Giles Foodservice Equipment advances on-site nitrogen generation with new air compression system, will save $500,000 over next decade
25 Mar 2026
Giles Foodservice Equipment is reducing reliance on delivered liquid nitrogen through on-site nitrogen generation, stabilizing supply and reducing long-term operating risk while projecting $500,000 in savings over the next decade as on-site production scales.
The system is powered by an ELGi air compressor and was designed and implemented in partnership with Mobile Mechanical Services to support continuous-duty manufacturing and future growth.
Giles Foodservice Equipment has taken a significant step in how it supports its manufacturing operations, reducing reliance on delivered liquid nitrogen by generating a portion of its nitrogen on-site. Using compressed air as the starting point, the system separates nitrogen from ambient air and delivers it directly to Giles Foodservice Equipment’s laser cutting operations, reducing the need for scheduled liquid nitrogen deliveries.
At the center of the operation is an air compressor system that supplies clean, consistent compressed air to a nitrogen generation system. This produces nitrogen on demand for laser cutting stainless steel components used across Giles Foodservice Equipment’s product lines. It works alongside a delivered nitrogen supply to meet demand. By producing nitrogen on its own property at the purity levels required for laser cutting, the company now has direct control over a critical manufacturing input.
“Bulk liquid nitrogen served its purpose for a long time, but it also created uncertainty,” said Josh Blalock, manufacturing engineering manager at Giles Foodservice Equipment. “Producing nitrogen on-site gives us control over our supply and removes a variable from the manufacturing process. That stability is important as we plan for the future.”
Moving to on-site nitrogen
To support that transition, Giles Foodservice Equipment partnered with Mobile Mechanical Services to design and implement an on-site nitrogen generation system centered on an ELGi air compressor. Rather than forcing an immediate cutover from delivered supply, the system was engineered to give the manufacturer greater control over nitrogen availability while supporting both current production needs and future expansion.
Mobile Mechanical Services evaluated nitrogen demand, purity requirements and long-term manufacturing goals before finalizing the system design.
“This was about giving Giles Foodservice Equipment greater control over its nitrogen strategy,” said Nathan Toro, sales consultant at Mobile Mechanical Services. “On-site generation puts control back in the hands of the manufacturer and creates a more stable foundation for its operation.”
Designed for manufacturing use
At the core of the system is an ELGi EG75 VFD rotary screw air compressor designed for continuous-duty manufacturing environments. The 100- horsepower compressor delivers up to approximately 375 CFM of compressed air at typical industrial pressures around 100 PSI, providing the consistent airflow required to support stable nitrogen generation for laser cutting.
The variable-frequency drive allows the compressor to adjust output based on demand, helping maintain efficiency during periods of fluctuating production while ensuring a reliable air supply when nitrogen demand increases.
By offsetting a portion of liquid nitrogen deliveries with on-site generation, Giles Foodservice Equipment has gained more predictable operating costs and reduced exposure to supply interruptions. Over a 10-year horizon, the company projects the system could deliver approximately $500,000 in savings as on-site nitrogen production continues to scale, while improving manufacturing continuity and long-term planning confidence.
“The financial side matters, but the real value is control,” Blalock said. “Knowing we can generate what we need, when we need it, changes how we think about our operation.”
Supporting long-term operations
The project reflects close collaboration between Giles Foodservice Equipment and Mobile Mechanical Services, with ELGi providing the compressed air platform that supports the system. “Our role doesn’t stop once the system is running,” Toro said. “We continue supporting Giles Foodservice Equipment as its operation evolves, making sure the system performs reliably and can adapt as its needs change. That long-term support is critical in manufacturing environments like this.”
Today, the phased system is fully operational, giving Giles Foodservice Equipment greater control over its nitrogen supply and the flexibility to further reduce delivered nitrogen as production needs evolve.
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ABOUT ELGi
ELGi North America, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is a subsidiary of ELGi Equipments Limited, a leader in compressed air solutions for over 60 years. Established in 2012, ELGi North America, in conjunction with its subsidiaries, Pattons Inc, Pattons Medical, and Michigan Air Solutions, offers a comprehensive range of compressed air and vacuum products and services. Pattons Medical product offering includes scroll and oilfree rotary screw and reciprocating compressors, dryers, filters, dry and lubricated claw and vane vacuums, and accessories. ELGi and its subsidiaries serve multiple industry verticals spanning medical applications, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. For further information, please visit https://www.elgi.com/us/
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