Adobe Precision Gear Inc. repairs and manufactures gear reducers and gear components for the mining, power generation and steel foundry industries at their state-of-the-art facility in Carlsbad, N.M.

Usually, the units that are sent to us for repair demand more than just slapping on a few new bearings. Our gear repairs consist mainly of making new gears from steel forgings. Our materials come from forging plants such as Scott Forge in Chicago, Oklahoma Forge, Forge Products in Cleveland and Fry Steel in Santa Fe Springs, California.

Started 1995

APGI opened its doors for business in October 1995, and now there are 11 workers at the facility, including the management staff of Steve Collopy and Bruce Burmeister.

Learning the subtleties of metal, and working to shape metal, is kind of a culture in itself. It takes a certain kind of worker, and it takes a long time to gain an understanding of metal working. With every business, what you're really selling is consistency. When you have that, the customer knows he can trust your product and your reputation.

Eventually, companies come to us when they realize they can't get satisfaction somewhere else. We can redesign a part to make it work better.

APGI also designs procedures for the installation of gears. And we make recommendations on how to solve future problems saving time and expense.

The company also provides on-site training for clients. Popular subjects are the basics of gears and the maintenance of gearboxes. Of course, the key to smooth-running machines is good maintenance.

Potash Industry is Biggest Client

The potash mining industry near Carlsbad is APGI's biggest customer, and the gear reducers in the high-torque crushing machines that mill the ore come under severe mechanical stress and can suffer unpredictable damage. And the fact that we're so close to the production means that we can get on the site quickly, assess the damage and make the repairs in a short amount of time, compared to the customer having to wait for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to travel down here and make the repairs. Our short turn around time is crucial to IMC and Mississippi Potash.

APGI also works for Phelps Dodge's copper operation. We've manufactured some parts that have out performed the original parts at their El Paso plants.

APGI builds its own line of gear reducers for customers in the iron, steel, and copper industry and mill business.