Siemens Power Generation – Charlotte, NC

Siemens Generation has a facility in Charlotte that manufactures and services Turbine Engines for power plants all over the world.  The site is approximately 900,000 square feet and staff handles machining, assembly, and rebuilds/lathing services for its customers.

Siemens Factory TourIn January, Siemens conducted a User Technical Workshop/Tour, hosting 90 engineers and power plant managers from across the U.S. The tour objective was to provide technical updates and promote the features and benefits of their turbines, accessories and service. The group was scheduled to arrive on buses from their hotel at 1:00pm for the tour and follow-up meeting.  PlantTours’ staff arrived at 11am to set up and quality check equipment.

The pre-tour assessment determined that Siemens would need receivers and headphones for 11 groups of 8 customers in each tour.  It was also determined that Moderate Noise/Behind-Head headphones for light noise protection. While ambient noise in the plant prevents normal conversation, hearing protection is not required, so they opted for higher comfort level for the guest.  PlantTours assigned three service representatives to handle equipment logistics for the plant staff and groups and tested all the equipment. We pre-programmed and pre-labeled the radios by groups to prevent channel conflict and had easels for instant visual display which made for quick and easy distribution.

Siemens Factory TourPrior to the group arrival, we met with tour guides and familiarized them with the microphones and receivers so they would be comfortable and prepared.  The buses arrived at 12:50pm and Siemens Marketing staff gathered the group in the lobby and channeled each group into the hallway to pick up their equipment in chronological order.  We distributed receivers and headphones, demonstrated volume control and did a sound check with each guide. It took about 15 minutes to issue all the radios and headphones; the tours got off to an early start.

Each group was assigned a tour route that began on a shotgun start, so they rotated every 10-15 minutes.  One guide and one assistant would were assigned to each group touring through 11 stops. At each stop, one presenter was stationed with visual aids to present the technical information and provide descriptions regarding the tour stop.

Siemens Factory TourThe guides passed the Hand-Held microphones to the presenters at each station for their portion of the tour.  Several Siemens engineers were located at strategic points to provide all the technical information needed by the user group visitors. We monitored the tours throughout the plant by moving from group to group.  No service or assistance was needed.

We prepared for equipment collection at 3:00pm, and by 3:10, the first group arrived to return their receivers/headphones. By 3:30, all groups were in the auditorium for a snack and post-tour briefing and thank-you message from the Director of Engineering.  They then headed back out to the buses for more meetings at their hotel.