Malvin Welch
CASE STUDY
Effluent Storage
Taking control of compliance with smarter storage solutions
“With the addition of our two new tanks, we’ve gone from only having a few days of storage, to now over 90 days effluent storage capacity”
Malvin Welch operates a combined 400-hectare dairy farm in Mangatawhiri, home to 860 dairy cows. With the ongoing drive to meet environmental regulations, Malvin recognised the need for a sustainable solution to manage the farm’s dairy effluent. In partnership with KlipTank, Malvin installed two uncovered effluent storage tanks, drastically improving the farm’s operations and compliance with environmental standards.
Before reaching out to KlipTank, Malvin’s effluent storage was limited to a small pond and above-ground tanks with a capacity of only 2-4 days’ storage. This setup required constant irrigation and left little room for flexibility. “We’d been promising Environment Waikato for some time about our upgrades,” says Malvin. “We knew we were marginal, and as part of the whole dairy sector and meeting their regulations, this was part of it.”
With a goal to increase storage capacity and ensure compliance, Malvin contacted KlipTank. In November 2023, KlipTank installed the first of two tanks. The second was completed in November 2024. With 5 million liters of usable storage, the tanks now provide Malvin’s farm with over 90 days of effluent storage.
“KlipTank appeared to have the best options available for what we needed,” Malvin shares. “With the water table needs, we required above- ground storage. KlipTank offered the largest capacity with a smaller footprint, which made it ideal for us.”
The tanks have been transformative for the farm’s effluent management system. One tank stores green water near the shed, while the other, positioned further away, also stores green water to increase the application area. Malvin explains, “We’ve got a feed pad, flood wash, and a system to separate solids. The green water is stored for irrigation, which is crucial to our operations.” With the new storage capacity, Malvin no longer faces the pressure of daily irrigation. “If we’re careful with our effluent, the storage could last even longer,” he adds.
Reflecting on his experience with KlipTank, Malvin praises the team’s professionalism and the quality of their service.
“Their communication lines are good,” he says. “The team that came out to install the tank were good to deal with. They knew what they were doing and made the process smooth.”
Environment Waikato’s response has also been positive. “They’ve audited us and are very happy with the setup. Everything is compliant, and they’re satisfied with the volume of storage we have,” Malvin reports.
For Malvin, the decision to choose KlipTank was reinforced by KlipTank’s reputation and innovative design. “A contractor we use, one of his family members, has had a KlipTank for a long time. We went to have a look at it, and they were very happy with theirs,” he explains.
Malvin highlights the tank’s large volume, simplicity, and durable plastic panels as standout features.
“I think KlipTank is the better option for above ground storage,” he says. “We’re even considering putting a third tank in another location.”
Malvin’s partnership with KlipTank has not only enhanced the farm’s operations but also provided peace of mind knowing the farm meets environmental standards. With increased storage capacity and a reliable system in place, Malvin is well-prepared for the future. Put simply, “it just works,” he concludes. “I would definitely recommend it to someone else.”
Malvin Welch
Mangatawhiri, New Zealand
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Meet the team
Kim HendersonDirector
Kim co-founded KlipTank in 2009 and become owner in 2021, after returning to New Zealand from the United States.
For 26 years overseas, Kim worked in the oil and gas industry across the Middle East and US.
His forte is starting greenfield units, which he did for his own flexible hydraulic hose business in the Middle East, Turkey, Singapore, the United States, Oman and China. His grown-up children still reside in the United States.
Kim returned to New Zealand to be closer to extended family and is now involved in the day to day running of KlipTank, with big plans for the expansion of the business.
From KlipTank’s home in Tauranga, he is now looking forward to guiding the company’s growth in the area of water security and providing water storage solutions for fire safety, potable water, horticulture and waste-water.
A redesign of KlipTanks products and manufacturing processes since 2021 has also allowed for flat packing of the tanks into containers for export.
He is extremely proud of what the hardworking KlipTank team has achieved and is looking forward to recruiting more great people.
Outside of work he has a passion for motorcycles, boats, and muscle cars and is a firm believer that the correct number of toys you should own, is one more than you have.
Ruan MeyerGeneral Manager
Ruan and his family moved to New Zealand from South Africa 5 years ago, bringing with him extensive experience in mechanical engineering and a proven track record in completing projects on time and within budget.
He is currently the General Manager at KlipTank, recently promoted from being Operations Manager where he still manages the day-to-day operations of KlipTank and leads the team. He is focussed on seeing projects through to completion and working in unison to achieve KlipTank’s short and long-term goals.
Ruan started his career as a Fitter & Turner tradesperson at a power station in South Africa before studying for a national diploma in mechanical engineering.
He then moved to Malvern Engineering Works in Johannesburg as an estimator and project co-ordinator, and later worked as production manager, manufacturing mine process equipment. He then became project and maintenance manager for Mertech Marine in Cape Town, a company which manages ships that retrieve redundant telecommunications cables & equipment from the seabed and mechanically disassemble & recycle the materials.
Since moving to New Zealand, he’s worked for HCD flow conveying, Baytext as Aluminium WS Engineering Supervisor, PFS as PE doing ASME pressure vessel and piping projects and Fabworx engineering PM including leading the Structural project to install 80 tonnes of steel at the new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua.
Ruan is a family man with two children and enjoys weekends on the beach, in the backyard and biking or walking local trails. He has found a great network of other ‘Saffas’ in the Bay, including close friends who have become like Kiwi family.
Duheine MyburghMarket Manager - Water
Duheine is a qualified hydrogeologist and joined the KlipTank team in 2021, taking on the newly-established role of Market Manager - Water.
He is focussed on the export side of the KlipTank business, particularly in the Pacific Islands, where complex logistics and limited infrastructure make KlipTank products the perfect solution to rainwater harvesting.
He oversees the tender submission process on large offshore water storage projects and is currently managing a 3-year project to deliver 280 water storage KlipTanks to the Marshall Islands.
Duheine also manages the fire water storage market for KlipTank in New Zealand. Some of KlipTank’s end users include the Warehouse Group and NASA, to name a few.
Originally from South Africa, he spent 10 years in the mining industry working in the diamond, coal and coalbed methane gas commodities.
Duheine and his family moved to New Zealand in 2018, where he joined Wellington Water as a Senior Engineer in the drinking water team. Keen to escape the wind, they moved to Tauranga in 2021, where his extensive experience in water management made KlipTank a great fit.
To relax, Duheine enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and three young children.