Page 368 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance for Reciprocating Compressors 353

VENDOR SELECTION

Suppose we had to select a vendor to perform work on the compressor,
or a supplier/repair shop for reconditioning compressor precision parts
such as valves, packing, pistons, or piston rods, or to manufacture
replacement components. In that case, we should consider factors other
than cost. These factors include:

1. Background and technical qualification of the management or own-
ers of the facility being considered. Do the owners have technical
expertise and background or are they professional managers who
have never repaired compressors and their components?
2. Will loss of one key person in the vendor's management threaten an
established buyer-vendor relationship? Depth of knowledgeable
management assures the continuity of current business practices and
philosophy.
3. How long has the vendor been in this particular business?
4. Are the owners able and willing to furnish the names and addresses
of clients for whom they have provided the services in question?
5. Is the vendor financially sound? Check with a business-rating orga-
nization such as Dunn and Bradstreet and the vendor's material
suppliers.

FACILITIES

Answers to the following questions will help to evaluate the vendor's
facility.

1. Does the vendor have an adequate and modern facility to perform
the type of work being quoted? Adequacy and condition of equip-
ment and facilities will partially determine the quality and efficiency
of the work performed.
2. Does the vendor have in-house equipment to perform required opera-
tions to produce the component part? These operations include capa-
bilities for dye penetrant inspection and similar NDT testing, perfor-
mance testing, metal spraying, thread rolling, and cylindrical grinding.
If the vendor does not have in-house capabilities and uses a sub-
contractor, qualification and capabilities of the subcontractor must