Project Background
Abbott’s Liquid Salvage is a liquid waste management business based in Albany, Western Australia. The company relies on vacuum pump systems for the safe and efficient handling of liquid waste across a range of industrial and environmental applications.
When one of their key Masport vacuum pumps seized, the team faced a difficult decision. Replacement costs for new units were high, and with limited availability, delivery times risked further downtime. They needed a fast, cost-effective solution that could get their existing equipment back in working order without compromising performance.
That’s where Air & Power stepped in.
The Problem
The vacuum pump had failed due to internal wear and mechanical seizure. Replacing the pump with a new unit would have cost between $5,000 and $10,000, not including lead time or installation. This represented a significant unplanned expense and would have created disruption for an essential service provider.
The client needed a reliable and responsive repair service that could restore the pump quickly and with confidence that it would perform to spec once back in the field.
The Solution
Air & Power recommended a full pump refurbishment, a practical, technician-led alternative to replacement. The work was completed at our Belmont workshop by experienced service technicians and included:
- Honing the internal chamber to restore surface integrity
- Replacing the damaged vanes
- Resetting the internal clearances for optimum operating efficiency
- Repainting the pump exterior for added protection and a clean finish
- Full performance testing to verify vacuum capacity and operating pressure
Every step was completed with reference to the manufacturer’s performance specifications, ensuring that the pump would return to the field in ready-to-run condition.
The Results
The refurbished pump was returned to Abbott’s Liquid Salvage fully operational, tested, and repainted. The turnaround time was fast enough to minimise disruption to their work, and the restoration allowed them to avoid the financial impact of a new purchase.
The job delivered:
- A cost saving of up to $10,000
- A fast repair turnaround compared to extended new unit lead times
- A pump restored to factory-clearance standards with verified performance
The job also reflects one of Air & Power’s core strengths: offering real, value-for-money solutions for regional WA clients who rely on responsive support to keep equipment moving.
Why It Worked
Rather than pushing for a sale, Air & Power focused on a technician-first solution, restoring a high-value asset and extending its working life at a fraction of the replacement cost.
By honing and resetting the internals, the pump’s vacuum performance was recovered without compromise. The final result was a fully functional, properly tested pump, ready for immediate redeployment.
This job reinforced our belief that skilled service work, carried out locally, can often outperform a default “replace it” mindset, saving clients time, money, and unnecessary waste.
Lessons for Other Businesses
For operators in waste management, transport, or field services, breakdowns often create pressure to act quickly and expensively. But not every failure means replacement.
With the right assessment, parts, and practical know-how, equipment like vacuum pumps, compressors, and air systems can often be rebuilt to perform like new. It’s faster than waiting for international freight, cheaper than a new asset, and far less wasteful.
Air & Power continues to support regional operators like Abbott’s Liquid Salvage with workshop repairs, parts supply, and honest advice, so they can keep running safely and efficiently without spending more than they need to.
