Brithinee Electric Expands Colton Facility, Increasing Production Capacity
Industry Leaders Attend Opening of Expanded Facility
Brithinee Electric’s new, cutting-edge 20,000 square-foot repair building expansion builds on more than four decades of commitment to quality motor and generator repair. On November 18, 2010, a ribbon cutting ceremony signified the completion and opening of the addition to the Colton, CA plant. Brithinee Electric is a leading large electric motor/generator repair facility serving the U.S. southwest and Pacific coast regions, with motors and generators coming from sites as far away as Washington, Oregon, and Texas.
The company specializes in repair of industrial electric motors and wind generators and produces custom motor control panels for manufacturing, water and wind industries, and municipalities. Brithinee is located less than 50 miles from two of the largest wind farms in the nation: Tehachapi Pass and San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farms. Projections are that the company will now be able to double its production of wind generator and large motor repair, since the actual space and capabilities of the plant have been increased. That, combined with the current upsurge in finding alternate sources of energy – such as wind – adds to the anticipated growth in motor generator repairs.
Since 2000, Brithinee Electric has doubled its number of employees, and expects a continued increase in growth as production increases to accommodate the need for motors in alternate energy fields.
The Nomex® division of DuPont™ has a long-standing relationship with Brithinee Electric as a leader in the electric motor repair industry, appointing the company as their first Motor Repair Alliance Program partner in 2002—a relationship that continues today.
When asked about Brithinee Electric at the grand opening of the new building, Gerry Short, from Richmond, VA, National Sales Manager for Dupont Advanced Fibers Systems, stated, “Brithinee Electric is the recognized leader in the motor industry. The very word ‘Brithinee’ means quality to those of us in the business.”
Mark Lowery, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sales Manager for Superior Essex, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial wire used in the rewinding of motors, echoed Short’s views, “Brithinee is the standard in the motor repair industry; you just don’t get any better than that.”
Other national industry representatives included, Susan Graham, PhD, President and CEO of Elantas PDG, Inc. from St. Louis, MO and C.C. Vest, owner of Midpoint Bearings.
Local companies represented and guests included: SKF Bearings – Charles Lowe Manager Area Sales; Professional Bearing – Chris and Tina Mandryk, Owners; EIS, Inc. – Diane Boyce; B&K Electric – Todd Brown, President/CEO and Bob Clark, Operating Manager; Hunter Electric – Sam Hunter, Owner; California Portland Cement – Gary Thornberry, Assistant Plant Manager; RedFusion Media – Molly Burgess, General Manager; Stonewood Construction – Corinne Robinson and Gary Robinson; and, New Brain for Business Institute – Richard Trafton, PhD.
In addition to motor repairs, Brithinee Electric also makes large motor control panels and sells new motors. Brithinee Electric is one of the largest sellers of NEMA Premium Efficiency industrial electric motors. These motors are the highest electrical efficiency motors available today.
This plant expansion allows Brithinee Electric to deliver high-quality motor and generator repairs, in sizes up to 20-tons, increasing production and improving operational efficiency. The new facility is certified to have 50% energy consumption in lighting and air conditioning, in comparison with a comparable building space. Owners, Don and Wally Brithinee, have long been interested improving reliability of motor repair methods, motor efficiency and industry standards, one of the reasons that Brithinee rewinds are nationally recognized for their a near zero-defect status.
The new facility includes a modern training center to better accommodate the needs of customers who desire further training. According to Brithinee’s President, Wally Brithinee, “Providing solutions is a high-priority of Brithinee Electric. This new facility provides the space and equipment necessary for on-going scientific research to find well-engineered solutions, for our customers and the motor repair industry. For more information, visit www.Brithinee.com.
About Brithinee Electric – Expansion Details:
The expansion includes a state-of-the-art Phenix Test Bed, built on a massive, isolated foundation, which is used to perform full voltage tests where vibration and current is measured. This test system provides five times the previous test panel capacity.
Brithinee’s new VPI system, burn-off and bake ovens allow for more than five times the volume of their previous equipment. The ovens have been updated with low-NOx burners to meet the stringent requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The new facility boasts 20-ton and 10-ton capacity Krone bridge cranes with 20’ under the hook. Their expanded Stator Winding Department is fitted with a 5-ton crane.