Get the Buzz... APM Aero Furthers their Expertise with the John Crane Dry Gas Seal Certification

At APM, continuous training is more than a checkbox—it’s a commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence. During the last week of January, the John Crane dry gas seal training took place at the LDC. A group of twelve people, consisting of a mix of superintendents and core team members, successfully completed their Dry Gas Seal Certification.

The certification was developed and delivered by John Crane’s experienced training team, including Daniel Rose (Main Trainer), James Rowland (Facilitator), and Christopher Auzenne (Assistant Trainer). Together, they guided participants through classroom instruction and hands-on exercises designed to mirror real-world conditions.

What sets this certification apart is the exposure and clarification on dry gas seals. Often considered a “black box” topic, the training breaks down how these systems function, why failures occur, and how proper procedures directly impact equipment safety and reliability. By pairing classroom instructions with real-world scenarios, the materials were more practical and digestible.

For APM participants, the biggest takeaway was confidence. Superintendent, Chris Adkins shared that while he had prior experience, earning the certification reinforced his understanding of what he’s worked on in the field. Superintendent, Steven Petty noted that the training helped clarify why specific steps and procedures matter, deepening his understanding of proper flow and process.  The Aero Division handles an extremely high volume of compressor seals, which is why it was important for these participants to not only earn another certification but also work together to problem solve dry gas seal rebuilds and installation.

As customer expectations excel, certified expertise is becoming increasingly important, especially for leadership roles and complex gas compression projects. This certification equips APM personnel with the knowledge and confidence needed to lead crews, reduce risk, and deliver consistent, high-quality results.

Improperly installed or maintained seals can cause catastrophic equipment failures, costing facilities millions of dollars in lost production time and repairs.  At APM, training on these highly specialized seals is an investment worthy of the return on performance. The John Crane Seal Certification is another step toward ensuring our teams are ready to meet the demands of today’s most critical applications with confidence.