Why you should Hire a millwright
If you own an industrial processing plant or your business depends upon the optimal operation of your machinery, you know how your machinery can significantly impact your profitability.
If a machine breaks down or becomes inefficient, it can cost you valuable time and money. The machine needs to be repaired or replaced as quickly as possible.
The same way a mechanic fixes and maintains a car, a millwright fixes and maintains industrial machinery.
If you're unfamiliar with this occupation, we will review the basics below, and give tips on what to look for when hiring your next millwright.
Table of Contents
- What Is A Millwright?
- How Are Millwrights Trained?
- Tips For Hiring A Millwright
- Get A Feel For The Millwright
- Skills To Look For In A Millwright
- Interview The Best
- Select the Best of the Best
- Learn More About Millwrights
What Is a Millwright?
Millwrights began as carpenters with expertise in mechanical parts, like drive shafts, bearings, and gears.
These mechanical components were first used for early flour and paper mills that were powered by wind or water.
Eventually, the millwright evolved into an individual who services, installs, and repairs industrial equipment for assembly conveyors, print shops, pumping stations, the power and energy sector, and other applications.
Millwrights construct, maintain, and repair a wide range of industrial machines, and, due to their work with heavy-duty machinery, a millwright must have the skills of a carpenter, electrician, and welder.
How Are Millwrights Trained?
Millwrights receive their training through an apprenticeship program.
Similar to doctors and various other professions, this system allows trainees to take classes as well as gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom.
While training, a millwright typically receives a certain percentage of the master millwright's pay.
Most millwrights complete this program in about four years.
Tips For Hiring A Millwright
Get a Feel for the millwright
When looking for a millwright to bring in on your project, you want to look at their experience.
While most millwrights can have a wide breadth of experience, you want to make sure that they are able to meet the requirements of your project.
If there is a new piece of equipment coming in that requires a unique foundation built for it, you need a millwright service that has that experience.
It's important to match up the millwright's experience, and your needs to ensure that your project is done efficiently.
It also is important to find the right experience because maintenance and emergency shutdown situations arise, and knowing a millwright that has the experience to step in to fix your equipment and minimize downtime is integral.
Skills to look for in a millwright
When looking for a millwright, it is important to see what skills they are proficient in. You want a millwright who is skilled in the following.
- Ability to read complicated schematics, drawings, and blueprints
- Creative problem solving
- Familiarity with heavy rigging
- Ability to create maintenance plans
- Staying up to date with advances in technology
This list is not exhaustive but encompasses some of the skills that a millwright should possess when you need to hire one.
Interview The Best
Once you're ready, sit down with the millwrights you've chosen to see which one will be the right fit for you.
Ideally, you want to schedule all of the interviews throughout a couple of days so that you can easily compare each candidate.
Like any other job, some of the millwrights you talk to will not be the right fit for your project. However, they could have the experience you may need in the future. This is a good opportunity for you to network and build relationships with an experienced craftsman who can help you in the future, as well as, hiring the right millwright for your current project.
Select the Best of the Best
Selecting the right millwright, with the appropriate skills and experience, is the most important part of the entire process. Finding the millwright that can get your project or repair, done efficiently is integral to the operation of your business.
Another aspect to keep in consideration is the speed in which you hire the millwright. Millwrights are in high demand, and it is difficult to predict when an emergency shutdown may arise that pulls the millwright you need out of your selection pool.
Good millwrights do not stay on the market for long, so you have to move quickly before they accept another project.
Getting the right millwright for your job is important, and can make the difference between optimal production and constant maintenance issues.
Learn More About Millwrights
This should give you a better idea of what a millwright is and how to hire the very best for your project.
At STEVENS, we know that the success of your company depends on your equipment operating correctly. We have the experience and met the demands of some of the most sophisticated industrial machinery. With our millwright services, we can help you with your project.
Click on the button below to see how our Millwright Services can help you!
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Why you should Hire A Millwright