Arctic Directory: Swift Oil and Gas, taking pride in providing manpower to Alaska’s oil and gas industry

Committed to investing in the local community, Swift moves into a new Anchorage location

Q. What do you most want people to know about your company?

A. Swift is the leading specialist supplier of manpower resources to the global oil and gas industry. With over 25 years focusing exclusively in this sector, a database of over 30,000 skilled personnel, a logistics infrastructure spanning the globe and quality procedures accredited to ISO 9001:2000, Swift provides a world class service.

Q. Where is your company located?

A. We are located here in Anchorage at 3111 Denali Street, Suite 102, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. However we operate in over 30 countries with major operating centers around the world. Our main North American office is in Houston, Texas.

Q. What year was the company founded? Who founded it, and what was its original name?

A. Swift was founded in 1980 by Pat Swift, an engineer for BP.

Q. Who heads up your company and who is on its senior management team?

A. Stewart Cantley, is CEO; Leslie Lockhart, is the recruitment director in our Anchorage office, and has recently moved here from Houston, Texas. Leslie works closely with Chris Lynch, vice president of operations; and Sam Cross; vice president of U.S. recruitment, both are based in our Houston office, but visit Alaska often.

Q. What is the company’s primary business sector?

A. We offer manpower to the oil and gas industry, including logistics, recruitment, payroll, billing and benefits, engineering, construction, inspection, contracting, procurement, supply chain management, project controls, and health and safety.

Q. Are there important projects the company is currently a part of or has done recently?

A. We recently held a “grand opening” for our newest office, located in Anchorage, Alaska.

Q. How many employees does your company have?

A. In our Anchorage office we have 4 employees, and in our Houston office we have 65 employees.

Q. Is your company expanding any of its operations or locations?

A. We just opened two more offices in Russia and are working on expanding our offices in North America.

Q. What is your company’s main strength or its edge over the competition?

A. We offer a world class service, going above and beyond. Our only focus is in the oil and gas industry; to this end we are committed to investing in the local community and take pride in our ability to recruit local personnel, train, and develop strategies for each operation. Swift, also works in partnership with local education authorities and universities to create a sustainable local work force, encouraging career development and progression.

Q. Has the company invested in any new technology in the last two years?

A. Our investment hasn’t been in new technology, but rather people. In 2009, Swift invested over a million dollars in hiring a new recruiting team and moving forward and growing, although the economy has not. We hope to be able to grow much more when the economy improves, and to be on top of the competition.

Q. What do you see as your company’s biggest challenge in the next five years?

A. In Alaska, we would like to become more established, getting the Swift name out there, and gaining as much business as possible as we grow in the region. We want to spread the word that we are “dedicated” to our clients, contractors, and employees, doing whatever it takes to provide them with “world class” manpower and support.

Q. Does your company have an anniversary or other landmark event coming up?

A. We just had our grand opening party in Anchorage July 30, and our 30-year anniversary is this year as well.

 Q. What is your company’s safety record?

A. We have a great safety record, tracking our safety numbers monthly and yearly, and posting them in our office.

Q. Has your company been involved in any community projects or charities events?

A. We sponsored the SPE golf tournament back in June, and sponsored a team for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton School as well. We are currently working on other projects for the future.

Q. Does your company have a Web site?

A. www.swiftoilandgas.com