The 2010 USA Suppliers of the Year were named at the USA’s 17^th Annual Executive Summit, held in Grapevine, TX. PKMJ Technical Services was named Services Supplier of the Year, and AP Services was named the Material Supplier of the Year for the second year in a row.  Suppliers are chosen for this prestigious award by representatives from the fifteen USA-member utilities, who rank USA Suppliers based on several factors, including quality of products and services, continuous improvement, and realized savings.

This year’s conference theme was “Driving Performance in the Virtual Fleet,” so it was fitting that PKMJ snagged the award this year. PKMJ specializes in obsolesce management, and several years ago created the POMS database. This database contains information about every part and component that is installed in the plant, and PKMJ has used to information to determine which parts are obsolete. Through the years they have expanded their “virtual” capabilities to include software programs that tell utility customers when maintenance needs to be performed on equipment, which parts will be needed, what they have in current inventory, and which are obsolete. This allows plant staff to effectively manage their obsolesce by knowing which obsolete parts will be needed when. They have also developed software that “translates” one site’s equivalency evaluations to another site’s forms, which allows sites to share equivalency evaluations and save time developing them.

AP Services provides a full line of fluid sealing products and leak reduction programs specifically designed for the power generation industry.  Plants that have implemented AP Services’ program have seen significant reductions in leaks and improved equipment reliability. They also bring “virtual” value through their leak management software.  In addition to eliminating leaks, AP Services provides direct savings and better lead times through reverse engineering of OEM supplied gaskets and seals. This also helps in addressing obsolescence issue and compliments the services that PKMJ provides to identify and evaluate obsolete parts.

Both suppliers have exhibited a commitment to USA’s mission, “working together for mutual success”, and USA was as proud to present these awards as the suppliers were to receive them. Congrats!