Our remarkable reaction time enables the swift restoration of customer operations, often outpacing larger OEMs: Richard Lowrance of Baseload Power

“We have a well-stocked parts department because we understand the importance of having essential components readily available.” 

Baseload Power is a global power generation services company, maintaining Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like GE Vernova, Baker Hughes, Siemens, as well as prominent Utilities such as BlackHills and Duke. Known for its commitment to providing high-quality work at reasonable prices and possessing an industry-leading response time, Baseload Power stands out in the industry.

At the heart of Baseload Power’s business philosophy is customer satisfaction, complemented by a strong people-oriented approach. The company was founded with the intention of collaborating with individuals who share a passion for quality service, aiming to enhance the quality of life for team members. This commitment is evident in daily operations and reflected in the outstanding customer list. The company anticipates achieving a gross revenue of approximately 25 to 30 million in 2024.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Baseload Power demonstrated resilience by maintaining a consistent growth trajectory and steady gross revenue levels. The company’s services remain highly sought after and valuable due to a well-maintained inventory of parts. Baseload stocks rotable components like bearings, generator rotors, gas turbine fuel nozzles, etc., facilitating quick rotable exchanges or lease options to minimize downtime for customers. With readily available parts on the shelf, Baseload Power ensures prompt shipment, enabling clients to resume operations and generate revenue within a few days.

The company is headquartered in Texas.

The Silicon Review reached out to Richard Lowrance, Managing Director and Principal of Baseload Power, and here’s what he had to say.

Interview Highlights

The Power of Addressing Customer Problems

Our customers frequently highlight three main concerns regarding their experiences with OEMs:

Responsiveness: One major issue is the perceived lack of responsiveness from the OEM. Customers often express dissatisfaction with delayed or inadequate responses to their inquiries and service requests.

Parts Availability: Another prominent concern is the limited availability of essential parts. Customers face challenges when critical components are not readily accessible, leading to extended downtime and disruptions in their operations.

Pricing: The third key issue revolves around pricing practices. Customers frequently find OEM pricing structures to be exorbitant or unreasonable, impacting their operational costs and overall budgeting.

By addressing these concerns, our company aims to provide a superior alternative, offering prompt and effective responsiveness, a comprehensive inventory of readily available parts, and fair and transparent pricing structures to meet the unique needs of our valued customers.

Services Overview

On the generator front, our range of services includes various critical aspects to ensure the sustained reliability and operational efficiency of our clients’ power generation systems. These services include:

Maintenance Inspections: Regular assessments to identify and address potential issues, ensuring ongoing system reliability.

Annual Inspections: Comprehensive yearly evaluations to maintain the optimal performance of the generator.

Five-Year and 10-Year Inspections: In-depth inspections at these intervals to address long-term wear and tear, enhancing the overall lifespan of the generator.

Bearing Inspection: Thorough examinations to assess the condition of bearings and address any potential concerns.

AVR Tuning: Fine-tuning of the Automatic Voltage Regulator for optimal generator performance.

Major Overhaul: Comprehensive overhauls to address significant components and systems, ensuring extended longevity.

Stator Rewind and Rotor Rewind: Specialized services to address the rewinding needs of the stator and rotor, contributing to overall reliability.

Emergency Outages: Swift and effective response during emergency outages to minimize downtime and restore operations promptly.

In the Pratt & Whitney FT8 and General Electric LM domains, we specialize in:

Engine Swaps: Seamless replacements to enhance the efficiency and performance of power generation systems.

Simple Troubleshooting: Efficient identification and resolution of turbine issues.

Combustor Can Replacement: Specialized replacement services to optimize combustion efficiency.

Fuel Nozzle Replacement: Availability of specific fuel nozzles and Replacement of said fuel nozzles for improved fuel combustion.

Special Tooling for Level Two and a Half Maintenance: Utilization of specialized tools for effective maintenance procedures.

Hot Section Exchanges: Strategic replacements in critical sections to maintain optimal turbine performance.

These services are designed to help our customers in meeting the reliability requirements essential for power production and fulfilling the terms of their power purchase agreements.

Client Engagement Mechanics

Clients typically engage with us through various channels, with word of mouth, encounters at sales conferences, and Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSA) with OEMs like General Electric being the most common avenues. Additionally, clients may directly approach us for our services.

Our Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with OEMs play a crucial role in client acquisition. In cases where clients are introduced to us through these agreements, we respect the established relationships and collaborate directly with the OEMs. This approach ensures a seamless representation of the OEM’s interests, allowing us to proficiently address our mutual customers’ needs. The OEMs recognize the value of having Baseload Power as a strategic partner.

For clients outside the OEM-MSA framework, which constitutes a significant portion of our clientele, connections are often established through participation in sales conferences. Clients, familiar with our industry reputation for excellence, are willing to explore alternatives beyond OEMs and provide us with opportunities to showcase our expertise.

If a customer is initially introduced to us through an OEM, we adhere to ethical practices and do not circumvent the OEM relationship. Our commitment to transparency and maintaining clear communication ensures that our clients understand and appreciate the collaborative approach we take in the industry.

Sourcing the Right Parts

We have a well-stocked parts department because we understand the importance of having essential components readily available. Unlike some big companies, we know what parts are often needed, and we use our profits to buy and refurbish things like generator rotors, fuel nozzles, and complete generators. We do this so that when our customers need these parts, we already have them in stock.

Our main job is to help power plants keep running smoothly because they are not in business to be offline for weeks waiting for parts. They are in business to make power, and people need that power. So, having the right parts on hand is crucial. I don’t see the point in doing inspections if we don’t have the parts to replace anything we find that needs fixing. It’s like going to a car shop, being told your brakes need changing, but they don’t have the parts for nine weeks. That does not make any sense.

Some big companies do something similar to their customers. They inspect things, find problems, but then say they don’t have the parts, and it will take weeks to get them. We think that doesn’t make much sense. We are all about making sure our customers can keep making power without unnecessary delays.

Swift Solutions: Case Study

We had a client experience a diode failure, causing a plant shutdown. When such incidents occur, the plant sends out emails for urgent assistance. Luckily, we received the email, and being onsite, we swiftly replaced the diodes and fuses, as we keep those in stock. The unit was back online before the OEM even responded to the email.

Similarly, another customer had a rotor issue, and fortunately, we had a spare rotor ready to go. We got the customer back up and running in a short time, even before the OEM or any other aftermarket company could offer assistance. Our quick response and stocked inventory allowed us to provide efficient solutions, minimizing downtime for our clients.

Team, Expertise, and a Commitment to Giving

We have an excellent team of field service people who take pride in their work at Baseload Power. They love being able to help customers on the spot. Many of them came from other OEMs, bringing extensive knowledge and troubleshooting skills. They appreciate having everything on hand to quickly get customers back online. This makes their job more enjoyable, knowing they can provide what’s needed without delay.

We are also a charitable company, giving a significant amount to local charities like the USO, The Purple Door, Salvation Army, and Mission 9 1 1. We believe in giving back, appreciating the blessings provided by the good Lord for ourbusinees, my family, and the Baseload family. The feedback from customers is positive—they love Baseload. When our team is on site, they leave the place cleaner than they found it, and the job is done right. While we are not perfect, any issues are quickly resolved. We are fully committed to our customer base, going above and beyond to make their lives stress-free.

“We attribute our success to a customer-centric and people-oriented approach, coupled with a robust inventory system that ensures rapid response and service delivery. This approach solidifies Baseload Power’s position as a trusted partner in the power generation services industry.”