This year marks a major milestone for Tuffa UK, one of the UK’s most trusted tank manufacturers, as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary.
A family business now in its second generation, Tuffa has grown from modest beginnings into a nationally recognised brand known for quality, innovation, and customer focus. We spoke with Managing Director James Shenton to reflect on the company’s evolution — and what the future holds.
When and why was Tuffa founded?
Tuffa was officially founded in 2005, but the business itself has a 41-year heritage, starting with the manufacture of steel tanks. From the outset, our focus was on producing robust storage solutions for fuels and liquids.
Over time, we’ve expanded our offering with new materials and technologies, always driven by a clear goal: to provide high-quality, adaptable storage systems backed by excellent service.
20 years of Tuffa! What have been the major milestones?
We’ve come a long way. One of the biggest milestones was expanding our capabilities beyond steel to include rotational moulding and plastic fabrication. This allowed us to diversify our product range and improve design flexibility – evolving from carbon steel welded tanks to polyethylene rotationally moulded and polypropylene & polyethylene plastic- fabricated models. As a result, we can now manufacture everything from 1,350L domestic heating oil tanks to 100,000L commercial bunded tanks.
We also achieved ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, which formalised our commitment to quality and environmental management. And we were the first to bring integrally fire- protected oil tanks to the UK market, which changed what was possible in domestic tank installation.
What industry innovations has Tuffa introduced?
Our FirePro® range is a great example. These tanks combine fire protection and bunding in a compact, compliant unit, making it possible to install closer to buildings or boundaries.
We’ve also led the way with AdBlue® tanks – both in off-the-shelf options and bespoke builds for fleet operators.
How has feedback from technicians and engineers influenced product development?
Customer feedback is the foundation of our product development. Our installer and heating engineer customer base consistently provides valuable input – whether it’s on tank dimensions, weight, ancillary components, or ergonomic features.
This two-way communication plays a crucial role in refining our designs and ensuring our products meet the practical needs of the people using them day in, day out.
What technologies or manufacturing processes distinguish Tuffa from other manufacturers?
We can combine steel, rotational moulded plastic, and fabricated plastic components in-house. That gives us huge versatility – whether it’s a standard tank or a custom system.
Every product is designed in 3D CAD, prototyped, and tested before release – ensuring performance and reliability in the field. Our manufacturing complies with BS 799, EN 13341 and EN 13575, alongside our ISO accreditations.
What sectors or customers rely most on Tuffa tanks?
We serve a broad customer base: domestic heating oil users, farmers, commercial fuel users, chemical processors, and airports, which use our tanks for de-icer storage.
It’s a point of pride for us that our products are used in such critical applications.
How has the team grown over 20 years?
We’ve doubled in size over 20 years and now employ 55 people. Our culture is built on servient leadership and empowerment – giving people the tools and freedom to do their best work.
Many of our team have been with us 10, 15, even 25 years. That loyalty and experience is a big part of our success.
What trends is Tuffa preparing for?
We’re seeing a shift toward better footprints, easier delivery and installation, and lower costs – all without compromising compliance or durability. That’s guiding our future development.
We also have some exciting new technologies in the pipeline, but they’re top secret for now!
How are you celebrating your 20th anniversary?
We’re celebrating with a summer festival here at our Uttoxeter HQ. It’s a chance to bring together our team and to reflect on how far we’ve come.
Finally, what message do you have for customers, partners, and the Tuffa team on reaching this milestone?
A huge thank you.
To our customers – thank you for trusting us with your storage needs.
To our partners – thank you for your support and collaboration.
And to the incredible team here at Tuffa – your pride in what you do is what makes this company what it is.
Here’s to the next 20 years!
Images supplied by Tuffa