EPT had previously manufactured their flexitanks in China, where a large number of their competitors still do.  “We were increasingly growing dissatisfied with the product quality of our overseas manufacturers,” stated Nancy Wendrock, President of EPT.  She continued, “We were already considering moving our production to the U.S. when we heard Governor Granholm speak about the economic stress in Michigan.  We knew the advanced engineering and manufacturing resources available there could be retooled to fit the product development needs of our BIG Red Flexitank.  We feel very fortunate to have developed our relationships in Michigan and are extremely happy to put ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ on our products.”    

A prototype production line began in Michigan in the first quarter of 2009 and full production lines quickly expanded in the second quarter.  Production is expected to be in excess of 10,000 units a month by the end of the year.  Capacity will continue to grow with the addition of new lines over the next 2-3 years.   

Production of the BIG Red Flexitank™ system consists of a seamless polypropylene sleeve with two inner layers of polyethylene used to ship bulk liquids in 20 or 40 foot standard overseas shipping containers.  Production includes the compression fitting of an FDA-approved composite flange and valve, as well as the packaging of a unique Barrier Wear Sleeve and proprietary bulkhead system.