Caliper builds solutions

Soleco LED light tower vertically adjustable to the angle of the sun. — Photo courtesy Caliper

Over 40 years of Caliper Machine and Hydraulics's mining industry experience goes into finding solutions to practical problems. As an original equipment manufacturer, the Cranbrook company has several products that save mining and resource companies time and money.

Offering his energy and leadership to Caliper is owner Mike Hambalek. “We're a very innovative company. We listen to customers when they tell us their problems and we work on solutions,” said Hambalek.

On the mine machine side, Caliper retrofits dashboards for Cat loaders and trucks, replacing broken plastic with steel. The basic design of a jib crane saddle block hadn't changed in over 100 years. Hambalek redesigned the saddle block to reduce wear and tear, as well as maintenance downtime and to save money. Hambalek's solution? Replace steel-on-steel grinding with rollers. He holds four patents on the re­designed saddle block.

Replacement steel dash with easy access to instrument panel. — Photo courtesy Caliper

The newest project for Hambalek is the Soleco LED light tower. The mining and resource sectors currently use diesel-powered light towers that run 24/7, 365 days a year. Diesel costs are exorbitant and exhaust fumes produce greenhouse gases.

Close up shovel with saddle block. — Photo courtesy Caliper

The Soleco LED light tower is a hybrid solar, wind and small-diesel unit. Having gone through two proto­types, Hambalek said the third generation unit achieves all the goals of fielding an environmentally friendly alternative light tower that exceeds customer expectations and saves them 50 per cent on lighting costs in remote locations.

The newest tower design features a fully hydraulic setup and levelling that reduces installation time from 30 minutes to three minutes. Setup tests conducted in China, where the unit is manufactured, “went beyond what we expected,” said Hambalek.

Key components like the trailer frame and chassis box will be manufactured in China; parts like solar panels and LED lights will come from there as well. Other components will be sourced in Canada and the U.S. Assembly will be done in Cranbrook, which means jobs here at home.

As for doing business in China, Hambalek said it's a two­-edged sword.

Manufacturing in China can be fast and cheap but design and quality control need to be rigidly monitored. Caliper's level of manufacturing quality is much higher than in some Chinese companies he's dealt with. Now Habalek is working with a solid manufacturer and has a trusted ally to supervise the manufacturing process and ensure high-quality results.

Hambalek sums up his China experience: “You can get products manufactured in China very quickly, usually cheaper and the people are very friendly, work hard, and are very honourable.”

The key to Caliper's longevity is to “have the best employees as they are behind your business success,” said Hambalek.

He offers this suggestion to any business owner: “Ask your customers for ideas and find solutions to their problems related to your products or service. Keep coming up with new ideas like marketing, sales and advertising to keep work exciting and fresh.”

Apart from family, Hambalek said running a business is the most fun and rewarding thing you can do.

The Honourable Bill Bennett, B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines, is excited about "celebrating excellence and innovation where we find it; Mike (Hambalek) and the LED tower are examples of that." Bennett added, "Mike has distinguished himself in the mining industry. He's well respected."

Honourable Bill Bennett, B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines with Mike Hambalek. — Nowell Berg photo