After eight years as a “Timken Bearing Certified Shop,” Atlanta Gear Works has earned the highest status possible for 2019-2021 — Platinum — with an almost perfect score of 96 percent. Only 15 other facilities reached Platinum status during this period.
The certification is the result of a continuous process consisting of six to ten visits per year by a Timken Certified auditor, who looks at all aspects of gearbox rebuilding in the shop, in addition to general shop maintenance. A complete audit every two years results in a certification status lasting until the next audit.
According to the award letter sent to Atlanta Gear Works President Jack Conway, we received our highest scores in the following areas:
- Lifting tools
- Bearing inspection area
- TRB’s rotated during adjustment
- Verification for bearing seating
- Bearing fitting practices adequate on TRB’s, SRB’s, CRB’s, BB’s
- Inner and outer race seats inspected for size and form
- Housings and shafts properly cleaned prior to bearing installation
- 12-point inspection completed on shafts and housings and tracked for each job
- Calibration of tools
- Overall cleanliness
“They’ve been in it since 2013, and they consistently get better with every shop audit,” said Timken Certified auditor Allan Johnson, referring to our progress through Silver and Gold levels.
Regular Timken shop inspections monitor almost everything we do for our customers, including our continuous inspection process from disassembly through manufacture and rebuild to shipping and documenting with accurate details and photos. It even includes how efficiently we use our iPads in the process and provides training and updates where needed.
“Shop certification provides our customers with the confidence that every gearbox we build for them is built to extend the life of the bearing,” said Conway.
Reaching Platinum level is also good for our bottom line.
“The ultimate test is how many gearboxes a shop gets back for customer dissatisfaction,” said Conway. “Since we don’t get a lot of return work, we have more time for our next project.”
So, what do we do now that we’re reached Timken’s highest, most elite certification possible?
“Work to be sure we’re still Platinum two years from now,” said Conway.