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PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Jackovich Industrial and Construction Supply: Keeping the Arctic up and running
Susan Braund Petroleum Directory Contributing Writer
Need to keep your wheels movin’ at 60 below? Customers from all over the world know to just call Buz Jackovich. He knows what products work. In fact, he probably had a hand in their development. With 35 years experience in the North, Jackovich Industrial and Construction Supply has become expert at industrial solutions. The knowledgeable Jackovich team can tell a contractor what type of arctic hoses to use for rigs, the dig teeth needed for a permafrost loader, the type of cables for rigging, right down to the right oil and grease to keep equipment moving.
“We’re always looking for new lines and equipment and ways to make it work here,” explains company owner Jackovich. “We talk to the manufacturers about the oil, grease and hoses they use up here. Now, if we can just get the actual equipment made right for our conditions, it would not have to be changed when it gets here. We give them our best advice because we feel with our experience of being here all of our lives, we have become experts in operating equipment in cold climates.”
Jackovich extends an offer to new companies coming to work in Alaska’s harsh environment: “we can make your life and operations a lot easier. Don’t learn the hard way; let us save you time and money and tell you what we know.” Jackovich Tractor Joe Jackovich and his nephew Buz opened their doors in Fairbanks as Jackovich Tractor in August 1969 after purchasing Western Tractor and Equipment out of Seattle. Through the ‘70s their products and services were instrumental in supplying materials needed for the trans-Alaska pipeline and its camps.
“We were the very first ones for oil and gas and we were one of the first for roads and airstrips — getting equipment up north so they could develop Prudhoe Bay. They needed equipment to get Cats out of water so they could keep going. I remember making up chokers, wrapping them up in a small enough ball to fit into a 180 for the flight North. We were worked with the pipeline contractors on the first road and provided the first drilling supplies on the first well. Those early companies are still our customers. They stick with us because we know our business.”
In the 1980s the name changed to Jackovich Industrial & Construction Supply, Inc. to better describe their services. Today 35 years later, Jackovich continues to serve the petroleum, timber, mining and construction industries.
The company, which stocks well over 3.5 million dollars in inventory and employs more than 40 Alaskans (80 at peak season), has three locations in Alaska: one in Fairbanks and two in Anchorage. When the elder Jackovich passed away in 2000, Buz became the sole owner and his son Troy also works in the business. The stores The Anchorage stores are Jackovich Industrial and Construction Supply and The Parker Store. Jackovich Industrial provides construction supplies, especially for arctic conditions, and the Parker Store specializes in hydraulic hoses and fittings that help customer applications work faster, cleaner, smaller, quieter and more efficiently.
In Fairbanks, the Jackovich Industrial 10,000 square foot store and 40,000 square foot yard also has the Samson Hardware, the oldest hardware store in Alaska, built in 1903. “It’s one of the moist unique stores in Alaska: we have some of the old supplies like washboards, ceramic plates, the old type of mosquito dope, washtubs and other things prospectors might like.” Major lines carried at Jackovich stores Alkota Cleaning Systems — Steam Cleaners, Pressure Washers and Parts Washers sized for home or commercial use.
Bethlehem Steel Wire Rope — Wire rope made in the USA from 1/16 inch to 1-1/2 inch for hoist and crane ropes, winch lines, bridles and slings made to your specifications.
Civacon/OPW — Fuel handling equipment, nozzles, cam locks and truck transport equipment.
Desa/Master Heaters — all sizes available from 50,000 BTU to 300,000 BTU Diesel, Fuel or Forced Air and warranty service center.
Lubriplate Lubricants — Specializing in Arctic lubricants and greases down to minus 60 below in containers from cartridges to 55 gallon drums.
G H Hensley — Bucket teeth for loader and back hoes. Jackovich can fit all models and carry a huge inventory of teeth and earthmoving components.
Graco Lubrication — Lube dispensing equipment. Air operated grease pumps, hose reels, grease guns and zerks.
Husky Corporation — Gas and Diesel Nozzles in automatic and manual, leaded and unleaded with arctic seals for tough Alaska conditions.
Lincoln Engineering — Grease equipment for stationary and portable lube dispensing systems. Grease guns, hoses, hose reels and air pumps for transferring oil and grease.
Multiquip Inc. — all sizes of water pumps from 1 1/2” to 6” diesel and gas operated. Large selection of generators, rammers and plate compactors with generator sets available from 3 kW to 6 kW.
Parker Hannifin Corp. — The largest inventory of hydraulic hose fittings and adapters in stock. All sizes from ? inch to 2 inch low and high pressure, plus brass adapters and ball valves.
Stihl© — Chain saws, brushcutters and back pack blowers. The worlds largest selling chain saw. German engineered and made in the USA. A large selection of all sizes in stock — along with bars, chains, chaps, oil, gas cans and accessories. Manufacturer buy-in Buz cites the biggest business challenge as “getting the manufacturers to make stuff for arctic conditions. Goodyear developed a 60 below hose for us that still works today. We work with chemists on how to make things work in the Arctic. With the Fisk Brothers in Ohio we’ve developed a low temperature, special Arctic grease that can still be pumped at 50 and 60 below, Lubriplate Mag I, now in use for 25 years.”
“Our reward is that what we sell works for our customers and they save time and money. They’re not guinea pigs; we know what we’re doing and realize that a lot hinges on things working smoothly — the wheels do have to turn at 50 below. Because we’re a locally–owned company we often deal with people who live here. Over the years when things have not worked, we’ve been willing to go to bat and make it work!”
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