Integra Technologies strives to become widely known for its leak-free flange systems, and says it is on its way to reaching this goal with help of satisfied customers.

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After working in the oil and gas industry for six years, Integra Technologies' President and co-founder Gord Britton had learned the ins and outs of a potentially dangerous business. With a background in mechanical engineering, he developed an expertise in improving bolted flange integrity. In Britton’s experience, many traditional flange connections have the potential to leak and cause explosions.

“The plant I worked at had a number of problems in this area,” Britton says. “I became focused on how to prevent leaks and ensure plants can run safely. That was the start of my career in this business.”

Britton and Dean Bellmoff, a business colleague and friend, shared a dream to develop an organization to fill the much-needed void in the market for leak-free flange systems. Britton and Belmoff started the firm 12 years ago, providing these specialty services to the oil and gas industry throughout Canada and the United States.

Employees are Key
Today, Integra operates as an ESOP firm, which Britton says has become key to the company’s growth.

“We are very pleased with the level of commitment that the employee group has with the business,” he explains. “Dean and I know that we can sleep well at night because our employees care so much about the business. The fact that other people care that much about the details of the operation gives us great comfort.”

Bellmoff is based in Woodstock, Ga., and runs the company’s day-to-day operations. Britton directs business and technology development from his Grand Bend, Ontario office. In both countries, the owners offer employees a high level of autonomy.

“We do not work in the corporate offices, because we think it’s important to give employees a visual demonstration that we have confidence in our managers who actually run these offices,” Britton explains. “They have developed their own capabilities, and we don’t feel like we need to be there every day to look over their shoulders.”

Instead, the owners work from their homes, but still stress the importance of maintaining a presence at all offices. “We each travel to the other offices to give presentations about where we think the company is going,” Britton explains. “We try to stress our corporate values whenever we can. In fact, the name Integra is a play upon of our biggest values, which is integrity and integrate.

“We have 74 employees throughout seven offices that integrate into one whole organization,” he adds.  

A Reliable Provider
Overall, Britton’s vision is for the company to become widely known for its leak-free flange systems, and the firm is well on its way to reaching this goal.

In fact, the majority of its growth occurs through word-of-mouth from satisfied customers, Britton explains. Many of its customers rely on Integra to provide its services on the most complex projects.   

For example, when a client approached Integra to perform work for a new plant that was to be constructed in a smaller, residential community, they asked if the firm could guarantee a leak-free system to ensure residents would not be disturbed in any way.

After discussing the project with the client, Britton developed a comprehensive eight-step process which, if followed, would guarantee a successful, leak-free plant, Britton says.

“This plant needed to operate absolutely flawlessly,” he explains. “I was thinking about all the variables associated with flanged bolted joint integrity, and was able to develop a process called FlangeTrak that can guarantee a leak-free startup.”

If the process is applied to a new-construction plant, it has a 100 percent success rate, Britton says. Its eight steps include everything from a thorough discussion of the client’s objectives to ensuring the right tools are used on the job, Britton says.

Beyond Training
The company stresses training, and tries to offer its work force the ability to grow their careers within the organization. “We offer specific job training in-house, and we’ll also send employees to outside training for sales and other general skills,” Britton says.

However, Integra doesn’t stop at work-related training; it also will provide tuition reimbursement for general interest classes.

“If somebody wants to take piano lessons, for example, we’ll pay for it, because it will contribute to their well-being,” Britton explains. In addition, this program extends to the employees’ spouses and children.