With cutting-edge polymer technology, Peabody Engineering delivers safer, smarter industrial storage solutions
Second-generation manufacturer of specialist fluid-handling products, Peabody Engineering, carries forward a 70-year legacy of success. Founded by Dick Peabody in 1952, the company passed to his sons, Mark and Larry Peabody, 20 years later.
Soon after purchasing the business from their father, the brothers faced hard times. They pivoted from its initial product line of agricultural wares to industrial plastic chemical handling equipment — a strategy that saved the company and marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Through sacrifice and determination, the brothers rebuilt their father’s vision. Guided by a modern, technology-first approach, they launched their very first product line — Gemini Dual Containment® Tanks. Molded out of cutting-edge new polymer-based materials, these storage containers allowed industrial manufacturers to store a range of high-risk chemicals in accordance with new EPA regulations.
The production of Gemini Dual Containment® Tanks was a big swing for Peabody Engineering, but it ended up transforming the business for the better. As Chief Executive Officer, Mark Peabody, begins: “It helped us evolve from small-scale distributor to a proprietary manufacturer overnight.
“All of a sudden, we were fabricating our own products, seeing increased demand, and reinvesting everything back into the business. We bought additional tooling and expanded our operation to include a vast array of manufacturing equipment.”
From Gemini Dual Containment® Tanks grew a varied portfolio of industrial storage solutions. Today, Peabody Engineering delivers everything from agriculture and wastewater tanks, to industrial chemical, food-safe, and pharmaceutical-grade products.
The company’s expansive portfolio provides consumers with full-service support, as Mark details: “What started out as a single-page product list is now one of the most comprehensive catalogs available in the industry. We have 135 pages worth of unique, intuitively designed chemical process and storage tanks, as well as a range of related products.
“We provide pump and equipment enclosures, which come equipped with spill and leak protection to prevent unintended hazardous chemical discharges. These features are vital for maintaining safety in industrial environments.”
Another major milestone for Peabody Engineering was the launch of the ProChem Tank range of products. As one of the company’s earliest innovations, these specialized chemical storage containers were designed in direct response to customer feedback. Since then, the line has continually evolved, with Peabody Engineering experts refining and enhancing the technology to meet changing industry needs.
“This product range was designed to specifically address the pain points most end users encountered when dealing with large-scale liquid storage. It includes single and double walled tanks, known as Value-Paks.
“Within each Value-Pak, we’ve integrated all our most popular design features. As standard, these containers offer a plug and play solution, making selection and implementation an easy, straightforward process, regardless of application.
“The ProChem range really embodies our efforts to address the needs of our consumer base. This approach has helped us stand out from competitors and offer a higher-level user experience.
“With us, customers receive a properly configured product that is suitable for their needs. Unlike many manufacturers in the industry, we don’t rely on customers to be experts on large-scale liquid storage. We make the technical stuff simple, removing what’s usually the most daunting part of the process for any consumer.”
Information-led innovation has helped Peabody Engineering establish itself as an industry forerunner. The company invests heavily in research and development,
which drives the creation of new products. As Mark discusses: “We like to get out there and talk directly with the people who use our products, always looking for new ways to improve what we offer. Whether through fresh designs or greater variety, our mission is to make life easier for our customers wherever possible.
“To achieve this, we collect as much data as possible and then look for ideas that come up time and again. Once we’ve identified a solution, we bring it to life through 3D modeling. We use Finite Element Analysis and CAD design to explore different options, before developing a new product line.
“Everything we produce is carefully considered and feature-rich, for maximum applicability. We are careful to consider every small detail — for example, our containers come with large in-tank level markers and pump-mounting equipment for ease of use. We also pre-install ports for leak detection sensors. Little things like that make people’s daily lives ten times easier.”
This consumer-led approach has driven Peabody Engineering’s enduring success. To effectively manage the company’s ongoing growth, Mark and his team are moving the company’s manufacturing operation from California.
The move marks a major turning point for the business: “Initially, we just needed an additional location to service our customers East of the Rockies. We found that South Carolina had a business-friendly, pro-manufacturing environment, coupled with an amazing workforce, and numerous opportunities for technical training programs.
“After some deliberation, we decided to move out the entire operation. Geographically, South Carolina is in a very strategic position. We can service the entire Eastern US within a 500-mile radius, which gives good reach into markets from North Texas, all the way up to New England.
“It’s a big decision for the business, but one I’m excited to make. Without innovation and risk-taking, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Our focus now is on closing the California facility and moving our equipment out to South Carolina.
“We’re also engaging our customers throughout the Western US and working with them to embrace new opportunities. As we settle into our new home, I look forward to expanding the company’s national presence and delivering safe, reliable storage solutions to an even broader customer base,” he concludes.