Claremore Daily Progress

Business

February 21, 2010

Bridge to the Future - Pelco customizing solutions for energy and utility needs

Joy Hampton Claremore Progress

CLAREMORE — A partnership with a major distributor of specialty needs utility poles is predicted to create 50 new jobs over the next 12 months at Pelco Structural, LLC according to Pelco Structural President Phil Albert.

Albert will formally announce the details of the partnership at Pelco’s 5-Year Anniversary Celebration to be held Monday in Claremore. He said this alliance means an additional “3,000 people out there selling Pelco products.”

“There is the potential to double sales,” said Albert.

Pelco’s solid and continued growth since its founding in 2005 is attributable to the sound business model Albert said he borrowed from his partner in Edmond, Phil Parduhn, founder of Pelco Products.

That model includes diversity and fiscal conservatism. Pelco Structural is a custom manufacturer of steel poles for a variety of applications.

“We have to be very sensitive to making sure what we build has a vast array of applications,” said Albert.

Location has been integral to the company’s success said Albert.

“There is no better place in the world to be than in Claremore, Oklahoma.”

Claremore agrees. Albert has been recognized by the city’s Chamber of Commerce as an outstanding business for the past two years. In 2008 Albert was named Claremore’s  Business Citizen of the Year. Recently, he accepted an award on behalf of Pelco Structural for 2009 Large Business of the Year.

As an employer who intentionally hires family members and supports a wide array of charities including Rogers County United Way, Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, and the Rogers County Youth Services annual fundraising Turtle Race among others, Albert and the Pelco team are highly involved in the Claremore community.

From a strategic business perspective, Albert said Claremore is ideal in its proximity to the Tulsa Port of Catoosa with its barge and rail connections (Pelco has its own fleet of trucks).

The supportive community and city administration including city manager Troy Powell and the resources available through Rogers State University headed by Dr. Larry Rice are part of the portfolio that makes Claremore attractive, according to Albert.

“This is a community where things happen,” he said.

Pelco has filled three national grid projects and anticipates expanding its Canadian market. The state of Louisiana is one of Pelco’s customers.

Albert maintains that people are Pelco’s greatest resource.

Kelly Scott, Vice President of Operations and brother Kasey Scott, National Sales Manager, came on board when the company was founded in 2005.

“We were part of the management team that started the company,” said Kelly Scott.

The pair had worked with Albert in west Tulsa at another company. They knew coming into it that Albert was pulling together a dedicated and loyal team of talent that could build something special.

“We take a lot of personal pride in the company,” said Kasey Scott.

The brothers said Albert inspires loyalty in his employees.

“He’s got a huge heart and a large vision,” said Kelly.

Albert’s vision for the future is a company that continues to expand and grew even while economic challenges have other companies running for cover. On the heels of Gatorade, located in nearby Mayes County, closing, the potential for additional jobs in Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma is welcome news.

“Our business continues to grow,” said Albert.

Text Only
Business