At Industrial Kiln & Dryer Group, we don't just grind, we resurface. This isn't just a name change; it's a revolution in industrial maintenance. Fueled by a commitment to innovation, quality, and safety, we’ve revamped our grinding services as Resurfacing, an approach that prioritizes equipment longevity and operational efficiency.

Trent Jones, Resurfacing Team Manager, explains the difference between grinding and resurfacing, “Grinding is what the machine does… they [the team] are resurfacing the trunnions and the tires… saving on the life of the unit.”

The appointment of a dedicated leader for the Resurfacing Team was a key element of the Revamp. Jones’s leadership has simplified communication and, since he’s taken on many of the administrative duties like sourcing parts and materials, has allowed the crew to focus fully on the quality of their work. As the team adjusts to the new dynamic, he says, “The more structured we can make it, the better these jobs are going to go. They’re going to be faster and, more importantly, safer.”

As for the equipment, we’ve taken it into our own hands, literally. We use the same machine design for every job, and we’ve customized the design to be safer and more efficient. Standardizing the equipment will simplify maintenance, streamline training, and ultimately lead to more efficient and effective job execution. Brent Stansell, Southeast District Manager responsible for the equipment upgrade, anticipates “more consistent jobs with better quality”.
“Our equipment is top-of-the-line and is always evolving,” Jones adds. As the team gains experience with the new technology, they identify opportunities for improvement. He mentions, “We already have a few changes in process.” Currently, the team is about to enter Revision Two of the equipment upgrades where changes our engineers and crew have recommended will be made.

This focus on continuous improvement extends beyond the equipment itself. We’ve introduced dedicated trailers for our resurfacing team, providing them with a secure workspace. With their equipment safely housed, and Wi-Fi access readily available, the team can operate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. As Mike Cain, East Coast Division Manager, aptly put it, “We by far have the nicest resurfacing trailer.” Cain is technical advisory for the Revamp, focusing on policies and procedures of grinding.

A renewed focus on training and the basics of a good job has ignited a transformation in our resurfacing work. Jason Mersmann, Training Coordinator, explains, “With resurfacing, a good job is, first of all, the safety of the crew on-site, and then to make sure the quality of the job is done correctly.” The team is taking more measurements than ever and using them to guide their work and ensure the high quality required for a good job. To achieve unmatched precision, we utilize advanced measuring tools. The TomTom-Tool Measuring Wheel, with its +/- 0.5 mm accuracy on the taper, and the straight edge machine, with a tolerance of .00005, guarantee absolute flatness.

The results speak for themselves. These improvements are evident in the detailed quality checks we conduct after each job, as well as through collaborative end-of-job meetings where IKD and the customer work together to ensure the work meets expectations. Cain confidently states, “We’ve absolutely seen noticeable, trackable improvement in our resurfacing field crew across the board.”

Grinding is often a band-aid solution. Our Resurfacing Team goes deeper. We use the process as a diagnostic tool, investigating other factors. Mersmann elaborates, “They’re going to be looking at gear/pinion mesh, they’re going to be looking at tire pad systems, so, for us, resurfacing, a lot of times, is going to be a first step to try to solve why they have problems to begin with.”

Unlike competitors who may focus on quick fixes, we prioritize long-term solutions. Our proactive approach, combined with open communication, helps us identify and address the root cause of equipment issues before they escalate.

We're not just aiming to meet industry standards; we're setting them. Our goal is to be the undisputed leader in resurfacing services, providing innovative solutions that consistently exceed our customers' expectations. With an unwavering focus on quality, safety, and customer satisfaction, we are confident in our ability to achieve this ambitious vision.

Stansell said it best, “Nobody out there really does it like we do.”

To schedule your resurfacing work or to speak to a rotary equipment specialist, call us at 877-316-6140 or email [email protected]