MECO - A worldwide leader in water purification

Our equipment is manufactured in a controlled, structured environment through the use of product drawings, specifications, work instructions and operator/equipment qualifications. This process control ensures that all products and individual components are manufactured and inspected to specification, and that all products are of the highest quality.

Facility Specifics

The MECO plant is located in New Orleans on 10 acres at 3855 France Road adjacent to the Industrial Canal from the Port of New Orleans. The plant facilities include 70,000 square feet of enclosed manufacturing and warehouse space. The buildings are constructed of an insulated steel exterior shell with an insulated metal roof, and a reinforced concrete floor.

Overhead cranes with lifting capacities of up to 40 tons service over 50,000 square feet. Our facility has its own water softener, carbon filtration system, diesel boiler, diesel generator and distilled water storage capabilities.

In addition, there is over 10,000 square feet of office space housing Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Engineers, Materials Management, Human Resources and other plant support personnel. The entire facility is protected by a security and fire system connected to a central monitoring system.

MECO employs qualified and experienced production personnel in a wide variety of trades and professions including Sheetmetal Mechanics, Welders, Assemblers, Precision Machinists, Electricians, Surface Finishers, and Test and Validation Technicians.

Productions Personnel Specifics

Production employees have been part of the MECO team for an average of more than 10 years. Our production personnel are trained to properly execute Manufacturing Work Instructions and Manufacturing Operating Instructions, as well as operate all required equipment.

This experienced, loyal and well-trained production work force makes it possible for MECO to manufacture all of it products with the highest of quality.

Sheetmetal Mechanics  

Our Sheetmetal Mechanics are proficient in metal cutting and forming using various state of the art machinery including CNC Plasmas, CNC brakes, cutting and rolling equipment, shears, saws and punches. Sheetmetal Mechanics use work instructions and drawings to perform all operations and perform in process inspections at predetermined critical points. They are carefully trained to properly handle and protect all stainless steel products.

Welders  

All MECO welders are ASME qualified to perform a number of weld procedures covering processes such as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Orbital Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Submerged Arc Welding and Fluxcore Welding. Our welders are experts in welding stainless steel, and are carefully trained properly handle and protect all stainless steel products. They are experienced in both fitting and welding. Welders use work instructions and drawings to perform all operations and perform in process inspections at predetermined critical points.

Assemblers 

MECO Assemblers are proficient in the installation and assembly of precision equipment such as motor and pump alignment, instrumentation, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, compressors, valves, and piping. Our assemblers use work instructions and drawings to perform all operations and perform in-process inspections at predetermined critical points.

Precision Machinist 

MECO Precision Machinists are qualified to machine parts to precision tolerances using various types of machinery including CNC Lathes, CNC Machining Centers, Milling Machines, CNC Drilling Machines, Vertical Turret Lathes, Dynamic Balancing Machines, ID Grinders, Surface Grinders, Drill Press and Manual Lathes. They are also proficient in the set-up and operation of machinery, as well as the use of precision measuring instruments. Precision Machinists use work instructions and drawings to perform all operations, and perform in process inspections at predetermined critical points.

Electricians  

MECO Electricians are qualified in the areas of blue print interpretation, applicable electrical codes, instrumentation wiring, installation of conduit, and schematic diagram interpretation. They are also skilled in the layout and installation of control and instrumentation panels. Electricians use work instructions and drawings to perform all operations, and perform in process inspections at predetermine critical points.

Surface Finishers 

MECO Surface Finishers are proficient in the cleaning, mixing and application of various types of surface coverings. They perform within the guidelines of written specifications, paint manufacturer's recommendations and safety regulations. Surface Finishers use work instructions and drawings to perform all operations, and perform in process inspections at predetermined critical points.

Test and Validation Technicians 

Test and Validation Technicians are experienced in the setup, operation and documentation of all equipment manufactured by MECO. They use procedures designed by MECO Engineers to perform the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) to ensure all equipment and components are functioning properly. Our Test and Validation Technicians are trained to verify that all parts are properly calibrated and functioning, and to confirm that all equipment meets or exceeds FDA and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).  

At MECO, we understand how important our network of suppliers is to our ability to deliver the best solutions. In fact, the one way we continually improve the products and services we provide our clients is by continually improving the value we receive from our suppliers.

Supplier Management Strategy Specifics

The MECO Supplier Management Strategy is based on the philosophy that high performance suppliers are provided with clear expectations, are measured against these expectations, are recognized for performance and are committed to continuous improvement.

The MECO Supplier Management Strategy booklet outlines what we expect from our suppliers and what they can expect from us. It covers three main areas:

• Qualification
  It's critical our suppliers have an effective quality system that facilitates and promotes continuous improvement. Potential suppliers are evaluated on business reputation, historical performance, financial strength, capabilities and competitive pricing.
• Performance Monitoring
  Less emphasis is placed on price and more emphasis is placed on product quality, delivery and vendor responsiveness. These factors are weighted and scored to develop historical performance trends, and provide feedback to vendors and project teams for continuous improvement.
• Continuous Improvement
  It's our responsibility to communicate our expectations to each supplier, monitor their performance against those expectations and manage their ongoing performance. They, in turn, are given the opportunity to respond to those areas requiring corrective and/or preventative actions.

By partnering with our suppliers, MECO has been able to deliver the best products, service and value for our clients.

» Supplier Management Strategy Details

In order to produce water purification equipment of the highest quality, MECO uses only the best manufacturing tools and adheres to strict production protocol.

Jigs & Fixtures

MECO uses jigs and fixtures to properly clamp and fit parts of various components so that weld fit up is consistent and accurate, weld distortion minimized, and dimensions are accurate. Our jigs and fixtures are all numbered and controlled to ensure that they have been revised and are dimensionally correct, in accordance with the latest drawings. The use of jigs and fixtures is outlined in the manufacturing work instructions provided to production personnel.

Hand Tools

We also utilize various hand tools including portable saws, air grinders, hand drills, rivet guns, portable magnetic drills, portable hydraulic punches, crimping tools, levels and angle finders.

Manufacturing Equipment

MECO utilizes a wide variety of equipment in the manufacturing of our water purification equipment. This includes plasma cutters, plate and sheet rollers, Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) Plasma Tables, plate sheers, MIG and TIG welding equipment, automatic pipe bender, PVC welders and CNC press brakes. We also have a fully integrated machine shop including CNC and manual lathes, CNC machining centers, mills, vertical turret lathes, precision grinders and other precision machinery.

Measuring Devices

All measuring devices used by our production personnel are included in the MECO calibration program. Each device is clearly marked with the last date of calibration and the expiration date of the calibration. Our calibration technician ensures that all measuring devices are calibrated prior to the expiration date.

Additionally, as part of MECO's preventive maintenance program, infrared imaging of electronics is used to detect potential problem areas to correct them prior to any disruptions.

Maintenance Staff

MECO maintains a full time maintenance staff including mechanics, electricians and any other skill needed to adequately care for all facilities and equipment. All MECO equipment and facilities are subject to planned routine and preventative maintenance.  

We understand how critical your project is and the importance of remaining on schedule. That is why we establish a schedule for each project that is adhered to by all MECO personnel and vendors.

MECO utilizes various tools to schedule all projects including Microsoft Projects to create Top Level Project Schedules, Data Works ManFact ERP System to schedule all materials and the start and completions date of all components, and Excel spreadsheets to allocate production personnel to projects each day.

Project Schedule Created 

At the start of each project, the MECO Project Management group creates a Top Level Project Schedule utilizing Microsoft Projects. The Top Level Project includes start and finish dates for all major milestones necessary to complete a project on time. Examples of milestones include release of drawings and bills of material, customer approval of drawings, material purchases and receipts, fabrication start and completion, etc. The Top Level Project Schedule serves as the master for all other detailed scheduling.

User Requirements

The MECO Engineering group enters requirements for each part to be made for a project, along with bills of material, into our ManFact ERP System.

Work Orders 

The Manufacturing Planning Group creates a work order for each requirement for a made part, and assigns a start and completion date based on the milestones established by the Top Level Project Schedule. These work orders and dates become the foundation for driving material requirements and the allocation of manpower needed to complete each work order.

Update of Materials

Once the work orders and date have been entered into the ManFact System, an update of the Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) module is performed. All materials in stock are reserved for the respective work orders and requirements are generated to purchase all other materials. The MRP run outlines for the Materials Group all materials to be purchased as well as the date these materials must be received to maintain the production schedule.

Personnel Assigned 

The Manufacturing Planning Group begins the process of allocating Production Personnel to each project based on the start and completion dates required by the work orders. The Manloading Schedule is completed and provided to Foremen who employ labor from their respective areas to the work orders and projects.

Production Meetings 

Production meetings are held weekly to review material receipts, manufacturing production progress and to solve any day-to-day problems that may arise on a project or workorder.  

   MECO understands the importance of providing our customers with the parts and services required to maintain systems operating at optimum capacity. Our online service center - MECO MASTERsupport™ is a good example of that. It enables you to monitor your system remotely, place orders, access service records and view your system's manuals when it's convenient for you. Anytime. Anywhere.

With a simple point and click, our entire parts inventory is available to you. Through the online service center, you also get real-time access to invoices, orders, shipping status, system manuals and service trip reports. Everything you need to know to effectively manage and maintain your treatment plant is right at your fingertips.

It's another example of MECO's commitment to providing the highest quality spare parts and cost effective support throughout the life-cycle of the product.

» Launch MASTERsupport™ Online