Richard L. Dunn, Editor, Plant Engineering magazine
Articles
Making up for lost raises
After several years of unimpressive increases (in fact, overall average income dropped slightly from 2001 to 2002), average compensation for plant engineers jumped sharply in 2004. Both salaries and bonuses showed nice progress. Average total compensation was up by 12.6% ($9706) over 2003. Average salary increased 5.
S&C Electric Co. John R. Conrad Industrial Complex
Driving down Ridge Blvd. in the Rogers Park neighborhood on Chicago's north side, one could hardly imagine the industrial activity taking place on the other side of the wrought-iron fence. Such was John R. Conrad's vision when he began operations there in 1949. And it has been successfully executed by S&C's plant and facilities engineering function ever since.
Getting into e-learning for workforce training
As the shortage of skilled workers grows and the complexity of industrial jobs increases, new methods are being developed to provide the training these workers need. The field of e-learning is at the forefront of this effort.
Plant floor coatings review
The types and variations of floor coatings for industrial use today are bewildering. Even if you're a knowledgeable chemist, it's hard to sift through the plethora of names, properties, and recommended applications. Even so, a little knowledge can go a long way in talking with suppliers and installers.
Predictive Maintenance Technologies
The start of predictive maintenance (PdM) may have been when a mechanic first put his ear to the handle of a screwdriver, touched the other end to a machine, and pronounced that it sounded like a bearing was going bad. We've come a long way since then with a variety of technologies for analyzing what's going on inside equipment, but the need for a knowledgeable, experienced person to use the ...
Contracting for maintenance excellence
When AK Steel built a new greenfield plant at Rockport, IN, it was faced with a daunting challenge: Establish and continue the highest possible levels of plant maintenance from day one. The solution was innovative: Build a top-flight maintenance organization quickly by contracting for maintenance services, and base the contract on performance.
How to buy a lift truck
Like any other type of complex industrial equipment, lift trucks can present a real challenge when it comes time to replace an existing unit or add a new one. With the seemingly endless number of models and options available, it can be a daunting process. But those who buy fork lifts on a regular basis agree that a systematic approach can ease the job and prevent mistakes.
Benchmarking maintenance
When you start feeling good about yourself, it's time to benchmark." That's a rule of thumb from Bob Schmalbach, chairman of the Foundation for Industrial Maintenance Excellence and a retired plant engineering consultant for Dupont.
Foundations for maintenance excellence
For most plant engineers, maintenance excellence is an elusive goal.