Lakeside Equipment Corporation has completed the commissioning of new screens and grit collectors in Hawaii - continuing its solid relationship with the Pacific island group that goes back almost 70 years.
The new equipment for the Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay on Oahu adds another landmark to Lakeside’s near eight-decade portfolio in Hawaii.
Designed to remove inorganic solids that can be harmful to downstream equipment, the Lakeside Raptor FalconRake Bar Screen at Turtle Bay benefits from multiple rakes that clean the screen, plus rake teeth that penetrate the bar openings to remove captured material. Meanwhile the Lakeside In-Line Grit Collector (ideal for smaller treatment facilities) is an all-in-one aerated grit chamber that maintains circulation in various flow conditions to prevent lighter organic material from settling.
‘Remarkable history’
With a presence on three of the Hawaiian Islands, this latest installation for Lakeside is also the 15th different type of equipment system that is has provided to America’s 50th state.
Lakeside’s remarkable history in Hawaii began in 1956 when (known as Lakeside Engineering), the company’s visionary President, Dr John Montgomery, together with his wife, Mary, took the then, epic journey from Chicago to Honolulu, because he firmly believed that good opportunities existed there for the business. He was right. It’s not quite clear whether Mr & Mrs Montgomery took time out to surf and/or relax on Waikiki Beach, but even if they did, they succeeded in securing their first order on the islands, for a filter, a final clarifier, and a Spiragester at Kailua Heights on the northwest of ‘Big Island’.
Known for always backing its customers with exemplary aftersales service, Lakeside’s Dr Montgomery journeyed all the way back to the Kailua Heights WWTP a year later to check that the operators on site were happy with what had been installed.
The next installation in the Pacific for Lakeside was on the island of Kauai, where it installed the first of several low-maintenance, non-clogging Open Screw Pumps, which lift large quantities of wastewater at low heads.
‘Hard work and enterprise’
Marian Widdel, Administrative Manager at Lakeside Equipment Corporation, commented: “We are immensely proud of our long track-record in Hawaii; with this latest order bringing another important, long-term and highly cost-effective solution to Oahu. It is incredible to think that thanks to the hard work and enterprise shown by the late, great Dr Montgomery, our first equipment for Hawaii was installed 68 years ago – and that we continue to supply the islands to this very day.”
She added: “Promark Corporation of Kapolei play a pivotal role in Hawaii as our sales representative, with their first-class knowledge of their customer’s wastewater needs – and our very popular former Vice President, Warren Kersten (now retired) was also instrumental in maintaining and increasing our equipment sales to the islands.” A Hui Hou.
The Lakeside success story continues
