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As the world continues to face increasing environmental challenges, companies are looking for ways to reduce their emissions and become more sustainable. And yet, when company leaders were surveyed, 90 percent agree there should be a sustainability strategy in place, but only 60 percent actually have one. The main reason why companies are not acting on sustainability strategies is twofold: it doesn’t fit their business case and they don’t know how to measure impact.
Keith Lambert — a pollution control expert and president of Oxidizers Inc. — has a passion for the environment and the importance of protecting it. “I’ve seen companies start with good intentions, but the heart of the business can get lost if you’re not always intentional and purposeful,” he shares.
Lambert started Oxidizers with a clear purpose in mind: to help businesses reduce their emissions and become more sustainable. Oxidizers provides oxidation and mechanical services that bring knowledge and insight to each one of their customers, helping them reduce their emissions with cost-effective solutions. Over the years, the company has evolved from being primarily focused on service and maintenance to now supplying new equipment as well.
The main challenge: production demand
One of the biggest challenges Oxidizers’s customers face is balancing production demand with the need for proper maintenance and care. “It’s a vicious circle,” Lambert says. “Without production, no one works, and without proper maintenance, equipment breaks down.”
Many companies focus on production at all costs, which can lead to a culture that does not prioritize maintenance and upkeep. However, “proper maintenance is essential for optimal equipment performance and emissions results,” stresses Lambert. “Our team often gets called in when a company has a culture focused on production, and this can be a tough spot to be in. I’ve seen the desperation, stress, and concern when a maintenance manager wants to change the culture, but can’t because production is king.”
That’s where Oxidizers comes in — providing the expertise and support that companies need to ensure their emissions are under control. Regular maintenance helps ensure safe operation, increases performance, improves product quality, and more importantly, improves energy efficiency. Over time, non-stop production erodes performance, which is tied to emissions results. “You can’t pass an emissions test without proper maintenance and care,” Lambert advises. Oxidizers provides a large network of experts, which reduces unplanned downtime and increased productivity.
Solutions
Staying up to date on the latest technologies and innovations in oxidation solutions is critical to Oxidizers’s success. Lambert explains “while the solutions have been in place for decades, the focus now is on intuitive tools that empower end-users.”
Considering that the world is embarking on Industry 4.0, Lambert is jumping on this digital transformation. Industry 4.0 “refers to the current era of connectivity, advanced analytics, automation, and advanced-manufacturing technology.”
Lambert is excited to offer cloud-based task verification, IIoT, and CMMS services all in one comprehensive platform. “The playing field and solutions have been set in place for a decade,” he says. “When you look behind the manufacturing curtain, Oxidizers are used to get rid of the nasties like formaldehyde, MEK, toluene, and any other chemical buildup.”
By leveraging IIoT and Industry 4.0 technologies, Oxidizers is more proactive with maintenance and efficiency, ensuring that companies are aware of any potential compliance issues before they become a problem. Lambert’s goal is to help others never fail an emissions test again due to this cutting-edge technology that can monitor everything and warn companies before it operates out of compliance.
Future
Despite the many changes and challenges facing the oxidizer solutions market, Lambert remains optimistic about the future of Oxidizers. The company’s vision is to continue expanding its reach and servicing more facilities, while also offering InCheq as a vital tool for equipment awareness.
InCheq is a preventative maintenance service that automatically alerts users of maintenance, check lists, tasks, and/or verification points that need to be executed. “This is why I started InCheq 10 years ago,” Lambert explains, “to specifically address the cloud-based future we’re in now.” With InCheq, companies can stay on top of their equipment’s operating parameters, part life, maintenance, and emissions standards, making it easier to maintain compliance and reduce emissions.
As we look towards a more sustainable future, companies like Oxidizers Inc. will play an increasingly important role in helping businesses reduce their emissions and become more environmentally friendly. Through their commitment to innovation and sustainability, Oxidizers is well-positioned to lead the way in the oxidizer solutions market for years to come.
Lambert is passionate about the environment and feels strongly that all businesses should be concerned about it as well. “I got into the environmental industry because I truly believe we are to be mindful of the planet, as it’s made for us and we’re made of it,” he remarks. “It’s our duty to take care of it.”
