AC883: Delivering Parts, Solving Problems, Fast
Special bolts from Germany, legacy parts for a 20-year-old turbine, and monster markups from OEMs. If headaches like these sound familiar, here’s some good news: AC883 helps operators source turbine spare parts to cut costs and reduce downtime. AC883 can offer faster response times and better pricing than manufacturers based in Europe. That’s why they are in our Uptime Spotlight!
Listen to the episode on Spotify here
We’re talking spare parts! If you source turbine parts you know this is a huge issue – all over the world, really – and it seems like in the US and Canada, there’s always a shortage. In a recent sit-down with Lars Bendsen, CEO & Founder of AC883, we were impressed with how the company is overcoming these too-prevalent problems for owners and operators in the US and all over.
The “easy” way to source turbine parts has been to call the original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, to obtain GE, Vestas, Siemens, Nordex, or other turbine spare parts. But it’s not easy on your budget – and usually, your operations take a hit, too, because connecting with the OEM and wading through their system to locate the part can be a time-consuming process.
AC883, located in Canada, has a surprisingly simple and fast process. Bendsen describes it this way:
The process is that you’ll get an email [that says] we got your RFQ we’re working on it right now. You’ll get an email within an hour that we have it, or don’t. We won’t leave you high and dry. Then, we source it right off the bat. If you don’t have it within a day or two, you will have an answer back with the price and lead time. –Lars Bendsen
Hall approves. “Availability is key, right? Strategic procurement is difficult,” he said. “Even people who are doing procurement at a large scale in an organization…they’re dealing with so many things, that to find this one part at one of these few manufacturers over in Denmark, well, that’s difficult.”
Spare Turbine Parts: What’s Available?
AC883 is happy to supply main shaft and bearings for Siemens 2.3MW turbines, but the company is staying away from major components, like gear boxes, generators. Bendsen explained that while he knows there’s a need – liquidated asset issues are real — but it’s simply not worthwhile for the company to do it.
We just set up a big agreement with one of the main the major filter suppliers. Now we have A9B* and access to all the the western filters…[at] a fraction of the price they’re paying today. – Bendsen
Taking a very straightforward approach to solving problems and needs that the company can address seems to be a running theme at the company.
Turbine part procurement problems solved?
As Chief Commercial Officer at Weather Guard Lightning Tech, Joel Saxum is enthusiastic about AC883’s approach.
“There’s a large problem in the industry and I would say that if you’re a wind farm operator or wind site supervisor, technician, whatever, at some point in time, you’ve felt the pain of not having the spare part that you need to get your turbine up and running, And that’s where AC883 comes into play.”
Listen to the entire interview here
When it comes to getting the parts operators need, Bendsen acknowledged the company does not beat around the bush.
” It’s about knowing those manufacturers and having access to them,” he said. “Yeah. And I think we’re pretty good at it.”
Allen Hall, CEO of Weather Guard Lightning Tech, applauds the simply, direct approach.
“So when you call, and say, ‘Hey, I got a GE 2.X machine.,’ they say, ‘Here’s the list of parts we can get for you. “
‘This is why everybody goes to AC883 – because it’s simple, and easy to get things done.”
And the supply chain has remained a little too complicated, and a little too slow-moving, for way too long.
What’s the holdup on spare turbine parts?
“Turnaround times from the OEMs tends to be slow if they have the part in stock and there’s so much demand at for some specific parts that they don’t always don’t have it sitting on a shelf to send to you, which is a huge problem,” Hall explained
“So you have to develop a subsequent chain, a supply chain, and why not go right to the source? Which is gonna be in Denmark for the most part – and why not source the actual part instead of an imitation part or a refurbished part? When you call AC883, you can actually get the real part.”
Will AC883 change the nature of procurement and specifically, sourcing spare turbine parts? Frankly, we hope so. What we can say for certain is that AC883 is a reliable company to work with, and they are solving problems for operators every day. If you need to replace a turbine part, it’s a great place to start.
TLDR?
Sourcing turbine parts is time consuming and OEM prices are crazy. Operators can cut costs and reduce downtime with AC883. Get fast response times and better pricing than those from European-based manufacturers. Check out AC883 here.
How to Contact AC883
Visit ac883.com or contact Lars via email: lars@ac883.com
Listen to the March 28, 2025 interview here:
About Spotlight
Spotlight is a regular feature of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast that focuses on wind Energy’s brightest innovators. This is the progress powering tomorrow! Follow along on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your professional podcasts and wind energy industry news.
*referring to all the Siemens Gamesa drawings and part numbers.
