Farwest Corrosion Control Co. is an international provider of cathodic protection products and corrosion services.

The longevity of Farwest Corrosion Control Co. is one of its most distinguishing factors, according to Vice President Troy Rankin. Established in 1956, the family owned company has “integrity,” Rankin says, “and we do what we say we're going to do. If we make a mistake, we correct it. Our reputation was built on that premise, and we're protective of our reputation. We want to make sure we continue to do what we've promised, no matter how large a company we might become.”

Farwest Corrosion primarily serves the oil and gas market, and other industries including water, wastewater, power generation, pipeline, general construction and marine. Rankin says the industry markets haven't changed a great deal in more than 40 years. Its main services are cathodic protection and corrosion-related materials and equipment, as well as installation and engineering services.

Farwest Corrosion is one of the larger cathodic protection and corrosion companies in the field. It has a global market reach, and sells products internationally in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Korea, Oman, Canada, Thailand, Israel, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Spain.

It also operates five warehouses in the United States. Headquartered in Gardena, Calif., it has other facilities in Bakersfield, Calif.; Everett, Wash.; Denver, Colo.; and Tulsa, Okla. Rankin says there is always room for expansion into other territories. In the future, “We may possibly acquire other companies in our industry,” he says, “but right now, we're not expanding into different market types.

“We sell products and materials all over the world, but most of the physical work is in the western U.S.; installation work is confined to California, Nevada, Arizona and Washington.”

Family Roots
Rankin's father started working for the founder of Farwest Corrosion's parent company, Wayne Broyles Engineering, in 1958. After two years, he went into the founder's office to resign, but came out of the meeting as the future owner of Farwest Corrosion. “The owner of Wayne Broyles didn't want [my father] to resign,” Rankin says. “So, he told him ‚ÄòI have a small company in California. If you'll run it, I'll give you 20 percent of it, and you can buy the other 80 percent someday.' That company was Farwest Corrosion. So, he moved us to California.”

Rankin has been working at the company since he was 12 years old, first during the summers starting in 1970, then full-time beginning in 1978. He became vice president in 1993. Rankin's wife, Marnie, is the general manager of Corrosion Control Products Co., Farwest Corrosion's corrosion-related pipeline products division. “It's a family-run company,” he says.

Overseas Competition
Being an international company, Rankin says, competition is always a challenge. “Customers like to deal with people within their region,” he explains. “While we sell a good deal of materials outside the U.S., companies within those regions have the advantage. However, we have a good reputation for providing quality materials, and that does benefit the company [when dealing internationally].”

The Internet has changed the industry a great deal, and helps Farwest Corrosion attract customers globally. “We're seen by people around the world that didn't know us before,” he says. “It provides us an avenue to present our products and services where we wouldn't normally be able to do so.”