Hitachi’s resource-saving innovation
Helping customers reuse rather than waste
Sustainability at means leveraging technology and innovation to increase efficiency and productivity in a way that reduces the impact on our environment. In particular, environmental sustainability is a focal part of operations, products and services. An example of how Hitachi Global Air Power can improve sustainability is demonstrated by its innovative Air End Rebuild Centres.
An Air End is the heart of an air compressor. Like any hard-working machine, it is susceptible to wear and tear. However, with the expertise of Hitachi Global Air Power’s specialised air end technicians, these components can be refurbished, restoring them to an optimal, like-new condition. This refurbishment process ensures that the air end can be re-used for many more years.
Hitachi Global Air Power operates four Air End Centres across Australia, strategically located in Melbourne, Perth, Mackay, and Newcastle. These centres offer national support, ensuring comprehensive coverage and assistance to customers across the country.
“Restoring the Air end of a compressor, rather than discarding it and replacing with new, is good for both our customers and the planet,” says Steven Cowburn, General Manager - Customer Service at Hitachi Global Air Power.
“A large series air end, for example, weighs about two tonnes. To make a new one consumes a great deal of resources when you consider the mining of the raw material, casting and forging of components, precision machining and finishing. When you refurbish you already have the majority of what you need, you just have to bring it back up to the original manufacturing standard.”
Hitachi is agnostic about the brand of air ends they work with and hires highly-skilled technicians across the country, offering the best service and support.
It’s a highly specialised technical process that involves, in simple terms, disassembly of the air end, cleaning and inspecting every part and then assessing what internal parts can be re-used, and what consumables need to be replaced – typically, bearings, seals and hoses. It is then reassembled, tested and repainted ready for the customer.
Sustainability starts with the customer
In order to refurbish an air end, you have to take it out, transport it to a centre and go through the refurbishment process, which might take several weeks. It then has to be sent it back to the customer and be reinstalled.
“This means the equipment could be out of operation for around two months. That’s significant for our customers – because as we know, time is money.” Steve explains.
So, Hitachi Global Air Power had to think about how to solve this problem. The answer came in the form of an Service Exchange Air End program. Service Exchange Air End program.
“We provide the customer with an air end that we've already refurbished. We take the customer’s old air end in exchange which in turn is refurbished for the next customer. Change over following this process can take less than 1 week” Steven says.
A more sustainable world
Hitachi Global Air Power’s operations are contributing to a more sustainable planet – not only by saving the metal and other resources, and cutting CO2 emissions from the manufacturing process, but the air miles needed to ship such heavy equipment that is manufactured overseas.
“We are always striving to find better ways to keep on the path of being a lower emission company,” says Steve.
“We’re helping the world while also running a successful business refurbishing these air ends.”
