by Keith White, Jr.
The Other Guys
Sometimes researching a manufacturing company to purchase goods from exposes marketing language that conveys an air of having “arrived,” as if the brand operates on a higher plane. The implication is that owning their products grants access to this exclusive realm of rarified air. This approach can feel off-putting, though the specific reason for this reaction can be difficult to articulate—the undeniable sentiment it evokes just feels off.
In industrial settings, fans designated as explosion-proof require careful consideration of which components meet the criteria to ensure safe operation in combustible environments.
Today, we spotlight a uniquely engineered swingout BIHS fan, custom-designed by our engineering team for an automotive plant in the Midwest. This fan features a quick-release access door positioned at 9 o’clock on the fan housing, with a flush interior surface that allows easy wheel access. Constructed with stainless steel AMCA C spark-resistant materials free of any silicone, grease-lubricated bearings, and precision laser cutting, it delivers exceptional efficiency and power without sacrificing durability and reliability. We also equipped this fan with a Formsprag backstop clutch to keep the wheel from rotating when not in operation.
The shipment of any industrial fan represents a crucial last step in the manufacturing process because the customer desires timely delivery and an undamaged product. In this video we explain AirPro’s two options for managing shipping.
In 2002, AirPro began with a toolbox and three engineers who faced many challenges—including welding: welding fell outside of our founders’ expertise. Because of this, our initial fan orders required partnerships with local weld shops, often resulting in quality below our standards. To address this, we hired a welder (who happened to be my uncle) and tasked our sales department with ensuring a consistent workload for him. Recognizing that welding expertise would drive our future success, we prioritized developing the best welders in the industry.
Tim Siverhus is no stranger to the industrial fan industry. This 20-year fan veteran has sold industrial fans since graduating from Minnesota State Mankato with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. And, despite owning two industrial fan companies in Southern California, he still finds time to captain sailing yachts. But let’s not jump ahead.
At AirPro, we take pride in designing and manufacturing custom fans tailored to our customers’ specific needs. The fan pictured in the video is still in production: but this gives us an opportunity to highlight some of the specialized features we integrate into our custom fan designs. AirPro designed this particular fan for an API 673 application.
Consistently manufacturing high-quality products for customers presents numerous challenges. So many things must come together at the right time; the planets of the industrial world must align perfectly to produce excellent products and service. That’s one of the things I love so much about working in this industry. As a company president, I prefer challenges over easy wins, because they help me to grow in my role. But, I also do not like losing. Therein lies the dichotomy, because losing refines us and points to the potential for improvement. The joy of winning feels less sweet without experiencing the misery of defeat once in a while. Just as sadness contrasts with joy and bad with good, losing gives meaning to winning.
