Air Masters was awarded the prestigious 2015 “E. Robert Kent Award for Management Innovation.”

Air Masters receives MCAA award for management innovation

March 13, 2015
Air Masters was awarded the prestigious 2015 “E. Robert Kent Award for Management Innovation."

ST. LOUIS, MO. – Air Masters was awarded the prestigious 2015 “E. Robert Kent Award for Management Innovation” by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) at MCAA’s annual convention in Maui, Hawaii on Wednesday, March 11.

The E. Robert Kent Award honors an MCAA member firm whose innovation improves productivity, increases cost-effectiveness, or otherwise improves the mechanical industry.

Air Masters, based in Fenton, Missouri, was recognized for their stationary CNC pipe fabricator machine. The fabricator cuts 2.5” to 12” steel pipe to computer-programmed specifications. The machine mounts to the end of any pipe roller bed and the operator can electronically adjust the fabricator up or down to center it around the pipe. The computer controls the cut parameters and speed requirements.


“The CNC Pipe Fabricator has become the focal point of our pipe fabrication process,” said Gary Tidwell, project manager for Air Masters. “This has allowed us to keep pace with fabrication requests and get our customers’ equipment on line more quickly. The CNC Pipe Fabricator has cut hours from our pipe fabrication time and gave us complete payback in six months.”

Air Masters’ CNC Pipe Fabricator is 25’ long and 48” wide and uses two 60 amp plasma cutters, one for pipe bed cuts and one dedicated to the pipe fabricator. The machine, which Air Masters invented with an investment of less than $30,000, will enable small to mid-size HVAC and process pipe contractors to fabricate piping systems in their own shops.


Air Masters Corporation is a full-service HVAC, plumbing, piping, building automation and energy conservation firm with more than 200 professional and trade employees. Established in 1966, Air Masters delivers engineering, construction, installation, service/maintenance and facility management services. Air Masters advocates for sustainable solutions designed to ensure occupant comfort, improve systems efficiency and reduce facility operational costs for the life of the building. Air Masters serves clients in Missouri and Illinois, with offices in St. Louis, Columbia and Rolla. For more information, call (636) 680-2100 and visit www.airmasters.com, www.gatewaymechanical.com and www.asgstl.com.

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