Nova Scotia Chapter Reunites, Maintenance, Reliability, and Asset Management Professionals
After a long hiatus due to the global pandemic, the Nova Scotia chapter of PEMAC hosted its first in-person event since January 2020. This networking and professional development event took place on Thursday, May 18th, at the Nova Scotia Power Headquarters in Halifax, and it was a delightful reunion for attendees who hadn't seen each other in close to three years.
Passionate individuals from various industries gathered at the event, some of whom were not familiar with PEMAC but quickly embraced the association's objectives and goals. The evening kicked off with an introduction to PEMAC, where the upcoming MainTrain Conference was highlighted. The event's theme, "Reliability Reality Check: For Better or Worse," set the tone for insightful discussions on maintenance, reliability, and asset management practices.
Jason Spears, representing Port Hawkesbury Paper, opened the presentations by sharing a remarkable success story. He discussed the implementation of a predictive monitoring program that employed ultrasound technology to detect air leaks. In a mere three months, the cost savings resulting from the program had already covered the initial capital expenditure on the equipment, illustrating the immense value of proactive maintenance approaches.
Val Williams, from Halifax Water, then took the stage to discuss their asset management processes, emphasizing their proficiency in data collection. However, Williams acknowledged the challenges faced in interpreting the vast amounts of gathered data, a sentiment echoed by many participants in the room. After the formal presentations concluded, the group engaged in an open forum, allowing attendees to share their achievements in reliability and asset management programs while also identifying areas for improvement.
The event was a remarkable opportunity for professionals to reconnect and exchange knowledge, with attendees traveling from both within and outside the province to participate. The presence of familiar faces and the introduction of new individuals from diverse industries added to the excitement and enriching atmosphere. As the evening drew to a close, plans began taking shape for the next event, promising further collaboration and growth within the maintenance, reliability, and asset management community.
The Nova Scotia PEMAC Chapter's successful reunion event marked a significant step forward in fostering professional development and networking opportunities for individuals dedicated to enhancing maintenance practices, reliability, and asset management in the region.