STE: A Legend of American Craftsmanship, Built Right Here in Beloit

If you’ve been on the road and have seen a gleaming, stainless steel tanker rolling down the highway, chances are it’s not just any trailer, it’s one that’s been built by Stainless Tank and Equipment Company (STE).

Rugged stainless steel vessels fabricated by skilled craftsmen that are designed to work harder and last longer even under the roughest conditions.

Cut corners? Compromise? Not a chance.

These are the cornerstones of STE. Equipment that represents the heritage of American craftsmanship. Built right here in Beloit.

A Higher Standard

STE’s humble beginnings began in 1966 in a garage in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

The goal?

Service the liquid tank industry by delivering a higher standard of excellence in both engineering and manufacturing. With those cornerstones in mind, STE quickly developed a reputation for not only meeting the most demanding bulk hauling requirements for the chemical, milk and sanitary transport industries, but exceeding them.

“Our goal is to use advanced technologies, combined with American craftsmanship, to make better tank trailers that are safer, more reliable and last longer,” said STE’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Derek Nilsen.

An Investment in Beloit

Since 2006, under the Hendricks Holding Company umbrella, STE has continued expanding its brand with an ever-innovative and technologically advanced lineup that now includes top of the line sanitary trailers, food grade trailers, and DOT407 chemical trailers as well as 3-A Farm Pickup Units and Trunk Mount Tanks.

STE also recently opened its new, 404,000 square ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Beloit. The 43-acre campus just off Interstate 90 represents the most high-tech and high precision tank manufacturing facilities in the country, thanks to a significant investment in automation that includes robots and co-bots for superior quality and consistency.

“The Beloit Economic Development Office was very helpful in the early stages of our relocation planning from downtown Beloit to our new location right off I-90 on Shopiere Road,” said Nilsen. “We regularly bring customers and prospective customers to the plant and show them why we are different. It is great to have a downtown environment where we can put them up in a nice hotel, typically the Hotel Goodwin or the Ironworks Hotel, entertain them on the rooftop of the Goodwin, or one of the many fine restaurants in Beloit, give them the chance to walk along the Rock River, play a round of golf with us at the Beloit Club, or go to a baseball game at ABC Supply Stadium.”

STE’s new campus represents a positive economic impact in the community by way of significant job creation. This in turn will support the growth of STE’s high-quality, American made portfolio of products.

"STE's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is the latest investment in Greater Beloit's impressive manufacturing base and we look forward to their continued growth and success,” said Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC) President and CEO Drew Pennington.

Committed to the City

As a part of the Hendrick’s family of businesses, STE has operated under a shared set of common Core Values: Respect, Opportunity, Working Hard - Have Fun, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Family, American Pride and also, Giving Back.

“STE is owned by the Hendricks Holding Co, which has been committed to the city of Beloit since the founders started ABC Supply here over 40 years ago. STE itself employs a good number of Beloit residents and we frequent Beloit restaurants, hotels and stores. We have sponsored local charity events and educational endeavors. We regularly have groups of students from Blackhawk Tech and Rock County public high schools and middle schools here to  tour our facility and we are on the Board of Advisors for Blackhawk Tech,” said Nilsen. “Our values have been championed throughout all of Hendricks’ other organizations. When you treat people right, give them an opportunity to grow personally and professionally and take care of their families, they often will demonstrate gratitude, pride and the desire to help others.”

Are you a business owner looking for support to grow or expand your operations? Contact the GBEDC to find out how we can help.