Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/789750
An ironclad partnership. Bill Reynolds (front), President, Wear-Tek Andy Paul (left), Mechanical Engineer, Avista Doug Kelley (back), Regional Account Executive, Avista Mike Summers (right), General Manager, Wear-Tek ADVERTISEMENT W ear-Tek Inc. in Spokane, Washington, specializes in casting long-lasting, abrasion-resistant components for the aggregate processing industry. They melt high-chrome white iron, steel and other alloys at extreme temperatures and pour them into custom-built molds to cast components for rock crushers, asphalt pavers and other machinery. The company has also cast its own industry niche. Wear-Tek is strict about selling replacement parts only to the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) it serves. They put their customers fi rst. It's a level of integrity that has attracted OEMs as far away as the U.S. East Coast and Midwest, and is a big reason why, during 16 years in business, sales have grown from $2 million to $18 million. Wear-Tek's commitment to a win- win philosophy is why the foundry likes partnering with Avista for its energy needs. Avista is essentially made from the same mold. Avista works closely with commercial and industrial customers like Wear-Tek, offering energy advice, helping to pay for energy-effi ciency upgrades, and solving for immediate and future energy requirements. "Avista worked to understand our project needs and was a great partner in helping us plan for the future expansion of our business," said Wear-Tek President Bill Reynolds. "Their expertise has set us up to be a strong leader in our industry for many years to come." Wear-Tek expanded recently because its metal-melting capacity was not keeping pace with its ability to more quickly fabricate custom product molds. The foundry casts metals in parallel production bays with six melting pots (furnaces). There was only enough power, however, to charge three melting pots at once, so it became necessary to keep the furnaces running 24 hours a day. At times, tight production schedules even forced workers to use a crane to move molten metal between bays. They needed to be able to power a fourth melting pot, but that would require much more electricity. To help Wear-Tek with the situation, Avista crews replaced the foundry's 7640 kilowatt power line with one carrying 13,200 kilowatts (which is roughly the same capacity required to run the Spokane International Airport). Avista analyzed Wear- Tek's estimated total electricity usage and demand, and recognized that they might be eligible for a more advantageous rate (designated for very large power users). There was one dilemma, however. They were required to have their total electrical usage recorded on a single meter. As Wear- Tek expanded, it absorbed nearby buildings and constructed a pattern shop, which meant they had multiple meters. Avista engineers recommended a plan to ultimately combine all of Wear- Tek's meters into one. Wear-Tek worked with Avista to have a vault and two new underground transformers installed so that the foundry could wire its new equipment and buildings downstream from the same meter. Wear-Tek has already added a control panel for its air and water cooling pumps. Up next is to wire their plant to run the additional melting pot furnace, which will increase their maximum tons of molten metal produced per hour by 40 percent. Wear-Tek also has a new grinding/fi nishing shop in the works, so should soon meet the load threshold to warrant the rate for large electric users. "You wouldn't think a company that sells energy would be so eager to help us get a more advantageous rate," said Reynolds. "But time and again, Avista has proven that they want us to get the full value of every energy dollar." Over the past six years, Avista has provided Wear-Tek with more than $116,000 in rebates to make energy- effi ciency upgrades. "The upgrades have resulted in Wear-Tek saving more than 1,800,000 kilowatt hours of electricity and over $123,000 in energy costs," said Avista regional account executive Doug Kelley. For more information on Avista's energy- effi ciency programs for commercial and industrial customers, visit avistautilities.com/bizrebates or email accountexecs@avistacorp.com.