Article originally published in Waste Management Review 2/2022

“It’s often said when you’re onto a good thing, stick with it. At a time when many companies feel the need to diversify, manufacturer TANA has stayed the course and focused on its core product. Fifty years on, compactors remain the company’s “bread and butter”. TANA expanded to manufacture plastic products and patrol boats, which were delivered to the Iraqi military in the late 1970s. But when current owner Kari Kangas acquired the company, together with two partners, 25 years ago they “stripped everything back” to focus on developing the best tools for landfill customers. All product lines other than landfill compactors were discarded.

The company’s new focus also involved looking at its distributor network. Enter, GCM Enviro. The waste management and recycling equipment supplier remains the sole Australian distributor of TANA products. Adam Krajewski, GCM Enviro Marketing Manager, says they’ve continued a relationship with TANA because “they’re the best compactor for the landfill market”. Adam says GCM sold its first TANA landfill compactor in 2000. More than 140 landfill compactors have since been delivered to customers in Australia, with TANA being the preferred choice for many councils, landfill managers and operators. “Many councils keep coming back to buy second and third machines,” he says.”