Blog Post

The Importance of Training

Feb. 19, 2025

In any industry, the foundation of success lies in the skills and knowledge of the workforce. Training is more than a process—it is a cornerstone of any operation that promotes safety, reliability, and innovation. Let’s explore why training is crucial and how it transforms the workplace.

Why Training Matters

Training is more than just imparting skills; it builds the foundation for long-term success. In industries involving fluid transfer, where every product and decision impacts safety and efficiency, a well-trained workforce is imperative.

Hoses, couplings, and valves, which often manage hazardous materials, must be installed and handled correctly. Improper installation or usage can result in accidents, environmental damage, or equipment failure. Training ensures employees and customers understand proper protocols, minimizing risks.  

High-quality products are only as good as the expertise applied during their use. A trained workforce ensures that products are used and maintained correctly, maximizing their lifespan and performance. Properly trained employees also troubleshoot effectively, reducing downtime and enhancing trust in the reliability of a product.

As technology evolves, companies must stay ahead. Training equips employees with the knowledge to understand the basics while also safely integrating cutting-edge solutions into their work.

safety-checklist

Safety First: A Non-Negotiable Priority

Safety is paramount for the markets Dixon serves. Proper training equips teams to understand and mitigate risks, ensuring everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. Three concepts to focus on are proper installation, material compatibility, and emergency protocols.

The correct installation of hoses and couplings is essential to avoid failures under pressure. Understanding hose assembly dynamics, including how different materials interact, is key for safe, efficient operation. Dixon offers a material compatibility chart for easy reference.

While prevention is the primary focus of training, preparedness is equally vital. Utilizing training sessions as an opportunity to prepare for potential mishaps with drills and contingency plans is also beneficial.

Dixon Trainings

Training isn’t just a one-time event; it is a continuous journey that ensures safety, reliability, and innovation remain at the forefront of every operation. At Dixon, we’re committed to fostering this culture beyond internal practices. We also educate customers through comprehensive programs such as Customer College, Hose Coupling Workshops, and On-Site Safety Trainings.

Customer College

Dixon’s Customer College is a learning management site devoted to Dixon products as well as the markets and applications in which they are used. With over 100 interactive courses and webinars ranging from 5 to 30 minutes in length, Customer College is ideal for a new hire or anyone looking to increase their industry knowledge.

Crimping hose during Dixon's Hose Coupling Workshop

Hose Coupling Workshop

In an effort to provide our customers with information regarding the proper and safe methods of assembling hose and couplings, Dixon offers Hose Coupling Workshops suitable for a company’s sales force and shop personnel. Classes consist of lectures and/or hands-on demonstrations of coupling selection, hose preparation, coupling installation, assembly testing, and maintenance procedures.

On-Site Safety Training

Plant safety is an ongoing endeavor, and it is impossible to be an expert in every field. The Dixon On-Site Safety Training program includes:

  • A visual inspection by Dixon technicians of your hose assemblies and accessories
  • A confidential report containing observations and recommendations for corrective action
  • A follow-up program offering a hands-on seminar relating to your safety concerns

Additional Dixon Resources

At Dixon, training is more than a process—it’s a mindset. We strive to provide multiple opportunities for training where learning is continuous and collaborative. In addition to in-person training, we also offer free online resources to augment product and procedural knowledge. Blogs

New blogs are published bi-weekly on blog.dixonvalve.com. Topics range from procedures like Proper NPT Threads Installation and How to Change the Seals in a Dixon Split Flange Swivel Joint to market-focused blogs offering a Global Mining Overview or explaining The Shift Toward Liquid Cooling in Data Centers. These posts not only highlight the high-quality products Dixon manufactures in North America, but also serve as a reminder of how to use them safely. These blog posts are an easily accessible training tool to stay updated on the latest trends and technology in various industries.

YouTube Videos

The Dixon YouTube channel features new videos published bi-weekly that complement the aforementioned blog posts. These videos can be accessed at any time to process information at your own pace.

Product Literature

Dixon’s website, dixonvalve.com, is another invaluable resource for training. The product literature section boasts an extensive library of detailed information on the products we offer.

Interactive Tools

Another beneficial resource on the Dixon website is the interactive tools. Whether you need to cross reference products, calculate end force, or locate a material test report (MTR), Dixon’s comprehensive selection of interactive tools are beneficial for a variety of users.

Summary

Safety first. That’s how the saying goes. However, achieving safe operations starts with training. Whether it is formal, in-person informational sessions or utilizing the vast array of online resources, the opportunities for training are endless.

Dixon is committed to delighting our customers by not only being the easiest company to do business with every day, but also by providing a myriad of training options to enhance knowledge and improve safety and efficiency. For more information, visit dixonvalve.com or call 877.963.4966.