Southern Tank & Manufacturing

What Southern Tank & Manufacturing does

Southern Tank & Manufacturing, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned custom steel tank fabricator founded in 1937 in Owensboro, Kentucky and now in its fourth generation under the Kennedy family. The company engineers, fabricates, and delivers aboveground storage tanks in carbon and stainless steel, with capacities ranging from 25 to 30,000+ gallons, sold under a broad portfolio that includes Single Wall, Double Wall, STI F921, Flameshield, Fireguard UL 2085, Stainless Steel (304/316L), Rectangular, Skid, Generator/Gen-Tank, Farm, Chemical, Fuel Storage (including a dedicated Data Center product line), Oil, Water, Condensate, and Industrial variants. Core technology centers on STI-licensed double-wall tight-wrapped construction with vacuum-tested interstice (18" Hg, 2-hour hold), thermally insulated Fireguard designs, and SwRI 97-04 2-hour 2000°F fire-tested Flameshield construction; products carry UL 142, UL 2085, API 650, API 12F, AWWA D100, CARB, and STI F911/F921/F941 certifications. The business model is project-based custom sale priced by quote (one-time license), supplemented by overstock specials and a small recurring revenue stream from $4.50 tank capacity slide charts. Southern Tank sells direct to end customers via an in-house enterprise field-sales team supported by an online quote-request workflow and vertical-organized product pages, with delivery handled by its own fleet within ~300 miles of Owensboro and third-party freight carriers nationally and internationally. Customers span data centers (Google, Amazon), chemicals (Georgia-Pacific, International Paper), petroleum (ExxonMobil), defense (Northrop Grumman), computing infrastructure (HP), and agricultural and government/military end users, supported by membership-driven referral networks via STI/SPFA, PEI, KPMA, and KAM.

Name

Southern Tank & Manufacturing

Legal name

Southern Tank & Manufacturing, Inc.

Website

https://southerntank.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southern Tank & Manufacturing is a fourth-generation, family-owned custom steel tank fabricator in Owensboro, KY, building UL/API/AWWA-certified aboveground storage tanks from 25 to 30,000+ gallons for data centers, chemical, petroleum, government, and agricultural customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Owensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Steel Storage Tank Sales: One-time sale of custom-fabricated aboveground steel storage tanks. Tanks range from small 25-gallon farm tanks to large 30,000-gallon industrial tanks. Sales are project-based with long sales cycles driven by regulatory requirements, custom specifications, and installation timelines. The majority of orders are custom-built to customer specifications.
2. Steel Fabrication Services: Custom steel tank fabrication and specialized steel fabrication beyond standard tank products. Services include custom accessories (catwalks, ladders, platforms, coils, manways), tank linings and coatings, and specialized builds for unique applications (bullet recovery tanks, condensate tanks, training tanks).
3. Tank Capacity Slide Charts: Sale of horizontal tank capacity calculators — two connected 6½" x 10" cards with sliding insert. Sold at $4.50 each. A supplementary product serving tank managers, delivery drivers, and salespeople.
4. Discounted Tank Specials / Overstock: Sale of discounted tank inventory at reduced prices. Examples include a $7,470 single-wall rectangular tank (originally ~$9,470 value) and a $4,000 stainless steel rectangular tank. Opportunistic revenue from cancelled orders or overstock.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southern Tank & Manufacturing is a custom steel tank fabricator producing carbon and stainless steel aboveground storage tanks for fuels, chemicals, water, oils, and other industrial liquids. Tanks are built to UL 142, UL 2085, API-650, API-12F, AWWA D100, and STI standards, in capacities ranging from 25 gallons to 35,000 gallons, including single wall, double wall, fire-protected, and fire-tested configurations. The majority of products are custom-built to customer specifications, with domestic U.S. manufacturing using American-sourced steel.

Product overview

Southern Tank & Manufacturing is a steel tank fabricator offering a comprehensive portfolio of aboveground storage tanks. The core product line includes Single Wall Tanks, Double Wall Tanks, STI F921 Double Wall Steel Tanks, Flameshield Tanks, and Fireguard UL 2085 Tanks — each addressing different containment and fire protection requirements. Specialized variants include Stainless Steel Tanks for corrosive service, Rectangular Tanks for space-constrained installations, Skid Tanks for portable applications, and Tanks Lifted Full for operations requiring repositioning of loaded tanks. The company also produces application-specific tanks including Generator Tanks, Farm Tanks, Chemical Tanks, Fuel Storage Tanks (including Data Center variants), Water Tanks, Oil Tanks, Industrial Tanks, and Condensate Tanks. Supporting products include Secondary Containment systems, Containment Pans, Tank Supports/Saddles/Cradles, and Tank Accessories & Equipment. Tank Capacity Slide Charts round out the product portfolio. All products are manufactured to UL 142, UL 2085, API-650, and STI standards, with custom fabrication capabilities for specialized applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STI F921: Steel Tank Institute Standard F921 for Aboveground Tanks with Integral Secondary Containment
• Flameshield
• Fireguard
• Gen-Tank
• Gen-Tank

Products and services

• Single Wall Tanks UL 142 listed aboveground steel tanks for storage of fuels, oils, chemicals, and other liquids. Available in horizontal or vertical configurations, carbon or stainless steel, up to 32,000 gallons.
• Double Wall Tanks Steel tanks with built-in secondary containment for petroleum and liquid storage. Available in cylindrical and rectangular designs, 50 to 30,000 gallons, meeting SPCC regulations.
• STI F921 Double Wall Steel Tanks Steel Tank Institute certified aboveground tanks with double-wall construction providing testable secondary containment. STI licensed manufacture with third-party inspection standards.
• Flameshield Tanks STI Flameshield fire-tested double-wall tanks rated for 2-hour 2000-degree fire resistance (SwRI 97-04). Available in horizontal, vertical, and rectangular designs from 50 to 30,000 gallons.
• Fireguard UL 2085 Tanks UL 2085 certified fire-protected tanks with thermally insulated double-wall construction. 2-hour fire protection with interstitial insulation, available in cylindrical or rectangular shapes from 186 to 12,000 gallons.
• Tanks Lifted Full Steel tanks specifically engineered and reinforced for lifting while holding liquid. Available in 550, 1175, and 2300 gallon capacities with integrated lifting lugs and engineered lifting frames.
• Skid Tanks Portable steel skid tanks with box skid or pipe-skid runners for farms, job sites, and temporary installations. Available in single-wall UL 142, Flameshield, Fireguard, and F921 designs up to 25,000 gallons.
• Stainless Steel Tanks Corrosion-resistant tanks fabricated from 304 or 316L stainless steel for harsh chemicals and corrosive liquids. Available in horizontal, vertical, leg-supported, and rectangular configurations.
• Rectangular Tanks Space-saving rectangular steel tanks with structural stiffeners for demanding conditions. Available in single or double-wall designs, UL 142, Flameshield, F921, and Fireguard certified options.
• Horizontal Steel Tanks Horizontal aboveground storage tanks ranging from 25 gallons to 30,000 gallons. Available in carbon or stainless steel, single or double wall, with various support options.
• Vertical Steel Tanks Vertical storage tanks manufactured to UL 142 and API 650 standards, shop-built up to 35,000 gallons. Maximum diameter of 12 feet, used for chemicals, fuels, water, and industrial products.
• Generator Tanks Fuel storage tanks designed for emergency backup and remote generator applications. Includes Fireguard, Flameshield, UL 142 options, and Gen-Tank sub-base tanks up to 13,000 gallons.
• Farm Tanks Fuel storage tanks for agricultural operations including non-regulated tanks (150 to 1,100 gallons) and code-compliant tanks (25 to 30,000 gallons). Also includes chemical and fertilizer storage options.
• Chemical Tanks Non-code atmospheric-pressure chemical tanks for industrial applications. Fabricated from carbon steel, A516 Grade 70, or 304/316L stainless steel with optional linings and coatings for chemical compatibility.
• Fuel Storage Tanks Steel fuel storage tanks for diesel, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, and petroleum products. Available in horizontal, vertical, or rectangular configurations with single or double wall construction.
• Fuel Storage Tanks for Data Centers Diesel fuel and fluid storage tanks designed for data center critical power systems. Features UL-listed designs, seismic-rated options, and integration capabilities for fuel management systems.
• Water Tanks Steel water storage tanks for agricultural, industrial, and commercial applications. Available in carbon or stainless steel, 25 to 30,000 gallons, with AWWA and NFPA 22 compliance options.
• Oil Tanks Aboveground oil storage tanks for fresh and used oil collection. Designed for data centers, military, commercial, and agricultural applications with double wall or containment pan options.
• Industrial Tanks High-performance industrial tanks for manufacturing, processing, and material handling facilities. Built to UL 142, API 650, or non-code standards in single or double wall configurations.
• Condensate Tanks Vented atmospheric condensate collection tanks for steam and HVAC systems. Custom-built carbon steel tanks for energy efficiency and condensate recovery in industrial and commercial facilities.
• Secondary Containment Steel secondary containment systems including dual wall tanks, F911 containment dikes, and tertiary containment solutions meeting EPA SPCC compliance requirements.
• Custom Tanks Custom steel tank fabrication for specialized applications including hydraulic oil tanks, multi-compartment lubricant tanks, generator base tanks, and custom solutions for unique industrial requirements.
• Tank Capacity Slide Charts Horizontal tank capacity calculators and vertical tank reference tables. Physical slide chart tools for determining volume capacity based on tank measurements, priced at $4.50 each.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tanks ship internationally to Canada, Puerto Rico, China, Grand Caymans, Brazil, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and across the entire United States — demonstrating global reach from a single Kentucky manufacturing location.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under the Kennedy family ownership. Located at 833 East Sumner Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227. Both companies are led by Bill Kennedy, who serves as president of Southern Tank, Kennedy Tank, and STAFCO. This relationship connects Southern Tank to nearly 126 years of combined tank fabrication heritage (Kennedy Tank founded 1898, Southern Tank founded 1937).
• Steel Tank & Fabricating Corporation (STAFCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under the Kennedy family ownership. Located at 365 St James Street, Columbia City, IN 46725. Also led by Bill Kennedy alongside Southern Tank. Part of the Kennedy Companies group — three family-owned tank fabrication businesses with complementary capabilities and shared leadership.
• Steel Tank Institute (STI) / Steel Plate Fabricators Association (SPFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern Tank is an STI licensed manufacturer operating under the Steel Tank Institute's Quality Assurance Program with third-party inspections. The STI develops and governs standards including F911, F921, F941 (Fireguard), and Flameshield. Southern Tank's Fireguard, Flameshield, F921, and Gen-Tank products are licensed STI products.
• Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)coreTechnology or IntegrationSwRI conducts and validates the 97-04 fire test protocol — the rigorous 2-hour 2000°F fire test that Southern Tank's Flameshield tanks must pass. This is a testing/certification relationship; SwRI's validated fire test is a key differentiator for the Flameshield product line.
• Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association (KPMA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide nonprofit trade association representing over 300 active and associate members across the petroleum industry in Kentucky. Membership keeps Southern Tank connected to petroleum marketing news, state and national government developments, and industry trends. Represents a customer referral network.
• Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational trade association for companies in petroleum marketing and liquid handling. PEI members include manufacturers, sellers, and installers of equipment used in service stations, terminals, bulk plants, and fuel delivery. PEI membership is located in all 50 states and 70 countries, providing Southern Tank with international visibility and potential referrals.
• Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading advocacy organization for manufacturers in Kentucky. Provides Southern Tank with policy advocacy, workforce development initiatives, cost-saving member programs, and industry collaboration opportunities.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL)coreTechnology or IntegrationUL is the independent safety certification organization that tests and certifies Southern Tank's products to UL 142 and UL 2085 standards. Tanks bearing the UL mark have passed rigorous testing for safety. Both primary and secondary (outer) tanks of double-wall designs are UL 142 listed.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Highland Tank: Privately held Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of UL 142, API 650, and STI steel aboveground and underground storage tanks. Closest direct competitor with comparable certifications, custom fabrication capabilities, and fuel/chemical/water end markets.
• Brown-Minneapolis Tank (BMT): Long-established steel tank manufacturer producing UL 142, API 650, and custom aboveground storage tanks. Direct competitor with overlapping certifications and similar custom-build business model.
• Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing Company: Sister company under Kennedy family ownership, founded 1898 in Indianapolis, IN. Fabricates similar UL-listed steel aboveground storage tanks with overlapping certifications, materials, and customer segments; Bill Kennedy serves as president of both companies.
• Modern Welding Company: One of the largest US steel tank fabricators with multiple plants, manufacturing UL 142, API 650, and AWWA D100 aboveground storage tanks. Direct competitor across fuel, chemical, and water end markets, with substantially greater scale.
• Containment Solutions, Inc. Major US manufacturer of steel and fiberglass underground and aboveground storage tanks for petroleum, chemical, and water applications. Comparable product portfolio with overlapping UL and STI certifications.
• T.F. Warren Group / Westmor Industries: Fabricator of custom aboveground steel tanks and pressure vessels serving petroleum, chemical, and industrial end markets. Direct competitor in custom-shop fabrication with similar UL and API code compliance.
• Belco Manufacturing: Fabricator of UL-listed aboveground steel storage tanks for fuel, chemical, and water applications. Comparable custom steel tank shop with similar product breadth and regulatory certifications.
• Steel Tank & Fabricating Corporation (STAFCO): Third Kennedy-owned tank fabrication company based in Columbia City, IN. Produces comparable UL 142, Flameshield, and Fireguard aboveground storage tanks; shares leadership with Southern Tank and rounds out the three-company Kennedy platform.

Broad incumbents

• Snyder Industries: Larger manufacturer of bulk storage containers and tanks primarily in polyethylene and other plastics. Serves overlapping chemical, water, and agricultural end markets but competes via different material science rather than heavy-gauge fabricated steel.
• ZCL Composites | Xerxes: Manufacturer of fiberglass underground and aboveground storage tanks for fuel, chemical, and water applications. Broader portfolio including non-steel tanks; competes in adjacent petroleum and chemical storage segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-tank-mfg-inc

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Southern Tank & Manufacturing