CUC: Solomon transformers to arrive today

Just a few of the 306 transformers from Solomon Corporation that are being flown to Saipan on five Boeing 727s. The transformers will start arriving today from Kansas City. (Contributed Photo)

The final shipment of 306 transformers from the Solomon Corporation is scheduled to arrive this afternoon when Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will take delivery of the most critical piece of the restoration puzzle.

The arrival will complete CUC’s order of 486 refurbished transformers from the Solomon Corporation, the first 180 of which were delivered Oct. 11.

CUC Acting executive director, John Riegel, welcomes the arrival of Solomon’s transformers and credits the efforts of CUC’s in-house team and visiting disaster responders for getting restoration crews the materials they need.

“This order was the product of a coordinated effort between CUC and our local, regional and federal partners. Without this partnership, our recovery would be delayed by months, during which time our community would suffer without essential services,” said Riegel.

Solomon Corporation is the largest rebuilder of oil-filled transformers in the United States and the largest employer in Solomon, Kansas. With over 45 years of experience providing electrical power in disaster areas, Solomon is uniquely qualified to respond to domestic or international emergencies.

Solomon chief executive officer Tom Hemmer said his employees are no strangers to dealing with disasters, which is one of the reasons they worked extra hours and weekends to complete the shipment for CUC customers as soon as possible.

“Our employees live in towns where powerful tornados can and do damage to the local areas. When a large storm hits our community, neighbors help one another to clean up, rebuild and restore the vibrancy of everyday life,” said Hemmer. “For the 570 employees of Solomon and our new friends in Saipan, this is really about that simple value of one neighbor helping another neighbor. We are very grateful we were chosen to assist your community.”

The transformers were loaded on six trucks at Solomon headquarters in Solomon, Kansas Monday, Oct. 26, at 7am local time and departed the Kansas City International Airport 9:30pm. After refueling in Honolulu, Hawaii, the plane is scheduled to arrive in Guam this morning. The transformers will then be flown to Saipan on Boeing 727s in a series of five flights, the first of which is scheduled for arrival at 4:45pm local time. Solomon’s Manager of its International Rapid Response Division, Keith P. Kenney, said he has been in constant communication with CUC management and staff via email, phone calls, and conference calls since the purchase agreement was initiated, and holds a high regard for the CNMI’s hometown utility. “I have great admiration for the staff at CUC. Their dedication and the long hours put forth to ensure Solomon built their transformers quickly but with high quality and reliability was professional and determined,” Kenney said.

For more information, contact CUC’s Customer Call Center by calling 664-4282.

CUC is a non-profit autonomous agency of the CNMI government. The utility provides electric power, water and wastewater services to the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. (CUC)