Chief Industries Inc., a family-owned manufacturer, switched to the optrel e3000X PAPR system from a competitor’s powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) system. The switch allowed the company to become more cost-effective and provide its employees with the highest level of safety and protection.
Prior to the e3000x, Chief Industries used a powered air–purifying respirator that caused significant inefficiencies and reduced productivity. The PAPR came with a hefty price tag and was often understocked or completely unavailable. Moreover, the system was heavy, causing workers to complain and impacting employee health and morale. With the health, safety and satisfaction of welders at the forefront of their minds, Chief Industries knew it was time for a change.
Chief Industries went directly to its local welding distributor to discuss options to replace the current PAPR. The company wanted to keep workers healthy with the highest level of safety and protection from environmental hazards. To achieve this, they needed a PAPR system powerful enough to withstand long, often 8-10 hour days and protect against welding fumes and grinding dust. The system had to be lightweight, comfortable for all-day use, and cost-effective.
“The distributor carrying optrel brought the e3000X PAPR system to us and let us try it out in our normal day-to-day workflow,” said Tony Hermanson, Tool Crib Buyer for Chief Industries.
During the trial period, workers were able to test all the industry-leading features that the optrel x3000x PAPR offers, including:
For Chief Industries and other large corporations, switching manufacturers can be time-consuming and costly. The process typically begins with researching a variety of manufacturers and products, testing those products in the work environment, training employees and a variety of other factors. After testing the e3000x, Chief Industries decided to make the switch. The most important factors included:
Additionally, the welders of Chief Industries didn’t want to sacrifice hood performance. They were able to test the Crystal 2.0 PAPR system which combines the e3000x PAPR with the optrel Crystal 2.0 hood.
The global corporation featuring 7 brands that comprise Chief Industries made an initial investment to the health of their welders with 50+ optrel e3000X PAPR systems with Crystal 2.0 hoods. That investment is still ongoing as currently every new employee now receives the most powerful ventilated breathing protection system available on the market.
When asked if their investment with optrel has proved to be a good one Chief Industries responded,
“Yes, the indicator on the PAPR unit tells you when to change the filter which results in fewer usable filters being thrown out. Another benefit we did not anticipate is the optical clarity of the crystal lens has led to better welds, less rework and higher productivity”.
The optrel e3000x with crystal hood aids in ticking all the boxes:
Chief Industries paired the optrel e3000X PAPR with the innovative Crystal 2.0 hood. This combination provides the highest safety class (TH3) respiratory protection with the patented optrel Shadetronic technology, CLT 2.0 technology. With light transmission of 31% in bright condition (protection level 2) the welders of Chief Industries has some of the most innovative technology in the welding world protecting their lungs and eyesight.
Optrel is a highly innovative company that puts the welder first when designing their products. The company’s desire to make work safer, easier and more productive for welders and businesses shines through. These innovations are exactly what we needed. – Tony Hermanson, Chief Industries
The quintessential American success story began in 1954 when Virgil Eihusen launched a small construction company — Chief Industries — from a garage in Grand Island, Nebraska. From Virgil Eihusen to his son, Robert, and now to his grandson, DJ as Chairman and CEO, Chief has been guided by strong leaders who maintain a clear focus on its core values – take care of the customer, strengthen the company through diversification, and respect their employees.
You will find Chief products and services used in agriculture, commercial construction, structural steel, factory-built housing, ethanol production, transportation, and more.
