The new facility at Brithinee Electric has equipment that can handle the larger sized generators used by the new generation of wind turbines. Southern California has two of the largest wind fields in the nation, located just sixty miles from the new repair facility in Colton.

Colton Chamber of Commerce 1 Carmen Cervantes, Colton Chamber of Commerce Board member; Laura Morales, Executive Director, Colton Chamber of Commerce; Nicole Brithinee Sorensen; Debbie Brithinee, Financial Officer, Brithinee Electric; Don Brithinee, Vice President, Brithinee Electric; Wally Brithinee, President, Brithinee Electric; Kelly Chastain, former Colton Mayor; Susan Oliva, Colton City Council member; Alex Perez, Colton City Council member; Josie Gonzales, Vice Chair, Board of Supervisors San Bernardino County; Rod Foster, Colton City Manager; Peter Sternberg , Colton Chamber of Commerce Board member and General Manager of Colton Disposal

Brithinee Electric’s new, cutting-edge 20,000 square-foot repair building expansion builds on more than four decades of commitment to quality motor and generator repair. On November 18, 2010, a ribbon cutting ceremony signified the completion and opening of the addition to the Colton, CA plant. Brithinee Electric is a leading large electric motor/generator repair facility serving the U.S. southwest and Pacific coast regions, with motors and generators coming from sites as far away as Washington, Oregon, and Texas.

The company specializes in repair of industrial electric motors and wind generators and produces custom motor control panels for manufacturing, water and wind industries, and municipalities. Brithinee is located less than 50 miles from two of the largest wind farms in the nation: Tehachapi Pass and San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farms. Projections are that the company will now be able to double its production of wind generator and large motor repair, since the actual space and capabilities of the plant have been increased. That, combined with the current upsurge in finding alternate sources of energy – such as wind – adds to the anticipated growth in motor generator repairs.

Since 2000, Brithinee Electric has doubled its number of employees, and expects a continued increase in growth as production increases to accommodate the need for motors in alternate energy fields.

The Nomex® division of DuPont™ has a long-standing relationship with Brithinee Electric as a leader in the electric motor repair industry, appointing the company as their first Motor Repair Alliance Program partner in 2002—a relationship that continues today.

When asked about Brithinee Electric at the grand opening of the new building, Gerry Short, from Richmond, VA, National Sales Manager for Dupont Advanced Fibers Systems, stated, “Brithinee Electric is the recognized leader in the motor industry. The very word ‘Brithinee’ means quality to those of us in the business.”

Mark Lowery, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sales Manager for Superior Essex, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial wire used in the rewinding of motors, echoed Short’s views, “Brithinee is the standard in the motor repair industry; you just don’t get any better than that.”

Other national industry representatives included, Susan Graham, PhD, President and CEO of Elantas PDG, Inc. from St. Louis, MO and C.C. Vest, owner of Midpoint Bearings.

Local companies represented and guests included: SKF Bearings – Charles Lowe Manager Area Sales; Professional Bearing – Chris and Tina Mandryk, Owners; EIS, Inc. – Diane Boyce; B&K Electric – Todd Brown, President/CEO and Bob Clark, Operating Manager; Hunter Electric – Sam Hunter, Owner; California Portland Cement – Gary Thornberry, Assistant Plant Manager; RedFusion Media – Molly Burgess, General Manager; Stonewood Construction – Corinne Robinson and Gary Robinson; and, New Brain for Business Institute – Richard Trafton, PhD.

In addition to motor repairs, Brithinee Electric also makes large motor control panels and sells new motors. Brithinee Electric is one of the largest sellers of NEMA Premium Efficiency industrial electric motors. These motors are the highest electrical efficiency motors available today.

This plant expansion allows Brithinee Electric to deliver high-quality motor and generator repairs, in sizes up to 20-tons, increasing production and improving operational efficiency. The new facility is certified to have 50% energy consumption in lighting and air conditioning, in comparison with a comparable building space. Owners, Don and Wally Brithinee, have long been interested improving reliability of motor repair methods, motor efficiency and industry standards,  one of the reasons that Brithinee rewinds are nationally recognized for their a near zero-defect status.

The new facility includes a modern training center to better accommodate the needs of customers who desire further training. According to Brithinee’s President, Wally Brithinee, “Providing solutions is a high-priority of Brithinee Electric. This new facility provides the space and equipment necessary for on-going scientific research to find well-engineered solutions, for our customers and the motor repair industry. For more information, visit www.Brithinee.com.

About Brithinee Electric – Expansion Details:

The expansion includes a state-of-the-art Phenix Test Bed, built on a massive, isolated foundation, which is used to perform full voltage tests where vibration and current is measured. This test system provides five times the previous test panel capacity.

Brithinee’s new VPI system, burn-off and bake ovens allow for more than five times the volume of their previous equipment. The ovens have been updated with low-NOx burners to meet the stringent requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The new facility boasts 20-ton and 10-ton capacity Krone bridge cranes with 20’ under the hook. Their expanded Stator Winding Department is fitted with a 5-ton crane.

Brithinee Electric's New Electric Motor Repair Building

Brithinee Electric’s new 20,000 square-foot building expansion builds on more than four decades of  motor and generator repair. On November 18, 2010 the company will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at its plant located at 620 South Rancho Ave. in Colton, from 4-7 p.m. Tours of the new building will be available. Brithinee Electric is one of Southern California’s leading large electric motor/generator repair facilities. The company also makes large motor control systems and sells new motors.

Co-founders, Don and Wally Brithinee, have long been interested improving reliability of motor repair methods, motor efficiency and industry standards. The company began in 1963, and has continued to develop since that time into the leading electric motor repair facility in the southwestern U.S. The company specializes in remanufacturing industrial electric motors and wind generators and produces custom motor control centers for clients. Brithinee Electric is one of the largest sellers of NEMA Premium Efficiency industrial electric motors. These motors are the highest electrical efficiency motors available today.

The company’s newly expanded capacity enables the company to repair motors and generators up to 20 tons. The new facility will handle a growing business, with large wind generators coming from sites as far away as Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Texas.

In addition, a new training center will better accommodate customers desiring more in-depth training from experts in the industry. It also will be used for bringing together industry experts to discuss innovative products and techniques, as well as outstanding technical problems.

Since 2000, Brithinee Electric  has doubled its number of employees and believes that this expansion will double the company’s production capacity, as well as increasing capabilities of the  department which repairs and remanufactures motors and generators. The expansion of the Colton facility is good news for the Inland Empire in the midst of a down economy, and as such is a bright spot in the inland region. For more information, visit www.Brithinee.com.

Colton, CA—Brithinee Electric recently welcomed engineers from Southern California Edison to discuss the latest advances in electric motors. Speakers included Baber Inayat, V.P. Technology and David Cain, Manager of Product Applications, both from the world’s largest manufacturer of magnet wire, Superior Essex, of Fort Wayne Indiana. Also in attendance were Wayne Greer, Manager of Product Applications, of SKF Bearings, Norristown, PA.; Mark Winkeler, Application Technology Manager, of Elantas PDG Inc., a leading manufacturer of magnet wire coating and insulating resins; and, Dr. Xin Xue , who heads up research and development for Brithinee Electric.

Most speakers included subjects that impact the green aspects of motor technology, which is of particular interest to SCE. Many ratings of three phase electric motors will be mandated to be in the “Premium Efficiency” class of motors on December 19, 2010. And, still more classes of electric motors must have minimum efficiency levels once deemed as “energy-efficient.”  The motor class concluded with a tour of Brithinee Electric’s new repair facility, primarily built for the expanding renewable energy industry, which will be completely operational in first quarter 2011.

Brithinee Electric is one of the largest sellers of Premium Efficiency Motors in California. The firm’s rewinding and remanufacturing processes are designed to maintain the original machine operating efficiency.

­­­­Motors are among the building blocks of modern life, consuming 66% of all industrial electric power. The first AC generating plant, Mill Creek #1, was first installed fifteen miles from Colton, in 1893. During most if the twentieth century, the basic design of motors has remained about the same. In the 1980s, microprocessor-based motor controls having high reliability came about, allowing for better and more efficient processes.

As  these controls evolved, other problems arose, causing new types of failures in large motors and shortened motor life. For example, motors can run hotter when operated on Variable Frequency Drives, and that has a predictable effect on insulation life. Other issues arose, more difficult to analyze and solve, such as partial discharge caused by fast-switching transistors. These shortened the life of the windings and the bearings, thus acting as a deterrent to adopting the variable-frequency drives, and foregoing the energy savings they could produce.

­­­­Motors are actually complicated systems that are both mechanical and electrical in nature, and for which an understanding of the component materials is helpful. A problem in one area can frequently cause problems in another, such as a metal bearing being “etched” by partial discharges. Some of today’s new developments are using nanomaterials to coat magnet wire and improve insulating materials for windings; and ceramic materials for bearings, to isolate troublesome electrical discharge that can reduce the life of the motor.

Brithinee Electric is one of Southern California’s leading large electric motor/generator repair facilities, located in Colton, CA. They also make large motor control systems and sell new motors. Started in Colton 47 years ago, they have invested by adding a new 20,000 square foot facility to handle growing business, and larger wind generators that are serviced from as far away as Oregon and Texas. The cheapest way to reduce energy costs is by increasing efficiency; Brithinee Electric stands at the forefront of companies working on the greening of motors. Brithinee Electric offers regular motor classes for those who are interested in electric motors, or need continuing educational credits. Those interested in more information about training classes can visit www.Brithinee.com.

Plenty!
Every year we upgrade hundreds of motor and generator systems to dramatically save energy.

70% of all commercial energy is used for electric motors.

Brithinee Innovation is working with the University of California Riverside to develop large electric motor on-board wireless sensors, with the prospect of developing early warning systems. This is just one of our commitments to the environment.

Find out more details at www.Brithiness.com/Innovation.htm

• 70% percent of all commercial electric power is used to drive motors.
• When a motor is properly repaired it can run as efficiently as when it was new.
• The energy to operate an electric motor each year can cost 20 times more than the initial price
  of the motor.
• When motors are properly controlled, they last longer and reduce power consumption.
• Maintaining efficient motors saves electrical costs and reduces power plant hydro-carbons.
• New high-efficiency motors can save power easily paying for the difference in initial cost.

For over four decades, we have served the Western US in sales, repairs and the control of motors.

Even little companies can make a difference. We invite you to join us in this cause.

Brithinee Electric in Colton, California, sells and repairs large industrial motors and designs and manufactures motor control panels. Brithinee Electric serves a diverse customer base, including municipalities, utilities, food processors, rock and gravel producers, cement companies, air conditioning contractors, chemical companies, paper and plastic producers, wind farms and OEMs.

Don Brithinee and Wallace Brithinee of Brithinee Electric

Don Brithinee ’68 (’70 M.A., ’71 Ph.D) and his twin brother Wallace Brithinee ’68 (’70 M.A., ’71 Ph.D) own Brithinee Electric, which was named Small Business of the Year by California Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter for businesses within the 62nd District. The company, which was founded in 1963, is one of the largest sellers of NEMA Premium Efficiency industrial electric motors. The motors are the highest electrical efficiency motors available on the market today. Brithinee Electric is the only company in the local area that repairs electric motors and controls for industrial electric equipment. In addition to selling NEMA motors, the company also repairs motors that power wind turbines, solar projects and geo-thermal plants. The Brithinees also founded the Alumni Association Brithinee Scholarship.

Electric Motors sold, include ACTech, Baldor, General Electric, AEG, Lincoln, SEW Sterling, Tautun, US Electical, Yaskawa, Danfoss Bauer, Leeson, Motortronics, and Toshiba and more.

Brithinee Electric motor repair department services include:

• Rewinds with inverter voltage spike resistant insulation system
• Computer-assisted winding data check and redesign
• Vacuum-impregnation with 100% solids polyester resin
• Electrical testing and evaluation
• Testing and repair of stator core-iron laminations
• Complete in-house machine and fabrication shop
• Dynamic balancing

Brithinee Electric, Selling Electric Motors for 40 years.

Brithinee Electric designs and builds your Motor Control Systems to your exact requirements, using components that meet Brithinee Quality standards, so you can be assured that you will get the performance you expect. There’s no need to fit a square peg into a round hole or jury-rig a solution. It’s always suited for your particular configuration.

Founded: 1963, Colton, CA

Current Facilities:
620-640 Sough Rancho Ave.
Colton, CA
909-825-7971

Http://www.brithinee.com

Entire Site Size: 7.5 Acres

This is an Storytelling Advertorial, content is owned and provided by Brithinee Electric.

Brithinee Electric is Beating the Odds With Quality Motor Repair
by Ronald L. Burgess 5/22/2009

Some companies do thrive in a down economy. A good example of a company that has managed to stay on top, even during hard times is Brithinee Electric located in Colton. While Brithinee Electric finished its best year in 2008, it has had another record month already in 2009.

Brithinee Electric repairs and sells large industrial motors and fabricates motor controls. While some of their customer sectors are down, others are up because they depend on their factories to keep running, or for water to keep pumping.

One very successful part of the motor business is the wind generating industry. They have created reliability in motor repairs that is becoming legendary in the industry. So far, for instance, Brithinee Electric has zero failures in the wind generator-repair business, and has become the envy of many in the industry.

“Many large generators are failing now, after ten to twenty years of service, so many need to be re-wound. The emphasis on wind power seems to be helping, as well,” states Wallace Brithinee, president. The Brithinee brothers, Wally and Don, have provided innovation to an industry that has been stuck in the nineteenth century. They have set up standards to “over-engineer” the materials. According to Don, “When a generator has to be lifted down from a tower at the rate of $12,000 each time, we don’t want to have failures.”

“We started a serious marketing program five years ago, when business seemed flat. We shored up our primary markets, and added new clients as competition huddled. We saw an immediate bump in business, which continued through 2008. 2009 will probably not see the nice increases in business, but so far we’re solid.” Don stated.

Having a well-oiled customer awareness program in place prior to a recession has gone a long way towards maintaining this successful business during a recession. In Brithinee’s case, quality work, a strong marketing program, years of building a credible reputation, combined with innovation in the industry, is carving out a larger market penetration in the marketplace, while other shops recede and fail.

Other articles in the “Keeping Up in a Down Economy Series“

Companies Turn Online to Manage Marketing Budgets

Paramount Windows and Doors still fits their niche —even during troubled times.

“Business has just two functions; finding a customer and innovating.” Peter Drucker