IPEC Blog

The Importance of Working with an Authorized Service Center for Troubleshooting Your Industrial Equipment

Written by Industrial Pump & Equipment | Aug 23, 2024 3:48:19 PM

What’s the difference between choosing an authorized service center (ASC) and an unauthorized service center for industrial equipment maintenance and troubleshooting? The difference is saving time and money or losing time and money. For plant operators working in highly competitive industries, diminished productivity and efficiency from choosing an unauthorized service center just isn’t an option. 

While using an unauthorized service center for industrial pump and compressor maintenance may seem like a good idea on the surface because of cost or convenience, such shops often lack the part inventory or expertise necessary to effectively service your equipment. This can lead  unauthorized service centers to substitute less than compatible parts, which can increase unplanned downtime and maintenance and decrease the overall quality of your final product. 

To help plant operators avoid these obstacles, let’s look at what plant operators need to know about authorized service centers and the benefits of choosing an ASC for your industrial equipment maintenance and troubleshooting. 

What is an authorized service center (ASC)? 

An authorized service center is recognized and certified by the OEM as a repair and maintenance provider specifically for that manufacturer’s pumps, compressors, or packaged solutions. Equipment distributors are commonly assigned this designation as a result of longstanding business relationships, and recognition as an ASC often requires shop technicians to undergo extensive training and education on the best practices for servicing a brand’s equipment. 

There are a couple of key components that make ASCs different from unauthorized service centers. First, because ASCs work closely with equipment manufacturers, they have a more direct line of communication with the brand’s customer service, sales, and technician representatives to help ASC technicians better access the resources necessary to complete work. 

Plus, ASCs have more experience servicing an OEM’s equipment in various in-field deployments, many of which may be in harsh or uncontrolled environments. The ability to conduct health audits or service checks on-site can be a significant benefit for plant operators in maintaining production and minimizing downtime. 

What are the benefits of partnering with an ASC?

Partnering with an ASC provides plant operators with several key benefits to maximize productivity and reduce maintenance costs, particularly when it comes to redoing work that may be completed incorrectly. Choosing an ASC to service and troubleshoot your industrial pumps and compressors also helps plant operators: 

  • Access original parts directly from the OEM. Unauthorized service centers may rely on after-market or refurbished parts. Such parts may not have the reliability and longevity necessary for superior performance in harsh or extreme deployments. ASCs have a direct line of access to OEM parts to ensure your equipment is using the right parts for the right application.
  • Communicate and collaborate with the manufacturer. ASCs have an established working relationship with OEMs. Not only can this help increase the delivery of parts and access to resources like schematics and design specs, it can also increase the quality of customer service for a more streamlined maintenance process. 
  • Leverage additional training and expertise. ASC technicians have a greater, in-depth working knowledge of how pumps and compressors work, their ideal operating conditions, and the best deployment applications to maximize efficiency and productivity. 
  • Conduct service and maintenance checks 24/7, 365. Many ASCs offer repair and troubleshooting services around the clock, which is key for plant operators in industries that operate on a 24-hour basis. ASCs will also perform on-site equipment audits, health checks, and service calls, regardless of the location.    

These value propositions all drive toward the same goal: helping plant operators maximize the reliability and consistency of their industrial equipment in service of revenue generation and growth. This is why choosing ASCs is a mission-critical consideration for companies looking to reduce maintenance costs and downtime. 

What makes IPEC a unique ASC?

IPEC is an authorized service center for multiple leading manufacturers of industrial equipment, including Fybroc, Sundyne and Milton Roy. With decades of experience as an exclusive distributor for these brands, we have the knowledge, capability, and resources to troubleshoot and optimize products in service of helping you grow your business. 

Our new, state-of-the-art shop houses a wide inventory of ready-to-ship parts, and our expert technicians can help plant operators service standalone pumps or compressors and complete packaged systems. Our expert technicians have decades of combined experience running service calls, health checks, and equipment audits, both on-site and in our shop. Plus, our teams are no stranger to helping companies across a range of industries troubleshoot pumps and compressors in a variety of uncontrolled production environments. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help keep your equipment running.