June 20, 2009

ROCK ISLAND, IL – Eighty-two Monoxivent systems are in production to remove vehicle exhaust fumes from maintenance facilities at Fort Lee (VA). The XL Hose Reels will feature high-temperature exhausting hose, rated to 1200-degrees F, spooled on 24″ and 36″ diameter motor-operated drums.  The XL-24’s and XL-36’s range from 3′ to 7′ in width; the largest reel holds 60′ of 18″ diameter hose. Application spotlight: Fort Lee.

Related Article – Quad City Times: Monoxivent supplies massive exhaust hoses for military installation

By Doug Schorpp

Rock Island-based company Monoxivent has just completed its biggest project ever.

“Big” is the key word.

Monoxivent, a subsidiary of Crawford Co., manufactured and transported 82 XL hose reels weighing 1,200 pounds each to Fort Lee, Va., in the biggest contract order in the company’s history – well exceeding $700,000.

The reels are used to remove vehicle exhaust fumes from new maintenance and training facilities at Fort Lee, a military installation. The largest of the buildings covers six acres and is a training facility for as many as 3,000 soldiers a year. They will become mechanics who work on specific vehicles, such as tanks, large tract vehicles and transporters.

Dwayne A. Hawkins, a division chief at the training center at Fort Lee, said the program trains entry-level soldiers in maintenance and repair. With the size of the largest facility – 272,000 square feet – all training will be done under one roof for the first time.

“It is (on-the-job) skilled-based training. It develops skills sets for a wide variety of equipment,” Hawkins said.

For Monoxivent, having such a large contract with the federal government is an important development both now and in the future.

“This is a big deal for us, a big feather in our cap,” said Erik Swanson, Monoxivent’s national sales manager. “We know there are additional projects out there like this that are in the bidding process or will be shortly. This gives us a strong leg to stand on. Hopefully, it will make it easier for the government to buy from us in the future.”

Swanson and Ian Frink, a vice president of Crawford, credited their Richmond, Va., distributor, Shultz and James, with making the contract possible.

With the hose reels in use, the exhaust fumes travel through a ducted system using an industrial exhaust fan. Monoxivent is a leader in fume-source capture and indoor air cleaning.

Swanson said the “XL” in the “XL hose reel” stands for extra large.

“It is kind of unique,” he said. “Not many companies make a reel the size we make. In their finished state, they weigh 1,200 pounds each.”

The same concept is used on a smaller scale. Swanson said other clients include Deere & Co., which uses the hose reels in its manufacturing plants, for research and development, and at its dealerships.

The hose reels also can be seen at many car dealerships, such as Lujack’s NorthPark Auto Mall, Davenport. In that case, Swanson said the hoses are used in the service bays to catch carbon monoxide that comes from the vehicle exhaust systems as mechanics work on vehicles. The hoses are connected to exhaust pipes while the vehicle is operating and detached once the engine is turned off.

“Indoor air quality is a concern in workplace environments, especially in maintenance facilities,” Swanson said. “The U.S. military has focused on sustainment, safety and energy conservation. This has led to a number of projects throughout the country. Monoxivent is proud to be part of the team of manufacturers focusing on this effort.”

That principle also holds true for workplaces like welding and wood shops, where smoke generated by the welding process and wood dust are captured in the exhaust system.

“That can get in your lungs, and some woods are chemically treated, which can be harmful to your health,” Swanson said.

In addition to the XL reels, Monoxivent has produced five high-temperature insulated exhaust stack bases for M-1 tanks at Fort Lee. Swanson said those stack bases are necessary specifically because of the M-1 tanks.

“It does burn fuel, a jet-like fuel,” he said. Carbon monoxide is produced by gasoline, but an even more dangerous nitrogen dioxide is produced by diesel fuel. “Both of those are known to kill you and cause cancer,” he said.

Monoxivent’s parent company, Crawford Co., played an integral role in the production of that project with its three laser-cutting centers and welded fabrication department, Frink said. Monoxivent looks to continue similar efforts with its Military Sales Division.

Frink’s father, Bob Frink, is president of Crawford. It is owned by Ian and Bob Frink and Jim Maynard.

Ian Frink said Crawford Co. is basically a heating and cooling contractor for residential and commercial customers, but also handles several other areas, including specialty metal fabrication. Maynard oversees that portion of the operation.

Frink said the entire company employs about 75 people. Between both companies, they have about $15 million in sales per year.

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About Monoxivent

Location: 1306 Mill St., Rock Island

Telephone: (309) 794-1000

Web site: www.monoxivent.com

Products: Monoxivent products provide source capture and clean air solutions. Vehicle exhaust extraction systems include hose reels, overhead and underground exhaust systems, source capture flex arms, portable filter units, wall mount filter systems, cartridge collectors with air pulse cleaning, cyclone dust collectors and free hanging filter units.

History: According to its Web site, Monoxivent was founded in 1953 and has grown from a small shop to a thriving corporation. The Monoxivent brand originated under the Kent-Moore corporate umbrella in Detroit.

The Monoxivent Jr. was an early top seller and was targeted toward gasoline service stations. The system offered an inexpensive method of eliminating fumes. A version now is manufactured with high-temperature hose and door ports. Underfloor systems also were very popular from the outset. Neoprene, stainless steel and galvanized tubing were all popular options, especially in the 1960s and 1970s.

The company moved to the Quad-Cities in the 1980s. John Sandberg and Drake DeVore grew the business throughout the nation in the 1980s and through the 1990s.

Crawford Co. purchased Monoxivent in 2000.