dec-2017

134 135 operations at places like Wal-Mart and Target distri- bution centers. Finding and executing those types of partnerships and helping our customers grow and develop newmarkets such as the hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure are high on our list. “There’s a lot of work going into building out and creating newmarkets for hydrogen that currently do not exist.We plan on playing an important role in facilitating the expansion of hydrogen infrastruc- ture; bringing down the capital costs and increasing reliability.There are two large FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) programs to increase the number of hydro- gen refueling stations underway in the US.One is in the northeast corridor, and the other is in California where we plan on investing heavily.This is going to be revolutionary in transforming how this country moves about.We see that as a strategic, long-term objective that we are very bullish on.” BVM: Which is harder to work with–hydrogen or oxygen? Allen: “Theyare both difficult molecules towork with.Oxygen is an interesting beast,in that it’s the ulti- mate oxidizer and burns very intensely.At high pres- sures,the smallest hydrocarbon contamination poses a huge fire risk.This is a challenge in the compressor world,which is whyour oil-free technologyand expe- rience is of value inminimizing risks associatedwith high pressure oxygen. “Hydrogen is also extremelyflammable and pres- ents additional challenges froma technical perspec- tive.It’s a very small molecule.Preventing leaks,so you’re not losing valuable product is a challenge.There are also chemical compatibilitychallenges with hy- drogen-embrittlement of metal,and degradation of material properties.The RIXvalue proposition is our ability to tackle these problems and come upwith unique solutions that our competitors are either ill- equipped or unwilling to solve.” BVM: Are there any long-termbusiness relationships that helpmake RIXsuccessful? Allen: “Most of our cost-of-goods sold are rawmate- rials.So our vendors are vital to our ongoing success– you don’t stay in business for 140 years without form- ing andmaintaining very strong relationships.That is something of paramount importance to us. “Some of our suppliers have been in business almost as long as us,andwe’re veryhappy to have a broad base of suppliers that are dedicated to our success as well.” BVM: What are the key points that our readers should know about RIX Industries? Allen: “I can’t help but bring up corporate culture. RIX is verymuch a family-oriented organization. One of the key values of being a family-owned busi- ness is that we often get the chance to invest strate- gically-not only in our products, but our people and initiatives, since we’re not constrained to report to investors on a quarterly basis. “It gives us the ability to go after big goals with strategic partners.That brings up an interesting initiative we have going on right now–developing a central tire inflation system that’s a novel product for the military and commercial spheres. It main- tains and monitors tire pressure, so you can increase fuel efficiency and things of that nature.” BVM: Dedication, values, expertise–that seems like the perfect mix to keep RIX at the forefront of innovation for years to come. CUSTOM ENGINEERED SHELL & TUBE HEAT EXCHANGERS Aurora Industrial Machining (AIM) is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing high-quality custom-engineered products. Our focus is on: •Custom shell & tube heat exchangers •Intercoolers, aftercoolers, and separators for military pneumatic systems AIM is certified to manufacture in accordance with: •ASME Code Section VIII, Division 1 •National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors •NAVSEA welding & brazing per Technical Publication S9074- Q-GIB-010/248 3380NORTHBENZINGRD., ORCHARD PARK, NEWYORK14127 TEL: 716.826.7911 | FAX: 716.827.1041 EMAIL: INFO@AURORAINDUSTRIALMACHINING.COM WWW.AURORAINDUSTRIALMACHINING.COM Milton S. Frank Co., Inc. and Tranter are very pleased to support RIX Industries’ continued success in powering the future with high quality, welded plate, MAXCHANGER Heat Exchangers. We appreciate the op- portunity to collaborate with the RIX Industries’ team in attaining high heat transfer rates, under elevated process conditions, in a fraction of the space and at a lower cost than shell & tube exchangers. Tranter’s MAXCHANGER exchangers can be applied in many unique and chal- lenging applications involving liquids, gases, steam and two-phase mixtures. This includes aggressive media, organic solvents, steam heaters and as interchangers which are beyond the capability of traditional gasketed plate & frame heat exchangers. 180-A Mason Circle n Concord, CA 94520 n 925.609.1400 n msfrank@msfrank.com RIX INDUSTRIES n Air & Gas Tech Inc. www.agtcorp.net Air & Gas Tech, Inc. is a repair and maintenance provider of high-and low-pressure air compressors and nitrogen-gen- erating systems on U.S.Navy ships. Compressed air is vital for applications aboard ships, and with 20 years of experience, Air & Gas Tech is the preferred a partner to those who serve. n Milton S. Frank Co. www.msfrank.com Milton S. Frank Co. is a privately held,Woman-Owned Busi- ness, dedicated to providing high quality, personalized, and customized engineering solutions to all process industry cus- tomers, including the biotech, pharmaceutical, oil refineries, food, beverage, dairy,mining,minerals,wine,municipal water, and wastewater treatment industries, throughout Northern California andWestern Nevada. n Aurora Industrial Machining www.auroraindustrialmachining.com PREFERRED VENDORS