Erin Long, Author at Imperial Systems, Inc.

Welcome to Dusty Jobs Podcast

by Erin Long | Jan 27, 2020 | Uncategorized

This is the first episode of our monthly podcast on industry safety and dust collection. In this episode Donovan and Justin go over some of the topics that we will cover on in future episodes. They talk safety, products, news and more. Also they mention the industry leaders that will be guests on the show as well as some on-site recordings at different trade shows. We are all very excited about the future episodes and can’t wait for you to hear them. Breathe Better, Work Safer.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to the Dusty Jobs podcast from Imperial Systems, industry knowledge to make your job easier and safer.

DONOVAN: Hello, welcome to the Dusty Jobs podcast; this is our very first podcast. Today we are in Mercer, Pennsylvania at Imperial Systems headquarters. I’m sitting here with Justin Badger: how are you doing, Justin?

JUSTIN: Doing pretty good. I’m excited about this.

DONOVAN: Excited about our first podcast. For those of you who don’t know about Imperial Systems, we are a dust and fume collection equipment company. Justin, tell them what our mission statement is here.

JUSTIN: Our mission is to improve the health, safety, and quality of people’s lives by building the best dust and fume collectors on Earth.

DONOVAN: That’s right, and we’ve been doing that for 18 years now in the industry. We’ve been building products, helping install things…

JUSTIN: Absolutely.

DONOVAN: Helping people with full installations down to just replacement parts. We’ve been doing that for 18 years.

JUSTIN: Yeah, we’re excited in this podcast. That’s what we’re going to talk a lot about. We’re going to talk a lot about dust collection and how we can and how we do improve people’s lives.

DONOVAN: Right.

JUSTIN: By cleaning the air, basically.

DONOVAN: We’re going to be going beyond that, too.

JUSTIN: Absolutely. We have plans to talk about a lot of environmental health and safety topics, including many different OSHA-related things… ladder safety and compliance, and combustible dust safety.

DONOVAN: But it’s not going to be just you and me talking about this. We’re going to have other people on. Industry experts, going to some on-location places to meet up with some people to talk about different topics.

JUSTIN: We do different trade shows. We’ll be at GEAPS in March and have a couple of episodes that we’re going to record there about different topics that are related to the grain market. We’ll also do FABTECH, which is a metals manufacturing and fabrication show; we do that one every November. It’s in Las Vegas this year, so we’re really excited to have some industry experts, either environmental health and safety like we talked about before, or other machinery or equipment safety. So we have a lot of different ideas we’d like to talk about on this show. But how can people contribute on their own?

DONOVAN: Well, we’ve got a lot of different ways you’re going to be able to help tell us what you guys would like to hear. We’re going to get to those at the end of the podcast. But right now… what do you do here, Justin? What’s your role here at Imperial?

JUSTIN: I’m the national sales and marketing manager.

DONOVAN: There you go. My name’s Donovan Karki, and I’ll be helping to cohost this podcast. I do sales here at Imperial Systems, so now you know a little more about what we do and maybe a little bit more about what Imperial does. Like we said, we build products here, and I think Justin’s going to give us a little bit of a rundown on a brief equipment line of what we have. We’re not going to be talking about this all the time, but at least you know what we’re doing.

JUSTIN: We make a lot of different dust collection equipment. Some of our main pieces of equipment, of course there’s the CMAXX Dust and Fume Collector. That’s our flagship product. If you’ve heard of Imperial Systems before, you probably know the CMAXX dust collector. We also manufacture the BRF, which is a round baghouse, and a cyclone. We recently introduced the Shadow. We’re really excited about the Shadow dust collector, because there’s a lot of markets that it can fit into, such as laser cutting, like steel laser cutting, or robotic welding. I’m really excited about the robotic welding application because it’s growing. There’s not enough fabricators and stuff out there and a lot of companies are turning toward robots to fill that need, and when robots are doing the work they’re creating a lot of dust and fume, and the Shadow is perfect for filtering that dust in environmentally safety-conscious companies.

DONOVAN: Right, and we also handle other products. You know, for explosive dust, we have the Spark Trap, we have the Rhino Drum, we have… you know, just other accessories that go along with that. We can help with just about everything out there that’s in the dust collection world. I mean, what are all the things we help with? We can help with installation, we can help with product design…

JUSTIN: Absolutely. We are one of the only companies in the United States that can provide full turn-key solutions, from the initial quote to engineering and design to manufacturing the actual machinery, installing that machinery, and servicing the machinery on a follow-up.

DONOVAN: Now, we’re telling you about that because we want to let you know that we’re going to have people who cover all these topics coming on the podcast, talking about what they do. Everyone from installation to service techs to engineering aspects. And if you have any of those questions, you can let us know. You can let us know what you what you’d like to hear. We have industry leaders in all of those topics and all those categories that can come on and talk. What are some ways people could let us know about that? I know we’ve got an email address set up: it’s dustyjobspodcast@isystemsweb.com. Then we have social media… what are our social media sites?

JUSTIN: We’re on LinkedIn and Instagram, Facebook, Twitter… you can find us on any of those. DM us with some ideas we can do in future podcasts.

DONOVAN: Right.

JUSTIN: So one of the things I’m really excited about with this podcast is that most of the episodes are going to be on serious topics, but in the near future I’m really excited to have some people who have been in this industry for a long time, and if you’ve been in this industry long enough, there’s some pretty funny stories that they’ve done different dust collectors on, so that will be exciting to hear some of the history… I mean, thirty years ago, dust collection was done way different than it is today. It’ll be pretty interesting to learn a little bit about the history of dust collection…

DONOVAN: We even have some guys in our own shop that have been doing this for thirty years. They have some insight, have some stories, some things I’ve heard from them…

JUSTIN: There’s some interesting things that dust collectors are used on that people don’t even know about.

DONOVAN: Right.

JUSTIN: So it’s pretty cool. That’ll be a great episode to talk about, just a little light-hearted funny episode about some neat things.

DONOVAN: Yeah. I know one of the other episodes, we’re talking about having is possibly not just on the collector itself, but things that surround the collector. Safety… one of the topics we’ve just recently been talking about is ladder safety. I know we’re going to be covering some of that, and that can be really confusing at times.

JUSTIN: Absolutely.

DONOVAN: Different standards, OSHA and what it requires…

JUSTIN: Yeah, and one of the most important topics we’re going to cover is NFPA compliance for combustible dust. It is a hot topic right now, and with new regulations around dust hazard analysis, and then once you’ve done a dust hazard analysis, what do you do with that information for your needs in the future to make sure that you’re protecting your employees’ health and safety, your local community, and you know, the air we all breathe.

DONOVAN: It seems like weekly we’re reading stories, well, not weekly but monthly about some explosions that are happening because of just dust not being handled properly.

JUSTIN: We’re going to cover that for sure. It’s very important.

DONOVAN: We’re going to try to help get some information out there so that happens less.

JUSTIN: Yeah, that’s for sure. I’m looking forward to those ones.

DONOVAN: Yeah, and we’ve got a lot of other topics coming up. Like we said before, if you have anything you want to hear, let us know. We’re going to be excited to talk about those things. But as for today, I think that’s about all we have.

JUSTIN: Thanks for listening. We look forward to hearing from you about some different ideas.

DONOVAN: Drop us a line, let us know, look us up, and we’ll be coming back and hopefully talking on the things you guys want to hear about because you’ll let us know. Thanks for listening.

Thanks for listening to the Dusty Jobs podcast. Breathe better, work safer.

Imperial Systems Quarterly Newsletter | Issue 11

by Erin Long | Jan 24, 2020 | Uncategorized

Dusty Jobs 11 is here! We here from a few of our folks about FABTECH 2019 in Chicago as well as the yearly sales meeting we had while there. We tell you more about one of our latest products introduced at FABTECH. Charlie tells us about dressing the part and his tie collection, and we here from welder Bob Kocher. If you would like a printed hard copy of this issue, contact an Imperial Systems, Inc representative.

Click the cover to download and print the newsletter.

A Letter from our Marketing Team

As a marketing team, we put each newsletter together hoping it will be interesting and fun for you. While everyone knows that Charlie’s “Good Luck With That” is always the star of the show, we also like to focus on a member of our team each time. We know that without the team who helped build this company, none of us would be here today.

Some of these people who have been on the cover probably would have laughed when they started a decade ago at the idea of us having our own marketing department. Doing business has changed a lot in the 18 years since this company began. Today, the marketing team handles everything from logo designs and videos to blog posts and informational publications. We’re even getting ready to add a podcast to help draw new potential customers.

Take a moment, as you enjoy this newsletter, to see how far we’ve come with our marketing efforts. It’s a never‑ending task, keeping up with all the changes, but it’s also a challenge that keeps things interesting.

Be prepared to watch us keep growing in 2020! We have big ideas and big plans. You’ll be hearing Jeremiah and some industry leaders talking us through some podcasts, and you’ll get to enjoy Mitch’s dulcet tones narrating more of our “Not Just a Box” video series. We’re exploring all the ways possible to reach out to people.

We’ll always be a company that builds the best dust and fume collectors on Earth, but as we step into the future we also need to be a company that makes an impact and inspires confidence.

The Interview with Bob Kocher

by Erin Long | Jan 24, 2020 | Hidden from Archive

Bob has been in metalworking for 44 years. In his spare time he enjoys going to the dirt track and hunting. He also enjoys spending time with his grandkids and dogs.

Q: How long have you been at Imperial Systems?

Nine years. I’ve been doing metalworking for 44 years.

Q: Where did you start?

I started at a place in Sandy Lake, doing welding and fabrication. I was there for about 20 years, but then I got laid off there. I went to work at a place in Grove City that made testing equipment, and I was there for about 15 years. Got laid off again, found out this place was hiring, and filled out an application.

Q: What do you do when you’re not at work?

Watch my grandkids, cut wood, split wood… I like to go out to the dirt track and watch the races. My wife got me into that. Her father used to race.

Q: Anything else?

Well, I go hunting, like pretty much everybody around here. Didn’t see anything this year. Sometimes a couple of the neighbors will stop up and we’ll sit on the porch and talk.

Q: How many grandkids do you have?

I have three kids and four grandkids. The oldest is 22. Two of them are in the same class at school and people think they’re cousins, but people think they’re brother and sister.

Q: Any pets?

Yeah, I have three dogs.

Q: What else do you like to do?

That’s pretty much it. My life’s not very exciting. When I get home from work I mostly just feel like taking a nap. Especially when we get overtime and I come in early. That’s a little rough, but I’d rather come in early than stay late. I don’t like watching other people leave while I’m still here.

How do you like it here?

I like it. It’s a good place. It seems kind of crazy that this whole place is owned by one person. Most places, it’s a big corporation that owns it. Makes it kind of different here.

Good Luck With That: To Tie, or Not To Tie?

by Erin Long | Jan 24, 2020 | Hidden from Archive

Tony Bennet is into his nineties and still performing. He credits his popularity with the younger generation to the fact he wears a necktie. According to Tony, “You have to be different”. He always was a sharp dresser. Dhani Jones, retired NFL linebacker, likes to rock a bow tie. He said, “Just because you wear a bow tie doesn’t mean you’re a Nerd”. After his NFL career, Jones found a charity organization called “Bow Tie Cause” to raise money for various charitable causes. And Rick Kaplan of “The Kaplan Report” says, “Wearing a bow tie is a statement, almost an act of defiance.” These three men, all successful in unrelated fields, have something in common. They all like to wear neckties. But I fear this is no longer the norm today. The tie has gone the way of the Fedoras and Homburgs. In my younger days, a sharp-dressed man would never think of leaving home without one. Today they have been replaced with a ball cap. It makes me fear the haberdashers are becoming extinct.

When I began my career as a draughtsman there was a dress code. We all wore ties at the drawing boards. The only problem was, I didn’t know how to properly tie a necktie. My tie knots always looked half done. Then one of the older draftsmen took me aside and showed me the proper way to tie a Windsor knot. I’m still grateful to him today for teaching me that life skill. Button-down shirts, neckties, and dress slacks were the mandatory dress code for much of my career. Later, when I moved into engineering sales, a sports jacket was also required on sales calls. It didn’t matter if it was the hottest day of the year, it was mandatory to wear a jacket when meeting with a client. I can remember one client visit made with my boss. When we arrived, he donned a Navy-Blue Blazer that was pulled from beneath the seat of his car. He called it his “Power Jacket”. He was the boss. Who was I to doubt the sales energy emitting from his garb? Although it was not required in the office, many of the older sales engineers wore a sports jacket out of habit to work every day.

But somewhere in the mid-1980s, the dress codes changed. Jackets and ties were replaced by knit polo shirts with funny little logos embroidered on the left breast. Little griffins, or guys riding polo horses became the new norm. Neckwear became passé. A new generation was taking over the business world and with it, the dress codes were changing. And I changed right along with them. The comfort of polo shirts can seduce you, especially on hot summer days. Today neckties seem to be reserved for weddings, funerals, and maybe a holiday or two. I see a few older men like me that wear neckties to Sunday service. And except for a few individuals at the annual company Christmas party, I don’t think I have ever seen any of my coworkers wear a necktie.

A few years back I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to change my persona. I wanted to turn back time to the early days. I started to wear a necktie into the office every day. At the time I only had a few ties that I wore to weddings, funerals, and the occasional special event. But then I started to collect them. One of my favorite comedians was the late Harry Anderson. He once said, “Neckties satisfy man’s desire to dress in artwork”. This I can agree with. I’ve collected ties over the last several years and their designs range from the beautiful to the truly bizarre. I now have over 400 neckties and a few bowties as well. They cover just about any gambit you can imagine. I acquired most of these in used clothing stores. I rarely pay more than a dollar or two for a necktie. There is a special thrill to score a Jerry Garcia original in mint condition for .99 cents at Goodwill. My wife also scouts out unusual neckties for me. She has a flair for colors and patterns and when she finds something she knows I would like she picks it up. I even have a few friends who know of my fetish and occasionally bring me an unusual necktie they found.

Doctor Donald Wright, MD, MPH, is the former Head of Health Care Quality for OSHA. He is also a fan of wearing neckties. He said, “The more you look like an executive the better treated you are. It catches people by surprise.” Dhani Jones says, “When you wear a (bow) tie, doors open for you. Your posture is a little more erect. Your shoulders a little further back. It is all about the reestablishment of a gentleman.” I don’t disagree with either of these two men. I believe wearing a necktie adds to your professionalism. People notice you more when you wear a tie. This may be because tie-wearing has become so uncommon in today’s business environment.

But it could be that things are swinging back. I’m noticing more young boys wearing neckties to Sunday Services. Some high school athletic coaches are enforcing a dress code including neckties worn when their teams travel to other schools to compete. And I know of one young lad who liked to be a sharp-dressed tie wearer in his grade school years. When I see young boys wearing ties, I always comment on them because it makes you feel good to be complimented on your tie.

Of course, it is a personal preference to wear a tie. Going tieless does not diminish your skills in any way. Tiger Woods’ father once told him, “Just because you dress in a coat and tie doesn’t influence your intelligence”. That is true. You can be very successful in life and never wear a tie. But I would leave you with the wisdom of ZZ Top, “Every girl is crazy about a sharp dressed man”. If you don’t agree, well, good luck with that!

Shadow Compact Fume Extractor Newsletter Feature

by Erin Long | Jan 24, 2020 | Hidden from Archive

This year at FABTECH, the new Shadow Compact Fume Extractor made its debut. With a huge demand in the market for a compact, low profile option for noncombustible dust, the Shadow definitely got a lot of attention. People looking for Imperial Systems quality at a lower price point are paying attention.

The Shadow is appropriate for indoor use only and for noncombustible dust. With premium filters it is equipped to handle applications like laser cutting, light loading weld fumes, and robotic welding. The Shadow may also be available for other applications; talk to us about your dust and we can determine whether this is a good choice for you.

Because the Shadow has been specifically designed for noncombustible dust, it is safe to install inside your facility. It doesn’t require any of the extra safety devices that are needed for combustible dust. Some applications will require a fully equipped CMAXX with fire protection. Feel free to get in touch to find out if your application is suitable for a Shadow.

Like the CMAXX, the Shadow will feature the new DeltaMAXX Prime filters. The Shadow includes anti‑ramp lift rails, which prevent filters from ramping over each other during installation. It also features a lift rail door stop system. This prevents the door from being closed unless the lift rails are locked in position. The Sure-Stop System adds an extra layer of protection, with a door indexing bar that interacts with the filter pans so the door can only be closed with filters in place.

Many of the features on the Shadow have been perfected on the CMAXX and now appear on its new, smaller cousin. The high quality DeltaMAXX Prime filters and the on-demand pulse cleaning make sure the Shadow runs just as efficiently and protects your facility from harmful dust and fumes.

The Shadow is backed by our 15 year limited warranty, and support is provided by our experienced ServiceMAXX team.

To learn more about the Shadow Compact Fume Collector, click here.