2019 in Review: Cambridge Carbon Capture
Today’s interview is with Thermco Instrument Corporation, who has been building its gas mixer and analyser business through groundbreaking design and engineering for 66 years.
When confronted with the challenge of finding a way to upgrade welds on US nuclear submarines in the 1960s, Thermco designed its first gas mixing system for welding shield gas that included a gas analyser.
Today the company continues to provide gas mixers and analysers to meet the demands of new welding technology and applications, and markets its products globally, with partners in China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam.
A family-owned business with headquarters in La Porte, Indiana, Thermco is led by the second generation of Richardsons, Dennis, Kent and Glen.
Operating out of its 26,000-square-foot facility in La Porte, Thermco prides itself on its manufacturing operation, with custom products being assembled by skilled technicians.
Gasworld (GW): What role does Thermco play in the industrial gas industry?
Dennis Richardson (DR): Thermco provides standard gas mixers as well as highly specialised designs for the industrial gas industry.
The special designs include high flow rate, high pressure, ultra-accuracy and explosion proof versions.
Thermco is able to customise its gas analysers to meet the accuracy requirements of the gas mixer.
Thermco stocks a large number of parts to enable quick delivery time in many cases.
GW: As we near the end of 2019, could you tell us about any significant achievements from this year?
DR: I would say we have one major achievement this year and that is more investment in research and development in new products. I don’t want to disclose any more details about the new products at this time.
GW: What’s been a big talking point in onsite gas mixing this year?
DR: I don’t know of any particular big talking point in onsite gas mixing this year.
GW: Ok, on that note, where do you see the big talking points in the years ahead?
DR: I think gas mixers will become more integrated into plant monitoring systems.
GW: Where’s the focus for 2020? What does Thermco have planned?
DR: We have some new products planned but we are not ready to disclose any details at this time.
GW: Finally, if you had one thing on your bucket list for the gases industry, what would it be and why?
DR: More certainty about the supply of helium would be important. The uncertainly makes it difficult to plan for the future.
The 2019 in Review Series continues tomorrow with Piotr Grzegory, CEO of Kriosystem.