CASE STUDY

How Chamco Delivered a Turnkey Compressed Air Solution to Enhance Reliability and Efficiency For an Alberta Sawmill

Technicians installing a new industrial compressor system in a sawmill’s confined mechanical room, surrounded by green compressors, piping, and equipment.

Project Background

In 2023, a major sawmill in Alberta needed to upgrade their aging compressed air system to meet growing operational demands. The facility was experiencing reliability issues with its existing equipment and required an increased air capacity to maintain efficient operations.

As a trusted equipment supplier and service provider with over 20 years of history at the site, Chamco was approached to design and deliver a comprehensive compressed air solution that would enhance both reliability and energy efficiency.

The Challenge

Old industrial compressor system with worn blue components and visible signs of wear in a dimly lit mechanical room.

There were several unique challenges for upgrading the sawmill’s compressed air system.

  • Aging Equipment and Reliability Issues

    The sawmill’s existing compressed air system consisted of multiple older compressors that were experiencing frequent reliability problems. These aging units required four air compressors running simultaneously just to maintain adequate plant air pressure, creating operational inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.

  • Space and Access Constraints

    One of the most significant challenges was the customer’s requirement to utilize their existing compressor room. This space constraint presented logistical difficulties, as the installation required manoeuvring large, heavy equipment through narrow access points and around overhead height restrictions.

  • Operational Continuity Requirements

    As a sawmill that operated 24/7, this customer could not afford extended downtime during the upgrade process. The project needed to be executed with minimal disruption to ongoing operations while ensuring a smooth transition from the old system to the new compressed air infrastructure.

Why the Sawmill Chose Chamco

Technicians positioning compressed air equipment using a gantry crane during Phase One of a new air system installation featuring a Sullair TS32-350H compressor.

The sawmill selected Chamco based on several key factors that differentiated us from competitors. With over two decades of successful partnership, Chamco had established itself as a reliable equipment supplier and service provider for the site, creating a foundation of trust and proven performance.

Plus, unlike competitors who would have required multiple contractors and suppliers, Chamco offered complete project management from equipment supply through engineering, installation, and commissioning, providing a single point of contact throughout the entire project. This full turnkey capability eliminated the complexity of managing multiple vendor relationships and potential coordination issues between different suppliers.

Additionally, Chamco’s proposed Sullair compressor system offered significantly better energy efficiency compared to both the existing equipment and competitive alternatives, delivering long-term operational cost savings that would benefit the facility for years to come.

Finally, Chamco’s ability to handle all regulatory requirements, including Alberta Boilers and Safety Association (ABSA) registration and compliance, eliminated complexity for the customer and ensured seamless project execution.

The Solution

Crane lifts a compressed air system component from a truck for Alberta sawmill project.

Chamco implemented a phased approach to deliver a comprehensive compressed air system upgrade that addressed all of the sawmill’s challenges.

  • Two-Phase Implementation with Superior Equipment

    To address the sawmill’s reliability issues and increase compressed air capacity, Chamco developed a phased approach that allowed for continuous operations. Phase one involved supplying and installing a single Sullair TS32-350H air compressor with 350 horsepower capacity, along with a new air dryer system. Phase two added a second identical TS32-350 compressor to provide additional capacity and system redundancy, ensuring the facility would never again experience the reliability problems of the aging equipment.

  • Specialized Installation and Access Solutions

    To overcome the challenging access constraints, Chamco leveraged its long-term relationships with specialized contractors and developed a detailed logistics plan. The Chamco team worked closely with experienced jack-and-roll crews to maneuver equipment through tight spaces and utilized local crane companies familiar with the site to position equipment precisely. Chamco coordinated with suppliers who understood the unique logistical challenges of the installation, ensuring that large, heavy compressors could be successfully installed within the existing compressor room despite overhead height restrictions and narrow access points.

  • Custom Engineering and Full Project Management

    Chamco’s Calgary-based engineering team created a comprehensive design package that optimized the existing infrastructure while ensuring minimal operational disruption. The Chamco team converted an existing air storage tank into dry air storage and added a new wet air storage tank to the system. This setup improved overall efficiency and helped protect the new dryer from potential moisture damage. Chamco handled all aspects of regulatory compliance, including ABSA registration and approval processes, engineering documentation, and pressure piping system engineering and certification. We also provided field supervision and installation oversight to ensure full code compliance, delivering complete turnkey service.

The Results

Industrial compressor room housing a green Sullair TS32-350H air compressor with blue piping and overhead lighting, illustrating the custom compressed air system installed by Chamco at an Alberta sawmill.

Our compressed air system upgrade delivered significant improvements in reliability, efficiency, and operational performance for the sawmill.

This successful project reinforced Chamco’s position as the customer’s trusted partner for critical industrial infrastructure upgrades.

Quotation Mark
“We provided full support the whole way through. The customer didn’t need to go to multiple contact points; they could just come to us with any challenges or concerns, and we worked it through with them.”
Kai Anderson, VP, Branch Operations

Other Case Studies

By |2025-08-21T09:58:37-06:00August 21st, 2025|Comments Off on How Chamco Delivered a Turnkey Compressed Air Solution to Enhance Reliability and Efficiency For an Alberta Sawmill
Go to Top