Weathering the storm at Philippines electronics plant

Imagine: a transformer failure results in a total power cut to your manufacturing plant, your back-up generators are simply not built to power your entire operations 24/7, and every minute that goes by costs you tens of thousands of dollars in overhead and lost production. Question: what are you going to do? Answer: choose the fastest, most reliable, and most cost-effective solution. Preferably from a trusted partner with a track record of going the extra mile, even in the middle of a typhoon! In other words, you choose Atlas Copco Rental. 

A total power blackout is bad enough for any manufacturing facility. Especially when the damages can easily run into the millions of dollars per day. But for it to happen to our customer, their electronics plant in the middle of a typhoon is extremely bad luck. For it meant that technical service providers in the region were stretched extremely thin, posing a significant hurdle to getting things back up and running.

Even without the typhoon, navigating the very specific safety, electrical, mechanical, and logistical constraints of the customer’s plant in Carmona in the Philippines was always going to be a challenge. Local technicians were proving extremely hard to come by. So in order to fast-track the installation, we worked together with the customer’s fixed contractor and even trained them in synchronizing the multiple units to supply the precise capacity required. 

Delivering a maximum output of 550Kva each, the 2 Atlas Copco QAS550 power modules we proposed, were more than capable of supplying the required 800 kW of power safely, reliably, and efficiently. However, at Atlas Copco Rental, we pride ourselves on delivering more than just state-of-the-art equipment; but a fully working solution. So in the absence of available in-house technicians, our local team at Atlas Copco Philippines searched far and wide for a third party contractor with the necessary expertise and qualifications. In the end, a supplier was found who was well versed in Atlas Copco equipment and the 2 modules were delivered, installed, synchronized and commissioned in just 8 days! Well ahead of schedule and despite one of the most spiteful typhoons to hit the Philippines in years. 

The best indicator of customer satisfaction, however, is repeat business. Which is why we’re pleased to note that a second project is already ongoing with the same customer, providing back-up compressed air during the planned maintenance of their on-site compressors and repairs to their chiller.

The unlucky coincidences that set this project in motion may be rare. But it’s reassuring to know that even when that “perfect storm” hits, you can still count on Atlas Copco Rental to navigate the treacherous conditions and steer your project to a successful conclusion!

• Nathan Nofuente
  Nathan.nofuente@atlascopco.com

At Atlas Copco, we have been turning industrial ideas into business-critical benefits since 1873. By listening to our customers and knowing their needs, we deliver value and innovate with the future in mind. 

Great ideas reinforce sustainable development. At Atlas Copco Specialty Rental, we team up with our customers to set up state-of-the-art temporary air, flow, steam and nitrogen solutions. Our passionate experts have extensive application and equipment knowledge. We understand our customers' needs and can provide a total solution for any industry, no matter if it is for emergencies or planned projects. We are a division of the Power Technique business area, headquartered in Boom, Belgium and offer specialty rental solutions under several brands around the globe.