Flowserve produces flow control and pump products for oil, gas, chemical, water resources and other Commercial uses under the multiple brands.  The plant is approx 500,000 square feet and handles almost all production and assembly functions in-house, including assembly, electrical components, testing, warehousing and shipping.

The Resid Upgrading Conference was held to review manufacturing processes and update customer user groups during a weeklong event.  110 guests arrived on  buses at 12:30pm after meetings and lunch at their hotel in Long Beach.  The PlantTours equipment was set up for the tour that morning to conduct our tests and separate the units by group.

Flowserve split each busload into two groups.  We pre-programmed and labeled the groups A, B, C, and D.  One guide (plant engineers) and several other staff members walked each group through the 6 stops on the tour.  At each stop, a presenter delivered the message on their area/process.

PlantTours assigned 3 Service Reps to handle the tour guide equipment logistics for the plant staff and groups and set up all the equipment under a hospitality tent set up directly adjacent to the entrance to the plant.  We separated it by group (4) for quick and easy distribution.  The Flowserve contact chose the Moderate Noise/Behind-Head headphones for light noise protection and high comfort for each guest; few areas in the plant are high noise.  Each guide gathered his/her group after the welcome for the Plant Manager one group at a time and sent them the PlantTours Distribution table.  We issued the receivers, and headphones and accompanied each group into the plant. It took about 10 minutes to issue all the receivers and headphones to the 110 group participants.

Hand-Held microphones were used by each guide in addition to their head-worn mics to allow Q&A from the visitors.

We monitored the tours throughout the plant by rotating from group to group.  No service or assistance was needed.

At about 2:30pm, the first group arrived to return their receivers/headphones and by 3:00pm, all groups were in the training room, having lunch and were ready to board their buses for the return trip to the hotel.

We look forward to serving Flowserve for their next event opportunity.

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Sanmina-SCI produces computer desktop enclosures for computer manufacturers.  The site is approx 700,000 square feet and accommodates all aspects of production and warehousing.

Sanmina-SCI invited 230 guests to the Fremont facility to host an open house of their new and expanded production facility.  Visitors arrived at 10:00am to register prior to the tour.  PlantTours arrived at 8am to set up all the equipment for the first10:30 tour.

They ordered receivers and headphones for 8 groups of guests in each tour.  We pre-programmed and labeled the groups A-H.  If the groups passed each other or ended up at the same stop at the same time, there would be no channel conflict and each visitor would hear only their guide.  One guide and one assistant would lead their group through 13 stops on the tour of the plant.  At each stop, one presenter was stationed to present the technical information regarding that product, process stage and give a description of any changes in the production process.  Sanmina-SCI also had executives and corporate staff from their San Jose headquarters on site.

PlantTours assigned 3 Service Reps to handle the tour guide equipment logistics for the plant staff and groups and set up all the equipment at the entrance to the offices of the plant.  We separated it by group (A-H) for quick and easy distribution.  Sanmina-SCI chose the Moderate Noise/Behind-Head headphones for moderate noise protection for each guest while allowing comfort at the same time.  A hospitality tent in front of the main entrance was set up to host continental breakfast for the visitors.  Beginning at 10:30am, each guide brought his/her group into the PlantTours distribution table, spaced in 5-10 minute time blocks, one group at a time.  We issued the receivers and headphones and they gathered by group for a sound check. It took about 45 minutes to issue all the radios and headphones to the visitors’ groups.

Everything went smoothly.  The guides used Hand-Held microphones so each guide could pass the Microphone to the Presenter at each station for their portion of the tour.

Since they were serving a buffet lunch immediately after the tour in another hospitality tent, we moved the tables we used for distribution to the “Clean Room” at the back of the plant which was the last stop on the tour and prepared for collection at 11:30am.  A PlantTours Rep monitored the groups throughout the plant by constantly moving from group to group.  No service or assistance was needed.

At about 11:15am the first group arrived to return their receivers/headphones and by 12:15pm, all groups had turned in the equipment and were on their way to the lunch program.

PlantTours Serviced Great River Energy for a Siemens User Group Meeting for a Peaking Station Tour on their new facility.  The schedule was set for 2 groups of 50 people each divided into 3 sub-groups of 17 participants.  PlantTours Reps arrived on site at 7:15 am for the 9:30am start time of Group #1.

The groups arrived at 9:00am and were greeted by the plant staff for a welcome and schedule review.  Each group was led by a guide to our table for the distribution of the receivers and headphones.  We outfitted the first group of 50 in about 5 minutes and the assigned guides to each of the 3 groups, then escorted their group to the first stop on the tour. Three stations at the plant were staffed with one presenter each.  As each guide and group arrived, the guide passed the hand-held microphone to the presenter for their portion of the tour.  The Group 1 tours were complete in approx. 45 minutes and they returned to the presentation area.  By this time, all the guests in Group 2 had been outfitted and were ready for their guides to escort them out to begin their tour.  All tours were complete by 10:45 am and the participants loaded the buses and departed to the meetings for the next section of the event.

The comment from the client was “We will definitely use your services again!”  The group was early and we were ready.

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.