Less Than two years after moving to a new 12,000-sq-ft headquarters and production facility in Deer Park, Texas, A-One Chemicals & Equipment Inc is getting ready for an expansion. Plans are in the final stages to add another 6,000 square feet.
A supplier of tank cleaning chemicals and wash systems, the 16-year-old company has been growing by about 20% a year, according to Bill Doyle, vice-president and general manager of A-One Chemicals. That growth rate prompted the move to the new 1.5-acre location in April 2006.
“We sell a full range of interior and exterior cleaning chemicals, and we specialize in products used to clean polymers and resins,” Doyle says. “About 90% of our sales are to the tank truck cleaning sector. However, we'll introduce four new products at the first of the year that are being developed for cleaning rail tankcars and ship bilges. We also sell vat-style wash systems built by local fabricators.”
A-One Chemicals' new building features steel construction and was designed with firewalls throughout and a state-of-the-art foaming sprinkler system. Doors separating various sections of the facility have heat sensors for additional fire protection.
A seamless roof was specified for hurricane resistance. The foundation and floor include a six-inch concrete slab with rebar on 12-inch centers. Curbing around the building makes it possible to contain any spills.
All production of cleaning chemicals is done at the Deer Park location, and the facility has ample space for product blending and storage of both raw and finished products. A-One Chemicals packages cleaning chemicals in totes and drums.
The company has customers throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, A-One Chemicals is seeing steady growth for its products in South America. In addition to the Deer Park location, the company has distribution facilities in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Atlanta, Georgia.
A-One Chemicals uses its own trucks for local deliveries. Freight carriers handle the rest of the shipments.