CLAREMORE — Pelco Structural, LLC held its five-year anniversary celebration Monday at the Rogers State University Centennial Center. The steel pole manufacturer hosted over 300 employees, friends and business associates for lunch and birthday cake followed by tours of the Pelco facility.

Pelco President Phil B. Albert also formally announced a partnership agreement with HD Supply Utilities. That alliance is expected to create an additional 50 jobs at the Claremore plant over the next year.

RSU President Dr. Larry Rice welcomed guests to the celebration.

“In the two years that I have served as president of Rogers State University, I have been so impressed and gratified by the support and enthusiasm of this community for its hometown university,” said Rice. “So many individuals, organizations, and companies... have demonstrated their support for this university. But none more so than Pelco.”

Rice said Pelco and its employees have demonstrated good corporate citizenship through action.

“Pelco has taken a leadership role in this community in advancing higher education,” said Rice.

Pelco is a Partner in Education with RSU and has provided “Insight into the educational and economic development needs of business and industry.”

“The university is grateful for Pelco’s generous support of the RSU Equestrian Center,” said Rice. “Pelco also has generously supported the RSU Dollars for Scholars Campaign.”

Pelco assisted with the baseball and softball complex expansion and sponsors RSU basketball games, said Rice.

City Councilor Mick Webber commended Pelco and congratulated Albert and his team on the company’s five successful years in business. 

State Auditor Steve Burrage presented a commendation on behalf of the governor, and Peggy McGehee expressed the appreciation and good wishes of U.S. Congressional Representative, Dan Boren.

One of the most touching moments however, came before the formal speeches congratulating Albert and his staff.

Donna McSpadden, widow of Rogers County’s beloved Clem McSpadden, gifted Jo and Phil Albert with a framed copy of Clem’s famous poem, “If Our Flag Could Talk.”

The family-like gathering was a good venue for Albert’s announcement of the partnership with HD Supply Utilities.

During the past couple of years, HD has branched out into poles. The Cleveland branch worked with Pelco on projects that allowed both companies to have invaluable experience with each other.

“They (Pelco) do what they say they are going to do,” said HD President Rick McClure. “It’s a great fit for us.”

“This should be a good year,” said Steve Parduhn of Pelco, a partner company in Edmond.

According to a press release issued Monday, Pelco Structural has agreed in principle to a primary distribution deal with HD Supply Utilities.

Based in Claremore, Pelco Structural manufactures custom made pole assemblies for traffic control, lighting, utility and communications industries. HD Supply is North America’s largest electric utilities distributor.

According to the agreement, Pelco will “be the manufacture of choice for steel transmission and substation pole assemblies to HD Supply Utilities, expanding their utility pole solutions.”

HD Supply Utilities will distribute the pole assemblies to investor-owned, municipal and electric cooperative utilities in the U.S.

 The collaboration will allow leadership from Pelco and HD to execute a “got-to “ strategy which is expected to significantly expand a market that already includes over 4,000 existing customers.

“This deal is an excellent opportunity for Pelco Structural,” said Albert. “We have been supplying our poles to HD Supply Utilities for two years, and they know our commitment to providing superior products and excellent customer service. HD Supply Utilities provides market access to utilities throughout North America, which will likely double our business.”

 As a result of the distribution agreement, Albert forecasts significant growth for Pelco within 2010.

“While our 200,000-square foot physical plant has the capacity to handle the projected increased workload, we do expect to add to our staff by about 50 percent this year,” said Albert. “Because our pole assemblies are made-to-order, we can provide a level of customer service and flexibility others can’t. That’s attractive to utilities providing electricity transmission, as well as taking on complicated infrastructure projects across the country.”

 Training sessions for Pelco and HD Supply Utilities team members will enable both companies to find “best fit” opportunities to sell utilities transmission and substation structures.

“Our team is excited and ready to take on this challenge,” said McClure.  “Pelco Structural products enhance our current utility pole offerings, allowing our customers to benefit from an expanded portfolio of solutions.”