Empowering Pumps recently began inviting people to Nominate an Industry Professional, and today’s Person of the Week has been in the pump industry for over 30 years! Meet Bruce Buswell, Rotating Equipment Specialist at Universal Plant Services. This is what he had to share:

Q. How did you get started working in the Pump Industry? 

Bruce: I started machining in 1979 and went to work for Dow Chemical Freeport as a machinist. I left the plant and went to Houston to work in a shop environment and have been in the repair industry ever since!

Q. What is your favorite part of your job? What are you most proud of? 

Bruce: My favorite part is repairing equipment that is either very old or severely damaged and providing a customer with a solution to their damaged equipment. I am most proud of being known for awesome customer service, quality repairs, and always trying to teach and mentor people wanting to learn the industry. I am also proud of being well-respected and known for repairing very large rotating equipment.

Q. What advice would you give to someone new to the industry? 

Bruce: Pay attention and listen to what your peers or elders are talking about when repairs are the subject. Get a good education, and if possible, find a mentor. Stay by their side as long as possible.

Q. Can you tell us about a cool project you worked on? 

Bruce: The pump in the photo is a 1954 model Worthington 54” sea water pump. It was re-engineered and rebuilt in a 12-week period to better specifications than it was constructed in 1954.

Q. What are the top 5 questions you get asked by your customers? How do you answer them?

Bruce: What I talk about with my customers is private, but I can tell you that our customers appreciate our ability to provide pretty accurate cost estimates before disassembly and inspection, hydraulic re-rates, investment & 3D castings, CAD drawings / 3D models for parts that our team reverse engineers, and photo updates on repairs throughout the entire process. We also offer complete Laser Tracking Ball inspections and reverse engineering on components (just ask me!).

Thank you, Bruce, for being our Pump Person of the Week! We look forward to keeping up with you through the #PumpTalk Community!