SemenTanks.com is a cornerstone of our industry and has become one due to 30 years of top-notch customer support and sourcing high-quality products. Take a moment and learn more about this family-owned and run small business in the interview with owner, Janey Hrutkay below!
Please give a short introduction of the company and staff. What products and services does your company provide both domestically and internationally? How long have you been in business?
Select Genetics, AKA sementanks.com, has been in business for over 27 years. We are a proud seller of all MVE tanks and products. We sell both domestically and internationally, but our primary focus revolves around animal breeders in the US.
Although we primarily sell semen tanks, we are always looking to add items to our product line…. items that align with our primary business which is animal breeders. We are a team of three people…me, my husband Mark, and my daughter Rachel. I handle emails and orders; Mark handles the phone calls and Rachel handles data entry and all
record keeping. We divide and conquer!
How do you see your industry evolving in the next 5-10 years? What steps or technologies do you think would be the most beneficial for manufacturers and end users?
Our business has nearly doubled in the past three years. The focus on artificial
insemination to improve herd genetics and the shift to frozen semen in new markets is
allowing our business to flourish. Embryo transfer is becoming more widely used and that alone opens new territories for us. The search for ways to increase and improve food production has many people turning to artificial insemination. The desire to “win” and compete in the show ring is huge and having a semen tank is a big component to the show industry.
Is there any information you feel first time or experienced clients should keep in mind when purchasing your products?
Clients should keep in mind that quality counts. The purchase of a semen tank is an investment, and they should trust proven manufacturers. MVE storage tanks are warrantied for five years but tanks will easily last 15 – 25 years or more if properly cared for. MVE has been in business for over 60 years and MVE tanks are preferred over other brands. Generally speaking, I would not recommend a customer buy a used tank.
It is best to buy a new product that you can monitor, control and care for and one which the history is known. With a new tank, you also get a warranty.
When shipping large amounts of semen, like thousands of straws, do not always ship everything in one big tank……Consider shipping in several tanks to minimize the loss if something unforeseen happens during the shipment. The “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” strategy is a good one to follow.
Do you have any client interactions and/or challenges you have assisted with you are most proud of throughout your career?
What I am most proud of is the level of customer care we offer. It may sound silly, but we answer our phone. In today’s world, it is not always easy to speak to a human who can offer advice and suggestions and help you solve your problems. Nothing is better than talking to a person who has experience in your field of interest. Mark handles all phone calls and really enjoys talking to new breeders who are just getting into the AI
industry. We try to solve any problem or issue with the mindset of “How would we like this issue to be handled if we were in their shoes”. Although it is not easily visible to our customers, I will fight for their interests when it comes to working with the factory on problems and issues. I am not always successful and may come away beat up and bruised but I will jump back up ready to take on another challenge if it benefits the
customer.
I see on your website that you promote small businesses within the industry, particularly women-owned businesses. What motivated you to provide these opportunities and support?
I am one of those people who is constantly intrigued by what people do for a living or for a hobby or for fun. People fascinate me…..especially successful women who juggle life, family and business. I love to hear success stories from people who are humbly proud of what they do and what they have accomplished. I love rags to riches stories.
Women run the world and I like to provide space for them to toot their horn, advertise their business and to tell their story.
For me, I was able to stay at home and raise my girls yet still contribute financially to the family and that was important to me. When people ask me what I do and I tell them I sell semen tanks…….they go, “Huh” LOL……. Before my husband and I were married, I ran another successful business but was very happy to leave it all behind for him and the prospect of having a family. I remember telling him I would “do anything” if I did not have to go back into the work force…I told him “I will
make my own soap”. Little did I know that we would start Select Genetics very soon after our marriage and we would go on to grow a very solid business in a totally different industry.
Is there any subject within your industry you are particularly passionate about?
I am just passionate about helping people. Selling semen tanks is a means to reach a goal and my goal in life is to give. I really try to live by the teachings of the Bible. I fail every day in one way or another but as I get older and older and older, my path becomes much clearer. God gave me a successful business so that I could help others become successful. He puts opportunities in front of me every day to help and encourage. That is my passion and honestly, it has little to do with “semen tanks”. God
gave us this business to serve others and to be good stewards of his gift.