12 Jan Proven Value Worldwide: The Story of Klein Products Exports
Klein Products has been a pioneer in liquid-distributing equipment industry since 1957, delivering proven, transformative solutions for thousands of happy customers. Over the years, we have grown tremendously, and our export department has played a huge role in that success. However, not many people know the story behind the department — so we figured it was about time to spread the word.
As early as the 1970s, our founder, Richard Klein, began developing relationships with major equipment dealers, both in the U.S. and in foreign markets. We maintained these international relationships for a number of years, and in 1991, when our current president, Barry McManus, accepted leadership of the company, we began to pursue additional global expansion. Barry believed that increasing our focus on exports would provide a buffer for the ups and downs of the U.S. economy — and he was right. During the Great Recession, when many companies in our industry were struggling, we reached a new peak.
Our export department was officially established in 1995, giving us the benefit of having a team solely focused on serving our international customers. Now, with a team of five talented individuals, the department handles everything from processing orders, managing logistics and financing exports to traveling internationally to assist customers and communicate the latest Klein Products innovations to equipment dealers across the globe.
As our exports team has worked with our worldwide customers and dealer partners over the years to learn more about their preferences and needs, our equipment has continued to evolve and improve dramatically as a result. We have developed numerous product innovations to better meet the requirements of customers around the world. And we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on a variety of customized solutions to address our international customers’ unique project challenges.
In response to the feedback we collected from both domestic and global customers, we improved our tank designs significantly by enhancing safety, pursuing and achieving the absolute lowest center of gravity, increasing durability, and focusing on operator-friendly features. We also developed a variety of industry-leading innovations, including our patented TRAP tank as well as a sturdy tank design with our exclusive flanged heads and baffles for ultimate strength and reliability. Additionally, we perfected our Precision Flow Control (PFC) interior baffle structure system to allow maximum water output while controlling movement of liquid inside the tank. And we designed the Klein close-coupled, oil lubricated centrifugal water pump; the K-Pro series of remote control water cannons; Klein Smartspray advanced hydraulic circuits; and numerous other revolutionary liquid-distributing products.
Our export department truly embodies the passion for quality and customer service that is present in each and every member of the Klein Products team. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we have evolved from exporting less than 10 tanks in 1996 to exporting hundreds of tanks, as well as countless parts, to more than 40 countries across six continents each year. And these numbers continue to grow!
“It has been a pleasure working for the Klein Products export department all these years. Under Barry’s leadership, we continue to achieve goal after goal. And we take tremendous pride in consistently coming through with top-quality, on-time solutions. We thank all our dealers and customers around the world for their support.” – Daniel Gonzalez, Exports Director