Blake Parker
Director of Shop Operations Hi-Speed Industrial Service
“My goal is ensuring we maintain the health of our clients’ businesses while keeping them profitable.”
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Blake Parker serves as the Director of Motor Shop Operations for Hi-Speed Industrial Service at its Millington, TN location. In this role, he is responsible for leading the electro-mechanical repair operations including the repair, sales and service of electric motors, pumps, gearboxes, fans, blowers and other industrial electro-mechanical equipment, as well as leading the company’s delivery of predictive maintenance services including vibration, infrared, ultrasonics and other preventive and predictive services. His goals include providing superior service to address client needs while helping to develop his fellow team members.
CASE STUDY: CHEMICAL PLANT SYNCRONOUS MOTOR FAILURE DOWNTIME IMPROVEMENT FROM TEN WEEKS TO THIRTEEN DAYS
Blake received a phone call from a chemical plant customer, informing him that one of their large motors had failed. For over 30 years, this motor supplied uninterrupted service to a pipeline used by multiple customers. Blake worked quickly to get the motor into the repair shop. The motor was a synchronous pedestal bearing machine with bearings mounted separately from the frame. Because these are typically built in place, they cannot easily be swapped out.
While these machines are better quality and last longer, they also take longer and are more expensive to repair. The synchronous rotor in the motor had failed, and the lead time given to repair the motor was 10 weeks. Edge-wound rotors take significant time to repair properly. During this time, the chemical plant was trucking material into the plant to keep the pipeline supplied and was losing tens of thousands of dollars per day.
The plant had a spare pedestal bearing machine for another location, but it was a different size and had a different mounting configuration. Blake worked with the customer to design a new transition base and to adapt the pedestals and stator to the mounting configuration. The stator frame also had to be modified to fit the opening in the floor. The transition base measured 20 feet long by 10 feet wide and was 1-1/2” thick. Blake found the material and a machine shop that could do the machining. The entire plate was surface planed for flatness, holes for the stator and vents were cut with a water jet, and the 2-1/2” bolt holes were drilled and tapped to build the steel into something that could be used as a base for the spare motor.
Blake also worked with a crane company to develop a rigging plan in order to hoist the motor through the roof of the chemical plant at odd angles due to limited clearance. He led the field service team that installed the base, welded it into place, and subsequently installed the motor. Blake assisted with designing a plan to reroute the airducts for cooling, re-route the oil supply and drain lines, and re-route the electrical connections. Additionally, a new coupling had to be manufactured from raw steel, put into place, and the entire machine aligned.
While the initial time estimate was ten weeks, which would have resulted in a loss of $2M+ for the chemical plant, Blake worked diligently to get the job done in just 13 days. Ultimately, even with the cost of modifications, the chemical plant lost only $500,000 – a 75% reduction from the initially estimated loss. Once the motor was operational, the chemical plant said the machine ran better than any of its predecessors. The vibration was a third of the level experienced by the previous machine.
PREVIOUS EXPERTISE
Blake has 12 years of experience in the electro-mechanical repair business. Prior to joining Hi-Speed, he served in a number of technical, management and leadership positions in the electro-mechanical equipment industry in Texas and Louisiana. Most recently, he served as Director of Field Services and Hydro Power Generation General Manager for Integrated Power Services, where he was responsible for national operations in IPS’ Field Service and Hydro Power divisions. He was responsible for guidance and standardization of the field service organization at all IPS locations. He guided and directed training, equipment, reporting, technician ratings, and customer expectations. Prior to that, he served at IPS in roles such as Southern Region Mechanical Engineer, area General Manager, Shop Superintendent, and Continuous Improvement Manager. Blake also served as Western Region Service Manager and Texas Area Manager with Colfax Fluid Handling. He began his career in the industry with Eastman Chemical Company as a Rotating Equipment Mechanic. Blake takes pride in finding innovative solutions to both challenging projects and complex repairs.
EDUCATION
Blake earned his undergraduate degree in industrial technology from Southern Illinois University’s College of Engineering and went on to earn his MBA from LeTourneau University. He has also earned associate of applied science degrees from Texas State Technical College in facilities engineering and management as well as industrial maintenance and engineering technology.
INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Blake is an active member of several national committees including the Texas State Technical College Advisory Board; the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-Petroleum and Chemical Industry Committee (IEEE-PCIC); and the Electric Power Research Institute Large Electric Motor Users Group (EPRI LEMUG).
WHAT SETS HIM APART
Blake is an engineer focused on delivering exceptional reliability, efficiency, and total cost of ownership to the end user. He enjoys working in the field and is proud to have worked from the ground up to learn world-class repair techniques. His time in the motor industry has provided him with strong mechanical and electrical abilities. Blake has tackled challenges from high volts/mil winding designs, to rotating equipment vibration issues with great success. His experience as a customer (Eastman Chemical) and general manager allow him to appreciate the cost/value necessary when deciding upon maintenance and repair philosophies. His ability to act as a technical resource to sellers sets him apart from competition. He is excellent at controlling production volume, cost, and quality of production while meeting schedules and delivery dates – as well as stimulating maximum efficiency and productivity while maintaining budgetary limitations.