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THE TF WARREN GROUP | COVER STORY

TF Warren’s divisions regularly combine efforts on large projects such as a six LPG tank installation in Corpus Christi, Texas..

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One Source TF Warren Group’s group of companies combine to offer one-stop

service to oil and gas, metals and mining, chemical processing, and municipal water and wastewater industries. BY JIM HARRIS

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COVER STORY | THE TF WARREN GROUPFall 2015

The TF Warren Group is dedicated to being the only provider its customers need in the industries they serve. “We are an innova-

tion driven company that provides our customers with a single source solution for storage, structural products and cor-rosion protection,” says Terry Warren, president and CEO of the TF Warren Group. “We are committed to be the safest, most cost-effective, reliable and customer-focused supplier in the mar-kets we serve.” With operations that serve the Western Hemisphere, the TF Warren Group of companies work in terminals, pipeline and refining, minerals and min-ing, chemical processing and munici-pal markets. They provide greenfield turnkey terminal services including terminal design, tank engineering, pro-curement, fabrication and construction. The group also provides shop and field application services for protective coat-ings, rubber linings, and roll coverings. TF Warren Group‘s origins date back to 1971, when Warren founded his first

company, Warren Steeple Jacks, in Canada. Over time, Warren started to see a need for improved corrosion-con-trol products, and his company began applying specialty protective coatings. Rubber lining and polymer services closely followed. These services are to-day provided by two sibling companies, Brant Corrosion Control and Brant Industrial Roll. Warren began adding steel repair, fabrication and plate processing to his business in the early 1980s. In 1983, he founded Blastco, a specialist in field painting of water towers, aboveground storage tanks, bridges and other structures in Ontario, Canada. Six years later, Warren founded Blastech, a custom industrial coating contractor, after noting the effects of environmen-tal regulation and the increasing costs of field surface preparation and coating applications, he says. “Blastech’s environmentally con-trolled, 75,000-square-foot facility, sit-uated on 10 acres, was one of the first of its kind in Canada,” Warren notes. The facility specializes in abrasive cleaning

of steel and the application of indus-trial protective coatings for plate, pipe, structural steel and other fabrications. Between 1998 and 2001, Blastco relocated and established locations in Texas and California. Warren formally established the TF Warren Group in 2000 to consolidate the operations of all of the companies, he adds.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIESThe TF Warren Group in 2007 made its first significant acquisition when it purchased Tarsco, which had more than 24 years of storage tank con-struction, repair and maintenance experience. “With that acquisition, we expanded into tank engineering, fabrication, procurement and field construction of aboveground storage tanks,” Warren says.

The TF Warren Group

P R O F I L E

www.tfwarren.com |

U.S. Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas |

Canada Headquarters: Brantford, Ontario |

Employees: 700 | Specialty: Single-source provider of

storage systems, structural products and corrosion

protection for industrial and municipal markets.

• Brantford and The Woodlands

“Our people are our company’s greatest strength.”// TERRY WARREN, PRESIDENT AND CEO

The group expanded its capabilities even further in recent years when it purchased the assets of USA Tank, a leader in the design, manufacturing and construction of aboveground bolted storage tank systems headquar-tered in Goodman, Mo. The acquisition enabled TF Warren Group to establish a new affiliate, Tarsco Bolted Tank Inc. “This acquisition will allow us to produce innovative bolted tank storage products while at the same time de-livering impeccable customer ser-vice,” Warren says. “This new chapter supports our goal to be the leader in the coated bolted tank market and creates larger opportunities, better tank coat-ings and stronger financial stability.”

COMBINED STRENGTHThe companies within TF Warren Group often unite their capabilities on larger projects. Brant Corrosion Control, Brant Industrial Roll, Blastco, Blastech and Tarsco, are all providing services related to a contract with Barrick Gold to provide equipment, tanks and other services for Barrick’s operations in the Dominican Republic. The companies have also combined efforts in the past on other projects. Work was completed in 2013 on a state-of-the-art fuel turnkey terminal on Mel-ones Island near the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Tarsco provided engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction services (EPFC) on the island project. This terminal’s total storage capacity is two million barrels of product. Blastech collaborated with Tarsco to utilize the RediPlate™ pro-cess they developed to protect the steel during ocean transit and improve field construction schedules. On another project Tarsco used the expertise of Blastech and Brant Corro-sion Control. This project was part of

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THE TF WARREN GROUP | COVER STORY

The company’s divisions serve a number of markets including metals and mining..

a large development for a new nickel processing facility in Long Harbour, Newfoundland. Tarsco provided EPFC services for nine storage tanks. Eight of the tanks ranged in size from 26 feet to 50 feet in diameter and 34 feet to 52 feet in height. The ninth tank was a shop built API 620 tank 5-feet 10-inch-es by 19 feet 11 inches high. Blastech provided blasting and pre-priming of the tank plates to ensure high quality surface prepara-tion. Coatings for the linings work was provided by Brant Corrosion Control consisting of the application of field applied chlorobutyl rubber. Brant constructed a unique enclosure that was about 60-feet wide by 80-feet high by 130-feet long to enclose the tanks and maintain the optimal environmen-tal conditions including steam curing at 200°F for 48 hours for the immer-sion-grade lining that was installed.

WORKING TOGETHERA project completed in Corpus Christi, Texas by Tarsco, Blastco and Blastech in 2014 was recognized by the Steel Tank Institute as its “Tank of the Year.” The three companies collaborated to construct six LPG storage tanks totaling one million barrels of storage capacity for a terminal project in Cor-pus Christi, Texas. Four of the tanks hold 200,000 barrels of refrigerated propane each and are 150 feet in di-ameter by 68 feet high. The remaining

two tanks each hold 100,000 barrels of refrigerated butane and are 117 feet in diameter by 59 feet high. “Dome roofs were built near the bot-tom of the tank and then air raised into final position at the top of the tank. The 200-plus-ton roofs were built in pieces and utilized sub-assemblies on temporary structures in the low po-sition as a suspended insulation deck was constructed,” the company says. While in that position, a cable leveling system was installed to assist roof stabilization as it traveled from the bottom of the tank to its final position. A seal was installed along the periph-ery of the lower edge of the roof, which sealed the roof to the shell. Extensive shell plumb and roundness checks were made to ensure a smooth ascent.

A TOP PRIORITYAll TF Warren Group companies participate on the company’s safety management committee that compris-es senior management representatives and includes Warren as a member. Committee members meet weekly to develop ways to promote and encour-age safety and environmental aware-ness within the group’s companies. This includes reviewing all incidents, standardizing policies and providing safety training and equipment. “Our people are our company’s greatest strength; it is their collective expertise and hard work that allows us to provide the solutions our customers need,” Warren says. “We value their safety, health and the environment they work in.” EMI

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COVER STORY | THE TF WARREN GROUPFall 2015

TF Warren’s projects are completed with high safety standards in mind..

“This acquisition will allow us to. produce innovative bolted tank. storage products while at the. same time delivering impeccable. service. This new chapter sup-. ports our goal to be the leader in. the coated bolted tank market. and creates larger opportunities.”.

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TARSCO | COVER STORY

Tank Battalion Tarsco joins forces with its sibling companies and draws on the resources of its owner, TF Warren Group, to complete oil and gas tank storage projects. BY JIM HARRIS

and execute projects tremendously.” The company most frequently teams with tank coating and rehabilitation specialist Blastco Texas, with whom it will soon share a 15-acre equipment storage and office space in Channelview, Texas. Blastco Texas and its West Coast-based sibling company Blastco provide coating services on most tanks fabricated and installed by Tarsco. Tarsco also frequently teams with Blastech, a TF Warren Group joint venture that blasts and primes the steel plates used for many Tarsco projects. “We are all distinct and fully functional

• The Woodlands, Texas

“We have good sister companies assisting us.”// CARLOS GUTIERREZ, VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

Tarsco’s clients in the oil and gas industry benefit from not only the company’s 30-plus years of contracting

experience, but also from its business partnerships and corporate ties. The Woodlands, Texas-based com-pany regularly provides engineering, procurement, fabrication and con-struction services for gas and liquid storage tank projects. The company

regularly teams with its sibling com-panies within the TF Warren Group to provide value-added services to its customers as a component of its sin-gle-source provider advantage. “We have good sister companies as-sisting us,” says Carlos Gutierrez, vice president of business development and marketing. “The engineering, con-struction and other expertise we offer through our alliances helps us contract

P R O F I L E

www.tarsco.com | Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas | Specialty: Storage tank construction,

repair and maintenance

Tarsco

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COVER STORY | TARSCOFall 2015

companies, but the borders between us are porous, so we share resources where it makes sense to do so,” Gutier-rez adds. In addition to taking advantage of the capabilities of its corporate peers, the company also draws from its parent company’s other resources, including its management team and financial backing. “They give us the strength and muscle to bid large jobs,” he adds.

CURRENT PROJECTSTarsco and its TF Warren Group peers are involved in a number of large projects including construction of a LPG terminal in Corpus Christi, Texas, for Buckeye Partners L.P. The project includes building six storage tanks that

will hold a combined one million bar-rels of LPG storage, Gutierrez says. The company is also building and installing tanks as well as refrigeration and pumping systems for a LPG storage complex in the Dominican Republic. The complex will include 600 barrels of storage for propane and will handle import and export activities. All of Tarsco’s projects are completed with health, safety and the environment in mind. The company regularly trains personnel in the latest industry stan-dards. “We go above and beyond what clients require,” Gutierrez says.

‘OPPORTUNITIES TO WIN’Tarsco continues to focus on new opportunities. “Under the leadership of

[TF Warren Group Owner] Terry War-ren, we are very focused,” Gutierrez says. “Our market is quite large, but we are pursuing special projects and other opportunities.” TF Warren Group re-cently acquired a bolted tank division. Tarsco also recently unveiled Emission Shield, an aluminum internal floating roof designed to reduce product loss in aboveground tanks. EMI

+ For over 100 years SchuF valves have stood for innovation and quality at the highest level. Together with customers, we invent, design, and manufacture valves customized to exact tolerances, processes or special operating conditions. We are represented in over 65 countries and have production facilities in Germany, Ireland, India, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom. SchuF is pleased to be a critical supply partner for Tarsco by furnishing the internal tank safety valves for past, current and future proj-ects. SchuF has enjoyed our working relationship with Tarsco. We look forward to continuing this rela-tionship as the industry grows and supporting Tarsco by supplying valves that meet and exceed all current and future regulatory standards like API 625.

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BLASTECH | COVER STORY

Blasting OffIndustrial coating specialist Blastech continues to expand its capabilities and facilities. BY JIM HARRIS

• Brantford, Ontario

“It is our policy to make every effort to provide a safe and healthy work environment.”// BLASTECH

Blastech is expanding its main facility to meet demand in the rail industry..

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COVER STORY | BLASTECHFall 2015

One of North America’s leading providers of custom industrial coat-ings continues to add to its physical footprint and

capabilities. Blastech, a TF Warren company, earlier this year applied for Association of American Railroads (AAR) certification. The AAR certification will give the company the credentials to perform a number of services including tank car repair and reconditioning; removing and replacing gaskets and other tank car service equipment; and removing, installing, qualifying, repairing and inspecting interior linings and coatings. Blastech plans to expand its facility in Brantford, Ontario, “to meet the soaring demand for interior coating and lining of steel tank cars,” the company says. CEO, Terry Warren, founded the company in 1989 in response to environmental legislation and the in-creasing costs of field surface prepara-tion and coating application. “Blas-tech’s environmentally controlled, 75,000-square-foot facility, situated on 10 acres, was one of the first of its kind in Canada,” he says. Blastech specializes in applying high-performance coating systems. “We are experts in metalizing and liquid coating applications, including zinc, epoxy, polyurethane and polysi-loxane,” the company says. “Our typical processing involves components such as structural steel, custom fabrications, tanks, vessels, ducts, panels, plate and pipe. However, we have the capability to process virtually anything.” The company has provided corrosion

protection for the mining, oil and gas industries for 25 years. Blastech is an ap-proved applicator for General Electric, Siemens, TransCanada Pipelines, En-bridge and Ontario Power Generation.

QUALITY PROCESSESThe quality of Blastech’s work is assured by its enforcement of strict quality assurance procedures as well as its conformance with Society for Pro-

Blastech

P R O F I L E

www.blastech.com | Headquarters: Brantford, Ontario |

Specialty: Blasting, priming, industrial coatings

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BLASTECH | COVER STORY

tective Coatings (SSPC) and National Association of Corrosion Engineers International (NACE) standards. The company’s quality control pro-cedures include pre-process, in-pro-cess and post-process inspections; instrument calibration; completion and tracking on non-conformance reports and corrective actions; and customer-specified functions. Blastech says its typical surface preparation process includes sand-blasting or the use of other materials such as steel grit or shot, aluminum oxide, garnet, glass beads or other non-metallic abrasives. Coating systems are applied after the blasted surface is inspected and approved. Blastech’s coating systems range

from simple alkyd primers to stan-dard zinc, epoxy and polyurethane systems and complex metallic fluoro-polymer systems, it says.

Each of the company’s projects are documented by a NACE Level 3 inspec-tor and then stored in Blastech’s da-tabase, where they are available upon request. ”Our project management

team is continually improving our techniques and tailoring our process to achieve results that exceed customer expectations,” the company says. “We strive to build long-term relationships with each customer based on accurate scheduling, in-depth quality assurance and competitive pricing.”

JOINING FORCES Blastech is often called upon to com-plement the efforts of its sister com-panies in the TF Warren Group. The company often teams with Tarsco, a storage tank construction, repair and maintenance provider, by blasting and applying pre-construction primer to steel plates Tarsco uses in its fabrica-tion projects.

“We are experts in metalizing and. liquid coating. Our typical pro-. cessing involves components. such as structural steel, custom. fabrications, tanks, vessels,. ducts, panels, plate and pipe.. However, we have the capability.. to process virtually anything.”.

Blastech also partners with sister company Brant Corrosion Control, which provides rubber lining and coat-ing services. Recent projects involv-ing the companies include the con-struction of eight tanks at the Port of Hamilton, Ontario; and a tank located at a nickel-processing facility in Long Harbour, Newfoundland. The company also works with outside companies. Blastech has a joint venture with steel fabricator SSAB located at that company’s steel mill in Axis, Ala. The joint venture, known as Blastech Mobile LLC, has processed more than 1 million tons – or more than 200 million square feet of surface area – in steel since it opened in 2003. Blastech Mobile

specializes in providing plate coatings to the marine and tank industries. “Blastech Mobile was formed with the intent to provide value-added ser-vices for our customers,” the company says. “The partnership of TF Warren Group and SSAB has allowed us to provide the convenience of purchasing and processing at one location.” Blastech receives steel plates direct-ly through SSAB, then blasts and coats them on site, saving its customers on their freight and material-handling costs. “We also accept direct customer orders,” the venture adds. “To maxi-mize savings in this situation as well, we can receive your material by road, rail and barge.”

COMMITTED TO SAFETYBlastech also shares its parent and sis-ter companies’ commitment to health, safety and the environment. “Our management is vitally interest-ed in the health and safety of its em-ployees and encourages employees to adopt a safe and healthy lifestyle both on and off the job,” the company says Supervisors at each of its locations establish policies and guidelines for employees to follow. “It is our policy to make every effort to provide a safe and healthy work environment,” it adds. “Every reasonable effort will be made to eliminate hazardous condi-tions and practices, minimizing the possibilities of injuries.” EMI

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COVER STORY | BLASTECHFall 2015

The company’s original facility was the first of its kind in Canada..

One of Texas’ most success-ful coating and blasting companies is entering new markets while expanding its physical footprint. Blastco

Texas Inc., a company of the TF Warren Group, later this year will relocate its operations to Channelview, Texas, with the intention of eventually opening a dedicated paint and blasting shop. The company’s current head-

quarters in Houston features storage space for field equipment as well as sales and administrative offices. Abra-sive blasting, welding, coating and lead abatement activities are performed on-site for clients including municipal-ities that retain the company to work on steel structures. The majority of Blastco Texas’ projects involve work on ground and elevated water tanks. “Our main market is water; tanks are

our bread and butter,” General Man-ager Steve Wissing says. “If we have, say, 25 projects underway, 20 of those are probably water tanks.” Regular municipal clients include the cities of Houston and Austin. In addition to water tanks, Blastco Texas performs projects in conjunc-tion with sibling company Tarsco for the oil and gas markets. Tarsco engi-neers, fabricates, constructs, repairs and maintains petroleum, natural gas and other storage tanks. The two com-panies will share the new 15-acre space in Channelview, Wissing notes. Blastco Texas originated as a local of-fice of Blastco Inc., a Brantford, Ontar-io-based coating and blasting provider founded by TF Warren Group Owner and CEO Terry Warren more than

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BLASTCO INC./BLASTCO TEXAS | COVER STORY

Blasting MastersBlastco Texas’ highly trained staff and other resources make it a leader in steel tank blasting and coating in its region. BY JIM HARRIS

• Downey, Calif.; Houston

“Our experience working on complex projects, equipment and experienced staff set us apart from our main competitors.” // STEVE WISSING, GENERAL MANAGER, BLASTCO TEXAS

Blastco Inc./Blastco Texas

P R O F I L E

www.blastco-inc.com, www.blastco-texas.com

Headquarters: Downey, Calif.; Houston

Specialty: Steel structure coating

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COVER STORY | BLASTCO INC./BLASTCO TEXASFall 2015

30 years ago. The company works on projects including water storage tanks, petrochemical tanks, bridges and temperature furnace units. The Texas office and an office in Los Angeles oper-ate independently of one another, but share corporate management.

BRANCHING OUTBlastco Texas for the past few years has expanded its project expertise to in-clude dam gate rehabilitation. The com-pany earlier this year completed work on five spillway gates at the Lake Conroe Dam Spillway, owned and maintained by the San Jacinto River Authority. Its work included blasting and coating spillway stoplogs, sluice gates, access ladders and service outlet stoplogs as

well as adding new top girders, strut arms and strut arm braces, girder braces and steel plates to the facility. The company has been working for the past three years on a similar project at the Toledo Bend Reservoir, located on the Sabine River between Texas and Louisiana. Work at a dam facility in Cor-pus Christi, Texas, began in September. Whether for a dam project or a water tank, Blastco Texas prides itself on using the best equipment available and running projects with high quality and safety standards in mind. The company’s equipment includes units that recycle grit used during blasting. “Our experience working on complex projects, equipment and experienced staff set us apart,” Wissing says.

THE RIGHT INVESTMENTSBlastco Texas’ field employees are extensively trained in coating, blasting and lead abatement using standards put forth by the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) in addition to Blast-co’s own requirements. Safety training is provided in-house. “A big part of our success is our staff; we probably have some of the best foremen and workers around,” Wissing says. The company’s professionalism and know-how have enabled it to perform multiple projects for many of its cli-ents. “Working successfully with paint manufacturers, owners, engineers and others over the years has really helped us get this reputation as a leader in the industry, ” he adds. EMI

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BRANT CORROSION CONTROL/BRANT INDUSTRIAL ROLL | COVER STORY

Unified in QualityBrant Corrosion Control and Brant Industrial Roll have grown from their shared origins to specialize in different industries while still benefitting from the resources of their parent company. BY JIM HARRIS

The two companies under the Brant banner may differ when it comes to their prod-ucts and markets served, but they’re unified when it

comes to one thing. “Quality is at the forefront of what we do,” says Derrick Hexamer, general manager of Brant Corrosion Control, the older of the two Brantford, Ontario-based companies. “We have adapted to a lot of specifica-tions, which have gotten more and more stringent over the years. We have the people in place who can handle and ad-minister those specifications very well.” Founded in 1984 as a two-man oper-ation, Brant Corrosion Control today has more than 70 employees operating out of a 69,000-square-foot facility. The company’s offerings include protective coating and linings for tanks, vessels, pipes, fans, agitators and other specialty fabrications. Brant Corrosion Control’s

• Brantford, Ontario

“Quality is at the forefront of what we do.”// DERRICK HEXAMER, BRANT CORROSION CONTROL GENERAL MANAGER

Brant Corrosion Control/Brant Industrial Roll

P R O F I L E

www.brantbcc.com, www.brantindustrialroll.com |

Headquarters: Brantford, Ontario |

Specialty: Lining and coating systems

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COVER STORY | BRANT CORROSION CONTROL/BRANT INDUSTRIAL Fall 2015

main markets are the mining and water treatment tank industries, but it also serves other industries including the oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, chemical processing, food and beverage, and pulp and paper and power markets. The company’s clients include Barrick Gold, with which it has an ongoing contract at the global gold exploration company’s mining opera-tions in the Dominican Republic. This contract includes on-site rubber repair for equipment, tanks and agitators. Hexamer says he hopes to expand the relationship to include tank relining and other services. “It’s always been our goal to be the biggest and best coating provider in North America,” Hexamer says of the

company. “Our quality stays current and exceeds that of all of our custom-ers.” Brant Corrosion Control is a member of the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) and National Associ-ation of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). The company is also a recognized Level III (expert) qualified contractor in 3M’s coating contractor qualification program for spray-applied interior vessel coatings. The company also provides project management services. “Our project management systems ensure that all work performed by Brant meets and exceeds customer expectations,” the company says. “We accomplish this by being experts in the industrial applica-tion of protective coatings. Our skilled

personnel offers this service at our facility and can also mobilize to any site worldwide.”

A SUCCESSFUL EXTENSIONBrant Corrosion Control’s sibling company, Brant Industrial Roll, was formed in 1994 as a product line ex-tension of the coating and lining busi-ness. Over time, Brant Industrial Roll grew to be large enough to have its own management and facility adjacent to Brant Corrosion Control.

+ Blair Rubber Company and Brant Corrosion Control developed a natural partnership based on a mutual commitment to quality manufacturing, application and customer service 30 years ago. Since then, these companies have worked together proudly to deliver innovative corrosion control products and applications to the mining and water treatment industries.

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BRANT CORROSION CONTROL/BRANT INDUSTRIAL ROLL | COVER STORY

Brant Industrial Roll specializes in providing covered rubber and polyure-thane covered rolls and cast urethane parts to OEMs and industries includ-ing steel mills and other industrial

manufacturers, and the pulp, paper and wood markets. “We are known for the quality of our products and the innova-tive materials we use,” General Manag-er Brian Sheedy says.

Brant Industrial Roll’s other services include repair, grooving, crowning, bal-ancing, non-destructive testing, new core fabrication and bearing removal and reinstallation.

JOINING FORCESBoth Brant Corrosion Control and Brant Industrial Roll have been divi-sions of TF Warren Group since the early 2000s. The parent company has helped both divisions improve. TF Warren Group’s other divisions, including fabrication specialist Tarsco and Blastech, a steel plate blasting and painting provider, have collaborated with Brant Corrosion Control on past projects. These projects include the construction of eight field lined tanks at the Port of Hamilton, Ontario, and one shop-lined tank for a nickel-pro-cessing facility located in Long Har-bour, Newfoundland. Brant Corrosion Control provided rubber lining for the tanks, the largest of which was 50 feet in diameter and 50 feet tall. Pre-primed plate supplied by Blastech’s Mobile, Ala., division was shipped to Blastech in Brantford for application of the exterior coating system. Construction and erection in Hamilton were performed by Tarsco and rubber lined by Brant Corrosion Control in the field. The project was complete in 2012. “It is unique when four distinct companies under the same ownership can provide joined services,” Sheedy says. “This ability gives our clients cost benefits as well as enhanced communi-cation between project partners.” Other recent projects include lining 12 site and one shop lined thickener tanks in Miramichi, New Brunswick. The project, which Hexamer called the largest in Brant Corrosion Control’s history, was completed in 2012. EMI