Arctic Directory 2017: Arctic Controls Inc., over 30 years providing top rated product lines to Alaska’s remote locations

Company excels in never ending challenges to stay ahead of evolving technologies for the industries it serves

Q. What is the official name of your company?

A. Arctic Controls Inc.

Q. Is your firm a subsidiary or affiliate of other companies? If so, please name those firms and their relationship to your company.

A. No – we started in Jerry Stewart’s Basement in 1985 using his garage as a shipping center, reselling industrial controls and valving for the waning oil industry at the time. Arctic Controls Inc. pivoted to focus on the utility market and the military bases steam needs statewide through the economical strife of the mid-1980s.

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

A. With over 30 years of arctic experience in controls and instrumentation, Arctic Controls is unparalleled in knowledge and solution based services for the oil, gas, mining, water, waste water, and food and beverage industries. Our team only represents some of the top-rated product lines and understands the unique challenges of using products in Alaska’s harsh arctic environment.

Q. Where is your company located?

A. 1120 East 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501-2759, where 5th and 6th split.

Q. What year was the company founded and by whom?

A. In 1985 by Jerry A. Stewart and Scott A. Stewart. The father and son duo struck out on their own after Scott graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a bachelor of science in economics and a minor in accounting. Jerry’s dream to run his own business was made even sweeter by the fact he could share the experience with one of his two sons. In 1988 Basil, Jerry’s eldest son, joined the family business after the company relocated from Eagle River to mid-town Anchorage. Their present location came to fruition in 1990, when land ownership became an option.

Q. What is your company’s primary business activity?

A. We are manufacturer’s representatives for industrial controls and instrumentation and collaborate with industry engineers to identify best fit of products for usage in Alaska’s most remote locations.

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

A. All projects are important to us large and small. Arctic Controls is currently supporting the Bethel Hospital upgrade project with Paterson Kelly water heater and control systems. We are proud to be able to say “we helped on that project and help build Alaska”!

Q. How many employees does your company have?

A. Three employees.

Q. Describe the equipment your company uses and are there any new equipment purchases planned?

A. We help our customer’s size products to control processes with valves, flow measurement, pressure and temperature measurement, and help them with needed level indication. We also outfit industrial and commercial boilers and water heater systems.

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

A. No – Currently we have the State of Alaska for all our represented vendors.

Q. Is the company changing any of its services or products?

A. We are constantly looking for better products and rearranging our portfolio of vendors to meet our customer’s needs in the ever changing environment of Alaska.

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

A. The length of time and multiple applications we have worked on for our customers over the last 30+ years. We have supported the development efforts of Point Thompson, CD5, CD3, Prudhoe Bay, Kuparik, Lisbern, Alpine, Endicott, the missile defense systems on Fort Greely, Fort Fort Wainright, Fort Richardson, Kodiak Launch Facility, Alyeska Pipeline, Red Dog Mine, Greens Creek Mine, and many more…

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

A. After 30 years we pretty much have worked in all the Alaska markets; oil & gas, water and wastewater, power, building HVAC and food & beverage!

Q. What is the most challenging work/contract the company has undertaken?

A. Working with the Alyeska Pipeline circa 2005, Arctic Controls aided in resolving a critical backpressure issue in the main pipeline coming down the Thomson Pass just before Valdez. The solution was pivotal to the entire operation and delivering capabilities of oil to the Port of Valdez.

Q. What are the biggest obstacles to completing work your company undertakes?

A. Keeping a handle on the never-ending complexities involved in delivering critical components of mining, oil, gas, and water related systems. There is a never-ending challenge to stay ahead of evolving technologies related to each of the industries they serve.

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

A. Overcoming the economic impacts of international oil prices and positioning ourselves in alignment with Alaska’s new role in the oil and gas industry, all the while acquiring new streams of revenue in the mining and water management industries.

Q. What are the company’s strengths?

A. Arctic Controls revenue diversity has proven beneficial to our viability through the current downturn in the oil and gas market place keeping us relevant and viable in these challenging times.

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

A. Jerry helped to start the Eagle River Elks Club and has been governor of Lions District 49A.

Scott served on the Alaska Support Industry Alliance board, Anchorage Symphony board of directors, and The Red Cross board, along with the current treasurer of The Anchorage Robert Burns Appreciation Society and is a past president of The Petroleum Club of Anchorage.

Basil is a member of the Alaska Miners Assoc., and a 20+ year member of the American Water Assoc., member of the Instrument Society of America, Anchorage section, and Alaska HVAC Assoc., charter member Eagle River Elks Club, Eagle River Lions Club and RDC.

Q. What is the address of your company’s web site?

A. www.arcticcontrols.com