This is a gear pump, a type of rotary positive displacement pump. Its tight-fitting clearances allow it to evacuate air in the suction line to prime the pump. And once primed, it's capable of pulling even higher vacuums. This ability to self-prime is key in applications like unloading drums, totes, rail cars, and barges. But as good as this pump is at pulling the liquid in, it's always going to be limited and not based on the pump. It's based on an invisible force pushing the liquid in from the outside, and that's atmospheric pressure.

Viking Pump is the global leader in positive displacement pumping solutions and we proudly manufacture and assemble our products in Cedar Falls, Iowa. With our own dedicated foundry and machine shop, we build our products from start to finish to our own high standards. This vertical integration gives us better control of our supply lines, enhances our ability to respond to change, and creates stability for our partners and customers. We’ve been centrally located in Iowa since 1911. We're proud of that history. We're proud of the work we've done, still do, and will do together.

So I started at Viking 6 and a half years ago as an account manager with the OEM team, moved up as a senior account manager and then a supervisor. Currently I'm the customer support manager for the OEM and energy teams. I really started with OEM but I got to work with energy here or there. Really cool to see just starting out having no knowledge of pumps and not knowing what any of the components are to having a lot more knowledge but even looking more at the process and how we can continue to grow better each day.

So I did an internship here. Once I graduated, transitioned into a production planning and scheduling type of role and then recently transitioned to production manager for about 2 years now over the assembly team. I've had some great mentors along the way, ones that have really pushed me to be the best that I can be. I think those kinds of opportunities are important because it helps motivate.

Mechanical seals are extremely common in the pumping industry - and come in a wide range of materials and options. In its simplest form, a single component mechanical seal has two faces that contact and create a seal. These seal faces are lapped to a smooth, high quality finish. One face rotates with the pump shaft - while the other is held stationary in the pump housing. Once a small amount of process liquid reaches the seal faces, a hydrodynamic liquid film is created - this is what forms the seal and lubricates the faces.

[NARRATOR] The Viking Pump ROOTS program is proud to partner with the Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity to provide affordable housing and home ownership programs to our local communities. [DUSTY] Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that has helped over 70 million people find affordable housing throughout the globe. Our local affiliate here - Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity - serves four counties. We're a Christian-centered organization so our mission is to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hopes.

In Nebraska, soybean oil is just one edible oil that's produced. Soybean oil is used not only for cooking but also in the manufacture of personal care products and as a feedstock in the manufacture of biodiesel. And just down the road, you’ll find pumps for corn oil, sunflower oil, even walnut oil. And expanding that search globally you’ll find Viking pumps for palm oil, olive oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, grapeseed oil, and dozens of others. Next is Arizona. Seal coat is an asphalt emulsion used in the repair of paved surfaces.

[INTERVIEWER] In kind of your own words, how would you describe your role as HR manager after being here for 5 years? [KRISTIE] That's a great question because every day is a little bit different... So I'm the HR support for several different functions within Viking Pump. [LUKE] I worked in Viking Pump's PE lab for 13 years now I'm part of the applications team. [MICHAEL] So I did an internship here. Once I graduated, transitioned into a production planning and scheduling type of role and then recently transitioned to production manager for about 2 years now over the assembly team.

Let's start in Connecticut. Fuel oil is one of Viking Pump’s oldest applications and can be found in EVERY US state, so why highlight Connecticut? First Connecticut, like much of the US Northeast, utilizes fuel oil to heat their homes. In fact, nearly half of all Connecticut households are heated by fuel oil. As a result, much of the fuel oil reserve is stored in Connecticut as well. Viking Pump fuel oil pumps can be found at every step of the supply process.