Turning Dust Into Gold!

Turning Dust Into Gold! - Lee Company

This Lee Company project is truly one-of-a-kind! Imagine turning dust into gold – literally. Our amazing customer works magic with precious metals, refining them from the tiniest particles. They extract valuable materials like gold, palladium, and more from what looks like nothing more than dust. The best part? These refined treasures are used in nuclear reactors and other high-tech industries. It’s like real-life alchemy!

Old Company, New Tricks

Lee Company took on this project by diving into new territory, handling equipment we don’t typically work with. FlexCon hoppers, silos, conveyor belts, dust collectors, and a calciner – oh my! But thanks to the strong relationship we’ve built with this customer over the years, our team embraced the challenge and stepped up in a big way.

We installed not one but two dust collector systems, along with a material transport system and piping for the furnace. The dust collector stack we put up is 120 feet tall, and the last bolt went in at an impressive 80 feet. Add in 20 successful crane lifts, and this was no small feat!
Safety was a top priority on this project. Safety reps inspected the site three to four times and were thoroughly impressed by the team’s learning and commitment. It was a true example of what makes Lee Company special – our ability to adapt, learn quickly, and deliver results.

Exciting Challenges and Unexpected Twists

This project wasn’t without its share of challenges. Originally, Lee Company was awarded two projects, but delays outside of our control pushed everything back, and we ended up working on both projects at once. Between the two, there were a whopping 55 change orders, causing the total cost to nearly double from $877,000 to $1.76 million.

Despite the added complexity, our team pushed forward. We couldn’t afford to wait for every change order approval, so we kept the momentum going and made sure we met every production deadline.

The Fab Shop Saves the Day

When gaps in the structural steel arose, our Fab Shop came to the rescue. They created massive custom steel structures and even built a couple of hoods for the project. And they didn’t just deliver – they did it faster than anyone else could. While we weren’t the lowest bidder, our speed and efficiency made us the clear choice. We delivered everything a month ahead of the competition, and the customer couldn’t have been happier.

Heroes in Hard Hats

The Fab Shop wasn’t the only hero on this project. Onsite leadership did an outstanding job coordinating everything, from crane lifts to welding. When design elements didn’t work, the team made modifications in the field and kept things moving.
Ultimately, what made this project so successful was the trust and strong relationship we built with the customer over the past decade. This project truly showed the depth of Lee Company’s skills, flexibility, and commitment to excellence.

The best part? Our customer was thrilled, and because of our stellar performance, we’ve already secured two more projects. At Lee Company, we believe that no challenge is too big. With the right team and the right mindset, we can turn dust into gold – literally!