Wescom is a part of many incredible industries including, mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, transportation, OEM’s, water & wastewater, and utility. We continue to see the never-ending need for upgrades and maintenance to industrial facilities electrical and automation/instrumentation infrastructure. The demand is high as we support facilities that have been around for 100+ years providing to our economy and community. With the recent nationwide reports of an “industrial recession,” we are working towards solutions that continue to support our clients, industries and regions. As facilities look to move forward, Wescom continues to be a solution for our clients’ challenges.
What is Wescom working on in the industrial industry and doing to combat that challenges we are being faced within the market?
One of the key contributors to current challenges we are being faced with is the constant demand and need for a qualified workforce. As employee retention continues to be a challenge with our industrial clients, Wescom continues to receive frequent requests for embedded automation technicians, electricians and mechanics. It is frequently shared that the largest challenge is getting employees to show up. This is exactly where automation upgrades can assist the industry. As many of us state, “Automation does not call in sick!” We have now provided multiple clients with qualified embedded employees to support their facilities and operations. When clients are provided with technicians that first show up and second, have the skillset required, we can then focus on their production and increasing output. The results of providing embedded employees to our clients have shown eliminating their need for employee training/onboarding, providing focus to their current operations team, and allowing Wescom to get a deeper understanding of their facility and operations when downtime matters most. One of our clients recently shared that it took (40) facility hires to get to (5) qualified personnel! The costs and time associated to these hires have great impact on operations and their capital budget.
When it comes to equipment, technology continues to improve and change- typically, on a daily basis! Our automation team recently completed a full PLC/HMI upgrade for a material handling facility in Northern Minnesota. Previous to this upgrade, the challenge our client faced was limited personnel knowledge and experience for loading their trucks. By upgrading this PLC/HMI system and putting safety measures in place, their material loading procedure has now allowed for additional personnel to operate the equipment while filling trucks, eliminating the need for one of the key personnel to be onsite while loading. This system has also allowed for easier troubleshooting, improved reporting and simplified their operational process while also putting safety measures in place. With safety as a key focus in all our clients’ goals, we are able to eliminate risks and hazards by utilizing automation solutions where previously presented personnel risks.
Wescom also continues to support our industrial clients with our UL508A panel shop. When completing site assessments and continuing to experience equipment obsolescence, our UL panel shop has shipped over 1,000 panels to clients all across the country. By providing new and up-to-date equipment, we help limit facility downtime and focus on improving production. Our panels are being utilized for everything from facility upgrades to full facility builds.
In order to support the industrial market, we need to look at how can we improve operations that have been in place for hundreds of years. We will always have a demand for a qualified workforce and continue to highlight this with our local communities and schools. Second, how can we take good processes within the industry and make them GREAT? Much of this revolves around operations, safety and facility equipment. We are proud to be a team that continues to provide a safe and qualified work force, equipment solutions and support facilities that have been around for hundreds of years.
Safety Moment
Being Intentional with Your Actions
When completing your scope of work, it’s crucial to be intentional with every action in order to remain safe. Rushing or working without focus can lead to mistakes that jeopardize safety. By staying present and mindful, you can reduce the risk of accidents and ensure the task is completed correctly the first time. Before starting any task, pause to review your work plan, identify potential hazards and ensure you’re using the right tools and PPE for the job. This deliberate approach not only protects you but also safeguards your coworkers and the overall project. Safety starts with intentional, thoughtful action!