Imagine climbing scaffolding the height of nearly two football fields to inspect a smokestack. An Ohio pulp and paper mill decided there had to be a better method — one that would utilize im-proved technology in its stack-inspec-tion processes to eliminate downtime and decrease manpower and pro-cedural costs, while simultaneously increasing safety standards.

At the request of the plant’s stack-re-pair contractor, MPW Industrial Services executed a quadcopter drone inspection before people were sent to the top of the plant’s tallest smoke-stack, which stands approximately 500 feet high. Previously, the contractor performed inspections in-person and only during shut-downs.

The plant was aware of some damage to the exterior concrete and interior brick liner of its stack, but the extent of the damage was unknown.

MPW is one of the few industrial cleaning companies with drone-in-spection capabilities. MPW quad-copters can fly to an altitude of 2.8 miles and can be remote controlled at distances up to 1.2 miles. The drones provide up to 4K ultra-high-definition video at up to 60 frames per second. Still photography capabilities include up to 20.2-Megapixel high-resolution still photos. Video and photo cameras feature optical zoom up to 3.6-times. Onboard LED lights allow photogra-phy and filming in low-and-no-light conditions. Monitors mounted on the controls feature real-time UHD video display and data such as GPS coor-dinates, elevation, heading and wind speed.

Without the need for a shutdown, MPW drone pilots worked with plant

representatives during the inspection to ensure the process was thorough and included important details regard-ing the extent and exact location of damage to the interior and exterior of the stack.

MPW sent its drone 100 feet above the smokestack to produce high-res interior and exterior footage of the stack and its lighting, walkways and wiring.

The details of the damage included: • The interior brick liner had shifted substantially.• The condition of the stack’s exterior concrete was much worse than

expected. This included spalling along the entire height of the stack.• Rebar was exposed in multiple locations.• Structural cabling at the top of the stack was severely damaged.• The amount of slag within the stack was greater than expected.

The drone inspec-tion lasted less than one hour, but was deemed by plant man-

agers to be superior to manual inspec-tions because it provided reviewable information necessary to prepare for the repairs, which would take place

MPWLEADERSeptember2015

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MPW drone reveals startling damage to smokestack

The drone inspection lasted less than one hour, but was deemed by plant managers to be superior to manual inspections.

MPW quadcopter drones provide ultra-high-definition video and photography.

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Jared Black congratulates Heather Geiger (middle, third place) and Angela Rolfe (first place) for winning MPW Industrial Services’ Transformation Challenge. MPW awarded prizes to the winners at its Spring Luncheon in July. Matt Liberti (not pictured) finished sec-ond in the event.

(Left photo, from left:) Shawn Notestone, Tom Hartman, Dave Kaser of WestRock, John Frick, Kevin Bruns, Joe Beres of Akzo Nobel and Mike McDevitt participated in the ICG Golf Outing at Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio on August 14.

Saturday, August 15 marked the 18th MPW Maintenance Golf Outing at Burning Tree Golf Course in Heath, Ohio. A group of 84 golfers, comprised of employees and vendors to MPW Industrial Services, took part in the event. The team of Jared Black, Casey Wiseman, Adam Jadwin and Justin Mosca finished in first place with a score of 63. Mike Romano’s team finished second after a tiebreaker.

Anniversaries• 35 YEAR DAVID BROWN

• 30 YEARROBERT GOODRICH

• 29 YEARPATRICIA MASON

• 27 YEARVANESSA TREADWAY

• 25 YEAR RONALD WELLS

• 24 YEARPAUL LAWSON

• 23 YEARLORNE BRISENDINEEARL BROWN

• 22 YEARJIM JUSTICE

• 21 YEARMARK DURBRIDGEKATHLEEN PRICE

• 20 YEARMICHAEL BAILEYWANDA HARRISMANUEL SANTOS

• 16 YEARLOWELL KELLY

• 13 YEARELENA GARCIAERIN HUTCHISONJAMES NEVILLE

• 12 YEARRAYMUNDO ACOSTAKAREN BECKER

• 10 YEARJOHN KURKULESJESSICA LAGEBERNADETTE PARASFRANCISCO RUANOLILIA SAENZMAXIMILLIAN SWOBODA

• 7 YEARRICKY CRAWFORDJAMES FINKADAM HANNANLARRY HARRISDANE MARSHALLEDUARDO MARTINEZDAYTON TAYLORMATTHEW WALTER

• 6 YEARMIKE BUSSEYRONALD CORBISELLOCORY JACKMONMARLON JENNINGSGREGORY MARTINLARRY WATKINS

• 5 YEARSAMUEL BEAVERMICHAEL CONKLEKEITH HALLAMCLAUDE LANTHIERBRUCE LANTHRONJAY LOGANJAMES PAULEYJAMES PUMMELLJOHN ROWANARIC SMARTALAN SMITHHENRY TINKLERLOREN WILLIAMS

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during an upcoming shutdown. Additionally, the footage convinced the mill that it was unsafe to send in-person inspectors to the top of the stack.

The drone inspection saved the plant and its stack-repair contractor vital resources in the areas of: man hours, equipment and safety processes, while eliminating confined space entry and scaffolding-erec-tion procedures.

Although they were shocked at the condition of their stack, plant managers and the repair contrac-tors were amazed by the drone’s photo and video capabilities. A plant engi-neer labeled the inspection “a life saver far beyond what I was expecting” and communicated his enthusi-asm about future applica-tions for MPW technology.

Click here to view a video about MPW’s video inspec-tion capabilities.

A sincere thank you to those who represented MPW Industrial Services at a 5K run/walk to promote wellness. The event took place August 1 at the Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio. From left: John Feeney, Vanessa Treadway, Jeff Stagg, Shanisha Sanders, Misti Wiseman, Cathy McCormick, Mike McCormick, Tricia Gomoll, Larry McGuire and Jim Neville.

MPW Industrial Services hosted a blood drive for the American Red Cross July 20 at the corporate campus in Hebron. From left: Jordan Previte, Elijah Sparling, Colleen Eddy, Misti Wiseman and Jeff Stagg.

This MPW drone revealed extensive damage to a customer’s smokestack

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OPEN POSITIONS AT MPW • Account Manager- Chillicothe • Business Unit Training Manager- Hebron • .Net Developer- Hebron • Engineering Manager- Hebron

For more information or to refer someone, please contact: Tyler Tatman, HRIS/Recruiting Supervisor at 740.927.8790 x5672 or ttatman@mpwservices.com. *Contact HR for details and requirements

DeQuawn BrownleeTechnician

Chesterfield, Mich.

Ron WellsRegional Operations Manager

Pittsburgh Family: Too many, though I’m recently single. Mother, stepfather, father, step-mother, brother, 4 sisters, 1 stepbrother, 1 stepsister, many nieces and nephews; and dog, Jericho. LOL.First Job: Babysitter – started working at age 12 and haven’t stopped.Hobbies: Reading, travelingLittle known fact about you: I’m also a singer and have been on TVFavorite restaurant: Taqueria Jalisco (little Mexican joint in town)Favorite sports team: Dodgers! I’m origi-nally from SoCal.Favorite smell: Burning wood from fire-placeFavorite band or musician: Stevie NicksFavorite song: “Landslide,” by Fleetwood MacFavorite movie: “Tombstone”Favorite book: “Gone with the Wind,” by Margaret MitchellFavorite app: FacebookFavorite vacation spot: Paris in the springtimeAlways wanted to try: to be a racecar driv-er — my speeding tickets say I already am.Three words to describe you: Generous, stubborn, loyalSuperpower you wish you had: To fly so I could go home to California to see my family.Secret to a good life: Vodka and trying to just be yourself without apologyCan’t go a day without: My goose-down feather pillowsWhat helps you unwind after work: Aforementioned vodkaGreatest accomplishment: SurvivingBiggest pet peeve: When people say irre-gardless. Not a word.Most important lesson you’ve learned in your professional career: To not be reactionary. Take a breath. What you like best about working at MPW: The people. Love my co-workers.

Stephanie Teisl Office Manager

VW, Chattanooga, Tenn.

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Family: Mom, older sister, younger brother and two younger sistersFirst Job: Dollar Store at age 14Hobbies: Playing basketball and video gamesLittle known fact about you: I like to rap.Favorite restaurant: Steak ’n ShakeFavorite sports team: Cleveland CavaliersFavorite smell: Home cookingFavorite band or musician: I don’t have one.Favorite song: “Let Me Ride” by Dr. DreFavorite movie: “Blue Streak”Favorite book: I don’t have oneFavorite app: I don’t have oneFavorite vacation spot: AtlantaAlways wanted to try: SkydivingThree words to describe you: Kind, dedicat-ed, honestSuperpower you wish you had: Super strengthSecret to a good life: MoneyCan’t go a day without: Listening to musicWhat helps you unwind after work: A nice, hot showerGreatest accomplishment: Graduating from schoolBiggest pet peeve: LazinessMost important lesson you’ve learned in your professional career: Always work hard to get what you want. What you like best about working at MPW: The experience and my coworkers

Family: My wife Jean; daughters Saralynne, Maegan, Kayla. Dogs: - Porter, Herc, Duke. And my sons-in-law First Job: Roofing laborer Hobbies: My Road Glide (Harley) Little known fact about you: I read every-thing. Favorite restaurant: Patsy’sFavorite sports team: Hendrick Motor-sports Favorite smell: Firewood burning Favorite band or musician: Lynyrd Sky-nyrdFavorite song: “Coming Home,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd Favorite movie: “The Boondock Saints”Favorite book: “The Unlikely Spy,” by Daniel SilvaFavorite app: NoneFavorite vacation spot: Camp with my kids Always wanted to try: To live full-time on Saint KittThree words to describe you: Loyal, tough, resourcefulSuperpower you wish you had: None Secret to a good life: Staying activeCan’t go a day without: Coffee What helps you unwind after work: Bud LightGreatest accomplishment: My kids gradu-ating Penn State Biggest pet peeve: Slow drivers in the fast laneMost important lesson you’ve learned in your professional career: Trust, but verify.What you like best about working at MPW: The daily challenges