures underground and aboveground storage tanks primarily for fuel and chemical applications. Comparable to Turner in storage tank manufacturing and end markets, with stronger presence in the underground segment and fiberglass construction.
• Western Industries: Western Industries manufactures steel fuel and lube tanks, including aboveground storage tanks for automotive, industrial, and agricultural applications. Closely comparable to Turner's Stout and Saddle tank product lines and customer segments, particularly in quick lube and farm fuel storage.
• Containment Solutions: Containment Solutions manufactures underground and aboveground storage tanks (steel and fiberglass) for fuel, chemical, and water applications. Comparable to Turner in fuel/oil storage products and customer base, with stronger presence in underground and large-volume aboveground installations.
• Pittsburgh Tank & Tower: Pittsburgh Tank & Tower manufactures bolted and welded steel tanks for water, petroleum, and industrial storage applications. Comparable to Turner in steel tank manufacturing capabilities and UL-listed product certifications, with broader geographic reach.
• Caldwell Tanks: Caldwell Tanks designs and manufactures ground storage tanks (primarily water) using welded and bolted steel construction. Comparable to Turner in tank manufacturing capabilities and steel fabrication expertise, though Turner's focus on petroleum/fuel storage differs from Caldwell's water utility emphasis.
• Convault: Convault produces above-ground storage tanks with proprietary secondary containment (steel tank encased in concrete). Closely comparable to Turner's double-wall tank offering and serves the same petroleum and fuel storage applications, particularly where enhanced environmental protection is required.
• Fisher Tank Company: Fisher Tank Company manufactures above-ground steel storage tanks for industrial, petroleum, and chemical applications in the Southeastern US. Directly comparable to Turner in product offering, target customers, and regional focus.
• Highland Tank: Highland Tank manufactures UL-listed steel storage tanks for petroleum, water, and chemical applications across commercial, industrial, and military markets. Most directly comparable to Turner in product category (steel above-ground tanks) and customer base, with somewhat larger scale and broader geographic reach across the Eastern US.

Broad incumbents

• Modern Welding: Modern Welding is one of the largest US manufacturers of steel tanks and pressure vessels, with a diversified portfolio serving petroleum, agricultural, water, and industrial markets. A broader incumbent competing across many of the same end markets as Turner but with significantly larger scale and a national footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Turner Tanks