June 17, 2021 | Today we meet Messrs. Isao Ueyama and Shin’ichi Yamaguchi with Plant Service Co., Ltd, in Japan. Both gentlemen have held ICML certification continuously since first earning MLA II in Nagoya during August 2008 and May 2009, respectively. Recalling the difficulty of the certification exam, they nonetheless persevered so that together they could provide top service to their clients. Ueyama is currently the company president, while Yamaguchi is manager, handling sales of fluid cleaning equipment and advice for hydraulic oil control.
What prompted you to seek ICML certification in 2008?
UEYAMA: At that time we were an agent of a Japanese fluid analysis company and our major clients were power generating companies in Japan. As many maintenance staffs of our clients got certified, we followed. Today, power plants still comprise the majority of our customer base.
Briefly recap the occasion of your first certification exam.
UEYEMA: The instructor said, “The test is easy, 70-80% of examinees will pass.” But I found that was an outright lie after looking into the exam questions! I heard from power companies’ maintenance staff that the exam was very difficult to pass and only 20% or so can get through, so I studied very hard. Fortunately, I could pass, but I guess I passed by the skin of my teeth.
YAMAGUCHI: I was very tired with lessons (training) of 8 hours per day for 4 consecutive days, but I remember all participants studied hard. Some of the exam questions were translated from English to Japanese, so difficult to interpret. I enjoyed the formal training, but I didn’t pass the exam at first whereas my colleague, Isao, passed successfully. I felt sheepish, so I had my mind set on passing on second time and work hard toward it. And then I passed with effort a few months later.
How has ICML certification helped you the most?
UEYAMA: Because we provide fluid analysis services to our customers, so maintaining certification is very useful and helpful to convey credibility to our clients.
YAMAGUCHI: Because the certification is required to analyze and sample our client fluids. MLA II helps us to gain the credibility from our power generating clients as we discuss their fluids and facilities, and it builds a sense of camaraderie with their staff who also have MLA II.
What is your favorite memory/experience of your lubrication journey?
UEYAMA: As we have deals with lubricant-related companies, the accumulation of knowledge helped us a lot.
YAMAGUCHI: We could eliminate the troubles of EHC systems at our clients’ power plants. For instance, EPT in Canada supports our service a lot. On one occasion, this client was suffering from servo-valve troubles with a gas turbine EHC, but their ICB filter and ECR eliminated the troubles as they removed varnish/particle related contaminants. Our fluid analysis was effective to determine the root causes.
How was your WORK impacted by covid-19 restrictions IN 2020?
UEYAMA: Impacted a lot because we have always emphasized meeting with our clients and visiting their facilities directly.
YAMAGUCHI: Due to the restriction of outings, we have difficulties visiting and checking our clients’ facilities. I’m not sure when the state of emergency will be lifted in Japan at all, but many Japanese people can’t stand these restrictions. Incongruously, Japan administration is still indecisive about Tokyo Olympics cancellation as of the end of May. This chaotic condition will NOT be improved readily.
What would you identify as your top tool or technology on the market today, and why?
YAMAGUCHI: Top tools include Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine (RULER) and Membrane Patch Colorimetry (MPC).
- RULER – because it only takes a few minutes compared to RBOT and applicable with long-life fluid.
- MPC test – because it can quantify the amount of fine particles and patch color compared to ISO Code.
Favorite town/region where you have worked
UEYAMA: By all means, Kobe, Japan, where I live (though I’ve never lived outside of Japan…) Kobe is a very nice town and famous for “Kobe Beef”—very expensive!
YAMAGUCHI: Kobe, Japan
Hobbies/Interests/activities outside of work
UEYAMA: Hiking. Kobe has beautiful mountains and beaches, so best suited for hiking and marine sports.
YAMAGUCHI: Bicycling, Mountain climbing
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