Dan Mrotz, Vice President of Operations for Flow Products International, was born in 1963. Upon graduating from high school he went straight to work and soon landed in the fluid power industry. Recognizing the need for formal training, Dan attended any course that would enhance his knowledge of the industry. He acquired a two year degree in Fluid Power Technology from Granite Falls Area Vocational Technical Institute in Granite Falls, MN, and is a Certified Fluid Power Technician (Certificate #12084). He has also acquired other knowledge of hydraulic systems:

• Walterscheid Fitting Technology, Lomar, Germany

• Vickers (Tompkins – Johnson) Cylinder Basics

• Parker Hannifin Hose and Fitting Basics

• Fluid Controls (Danfoss) Product Training

• Torrington Fafnir Comprehensive Bearing Training Class

Over the years he has worked in many areas perfecting his capabilities in the fluid power industry with companies such as Motion Industries, Perry Lumber Company, Hydradyne Hydraulics, GS Hydro, and Detyens Shipyard. He has vast experience in the application of hydraulic power to projects such as:

• BP / Pride International Mad Dog Project – Project site manager for the HIT team during the final commissioning of the drilling module.  This included overseeing the assignments and activities of up to 15 craftsmen and the administrative interfacing with the project management group to complete the work scope within the limited window of availability, while maintaining and high level of safety and quality.

• J. Ray McDermott – M/V DB 60 – Supplied technical supervision and job performance documentation to the port engineer for the renewal and improvements to the hose and piping associated with the double joint pipe handling system and the modernization of the hydraulic tugger system of the CLYDE heavy lift crane from manual hydraulic to electro-hydraulic, which included initial evaluation, component selection, installation and commissioning.

• J. Ray McDermott – M/V DB 50 – Refit and upgrade two- (2) storage crane systems.

• J. Ray McDermott - Medusa Spar Project – Assisted machinery superintendent with scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance on deck equipment. 

• J. Ray McDermott – Devils Tower Spar Project – Assisted machinery superintendent and Aker Maritime Hydraulic technical reps with equipment installation, troubleshooting and routine maintenance.

• CDI – DSV Mystic Viking – Coordinated a refit of the SAT system, including hydraulic, structural and electric crafts.

• CDI – DSV Eclipse – Supervised the final stages of installation and commissioning of the complete dive bell handling system.  This included extensive “debugging” with “on the fly” system modifications and ultimately redesigning of the system.

• CDI – Semi submersible Quantum 4000 – Extensive drill floor hydraulic system flush.

• Atwood Oceanics – Semi submersible Hunter – Supervised the installation, hydrodynamic testing and flushing of the drill floor hydraulic piping, BOP transporter piping and control tubing related to the drilling process in accordance with ABS class requirements.

• NATCO – M/V dredge Liberty Island – Provided technical support and supervision to the manufacturers and owner’s representatives for the new build vessel hydraulic system hydrodynamic testing, flushing and commissioning.

• Ocean Services – M/V Global Explorer – HPU refit and ring line system install and flush.

• Bingo Rigs – Supervised the rebuilding, testing the documentation of results for 450 Danfoss actuators.

• CF Bean – M/V Dredge Stuyvesant – Worked directly with ship’s crew to refit dredge pump reduction gear drive after problematic start-up.

In 2005, Dan teamed with Herky Veatch to create Flow Products International. Dan’s practical and hands-on experience with many and varied types of hydraulic systems allows the company to tackle almost any kind of fluid power application in almost any industry.