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The Heart of our Industry
P&S Managing Editor Alex Ferretti and I had the pleasure of spending a day this week at the Geiger Smith-Koch Mid-Atlantic Pump & Process Equipment Symposium in Aston, PA. What an absolute BLAST!
Not only did we get to take apart and assemble a centrifugal pump, a magnetic drive pump, mechanical seals and a rotary gear pump, but we got to hang out with some of the coolest and most fascinating pump guys around.
Even though we had to endure a little Big Ten football conversation when I wanted to talk SEC, it was fantastic spending time with the guys who really make a difference in the pump plants. These are the people most of us never get to meet, but they are the heart and soul of our industry . . . the people who work tirelessly and expertly to repair your pumps when they are down. I was really impressed with their knowledge of the innerworkings of the equipment and their expertise in the details of their craft.
Thanks to Ernie, Dave, Steve, Carmen, Toby, John, Chris, Kelly, Brian and all the great folks involved with the symposium. And especially thanks to Leigh and Henry Peck for allowing us the opportunity to participate in such a fun and informative hands-on event. Thanks, too, to Mark, Xander, Blair, Matt and all the other guys on my assemble teams who patiently endured all my questions, guided me through the process, kept me from damaging the equipment (and myself) and let me use the hammer!
September 27th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
This was the first time I’d been to the Mid-Atlantic Pump & Process Equipment Symposium in a while. It was the very first I’d been to as an attendee. It was nice to see all the familiar faces as well as the new ones. If anyone thinks this symposium is just another vendor sales gimmick, they are sadly mistaken. This was quality hands-on training by people who know their stuff and will find you the answer if they don’t know it. Whether you’re new to a job where pumps and process equipment are involved, or if you’ve been working with this stuff your entire life, you’ll get something good out of it. Great training, great food, great cold “beverages”, great people.
One thing I noticed that I haven’t noticed at other symposiums or expos was the computer area which was set up for attendees to check in with the office, check email, etc. I thought that was a nice touch. Also, now that I’m disabled, I couldn’t help but notice how conveniently everything was located, and how helpful the staff was to make sure my needs (as well as everyone else’s) were met. I really appreciate that. Thanks to the staff for a worth while day “at the office”.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Greetings from Geiger! And thanks for the kind words! And, of course, it is great having P&S at our event, or any time.
You are right on! We, the leading pump people, could be much better, if we reached out to the broader business community, the heart and soul of our industry. That is what our Symposium is all about. Over just a few years, thousands of our friends have invested a day with us, enthusiastically making a difference. It is very rewarding, as you can imagine.
I am thrilled with my organization. I know we are indeed making a difference, starting with every person being engaged in our collective goals and recognizing that it is contagious- you’all know what I mean!