Compressed Air Archives

Tony Grubish is an MVP at Kaeser and Elevated

Written by Tami Matthews on March 5, 2024. Posted in Compressed Air, Compressed Air, Compressed Air, Compressed air systems, Employees, Featured. Leave a Comment

We love it when we receive updates that demonstrate our employees’ commitment. The story below was covered in February 2024. Now that it’s August 2024, Kaeser just announced the All-Star Leads for who’s winning mid-year. It’s no surprise that Tony Grubish is the mid-year Most Valuable Player. And congratulations to Tom Kilgore for winning Best Batting Average at the mid-year point.

Kaeser Compressors has high standards. The company and its employees only produce quality compressed air systems. Tony Grubish (sales engineer at Air Center – an Elevated Industrial Solutions Company) has high standards, too. Tony won the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for #1 salesperson in the U.S. from Kaeser (as part of the All Star contest) announced in January 2024.

Kaeser is known for precise German engineering. Like Elevated, Kaeser doesn’t compete on price; the company positions sales around value. What does that mean? The yellow compressors aren’t the cheapest option but are known for their longevity and quality; people choose them for their reliability and trustworthiness.

Tony Grubish came from the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic. Afterward, he worked as a service technician with a major competitor for nine years. At Air Center, he’s spent the past 19 years as a technician, service manager, and now a sales engineer. That time has given Tony a chance to develop a customer-focused strategy – understand his customers’ business and their compressors. In that way, Tony proves he’s reliable and trustworthy. Demonstrating our values is why customers keep coming back.

Kaeser’s All Star contest

There are various rules from Kaeser for the All Star contest based on baseball stats. You need to meet complicated criteria – sell two machines per month and achieve key metrics that include selling specific equipment.

Tony exceeded these metrics, winning the MVP at the year’s midpoint and at the end of the year.

Being an MVP came easy to Tony. One company had a mix of compressors, including some cheap Italian machines, that were failing. Employees there turned to Tony, relying on his expertise and competitive quote. He received a purchase order for 90 units before the end of January 2023.

“I was on a great path,” Tony admitted.

Get the customer, not always the sale

Tony credits his background as a service technician with a Kaeser Master Service Tech/Sales Certification on how he wins with customers. He asks questions to thoroughly understand the customer’s business and checks out the machines. Sometimes, that means he sells a new compressor, but not always. Instead, he’s focused on taking care of the customer to help them meet their goals – recommending service or changes to extend the life of their current compressor … even when he receives a request for quote.

“I’d rather get the customer than a sale.”

He knows he’s building a relationship. Because customers trust Tony, they keep coming back.

Tony said, “Once the relationship is built, selling new equipment, when they need it, is easy.”

Winning

Tony was leading as the best salesperson for Kaeser all year, joined by two other salespeople at Air Center: Chris Brown and Tom Kilgore. Although Chris and Tom lost out in December, our Michigan branch nearly had three of the top five Kaeser sales spots!

He also credits the fantastic service technicians; he indicates they’re a big part of how the branch keeps winning. It doesn’t hurt that his wife, Fay Grubish, is the service manager in northwestern Ohio, where he sells compressors.

“At Air Center, we’ve always taken pride in our service, and we have built a great relationship between our sales and service departments.”

Tony’s win as MVP also moves Air Center to the Kaeser designation of “level 5.” Kaeser has a system of levels from 0 – 5, giving deeper discounts on equipment and parts as you move up the scale. At level 5, Air Center earns more profit from sales. Of course that makes general manager, Jim Casey, happy. It helps their branch stay competitive while selling the gold standard in compressors.

But there were some personal rewards, too, for being the MVP besides bragging rights. Tony and his wife are going to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. And Elevated provided an extra award for demonstrating the values and brand.

What’s on for 2024?

When asked if he would win the MVP again, Tony sheepishly noted he has a purchase order for a bunch of compressors. Modestly, he confirmed he has a good chance of staying in the Presidents Club in 2025.

That winning attitude is why Tony’s an MVP at Elevated, too.

6 ways to get your facility ready for the holidays

Written by Christopher Richmann on December 1, 2023. Posted in Air compressors, Compressed Air. Leave a Comment

The holidays! It’s a time for family gatherings, gifts, and the time-honored tradition of eating too much, then watching football … or taking a nap.

For many industrial facilities, the holidays often bring lengthy shutdowns and (for most facilities) below-freezing outdoor temperatures. And some shops just choose to shut down so staff can spend more time with family.

If your shop is closing, here are six important tips that will help maintain it from Halloween to Easter and beyond!

Closing the facility? Drain water from the tanks

Water from condensation and moisture can become a serious issue for outdoor tanks. When temperatures drop below freezing, excessive moisture will significantly damage the compressor tank. The tank should have a drain for maximum condensate collection. Some have automatic drains with a test button to ensure proper function.

Removing moisture is important throughout the year, but it’s critical when temperatures drop below freezing.

Winterize drain lines and bowls

Drain lines that are exposed to outdoor air need to be fully winterized to keep them from freezing. Heat trace tape is one of the best ways to keep the pipes warm throughout the winter months. Remember to keep power supplied to the heat trace tape so they can do their job all winter long. (This is especially important if you will be closing shop for the holidays. You may cut power in some areas but keep energy supplied to the tape!)

Adjust compressor louvers

Many air compressors have louvers on the cooling air inlet and compressor outlet. These louvers moderate the flow of air into and out of the unit. If freezing air comes into the compressor, it needs to reach operating temperature as soon as possible. Also, warm air leaving the compressor can be reused to keep the compressor running at ideal temperatures.

While you can check and adjust as needed, it’s best to have automatic louvers that are controlled by temperature sensors. This ensures nearly instant adjustment of your system so the incoming air is utilized properly.

Recirculate air

We discussed the air coming in, but what about the air going out? Air compressors produce warm air. In the summertime, this air is usually vented out, but in winter, facilities can recapture this warm air and use it to heat adjacent rooms (reducing energy costs) or maintain the compressor temperatures.

Use ambient heaters

Compressors can be equipped with optional cabinet heaters to heat and maintain proper lubricant temperatures. If a cabinet heater is not an option, you can use an ambient heater, which keeps the lubricant in the right temperature range. This is especially important to prevent cold starts, which are hard on the system and can result in damage.

Have someone available for emergencies

Perhaps the most important part of your facility prep, you must have someone available at all times for emergency responses and repairs. As we have shown, many potential problems can occur when your facility is shut down. You must have someone who can respond to all issues during the holidays so you can avoid costly repairs.

We can help! If you’re in South Carolina, eastern Michigan, or western Ohio, our team can check in for you or provide emergency repairs … even during a holiday (Christmas, Thanksgiving, the Superbowl, you name it).

Transair piping

Written by Christopher Richmann on June 20, 2023. Posted in Compressed Air, Compressed Air, Compressed Air, Compressed Air, Compressed air systems, Featured. Leave a Comment

If you are installing, modifying, or upgrading a compressed air system, you may consider a variety of different materials for your piping. Options include black pipe, galvanized steel, copper, and stainless steel.

Before making a decision, consider the benefits and drawbacks of aluminum piping. Strong, versatile, and reliable, aluminum piping can bring a fast installation for compressed air systems and better long-term performance for your total operations.

It’s not always the right choice, but for many facilities, aluminum piping is a great option. SmartPipe (by Kaeser) is always a fantastic option. Kaeser is known for their quality engineering. But if SmartPipe isn’t available, we recommend Transair Aluminum Pipe.

Advantages of Transair

Like SmartPipe, it’s easy to connect and modify, making expansions for your compressed air system and facility faster and less expensive. The Transair push-to-connect system creates a firm hold to make the pipes leak-free. It connects with other piping, too. Plus, Transair comes in a variety of sizes, available in 1/2″ to 8″, and includes a warranty.

Unlike SmartPipe, Transair is readily available and may cost less than SmartPipe. (Contact us for details.)

Advantages of aluminum pipes

Aluminum piping brings a variety of advantages that make it ideal for numerous situations. When you need an affordable, durable, long-lasting system that can deliver reliable air compression, aluminum is often the ideal solution.

Aluminum is lighter than most metals. The mounting requirements and time to install are less than other heavier materials.

Aluminum in general is less prone to corrosion, even compared to stainless steel. Even if there is a moisture trap (which we regularly install on air systems) there will be some water in the system, creating the right conditions for corrosion. This is less of a concern with aluminum.

Disadvantages of aluminum piping for air systems

Although it remains one of the best choices for air systems, this pliable metal does have a few disadvantages. The upfront costs may be higher compared to other metals, which may cause some facilities to choose a different material. (But do your research; aluminum can bring long-term savings when installed correctly.)

There can also be more thermal expansion and contraction, so controlling facility temperatures is critical. Although it meets the needs of most facilities, the pressure rating for some aluminum products may be lower as well.

Your source for high-quality aluminum piping

Transair is a leader in the air-pipe industry. The company has a vast collection of lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant pipes that come in a variety of sizes. These products bring excellent longevity and typically require less maintenance on compressed air systems.

When choosing your piping, you may need the guidance of an experienced professional to ensure the right pipes for your facility. There are a variety of sizes. (You should get the right size for your compressed air system.) Our installation team can help you determine the best options, add drop points, and more. We make it easy from beginning to end (including start-up).

Contact Elevated Industrial Solutions for expert service on your next installation for compressed air systems. We proudly serve western Ohio, eastern Michigan, and South Carolina. We’ll help you select the right pipes for your specific air requirements, and we’ll be available for installation and long-term maintenance.

Oil-free compressors

Written by Christopher Richmann on May 11, 2023. Posted in Compressed Air, Industrial, Manufacturing. Leave a Comment

Oil-less or oil-free compressors are compressors that don’t use oil. They’re the top choice for dentists, orthodontists, hospitals, salons, air suspension vehicles, food processing plants, chemical companies, and more. They’re even gaining in popularity.

So, how does a compressor without oil work?

Well.

All joking aside, compressors typically have a coating, such as Teflon, to keep the rotors moving smoothly without oil lubrication. In Kaeser’s case, the company uses blasted and bonderized rotors with a special coating process. These rotors are durable, resisting temperatures up to 575°F. Because this coating is highly abrasion-proof, its sealing and protection performance remain consistent — even after years of operation.

Why oil-free compressors?

Oil-free compressors are still catching on in popularity, but there are some very good reasons to have a compressor that doesn’t use oil — clean air and environmentally friendly, less maintenance, and more affordable to operate.

Cleaner air

Air quality control for pharmaceutical, healthcare, dentist offices, food manufacturing, beverage, and chemical industries — which are heavily regulated — could benefit from a compressor without oil.

Oil-lubricating air compressors do their best to keep oil vapors and particulates from entering the system. However, oil can still seep into the air and create contamination issues. Oil-free compressors do not have this concern.

Environmentally friendly

Going green goes along with cleaner air. Companies looking for an environmentally-friendly compressor will appreciate an oil-free system. Not only do they use less energy, but they require no oil, which means there’s less air pollution and less oil that’s used and discarded. There are even incentives for some companies to switch from oil compressors to oil-free.

Green companies, those creating solar panels, wind turbines, EV cars, and more might invest in oil-free to further lower their footprint and prove to their consumers they care about the environment.

Reduced maintenance

Oil-free compressors require far less maintenance. The main reason for this is that oil-lubricated compressors have oil that becomes dirty and breaks down; it needs to be replaced regularly, much like the oil in your vehicle. The oil level also needs to be checked regularly, and the oil filter, which prevents vapor from contaminating the air supply, needs to be replaced.

These maintenance tasks are not required for oil-free systems.

Kaeser indicates that fewer wearing parts and premium quality materials ensure reduced maintenance requirements, longer service intervals, and extended service life. Since the compressor doesn’t need oil tested or changed, that’s also an expense that’s eliminated. And large doors make it easier for a technician to assist in maintenance or repairs. That could mean fewer hours in total to service your compressor, even when it does need maintenance or repairs.

More affordable to operate

According to Kaeser Compressors, capital expenses and maintenance costs account for only a small part of a compressor’s total life cycle expenditures. Energy is typically the largest expense when it comes to compressors, so any efficiency saves money.

In addition, the oil-free compressor is easier to maintain and requires less maintenance.

Can be mobile

Kaeser makes a mobile oil-free compressor to use on the go, wherever you are. That could be handy in construction and other jobs where compressors need to go with you. Some authorized dealers even enable you to rent this equipment.

Oil-free compressor options

Elevated Industrial Solutions has the CSG-2, DSG-2, and FSG-2 series of two-stage oil-free rotary screw compressors. Download the technical specs to see options (such as water or air cooling).

We can even engineer a solution for you, making the installation turnkey. Contact us if you’re ready to jump into the 21st century and get an oil-free compressor, incorporating it into your existing system. We’re a Kaeser authorized dealer in South Carolina, Michigan, Northern Ohio (near Toledo), and Southern Ohio (Cincinnati / Dayton area, including Kentucky).

What is CAGI … and why is it awesome?

Written by Tami Matthews on February 7, 2023. Posted in Compressed Air, Compressed Air, Compressed air systems, Manufacturing. Leave a Comment

If you’re a plant or facilities manager, you may already know all about the wonders of CAGI, but assuming you’re new to it CAGI has changed the world of compressed air.

What is CAGI?

CAGI stands for the Compressed Air and Gas Institute. On the CAGI website, it indicates it’s “the united voice of the compressed air industry, serving as the unbiased authority on technical, educational, promotional, and other matters that affect the industry.” It’s an organization that tests and standardizes information to make it easier to understand.

Why is CAGI awesome?

CAGI verifies compressor claims using a third-party testing program. According to CAGI, the program provides you with “reliable and verified performance data for rotary air compressors (5-200HP) and refrigerated air dryers (50-1000 scfm).”

And CAGI compares data, making it easier to read and understand one compressor vs. another through an efficiency rating value on its compressor data sheets – isentropic efficiency.

What is isentropic efficiency?

Utilizing isentropic efficiency is similar to using a Monroney window sticker when purchasing a new vehicle. For example, the Monroney sticker explains the projected miles per gallon of the vehicle, price, features, and other useful information that helps assist buyers when purchasing a new vehicle.

Isentropic efficiency incorporates operating pressure and greatly simplifies the process of comparing the efficiencies among several like-sized compressors each having slightly different full-load operating pressures. For example, for the same horsepower compressors, one sheet may show 125 psi operating pressure and another may show 130 PSIG, so comparing isentropic helps equalize the comparison. This video, developed by CAGI, explains how specific power is converted to isentropic efficiency.

Elevated can help provide CAGI data

If you’re considering an air compressor, your sales engineer can provide information about it, including comparing it to other compressors. For more information, talk with us about your compressed air system needs. We have specialists available to assist you with calculations, installation, pricing, and more.