Emerson Process Management has added more than 4000 service personnel since 2005 and plans to increase its global service staff at approximately twice the industry growth-rate for the next four years. The rapid growth is part of a strategic expansion of project and support services to meet customers’ growing needs.
Most process manufacturers have only the staff necessary to maintain efficient operations, which leads to a ‘capabilities gap’ when substantial new capital investments are undertaken or when maintenance requirements spike, as during a plant turnaround. Emerson’s expanded service capabilities help customers meet the challenges of both situations.
“The number of large automation projects for which we’ve been chosen – increasingly as Main Automation Contractor – has dramatically increased in the past two years,” explained Steve Sonnenberg, president of Emerson Process Management. “Not only do they [projects] require large amounts of engineering effort for design, commissioning and start-up, but once they’re up and running they need prompt, dependable support services to stay at peak efficiency.”
Process manufacturers also realise that achieving best-in-class operations often requires adopting new technology, but they are not necessarily staffed to implement major technology initiatives. Emerson can also help them bridge this gap by providing contract personnel to do initial set-up of new technology approaches and assist with on-going support programmes.
“It’s our goal to address the gaps in our customers’ in-house capabilities with our quality services. The aggressive investment programme we’ve put in place will help us meet those needs”, adds Sonnenberg.