Turn-Key Processing Solutions
Despite the Great Recession, the need for mineral processing facilities hasn’t decreased. However, according to John Vyskocil of Turn-Key Processing Solutions (TPS), what has decreased is the amount of financing available to operators who need to build and improve plants to make their money.
TPS changed its business model to better serve clients who need to build these facilities but do not have access to capital like they did in 2008 and earlier. Today, TPS has the capabilities to take mineral processing facilities from cradle to grave, and it even offers ongoing management and operations for clients who need it.
“Basically, our business model has changed as the economy has changed,” says Vyskocil, who serves as the vice president of business development for TPS. “Now, we’re focusing on addressing the risk of the customers, we listen to what clients need then try to quantify those risks and manage those risks for the customers.”
Despite launching in 2002, TPS boasts more than 20 years of industry experience through employees who are experts in the mineral processing and bulk material handling industry. The company operates with an open book management system that allows TPS and their clients to focus on a common goal early in the process.
TPS owns and operates American Bin and Conveyor, which operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Burlington, Wis. This factory provides custom fabrication and assembly work to meet TPS customers’ needs.
TPS delivers mineral processing facilities throughout the United States for a variety of applications, including industrial minerals, frac sand, silica sands and phosphate. The company provides equipment for handling bulk material, dry bulk and precious metals, as well.
Risk-Takers
TPS’s clients need as much risk as possible taken off their plates for large-scale projects like mineral processing plants. These days, that might include long-term services such as operating a plant as well as finding the financing required to build these facilities.
“Clients need to carefully choose their design/build team carefully and we put forth our best effort to assemble the right team for each project,” Vyskocil says.
Gone are the days when companies like TPS turned down work because a client couldn’t afford the complete suite of services it offered. Instead, Vyskocil says the company often works with clients through a guaranteed maximum pricing (GMP) structure that ensures TPS will take a project as far as it can within those specific budgetary parameters.
Customers need reliable CapEx (Capital Expense) figures and OpEx (Operating Expense). Turn-key provides both of these parameters for clients so intelligent decision making can be made as the project develops. For example, a client who wants to minimize capital expenses need to know what the impact to operating expenses may be, Vyskocil says.
Safe and secure
TPS offers a quality safety program that ensures the health and well-being of workers at the mineral processing facility. “Injuries can be costly in terms of medical bills and workers’ compensation claims, but also in terms of lost productivity, down time, additional labor costs, and equipment repair and replacement,” the company states.
The company’s mineral processing plant safety plan includes compliance with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA); compliance with OSHA-governed work sites; staff completion of MSHA Part 48; and a worker’s compensation experience rating of less than .80.
Ramping Up
To apply the business model TPS is using the company has aggressively pursued the best talent to raise a “higher level of competency” to execute these types of transactions.
“As you take on more risk, you must bring on a higher caliber of person that has experience,” he says. “Otherwise, you’re putting yourself at risk. We had to invest in people. We also invested in processes and procedures we follow.”
Now that TPS has its internal infrastructure in order, it can penetrate any segment of its industry. “We can grow into diversified markets in the latest processing techniques in the material handling industry,” Vyskocil adds.