Since the return of industry production in late 2016, we—like many oil and gas industry suppliers—have been challenged to meet the rapid growth in demand for our products.
“With the upswing in production, our customers’ need for control products and production equipment has come back strong,” says Dustin Anderson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. This comeback has led to longer lead times for products in the industry. “In response to this high demand, over the last year we have invested in three key areas to improve our customer experience: people, systems and technology, and service.”
People
Down to around 300 team members in the fall of 2016, we have been hiring. In fact, we have more than doubled that in the last 18 months. We are now maintaining a team of over 700 and growing.
“We’re currently working to fill another 40 positions, in areas from machine shop and assembly to engineering and I.T.”
Systems and Technology
Meanwhile, on the north end of our Oklahoma City campus, we have invested in a new, state-of-the-art machining facility: Territory 8.
“Territory 8 is our new 20,000-square-foot building that we’ve dedicated to implementing automated technology,” says Kimray President Bob Cole. “This technology has sparked collaboration with our suppliers and customers and helped us create a system where we are building good products every time in the most efficient way possible.”
We have begun using Territory 8 to manufacture our high-volume products around the clock. Its capacity will continue to grow as the technology is calibrated for exactly what we need.
Service
Another area Kimray has been investing in is our service and repair. Our regional Sales and Service store in Kilgore, Texas, has undergone a renovation. Now the store can service and repair more products, and faster. Meanwhile, our Oklahoma City store on 42nd and Santa Fe is in phase one of its expansion. This should be completed by the end of 2018.
In addition, we have expanded our network of company representatives around the country. This year we have introduced regional representatives in the Northern Plains, Houston, Odessa, and midstream markets.
The strategic upgrades in these three areas are all driven by our one ongoing mission: to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
