AMETEK MRO Drake Air, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, received the prestigious Lux Award* for operational excellence. Drake Air embarked on a 12 month+ effort to streamline and improve all operational procedures.

The initiative involved forty-four dedicated team members who dynamically restructured Drake Air’s customer support strategy which relieved pressure on customer supply chains and enabled the MRO to diversify their repair portfolio allowing for expansion across all markets and platforms.

“From an internal and external perspective, winning this award is important as it shows Drake Air is taking the necessary steps to continuously improve. This benefits customers through cost savings, increased capabilities, expanded offerings, greater agility, and innovation,” says David Bentley, Divisional Vice President & Business Manager, Drake Air.

AMETEK MRO AEM in Ramsgate secured the second annual Elizabeth R. Varet Sustainability Award**. To win this award, AMETEK divisions submitted the best initiatives from across their businesses that make the most meaningful impact toward protecting the environment. Submissions were judged on their ability to achieve positive impacts on energy efficiency, water reduction, and/or waste management.

Andy Wheeler, VP & Managing Director of AMETEK MRO AEM explains that AEM won the award for its Vacuum Evaporation of Hazardous Waste Effluent. “The team at AEM installed a closed loop evaporation and reverse osmosis system to reuse effluent that is generated by a plating process. This project resulted in a $2.6M cost saving to date compared to disposing of hazardous waste offshore. Additionally, this project helps reduce hazardous waste by 192 tons and recycle over 47,000 gallons of water annually.”

“We have thereby reduced our reliance on third parties and taken ownership of the process,” Wheeler affirms. “AEM have identified further room for improvement in 2023, with the possible purchase of another filter press.  In addition, the equipment has been designed with a view to futureproof the business by adding another reverse osmosis membrane.  This could then process double the amount of water.”

“AEM is committed to sustainable business practices,” he adds, saying that as well as wastewater optimization, other initiatives include the installation of occupancy light detection, process adjustment to eliminate unnecessary energy utilization, and the use of paperless component maintenance manuals.