To increase production space, Alcom contracted with GRUPO RIO SAN JUAN to design and build a major expansion of the Reynosa facility. The design included the requisite expansion of the building footprint. To most efficiently utilize the existing and expanded space, the project included a large second floor mezzanine.

The construction took 11 months and the expansion increased the facility by almost 75 percent to 409,725 sq. ft.

Coupled with increasing the workforce to 3,650, Alcom now has the space to more easily handle the growing production demand.

Hydraulic Lifts Allow Production to Flow Over Two Levels

Two 21 Series hydraulic lifts from PFlow Industries, allow production to flow efficiently despite the addition of the second level. Installed at opposite ends of the mezzanine, the lifts move electrical components and parts between various stages of assembly, packaging and shipping.

Each lift has carriage dimensions of 7’ 2” W x 8’ 0” L x 8’ 0” H. They have the capacity to move loads of 2,500 lbs., 24 feet per minute over the 18’ travel distance between the ground and mezzanine. The lifts are more than sufficient for current needs, with enough excess capacity to allow a significant increase in the number of loads as business continues to grow.

The carriage is lifted and lowered by two hydraulic cylinders, mounted on the guide columns that straddle the carriage. The hydraulic technology provides cost-effective durability, allowing the lifts to operate continuously 16 hours per day, with installation costs and maintenance needs less than other lifting technologies.

Johnson Equipment Provides Local Project Management

The design for the expansion came together when GRUPO RIO SAN JUAN contacted PFlow for input on the most appropriate lifting technology for the job. As discussions progressed PFlow brought in Johnson Equipment Company, a trusted PFlow dealer with locations in Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mexico.

“We partnered with Johnson Equipment because the timeframe was tight, and we knew they had the ability to get the job done quickly and correctly,” said Eduardo Kuhn, the PFlow territory manager in Mexico. “They are well connected in Mexico, and it was good to have them onsite to manage the project through the development and installation stages.”

The turnaround was very quick. The initial order, drawing approvals, manufacturing, shipping, customs clearance and installation all occurred within four months.

Said Marco Dávila, the Johnson Equipment sales manager for Mexico, “We are very familiar with the PFlow product line, so we took the project lead on the local level. We worked with PFlow to get the specs just right, expedite the process, and integrate several custom features that were requested.”

“Diagonal drop bar gates were installed rather than full carriage gates on the first level, to cut costs and provide quicker access for loading and unloading. And due to the unusually clean and quiet Alcom production environment, acoustic rubber landing mats were placed on the ground floor to reduce noise as the carriage reaches the bottom position.”

Hydraulic lifts are ideal for applications with lift loads up to 8,000 lbs., carriage sizes to 12’ 0″ x 10’ 0″, and vertical rises to 22’.

Features such as velocity fuses to prevent uncontrolled carriage descent in the unlikely event of a total hydraulic hose rupture make them extremely safe. PFlow 21 Series lifts also include torsion bars that link the two hydraulic cylinders, equalizing the load and ensuring the carriage remains level at all times.

Vertical lifts have their own national code (ASME B20.1). PFlow has proven vertical lift installations worldwide.

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“We are very familiar with the PFlow product line, so we took the project lead on the local level. We worked with PFlow to get the specs just right, expedite the process, and integrate several custom features that were requested.”

– Marco Dávila, Mexico Sales Manager, Johnson Equipment