Spotlight On ... Webco
Webco - Driving Technological Change Through a Legacy of Trust
Throughout the decades , Webco has solidified its presence in the industry by cultivating a strong and innovative presence . Through trustworthy partnerships , top-of-the-line manufacturing capabilities , and its ongoing commitment to improve products and services , the company carved its own niche in the tubing industry .
Stainless Steel World Americas had the pleasure of speaking to Webco ’ s Dave Boyer , President and COO ; Yong-Joo Kim , Vice-President – Process and Production Innovation ; and Kyle Ingram , Vice-President – Webco TechCenter™ about the company ’ s enduring industry partnerships and ‘ forever ’ culture , managing emerging trends , and the unveiling of their TechCenter™ .
By Shopia Ketheeswararajah & Kristen Charles-Vardon
Where It All Began
It all began in 1969 when Bill Weber laid the foundation for what would become a ‘ forever company ’ with Southwest Tube in Sand Spring , Oklahoma . That beginning would see him and wife Marty as its first employees followed by others who would come to embrace the couples ’ expectation to expect the best and then be the best . The company began by manufacturing carbon steel tubing for the heat exchanger industry and then in the mid 1970s expanded into stainless tubing . By 1980 , the company had grown its capabilities and provided multiple products for both the carbon and stainless markets . Southwest Tube became Webco Industries in the 1980s to reflect its more diversified offerings and locations .
Webco ’ s growth can be attributed to reinvestment in the business ; a foundational tenet of embracing and investing in current technology to foster future growth . The company has 2.2 million square feet of manufacturing , vauleadd , research and development , and office space under roof across 13 facilities today . Webco employs more than 1,400 people to meet its ever-growing commitment to its customers around the globe . Its persistent success is illustrated through its markets and its continuing efforts to serve its customers through ongoing innovation . Currently , Webco ' s Kellyville Specialty Tube Plant is expanding to make room for a new tube mill , which will reinforce the company ' s oil and gas portfolio and product lines .
Boyer places companies in one of two categories : today companies and forever companies . “ Today companies stop once they achieve success . Webco does not see success as an end ; we see it as a beginning .”
Webco ’ s product offerings include OEM applications requiring rich technical knowledge , process controls , and experienced operators . The company serves multiple industries , including the energy industry and the chemical processing market . Also included in their portfolio is the HVAC market and the automotive and industrial component markets . and has been the foundation for its success and longevity since the beginning . This belief , coupled with a forever company philosophy and the establishment of trust among its customers , suppliers , and teammates , are the vital components etched within the guiding principles of Webco ’ s values .
Webco ’ s innovative culture has paved the company ’ s path as the preferred supplier . Partnering with their suppliers , customers , and industry groups to create new solutions is at the core of Webco . “ Sometimes , the return on investment is that long-term partnership . And when you are a forever company , long-term partnerships matter ,” said Boyer . “ We do not own our brand . The world owns our brand . We have to earn it ,” he added .
“ Webco ’ s culture is about being 100 % engaged every day . If we can commit to that , we will be a forever company . We operate a quick cycle . We implement our process . We design , build , deploy , and operate . And each time we operate , we make it better ,” Ingram said . Webco ’ s vision is to be the best . It achieves this using several elements which set them apart . First , it is the people , then the culture ; lastly , it is the continuing focus on being the trusted and technical leader in the industry .
The company measures its innovation on whether they have become a preferred supplier and met the market ’ s needs , rather than the innovation itself . “ Webco cannot exist without its people , community , and future generations ,” offered Kim . “ Our customers are our long-term partners . We are constantly investing in people , new manufacturing and inspection technology , and the development of automatic process management systems ,” he added .
Flexibility and Adaptability Through Emerging Technologies
Webco is tuned into the evolving markets . They monitor the demand for new products , changes in technology and regulations , and new materials that can withstand highly corrosive environments . “ We are engaged with the market demand , and we are developing new grade and manufacturing capabilities to support the corresponding product performance data . We chose to establish our new TechCenter™ facility to strengthen our research and development ( R & D ) activities ,” said Kim .
Webco has advanced its tube mill technology by automating detection methods that ensure removal of defective material . This technology employs non-destructive testing ( NDT ) technologies to enhance product compliance and to provide the highest quality materials to its customers .
The engineering team is a vital component of Webco ’ s formula for success . If there is something the company envisions but does not currently exist , Webco will create it . Innovation is at the heart of Webco ’ s ever-growing capabilities . The company generates a baseline of what its customers require and from there , product and inspection test plans are developed . Webco is in a relentless pursuit for testing equipment it can utilize to create new testing techniques . Projects in the new TechCenter™ will include the exploration of additional NDT technology .
Each facility is equipped with the ability to design and build Webco ’ equipment . “ We design ; we build to deploy ; we operate ; and we make it better ,” said Ingram . In ad-
Fortifying Partnerships and Company Culture
“ We have searched the world for the best technology ; we have spent time and treasure to deploy it . But at the end of the day , it is our people that make the real difference .” This is a quote from the company ’ s late founder Bill Weber
2 Stainless Steel World Americas - October 2024 | www . ssw-americas . com