Engineering Laboratory Switches to a Reliable Compressed Air Supplier

After becoming frustrated with unreliable air compressors, poor support, and low-quality compressed air, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) decided to rely on Rogers for all their compressed air needs.

Customer Background

Since 1984, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) has specialized in creating digital products and systems that protect, control, and automate power systems around the world. This technology provides a vital service by preventing blackouts and improving power system reliability and safety at a reduced cost. Headquartered in Pullman, Washington, SEL is a 100% employee-owned company whose products are manufactured in the United States, but serve customers worldwide.

Avoiding Costly Downtime

Rogers first heard from SEL in 2011, when they were experiencing problems with one of their compressors. Issues included having trouble getting technicians to come out and experiencing long lead times on parts. One of their compressors had two air end failures and two motor failures. When the air end failed a third time, the original compressor manufacturer denied warranty coverage one month out of their original factory warranty. SEL knew they needed an honest, reliable, and responsive supplier they could count on, and that's when we received a request from Schweitzer's purchasing department for help.

We visited their headquarters to perform a site inspection and found that all of their compressors were oil-lubricated. After further investigation, we found that repairing the failed compressor would not be cost-effective due to the air end bearing failure, which caused oil to contaminate and destroy the main drive motor.

The Solution: Oil-Free Air

We were first requested to quote a replacement oil-free air compressor, which led to SEL installing their first KNW Series oil-free compressor in 2011.

The results exceeded expectations. In fact, they were so impressed with the performance of their new oil-free compressor, the excellent service, and the quality of the compressed air, that Rogers became their approved supplier for all compressed air equipment and services.

Since then, we have provided 14 Rogers KNW compressors to SEL, all paired with receivers and ZEKS Compressed Air Solutions cycling air dryers. The most recent installation marked the last oil-lubricated compressor at their facility replaced with Rogers Machinery Company KNW Series Oil-Free Air Compressors . SEL is now operating 100% with Rogers equipment throughout their manufacturing facilities in Pullman Washington, Lewiston Idaho, and Moscow Idaho.

Other than the oil-free compressor system, we were also able to provide SEL with dry claw vacuum packages for their test facility and Powerex Scroll compressors for various other applications.

Since switching to using Rogers for their compressed air, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories has been extremely happy with our products, level of service and our people, and plan on continuing to work with us for future compressed air needs.

Are you looking for better service and reliability from your compressed air and vacuum supplier? Contact us today.