Customer story
Boccard: "The collaboration with Gpi played a key role in securing this challenging project"
Gpi supplies 40 stainless steel dairy tanks and tunnel systems for a cheese factory in the United Kingdom
Stainless steel dairy tanks from Gpi are at the heart of a cheese factory of one of the major dairy companies in the United Kingdom. Gpi carried out the tank project for Boccard, an industrial turnkey constructor specializing in the design and construction of productive and innovative industrial plants. Gpi supplied 40 hygienic tanks, manufactured at three Gpi production facilities, together with the tunnel systems that connect the tanks to each other and to the building.
The goal of the project was to significantly increase the end client’s cheese production capacity and support the continued expansion of its manufacturing operations. For a project of this scale, Boccard needed a supplier of stainless steel dairy tanks that could combine engineering, quality and project management.
Gpi was involved in the project from the early stages of the quotation phase. Antoine Soulies, Lead Process Equipment Engineer at Boccard, explains: “Gpi has been involved since the early stages of the quotation phase because of its strong experience in managing large-scale tank projects, together with its high level of quality and traceability.”
Choosing Gpi
That early involvement paid off. “During the quotation phase, the quality of the collaboration with Gpi’s sales team enabled us to provide our customer with a clear, accurate and competitive proposal. This played a key role in securing this challenging project.”
The choice of Gpi was also based on a shared way of working. “Like Boccard, Gpi shares the same vision of project execution, with safety as the top priority and a strong focus on project management. Combined with our previous successful experiences together, this positioned Gpi as a major supplier for tank manufacturing on this project.”
"Gpi shares the same vision of project execution, with safety as the top priority."
Stainless steel dairy tanks with hygienic design
The end client had stringent requirements for the external appearance of the tanks and for the execution of connections and fabrication details, such as welds and edge finishing. Hygienic design was one of the key requirements of the project.
The 25 tanks manufactured by Gpi Tanks Poland in Skarbimierz cover two main applications:
Technical specifications
All stainless steel dairy tanks in this project are made of 1.4404 / 316L stainless steel in product contact. They are designed according to the SEP standard, with calculations based on EN 13445, for a design pressure of -5/+5 mbarg and a design temperature of up to 98°C.
Inside, all welds are ground to a surface roughness of Ra ≤ 0.8 µm, which makes the tanks easy to clean and suitable for sensitive dairy products. The tanks are designed for outdoor installation. They are insulated with mineral wool and finished with profiled aluminium cladding in RAL 6021, which gives the tank park a uniform appearance.
Boccard looks back positively on the engineering phase: “Gpi’s engineers were highly responsive and proactive. It was a real pleasure working with them, as they consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism.”
"Gpi's engineers were highly responsive and proactive."
Three production facilities, one standard
The stainless steel dairy tanks were manufactured at Gpi facilities in Lopik, Groot-Ammers and Skarbimierz. Boccard visited all production sites during the project. “On every occasion, the workshops were found to be clean, well organized and professionally managed.”
Tunnel systems connecting tanks and building
The tanks arrived on site on time. Boccard was responsible for placing and installing the tanks, while Gpi installed the tunnel systems. These include alcove connections between adjacent silos and walk tunnels between the silos and the building, giving operators sheltered access to the tanks.
Gpi also supplied platforms, walkways, cage ladders and doors for safe access to the tanks. “Overall, the project was completed successfully, and the installation phase went smoothly.”
The result
“The tanks were delivered on time and in full compliance with the approved drawings, allowing the installation works to be carried out according to schedule,” says Antoine. “The project was completed on time, on spec and on budget, with safety remaining Boccard’s top priority throughout.”
Boccard also highlights the role of the Gpi project manager. “We would like to highlight the outstanding professionalism of Project Manager Szymon Bednarz, who provided invaluable support throughout the project. Given the scale of the project and the large number of topics that arose, his commitment, responsiveness and expertise were key factors in the project’s success.”
“The collaboration was very pleasant throughout the entire project, from the quotation phase to project management and manufacturing. All challenges were addressed in a spirit of cooperation, and mutually beneficial solutions were found for every issue encountered.”
"The project was completed on time, on spec and on budget."
Would you like to know more about stainless steel dairy tanks for your plant? Read more about our solutions for the dairy industry or our milk tanks.
