Summary
Tricel Water manufactured and installed 50 bespoke one-piece GRP water tanks for J. Pao & Co. Ltd’s new food production facility.
The project required a water storage solution capable of meeting strict food-grade hygiene requirements while addressing a tight construction programme, restricted internal access and specific long-term maintenance needs.
Each tank was manufactured to exact dimensions of 2000 × 1200 × 1100mm, using WRAS-approved, corrosion-resistant GRP. Dual manways were incorporated into every tank to improve access for inspection, cleaning and maintenance.
Tricel’s sales, technical and engineering teams worked closely with J. Pao throughout the specification, design and delivery phases. Deliveries were strategically phased around the construction programme, enabling all 50 tanks to be delivered and installed on schedule.
The tanks are now fully integrated into the new facility’s operations, with highly positive client feedback on the design, delivery and performance of the solution.
Project Information
At a Glance
J. Pao & Co. Ltd is a UK food producer specialising in the production and distribution of fresh bean sprouts. The company had previously partnered with Tricel Water, formerly Dewey Waters Ltd., and returned for this project following a consistently positive experience.
Food Production and Agriculture. The project required water storage suited to the hygiene, operational and maintenance demands of a food-grade production environment.
Tricel Water manufactured and installed all 50 custom one-piece GRP water tanks and provided design consultation throughout the specification and delivery phases.
Each of the 50 tanks was manufactured to custom dimensions of 2000 × 1200 × 1100mm.
Manufacture and installation of 50 custom one-piece GRP cold water storage tanks for J. Pao & Co. Ltd’s new food production facility.
A tight timeline, restricted internal access, strict hygiene requirements and unique maintenance demands shaped the design and delivery of the project.
Summer 2025 – The facility build progressed towards completion.
Q3 2025 – Project completion recorded.
Now – All 50 tanks are fully integrated into the new facility’s operations.
All 50 tanks were successfully delivered, installed and integrated into the new food production facility.
Project Background
Engineering Water Storage Around a Modern Food Production Facility
Bringing J. Pao & Co. Ltd’s new food production facility online required a water storage system capable of supporting daily operations, hygiene requirements and long-term maintenance.
The brief called for 50 one-piece GRP cold water storage tanks, each manufactured to exact dimensions of 2000 × 1200 × 1100mm.
Site conditions added further complexity. Internal access points were limited, requiring precise design and delivery coordination. As a food-grade environment, the tanks also needed to meet WRAS requirements while remaining easy to clean and inspect.
Long-term operability and minimal downtime were also important considerations, requiring maintenance access to be incorporated into the tank design from the outset.
J. Pao had previously partnered with Tricel Water, formerly Dewey Waters Ltd. The company returned to Tricel for the new facility based on its previous experience and a relationship spanning over 30 years of reliable supply and service.
Delivery Approach
Tricel's Engineering and Delivery Approach
Tricel Water combined custom manufacturing, detailed design consultation and phased delivery to address the facility’s spatial, hygiene and maintenance requirements.
Bespoke GRP Tank Design
All 50 tanks were manufactured to exact custom dimensions of 2000 × 1200 × 1100mm, allowing the solution to accommodate the facility’s restricted internal access and layout constraints.
WRAS-Approved GRP Construction
Each tank was manufactured using WRAS-approved, corrosion-resistant GRP suitable for the food production environment and its hygiene requirements.
Dual Manways
Dual manways were incorporated into every tank specifically to address J. Pao’s hygiene and maintenance requirements. The design provides safer and more efficient internal access for routine inspection and cleaning while helping to minimise operational downtime.
Collaborative Design
Tricel’s sales, technical and engineering teams worked closely with J. Pao’s site engineers and contractors from the early planning stages through to installation.
Design consultations addressed spatial limitations, hygiene requirements and long-term maintenance needs, while tank configurations were adapted in response to real-time site feedback.
Phased Delivery
Deliveries were strategically phased to match the construction schedule.
Tricel coordinated deliveries from its UK manufacturing site as different areas of the facility became ready, supporting smooth integration of the tanks into the wider project.
The Brief
Understanding the Challenge
Delivering 50 custom GRP water tanks for the new food production facility required several project-specific challenges to be addressed.
•Tight Timeline: The tanks needed to be manufactured, delivered and installed in line with the facility’s construction schedule.
•Restricted Internal Access: Limited internal access points required precise tank design and delivery coordination.
•Strict Hygiene Requirements: The food-grade environment required WRAS-approved tanks that could be readily cleaned and inspected.
•Maintenance Requirements: Long-term operability and minimal downtime were essential, making ease of inspection, cleaning and maintenance an important part of the design.
“We were impressed by Tricel’s ability to design tanks around our exact layout. The tanks are a central part of our new plant, and we’re very happy with the results.”
— Client Feedback, Andrew, J. Pao & Co. Ltd
Programme
Timeline
The facility build progressed towards completion, with tank design, manufacture and delivery coordinated around the construction programme.
All 50 custom one-piece GRP water tanks were successfully delivered and installed on schedule.
All 50 tanks are fully integrated into the facility’s operations — supporting daily production and hygiene standards, with highly positive client feedback on design, delivery and performance.
Outcome
From Vision to Results: A Seamless Execution
All 50 custom-designed GRP water tanks were delivered and installed in line with the construction programme.
The tanks are fully integrated into the new facility and play a central role in supporting daily production and hygiene standards.
WRAS-approved GRP construction and dual manways address the hygiene requirements of the food production environment.
Dual manways provide safer and more efficient internal access, simplifying routine inspection and cleaning while helping to minimise operational downtime.
Client feedback praised the thoughtful design, reliable delivery and overall performance of the tanks.
Successful delivery strengthened a client relationship built on more than 30 years of reliable supply and service.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How can one-piece water tanks be designed for restricted internal access?
On the J. Pao project, restricted internal access was addressed by manufacturing all 50 tanks to exact dimensions of 2000 × 1200 × 1100mm and coordinating their delivery with the site and construction programme.
Why were dual manways specified for the J. Pao tanks?
Dual manways were developed specifically around J. Pao’s hygiene and maintenance requirements. They provide safer and more efficient internal access for inspection and cleaning while helping to minimise operational downtime.
How was the delivery of 50 water tanks coordinated?
Deliveries were strategically phased around the facility’s construction schedule. Tanks were dispatched from Tricel’s UK manufacturing site as different areas of the facility became ready.
How did Tricel support the design process?
Tricel’s sales, technical and engineering teams provided comprehensive design consultation addressing spatial restrictions, hygiene and maintenance needs. Communication continued throughout specification and delivery, with designs adapted to real-time site feedback.
What hygiene requirements influenced the tank design?
The tanks were required for a food-grade production environment. The project therefore specified WRAS-approved GRP construction together with a design that supported cleaning and inspection.
How were long-term maintenance needs addressed?
Ease of maintenance was incorporated into the design. Each tank included dual manways to improve access for routine inspection and cleaning and help minimise operational downtime.
Why did J. Pao return to Tricel Water?
J. Pao had previously worked with Tricel Water, formerly Dewey Waters Ltd., and returned based on a consistently positive experience. The original case study records over 30 years of reliable supply and service between the companies.
About J. Pao & Co. Ltd
J. Pao & Co. Limited is a UK food producer founded in 1984, specialising in the production and distribution of fresh bean sprouts. Based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, the company supplies retail, catering and food-processing markets across the UK.
About Tricel Water UK
Tricel Water manufactures WRAS-approved GRP cold water storage tanks, including one-piece, sectional and fire sprinkler tanks, for projects across the UK and Ireland. With over 50 years of experience, Tricel provides custom-engineered water storage solutions across commercial, industrial, residential and public-sector applications.
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50 Custom One-Piece GRP Water Tanks for J. Pao & Co. Ltd
See how Tricel Water manufactured and installed 50 custom one-piece GRP cold water storage tanks for J. Pao & Co. Ltd’s new food production facility, overcoming restricted access, hygiene and maintenance challenges.
