MISTRAS Ropeworks Training News and Features

22 Jan

The New Year Brings Change Within the Ropeworks Equipment Team

We hope this message finds you well in the new year. Within the Ropeworks Equipment team, the new year brings change. As of January 1, Jason Niedzielski will be leaving his post as Equipment Manager to take on a new challenge within the MISTRAS Services team. We are pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Shumaker to a new expanded Equipment and Training Sales Development Manager role. Jason Shumaker brings with him over ten years of experience in work-at-height equipment and training sales. He comes from a diverse background in the work-at-height industry with experience in the rope access, wind, telecommunication and rescue markets. Jason is a graduate of the University of Utah and holds his SPRAT certification from none other than Ropeworks.

We are committed to excellent customer service and delivery on your equipment orders will continue to be received and shipped by the Equipment Team in Reno, NV. Please feel free to reach out to Jason for any of your equipment or training needs. As always, you can reach Jason at equipment@ropeworks.com or jshumaker@ropeworks.com.

News, Equipment, Training Go to Ropeworks Equipment
Dallas Reunion Tower
10 Jan

Lighting Up the Night in Dallas

MISTRAS Rope Access & Mechanical teams will be returning to Dallas, Texas this fall for additional work on the famed Reunion Tower. The team was last onsite in 2011 to install a lighting system, including changing over 300 lights that coordinate for the monument’s famous light show. After 6 years of trouble-free operations Greg Kaminskis, RA Team Leader, and Alex Steel, RA Technician, will return for a brief maintenance project on the light system. Other maintenance scopes are in the development stage for the monument including a full light replacement in the coming years.

Iconic Structure Services, News Iconic Structure Services
MidAmerican Blade Repairs
MidAmerican Blade Repairs2
3 Jan

MidAmerican Blade Repairs, Des Moines, Iowa

The MISTRAS Rope Access Team began work on four large wind energy sites in the Des Moines, Iowa area for new customer MidAmerican Energy this summer. We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the largest owners of wind farms in the United States and the first phase of the repairs has been a success. “The team completed their scope of work early,” said Mark Jeratowski, Maintenance Manager at MidAmerican Energy. “I look forward to having your crews back at my site(s) in 2018. [MISTRAS] has provided us a fantastic team for this project!”

“The project includes over 100 major blade repairs, said Caleb Vesely,” Project Manager. “The large-scale repair project, employing five rope access fiberglass repair teams, is anticipated to run through October.” Building on over a decade of experience working with many of the major blade manufacturers, MISTRAS blade specialists have seen nearly every type of blade damage. Through this experience MISTRAS technicians have developed innovative repair methods that prolong the lifespan of field repairs.

Because Rope Access Technicians don't rely upon lifts or cranes to access the turbine blades, the team was able to quickly evaluate the real extent of damages, advise the customer on a repair plan and provide expedient service. The Project Managers also advised the customer on a plan to get the asset back online in the case that immediate repairs were not possible.

MidAmerican is currently compiling a repair plan for the 2018 season. “Our team is working closely with MidAmerican to identify the best repair & maintenance schedules while also evaluating the best solution for leading edge protection in this region,” said Alex Steel, Rope Access Business Development. “By taking a proactive approach to leading erosion issues, blade repairs will have a longer life with increased productivity. The overall performance of each turbine will improve the ROI for the farm, subsequently benefiting those who are receiving power from the turbines.”

Wind Energy Services, News Wind Energy Services