Think back to any PVF Roundtable networking event you’ve attended, and I assure you Mike Hernandez was there with a smile on his face. Mike is the sales manager for WOI Welding Outlets, focusing on special projects that involve flanges and branchettes. For over three years, Mike has led the sales team to what it is today, approaching the end of the fiscal year already surpassing their best year ever, with no plans of slowing down in sight. He is flooded with support from his team, Kim Shelton Brown, Vice President of Technical Development and current member of the Board of Directors of the PVF Roundtable, and Sheryl Michalak, President of WOI, and former PVF RT Board member for over 30 years – inducted to the PVF Hall of Fame in 2013. Together, they have taken the fittings market by storm with products and parts manufactured in-house in the USA to exacting standards – even offering overnight expedited orders and 24-hour emergency services.
“We saw a need for growth in our flange department because customers were needing these components in a rush more often than not. We increased internal operations to accommodate these expedited orders while continuing to provide what’s most important to us – craftsmanship and quality – making sure each order is per the requested specifications,” Mike stated. From branchettes to specialty nozzles, laterals and wyes, tees and crosses, bleed rings and flanges, WOI has a wide variety of high-pressure piping components all made here in the USA. For over 20 years WOI has been a certified woman-owned manufacturer of quality branch connections and specialty engineered products in many different sectors and industries. “We offer an extensive range of fittings and flanges on a quick rush emergency basis. WOI has a proven reputation as a manufacturer of choice by our customers and end-users worldwide. We are listed on numerous AMLs (Approved Manufacturers Lists) and we hold a number of certifications,” Mike said.
Welding Outlets is a loyal and proud sponsor of the PVF Roundtable and has been since it’s inception over 30 years ago. Though much newer to this charity organization than Sheryl Michalak, Mike says each and every event gives him the opportunity to see most if not all of our customers and end users all in one room at least once a quarter. “The next generation is vitally important, especially in the industry we all serve in. We are set for a huge trade skill gap in the next 5 to 10 years so we need to encourage new enthusiasts into our “trade” by supporting those in school in the PVF field today. I understand how important these scholarship donations are, and I want to be a part of the solution to help the PVF industry continue to grow with the future of technology.”
For questions or inquiries, reach out to Mike at [email protected] or visit https://www.woihouston.com.