Turning Complex Problems into Clear Solutions: Inside JDI Contracts’ Innovative Approach to Industrial Water Cleaning Systems

Solving the Problems That Keep Industries Running

In industrial environments, few challenges are as messy—or as vital—as water cleanup. From power generation to manufacturing, every facility that deals with byproducts has one thing in common: at the end of the process, there’s waste that has to go somewhere.

At JDI Contracts, that “somewhere” becomes a solvable engineering problem. The team specializes in designing systems that manage, separate, and treat waste in safe, efficient ways.

Engineer-in-Training Dane Kennedy is part of the group leading that charge. His current project? “We’re helping a client clean out an ash pond by removing the water from the sludge,” he explains. “It’s about separating what can be reused from what needs to be safely contained.”

That might sound simple enough—but in practice, it’s a balance of physics, chemistry, and collaboration.

The Art and Science of Design

Much of Dane’s work happens inside SolidWorks, a powerful 3D modeling tool that allows JDI’s engineers to visualize and perfect their designs before a single beam is cut.

“Our skids are structural metal frames that hold the pipes, pumps, and valves used to separate sludge from water,” he says. “Every connection, every weld, every support has to be thought through before we build.”

The process is iterative—concept sketches turn into detailed models, those models spark cross-departmental discussions, and then the design evolves.

“We never design in isolation,” Dane explains. “Our greatest asset as a team is how we communicate. We make sure every subject matter expert and department is in the loop. It’s not just about the drawing—it’s about making sure everyone understands the ‘why’ behind it.”

That “why” keeps the client confident, the fabrication team aligned, and the final system performing exactly as intended.

More Than Metal and Math

While the work is highly technical, its impact is tangible. “When our systems go live,” Dane says, “they don’t just move water—they change how an entire site operates.”

The skids JDI designs help industrial facilities safely process contaminated water, cut down on waste disposal costs, and avoid environmental fines. These systems support sustainability goals, reduce downtime, and protect surrounding ecosystems.

“Every skid we design,” Dane adds, “is a small but critical piece in a much larger environmental puzzle.”

Collaboration at the Core

Part of what makes JDI Contracts unique is its scale. The company isn’t a sprawling conglomerate—it’s a tight-knit team of engineers, fabricators, and project managers who thrive on solving difficult problems together.

“We’re a small, powerful team willing to take on complex projects,” Dane says. “That means everyone’s voice matters. You can walk across the shop floor, talk to a designer, or sit down with the fabrication crew and make a real-time improvement. That’s something you don’t get at larger firms.”

This culture of collaboration not only speeds up decision-making but also builds stronger, more efficient systems—because the people designing them truly understand the work being done in the field.

A New Generation of Engineering Leadership

As an Engineer-in-Training, Dane represents the next generation of talent coming through JDI Contracts—professionals who blend cutting-edge digital design tools with hands-on understanding.

“When I see a design I worked on being built and installed,” he says, “it’s incredibly rewarding. You get to see the whole cycle—concept, fabrication, installation, and impact.”

For Dane and his colleagues, that cycle is what defines success. It’s not just about meeting specifications or deadlines—it’s about creating systems that solve real problems and make operations safer, cleaner, and more efficient.

Engineering with Purpose

At its core, JDI Contracts isn’t just building skids and systems—it’s building solutions.

From ash pond remediation to full-scale process optimization, the company continues to combine technical expertise with practical insight, helping clients stay compliant, save money, and protect the environment.

And for Dane Kennedy, that purpose drives everything. “We take pride in understanding the problem completely,” he says. “When you can make something complicated simple—and make it work—that’s engineering at its best.”