Martin Supply Saves Company $3.5M in Downtime

When something goes wrong at a nuclear power plant, it’s a big deal. Every piece of equipment needs to work perfectly to keep things safe and running smoothly. So, when a vital valve broke down in one of the plant’s units, the potential cost of downtime was estimated to be around $3.5 million. To avoid this issue, the plant approached Martin Supply to find an alternative option.

A specific type of hydro pump – an electric coupled triplex plunger pump – was needed to create a plug that would allow the unit to continue running during maintenance. However, none of these pumps were available inside the facility, and the pump’s manufacturer would need significant time to make one. Instead, Martin’s team created a list of all the companies who had bought a similar pump within the last four years and contacted them. An available pump was eventually located in Montana, but a winter storm prevented the pump from being shipped in a timely manner.

The team quickly found a second option from a company located in Ohio, who offered to prepare a new pump overnight. After working with a mechanic, the pump was shipped the next morning and arrived hours later. Repair crews were able to begin working inside of the nuclear power plant immediately. This quick decision by the Martin team, along with the support from our network of partners, prevented the plant from shutting down.

The $3.5 million saved in this situation is the largest documented cost savings in Martin history. Through hard work and research, and with an entrepreneurial spirit, Martin’s team avoided a potentially catastrophic situation for one of our clients. This scenario shows that Martin Supply is more than just a distributor. Our team is full of problem-solvers and hard workers who know how to find custom solutions to meet your needs. It also shows the importance of having a network that you can rely on to avoid disaster.

To learn how you can partner with Martin, contact your Martin Sales Rep or call 800.828.8116.