How Teamwork Drove Success in the Glencore Smelter Acid Tank Project
At Patrick Mechanical, teamwork isn’t just a buzzword, it’s how we get things done. The Glencore Smelter Acid Tank project was a shining example of what happens when a group of talented, dedicated individuals come together to take on a challenge. This wasn’t just another job; it was a test of our expertise, creativity, and ability to deliver under pressure. And we crushed it.
We’re proud to share this success with you, not because it was easy, but because it showcases what makes Patrick Mechanical a leader in our industry.
The Challenge
From the outset, this project was a beast.
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- An “impossible” budget.
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- A compressed timeline.
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- A critical-path, high-risk designation for Glencore’s shutdown.
The stakes were high, and the margin for error was slim. But instead of being intimidated, our team dug in and got to work.
How We Made It Happen
What makes Patrick Mechanical stand out is how we approach challenges—not as individual tasks but as a cohesive effort where every person plays a critical role. Here’s how we pulled it off:
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- Early Wins in Planning: Joe and Jeff took a deep dive into the structural steel plans and caught discrepancies before fabrication even began. This foresight saved time, money, and headaches, allowing us to complete the installation in just two days. Glencore was impressed, to say the least.
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- Shop Precision: Trevor and the shop team turned around high-quality fabricated parts at record speed, and everything fit perfectly on-site. Big shoutout to Justin A. for identifying bolt hole issues early, ensuring we didn’t lose a second during installation.
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- Expeptional Pipefitting and Welding: Chris Hendry and Trevor James kept the pipefitting process seamless, keeping our welders ahead of schedule. And Eric Desloges—what a performance. Passing 100% x-ray tests on complex Saramet 35 welds (3” to 20” lines) is no small feat. The tie-ins to existing acid lines were particularly tough, but Eric’s skill and patience got it done under intense pressure.
- Leadership in the Field: Jeff managed the entire workforce with precision, handling subcontractors, site conditions, and additional work requests with ease. His leadership ensured that even the unexpected was handled without missing a beat.
The Results
We didn’t just meet the deadline—we beat it. Finishing early gave Glencore extra time to address other priorities during their shutdown, and our ability to step into another emergency project right away reinforced their trust in us.
This wasn’t just about completing a project. It was about showing what Patrick Mechanical is capable of:
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- Delivering under pressure.
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- Anticipating challenges before they become problems.
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- Maintaining the highest standards of quality, even with the clock ticking.
Celebrating the Patrick Mechanical Team
This project’s success is a reflection of the incredible talent and dedication of our entire team. Every person involved brought their A-game, from the shop to the site, and it’s that collective effort that earned us Glencore’s trust and this glowing recommendation.
To our team: thank you for your hard work, creativity, and commitment. You’ve proven once again why Patrick Mechanical is a trusted partner for complex, high-stakes projects.
What’s Next?
We’re not stopping here. The Glencore Smelter Acid Tank project was a milestone, but it’s just one of many. At Patrick Mechanical, we’re always ready for the next challenge, the next opportunity to push boundaries and deliver results.
If you’re looking for a team that combines expertise with grit, innovation with precision, and teamwork with results, you’ve found us.
Here’s to more successes ahead!