Arctic Directory: TOMCO owes its incredible success to working hard and going the extra mile

Standing by its service and rates is TOMCO’S main edge over the competition

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

A. TOMCO is committed to working hard to be the best at what we do, going the extra mile for our customers. Our employees have contributed greatly to the success of the company, and we have enjoyed such incredible success and growth over the years, giving back to the communities “where we live, work and play” is of great importance to us.

Q. Where is your company located?

A. Our corporate office is located in Rocky Mountain House, AB. We have other branch offices in Rocky Mountain House, Edmonton, and Bonnyville, Alberta. Our new branches under development are in Grand Prairie, Alberta and we have future proposed areas for future expansion in Fort St. John, B.C., and in Anchorage, Alaska.

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

A. TOMCO Production Services Ltd. was originally founded in 2000 by Rod Tomyn as a two-man operation, with his son Wes. TOMCO has now grown into TOMCO Group of Companies, which includes TOMCO Production Services Ltd. TOMCO Industrial Ltd., and TOMCO Mechanical Ltd.

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

A. Rod Tomyn, president and CEO; Wes Tomyn, vice president.

Q. What is the company’s primary business sector and what services do you offer?

A. TOMCO services primarily the midstream oil and gas industry, although our services also cross into the renewable energy sector and mining. Our services include, portable machining, milling and flange facing, hydraulic torquing and stud tensioning, hydrotesing and isolations, pre-heat and post-weld heat treating, bake-outs, pipe cutting and beveling, hot taps, cold taps and pipe coring, and shut-down maintenance.

Q. How many employees does your company have?

A. We have over 80 employees.

Q. Does your company have subsidiaries?

A. TOMCO Industrial Ltd. is our equipment rental company providing a range of oilfield specialty equipment to our oilfield customers. TOMCO owns one of the largest High Pressure Test Plug inventories in North America which is used by our Specialty Service Crews and rented out to our clients. TOMCO Production Services Ltd. and TOMCO Mechanical Ltd., provide the oilfield specialty services.

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

A. We are currently developing a new branch in Grande Prairie, that is expected to be operational by fall 2009 or early 2010.

Q. Is the company changing any of its services?

A. Currently, we are expanding our rental services to include bolting equipment rentals; our bolting services are used extensively in the oil and gas sector, and also have several applications in the wind energy market; so we are also looking into pursuing opportunities in renewable energy, particularly the wind energy segment.

A. Our main edge over our competitors is our integrity. At TOMCO, we stand by our service and our rates; we will never “low-ball” a bid to gain a competitive edge or submit hidden costs to our customers. When we quote a bid for a job, we know what services we can provide and what it takes to make it happen. Many times our competitors have low-balled their bid to get a job, only to lose the contract through their business practices. Then we get the call and take over the contract. Our versatility is also our advantage. We are not afraid to seek out new markets for our services, and constantly strive to improve on the range and quality of the services we offer.

Q. What new markets, clients or projects did your company attract in the last year?

A. Our client base is constantly growing and changing. Many of our valued customers have been with us since the day we started business.

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

A. TOMCO’S biggest challenge in the next 5 years will be to maintain balance; fulfilling our mission of providing excellence in customer service while expanding our branch locations to meet growing demands in the industry. With the energy market evolving into alternative and renewable sources, we will be striving to keep up on the industry needs and how we can supply needed services to each unique market.

Q. What do you see as future trends or opportunities for your company from events such as long-term weather fluctuations?

A. As the oil and gas market continues to fluctuate, we are able to benefit in two ways. During periods of building and expansion, customers utilize our services in the construction of new pipelines, facilities, and overall expansions. Alternately, during periods of recession, businesses maintain their existing facilities with “planned shutdowns” for maintenance and repair. We are then called to aid in these processes as well.

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

A. Our 10 year anniversary of TOMCO Production Services Ltd.

Q. What is the average length of time employees work for the company?

A. We have a reasonably low turnover rate and some employees have been with us for nearly 10 years.

Q. What is your company’s safety record?

A. Our company has an excellent safety record.

Q. Has your company received any awards or recognition?

A. We have a certificate of recognition through the Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships.

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

A. TOMCO is very involved in and supports community and charity events. We own a large trailer BBQ that we take to community events where our “TOMCO BBQ crew” serves up hot food and good times for the benefit of local charities.

Q. Does your company have a Web site?

A. www.tomco.ca