Staying in the Game?
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By Brian Salgado   
Wednesday, 01 August 2007
smc The companies that have combined to form Artex USA have been in the wireline truck industry more than 25 years.
The companies that have combined to form Artex USA have been in the wireline truck industry more than 25 years.
Partner Steve Wilson of Artex USA acknowledges that there are many players in the wireline truck manufacturing industry, but he says only a few have the experience and reputation for quality like Artex USA. “Artex USA, through acquisition, has been in business for more than 25 years, selling, refurbishing and building new trucks and down-hole tools,” Wilson says. “Currently, there are newcomers jumping [into] this business because business is good. Next year or in the years to come, when the price of oil falls again – just like it has in the past – these guys will be gone and doing something else.”

Artex USA was formed in 2000 with the acquisition of Southwest Technology Services, itself formed in 1986 with the acquisition of MTI. The company is a custom manufacturer of wireline trucks and wireline-related equipment that includes down-hole tools and perforating products.

“We custom-design wireline trucks to meet our clients’ needs,” Wilson says. “We do not require our customers to buy what is easy or extra-profitable for us to build. Our production schedule is 65 units this year, plus the new products currently under design.” Wilson recently spoke with Exploration + Processing about new Artex USA products soon to hit the market, expanding the business and how it maintains a dependable work force.

Exploration + Processing: What are the latest product developments from Artex USA?
Steve Wilson: Artex USA is (consistently) bringing to market new products that our customers demand. Currently, we are finishing the prototype of a mast-unit build on one of our standard wireline truck’s cabins. This gives our customers the ease of operation on rig-less completions needed, and they also have the convenience of working with a standard-type unit, not some abbreviated version that does not have the storage or amenities normally found in our industry.

Exploration + Processing: How much has the company grown recently?
Steve Wilson: Our business has almost doubled from year to year for the last three years. Currently, we are sitting at 70 employees and should reach almost 80 by the end of the year. We are expanding into new markets that previously we could not reach. Currently, we are shipping units to the Middle East for the first time. That market looks great for years to come. We are able to break into this tough market because our trucks are built for the rough-and-tough terrain and lousy conditions that exist in some remote locations.

Exploration + Processing: What are Artex USA’s plans for the future?
Steve Wilson: Currently, we are planning additional acquisitions of land and resources. Our goal of building quality for our customers drives our operation. As far as acquiring other companies in our market segment, we have studied this and are watching others to see if they succeed. We are open to other ways of expansion if it makes sense.

Exploration + Processing: Discuss your training efforts.
Steve Wilson: We have skill-set training ongoing so everyone in a team or cluster is cross-trained in case someone is out or sick. When a cluster is up to speed, we start moving team members out to learn other skill sets. This gives us a competent work force that we can depend on for the future. We just recently added a new general manger, Richard Moreno, who brings is 20-plus years of experience in the wireline industry. Now, we are working with our local college to help us with a certification process for our welders and fitters.

From a safety standpoint, every team leader and administrative member has completed a 10-hour OSHA training course and has received [his or her] OSHA cards. Next, we are going to have all employees follow through the OSHA 10-hour course.
 
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