Dinesh Patlolla

Company Overview: IPEX, a subsidiary of Aliaxis, is a prominent manufacturer of plastic pipes, fittings, joints, and valves throughout North America. The company has a strong presence in Canada and rapidly expands its operations in the USA.

• Document the problem statement, and prepare the Scope of Work (SOW) for the CAPEX projects.
• Manage and monitor projects across all stages of the project life cycle, encompassing the five key phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure.
• Forecast the budget of the CAPEX projects. Prioritize critical projects by coordinating with the Plant team, the Steering Committee, and regional management.
• Provide monthly reports, including financial spending, project progress, project blockers, red flags, and lessons learned.
• Ensure compliance with the IPEX CAPEX Policy at every project stage, including, but not limited to, the Purchasing Policy, contractor management, Management of Change (MOC), financial procedures, HSE Policy, and legal processes.
• Issue RFPs and RFIs, meet with the vendors, stakeholders, and steering committees.
• Prepare the project business case (AFE - Authority for Expenditure), and secure approval.
• Prepare AutoCAD layouts, assembly 3D drawings on SolidWorks for project presentation and approval, and the production part drawings for RFQ.
• Carry out projects as planned, controlling the project budget, scope, and quality from FEED to commissioning. Address the issues and concerns to ensure the projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Approve FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and SAT (Site Acceptance Test) upon careful inspection of equipment and its compliance with all applicable regulations, codes, and standards.
• Execute the project closeout process, and achieve the project details and lessons learned for future reference.

Key Projects:

• Enhancing the Quality Assurance Program at IPEX Kingman: Design, Manufacture, Installation, and Commissioning of Cutting-Edge QC Equipment.
• Design specifications for QC equipment, including impact testers, high-pressure testing chambers, sustain pressure chambers, and compression and tensile test machines (UTM), adhere to ASTM and CSA test methods, as well as UL, ULC, and NFS certifications. Additionally, the project scope entails constructing a new QC lab (45' x 35') with appropriate standards (environmental and structural parameters) to accommodate equipment.
• Expanding resin storage and monitoring capabilities at IPEX Edmonton Poly: I installed a 100-metric-ton resin storage capacity silo unit at the facility, equipped with a live, remote monitoring system. I also installed several advanced sensors in the existing storage silos and integrated them into a new unit with a Siemens S7-1200 PLC and I/O module.
• Redesigning Existing Equipment to Improve Safety and Ergonomics: Ensuring compliance with OH&S, ANSI, and OSHA standards for older and existing equipment. The activities include substantially modifying and relocating the equipment components, such as preheaters, vacuum ducts, etc., installing new platforms for safe and ergonomic access to operate and maintain the equipment, introducing new control panels with advanced PLC, interlocks, and safety switches, and installing new machine guarding and physical barriers.
• Glycol Pipeline Upgrade for Chiller Units – Research the root cause of failure and implement the corrections
• Shredder-Grinder-Pulverize System - Project to repurpose over 1 million kilograms of scrap pipe annually
• The Die Head Fume Control Project – Project on toxic gases and industrial ventilation.

Company Overview: I worked in Amazon Facility Operations, contributing to one of the world's most valuable companies, known for its advanced supply chain technology and rigorous safety standards.

• Maintain and innovate processes, and troubleshoot equipment to optimize plant operations while minimizing downtime.
• Collaborate with different departments to propose and implement Engineering Change Requests (ECR). Provide support for Engineering Work Orders (EWO) from a maintenance perspective.
• Assist in planning downtime activities, building contractual agreements, and part/service requisitions. Manage CMMS on Infor EAM.
• Stay connected with the global network of Amazon fulfillment centers for collaborative solutions, and the execution of actions across the entire network.
• Ensure adherence to ASME, OSHA, and CSA safety standards at all stages of the process.

Key Projects:

• Establishing a New Condition-Based Monitoring System: I implemented a condition-based monitoring (CBM) system using an ultrasound probe to detect failures before they lead to breakdowns. Ultrasound frequencies generated from the vibrations of critical machine components were tracked at regular intervals and stored in a database for comparison with the baseline. The project scope included dividing facility equipment into Crit 1, 2, and 3, while identifying major failure points along the lanes, and creating logs in the database. Identify the optimal time intervals, alarm limits, and frequency for each reading. Identify and install the locations that require RAS (Remote Access Sensors). Develop maintenance procedures by automating work orders at specified intervals for designated point groups, and collaborating with UE systems to train technicians.
• Installing a New Conveyor System: The project aimed to reduce feeding time at the pack stations. Associates must navigate the lengthy conveyor system to feed the pack stations. Constructing a new conveyor over an existing one shortens the travel distance, enhancing station utilization.
• Energy Saving Program: The program aimed to reduce the facility's recurring utility costs by identifying the factors that drive costs. The project involved analyzing historical charges and proposing various initiatives to lower the facility's operational costs. Key projects include implementing energy control mode using PLC logic.