The Solution:

Before reaching out to Newberry Tanks, when Sun Auto shops needed to replace or install a new tank for storing oil or lubricants, there was no organized process to arrange the order.

“The way it was being handled at the time,” explained Sun Auto’s Jerett Vance, a senior construction manager at Sun Auto, “every store that needed tanks was buying from whoever they could locally, and that inconsistency was not ideal for the type of expansion we were going through.”

The company brought in Vance as part of a construction management team to oversee the increase in new and acquired stores. Vance and his colleagues knew they could rely on Newbery Tank Regional Sales Executive Vince Eichhorn to help them improve the process. They had previously worked with Eichhorn when each held roles in different organizations and were confident he would complete the job expertly and on schedule.

“He understands our world very well and understands how we want to see it,” said Vance, who added that Eichhorn always treated them fairly and made their lives easier, which is exactly what he looked for in a vendor. “Every time I go with Vince, I tell him our projections, and they’ve been able to meet everything we need.”

In fact, shortly after the tire company’s initial order, which was just a single tank and a $20k investment, Eichhorn used his ability to understand his client to everyone’s benefit. Sun Auto had been using a different vendor to supply its air compressors and dryers, and the vendor had recently failed to send the standard products that Sun Auto typically used. At the time, Newberry Tanks did not provide air compressor products, so Vance asked Eichhorn if he would consider supplying them. Eichhorn and Newberry jumped to fill the request. And, true to the fabric of what makes Newberry Tanks so unique, the company even went above and beyond that request. Recognizing the air compressor as a lifeline that powers much of the equipment they supplied, James Fischer, Newberry’s VP of Sales, “realized any customers would benefit” and the company added air compressors and air dryers to the products they now regularly sell to all their clients.

For Sun Auto, it was that high level and reliable customer service from Eichhorn that got them in the door, and Newberry’s “New Thinking” attitude and continued support that keeps them coming back.

“You have to have a good person to manage it, and a good company to back them up,” explained Vance.

The quick response on air compressor products and the ability to fill their specific need certainly proved to Sun Auto that Newberry Tanks had their backs. That wasn’t all that impressed the tire giant. As any business that depends on steel or Roth tanks knows, the tanks need quite a few accessories, not just the air dryers and compressors, but everything from vents and hoses to Balcrank pumps – essentially the complete package from storage to dispense. Eichhorn recalled that the folks at Sun Auto were growing so quickly, they wanted their tanks ready to “plug and play” and to help their maintenance teams by having consistency across all their locations. Since Newberry has made itself a “one-stop-shop” for its customers by packaging all the necessary components with the tank – which simplifies the process and reduces costs – they could easily meet Sun Auto’s needs. Newberry’s Fischer calls it “helping clients get a complete solution.”

The Sun Auto folks were so impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism of Eichhorn and the entire Newberry team, that they quickly signed on for more business with the tank and equipment leader, increasing their initial investment tenfold the following year, with a projection to triple that in year three.

Now Sun Auto utilizes Newberry for its new construction locations with the packaging – or “kitting” – program and also counts on Newberry to outfit its numerous acquisitions as well.

“They are an ideal customer for us,” said Eichhorn. “They are looking at growth, rapid growth and Newberry Tanks is able to provide that service to them.”