Many tanks: stainless technology means new options

Wines & Vines, July, 2002 by Jennifer Rofe

"It may be interesting to note that the price of stainless steel has in the past year been lower than even the 'old-timers' can remember, running as low as 70 cents per pound," Davis says.

Double-edged Sword

Besides barrel aging, there are few alternatives to stainless tanks. "Plastic tanks, fermentation bags and bins have advantages in cost that are largely offset by shortcomings in longevity, durability and sanitation," Dapelo says. "Large wooden barrels, once the only option, are becoming popular again for display and storage but can't compete for longevity, utility or price when compared to stainless."

But because tanks are so durable, Krol says, "building tanks is a double-edged sword. The upside to the customer is that stainless steel tanks can have value for literally many lifetimes. When a winery reaches maximum level of production, they have all the tanks they need and do not need to replace them. Consequently, we are driven primarily by growth (in the market)."

The advances in tank technology and flexibility seem to ensure that the stainless tank market won't be corroding in the near future.

Resources:

For more information about A & B Process Systems, contact the company at 201 South Wisconsin Ave., Stratford, Wis. 54484, phone (715) 687-4332, fax (715) 687-3225, e-mail greatsolutions@abprocess.com or visit the Web site abprocess.com.

For more information about AAA Metal Fabrication Inc., contact the company at 3425 Crates Way, The Dalles, Ore. 97058, phone (541) 298-8313, fax (541) 298-8316, e-mail sales@aaametal.com or visit the Web site aaametal.com.

For more information about Criveller Company, contact the company on the East Coast at 6935 Oakwood Dr., Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6S5, Canada, phone (905) 357-2930, fax (905) 374-2930 or e-mail: cri@criveller.com. On the West Coast, 10350 Old Redwood Hwy., Windsor, Calif. 95492, phone (707) 838-2222, fax (707) 838-2242 or e-mail: crivca@sonic.ner.

For more information about IDIAZ Services, Inc., contact the company at 4023 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95403, phone (707) 545-1081 or fax (707) 545-1083.

For more information about Quality Stainless Tanks, contact the company at 510 Caletti Ave., Windsor, Calif. 95492, phone (707) 837-2721, fax (707) 837-2733, e-mail winetanks@aol.com or visit the Web site qualitystainless.com.

For information about Skolnik Industries Inc., contact the company at 4900 S. Kilbourn Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60632-4593, phone (773) 735-0700, fax (773) 735-7257 or e-mail dean@skolnik.com.

For more information about Spokane Industries (Metal Products Div.), contact the company at P.O. Box 3303, Spokane, Wash. 99220, phone (509) 928-0720, fax (509) 927-0826 or visit the Web site spokaneindustries.com.

For more information about Valley Pipe & Supply, Inc., contact the company at P.O. Box 551, Fresno, Calif. 93709, phone (559) 233-0321, fax (559) 233-1713, e-mail valleypipesupply@aol.com or visit the Web site valleypipe.com.

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