The Challenge
We recognize that the way people work is changing. By 2020, an estimated 40% of Americans will be engaged in independent freelance work.
In parallel to this shift, manufacturing today utilizes complex, advanced technologies, critical to production including robotics, automation, critical safety systems, and industrial IT hardware and software.
When production equipment fails due to this advanced technology, manufacturers lose on average of $30k to $50k an hour with some industries like automotive losing over $1.3m per hour. During these critical moments, manufactures face three problems:
finding specialized, skilled support resources that are available immediately
troubleshooting increasingly complex, interconnected systems
navigating B2B procurement processes to quickly order and pay for emergency services
Volt480 takes a different approach to the large and growing industrial services marketplace by pairing our on-demand, crowdsourced services platform with machine learning and efficient payment processing technology. We aim to help manufacturers recover from downtime in half the time and at half the cost.
Our Solution
SPEED
With the high cost of unplanned downtime, we recognize that every minute counts. We aim to connect you immediately to a highly-skilled expert local to your facility.
Simplicity
B2B procurement processes and tools can be difficult to navigate for both the system integrator and manufacturer. We're bringing the efficiency and simplicity of modern tools to your plant operations to help you save time.
Network
Equipment suppliers and automation vendors can extend the reach of their field service offering. Leverage our on-demand platform to dynamically scale your resource bench without the heavy burden of hiring a large workforce.
Filter
Our real-time filtering algorithm enables manufacturers to find the right resource with the right skills that's available right now.
Reviews
Unlike the consumer market with services like Angie's List and Yelp, manufacturing has limited transparency. Our platform enables manufacturers to choose service providers that invest in training, build domain expertise, and are dedicated to customer service.
Cost Savings
We aim to help both manufacturers and service providers be more profitable by creating a more efficient marketplace. Manufacturers can access emergency services from underutilized resources, and service providers can improve utilization of their billable resources.
MACHINE LEARNING
Today's manufacturing lines are complex, interconnect systems comprised of hundreds of smart components. Finding the solution to your problem buried in technical manuals is difficult and time consuming. Our machine learning platform interprets your issue and recommends troubleshooting steps.
Our Platform
Maintenance, engineering or Plant Manager's MObile app
System integrator's mobile app
System Integrator Admin Web Panel
SI Operations Management Portal
Limited beta launching August 2017
Join Our Journey
We're working hard to find manufacturers, system integrators, automation vendors and machine builders interested in participating in Project Spark, our Beta program.
Our Team
Bhavnesh Patel
CEO
Bhavnesh Patel brings 14 years of manufacturing expertise to the company. Prior to launching Volt480, he held a variety of global sales and business management roles with Rockwell Automation, a leading industrial automation company. In his most recent role with Rockwell, he led Global Product Management for a portfolio of Customer Support & Maintenance Services.
Sam Florance, PhD
ADVISOR, Entrepreneurship Educator & Sales Executive
Sam has led a diverse career spanning a variety of roles including investment banker, startup CEO, entrepreneurship educator, and sales and marketing executive. During his time at Purdue University, Sam served as the Associate Vice Provost, Director of Purdue Technology Venture Program, and Adjunct Professor.
Greg Jackson
ADVISOR & CEO of Win911
Greg brings 21+ years of experience and achievements in international sales, business development, operations, and product/solution development. He currently leads Win911, an Austin-based Industrial IoT and alarm management software firm.
Jim Keighley
ADVISOR & Former VP of Engineering, Kraft Foods
Jim is the former Vice President of Engineering for Kraft Foods. He led Engineering, Maintenance, and Process Development for Kraft in a Lean 6 Sigma environment. Prior to Kraft, Jim led a variety of Engineering and Maintenance roles with Procter & Gamble for 36 years, finishing as Director of Engineering Technology for Gillette in April 2013.
Bill Southard
ADVISOR & CEO of DST Controls
Bill leads DST Controls, a leading West Coast system integrator, that he founded in 1975. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, DST serves a variety of manufacturing segments. Their services range from design and fabrication of control system panels and OEM sub-systems to industrial data monitoring and integration services.
TBD
ADVISOR and/or Co-Founder
We're looking for additional talented individuals that can contribute marketing and technical expertise as either an Advisor or CMO/CTO co-founder.
Our Mission
We believe in Industrial Superheroes. Our mission to enable these manufacturers to be more profitable and productive by bringing to market innovative tools and technology.
We also believe that in order for our country to sustain long-term success, we must continue to invest in STEM education. We pledge a portion of our time and profit in support of STEM education in the communities we serve.