Back in the last century there was a movement in advertising that labeled most products as “New and Improved”. Not many of us back then could tell what was actually new and what was improved.
As such, the early-90s included a healthy dose of corporate disdain. Now it wasn’t necessarily boycotts or embargos on products as it was a backlash against the prevailing marketing language we grew up with in the 70s and 80s. Eye-catching graphics and hyperbolic language became a symbol of corporate greed and thus new companies opted for a more streamlined approach to marketing.
“New and Improved” became a punchline and kids responded with monochrome designs and a complete abandonment of accepted norms. At this time skateboard culture went from bold graphics and logo saturation to blank decks with no logos at all. White t-shirts and cut-up chinos were the uniform, heck, we even cut the logos off our shoes. The overarching stance being that performance is what matters, not the color of the logo.
Unfortunately, we are back to an abundance of logos and with AI generated work it is harder to distinguish what might be human created.
Real Innovation, Real Service
Many generator companies have been building their products for a long time. Along the way they have innovated and found what performs in the space they operate. At this point many have resigned to the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. What works for a microgrid in the south might not be the best option for a data center up in the great white north. While “new and improved” is not stamped on the side of our generators, we wholeheartedly stand by that sentiment, and innovation has been a constant part of our development.
We are not talking improvements like paint color and a new radiator hose, but major usability improvements to keep the downtime to a minimum. Mechanically, Mesa Generators are engineered right here in the USA to provide exceptional reliability and consistent operational experience. One way we do that is with our team of technicians and the service fleet.
Engineering In Practice
The key to innovation is keeping your finger on the pulse of potential issues. The advantage that Mesa has over the competition is the direct line from units in the field to the engineering team. In fact, engineers spend a great deal of time testing units out on location. These are not just big brains behind a desk, but real world, hands on, creators that work alongside the technicians with boots on the ground.
When an issue arises with a unit, the master techs are the first on scene to evaluate and communicate with engineering about what needs to be changed. Our organizational structure is such that when developing a new product, the technicians have an active role in every aspect of the process. We believe that in order to provide real world performance it is critical to have the people who spend the most time with our machines involved in the development.
The master techs at Mesa are not simply skilled mechanics, (which they are,) but highly trained individuals who are front line experts in Mesa generator operation and repair. They don’t just provide anecdotal input but actively participate in each aspect of design all the way to assembly development. Meaning, they assemble a team, tear the unit down, and put it ack together. This is done to test processes related to assembly and if the plan holds up under real world scrutiny.
Driving Excellence
The lineage of the generator that rolled off the assembly line this morning is directly tied to the first unit we assembled in a rented warehouse during a Wyoming winter. That first unit is still out there running and is a testament to the solid design we have embraced since day one. That being said, our technicians are drivers of innovation and some of them have been with us since the beginning. The new units might be more advanced, but those early units have many hours on the clock and still perform at a very high level. While we could say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” we prefer the continuous improvement ideology.
So next time you see a Mesa generator out behind a hospital, or outside of a data center, while they may look the same, each one has a team of engineers, technicians, and supply chain support behind it. And they are never satisfied with just being “good enough.” No “New and Improved” language here, were going straight 90s where the proof is in the sauce.
If you are interested in learning more about Mesa natural gas generators or how to become a Mesa master technician, please contact us here. Stay tuned for more exciting products in 2027!
