Airport Technologies Inc. (ATI) has developed a process that puts life back into existing past-its-prime airport heavy machinery – specifically snow removal equipment - critical for ensuring aprons and runways are safe for aircraft operations.

This “re-lifing” process also comes with a warranty equal to the machine’s original life, and at a significantly reduced price (averaging about $100,000 in savings), making it an attractive alternative to buying new.

ATI was created by three principles in August 2001, and is one of the only two companies west of Quebec that offers this unique service.

The company’s senior staff members have over 40 years of experience in the operational, technical, managerial and financial areas of the airport business, and they take pride in the type and quality of service they provide.

“Nobody refurbishes airport machinery to the extent we do,” said Barry Smith, one of ATI’s three partners. “We not only make the machine itself like new, we modernize it with the latest equipment and do custom design work as well.”

The rehabilitation starts by disassembling the machine down to its nuts and bolts. The chasis and frame are stripped and sandblasted to bare metal, and all painted metals are sprayed with a rust inhibitor, epoxy primer, and two coats of industrial duty epoxy paint (choice of colour) before re-assembly.

ATI’s refurbishing process also ensures the machine receives complete new wiring. “There isn’t a single inch of old wiring on it when we’re done,” said Wright. Depending on the situation, ATI either has damaged parts replaced with new ones, or they manufacture the parts themselves. “If it’s damaged in any way, we won’t use it because we want to be able to guarantee our work,” he said.

The company offers an open door policy where clients can stop by to see what they do first-hand. Smith said, “If you want to see what we do for yourself there’s no problem; feel free to stop by, we would enjoy showing you how we do business.”

After visiting ATI’s plant the Winnipeg Airport Authority was so impressed with its work, they became clients. Bob Edgar, Vice President, Commercial Services and Operations for the Winnipeg Airports Authority said, “ATI’s claim of rehabilitating and re-engineering certain components to a like-new-condition at a lower cost is a legitimate and attractive option to us.” He also said ATI’s ability to make customized modifications that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were unable to integrate during production line development of new machinery is an “added attraction.”

ATI started with the goal to simply save people money. Smith says they believe in what the business can do for the client, and that is what has motivated their growth. “Why discard a machine when you can have it totally refurbished for much less than the cost of new equipment?” said Smith.

ATI is located at  Southport, Manitoba.