Area Development
Oklahoma-based Word Industries Fabrication has announced it will open a new Metering Division in Tulsa, OK, and hire up to 100 people, from sales representatives and quality control experts to welders and specialized technicians.

Phase One of the project will construct a 40,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility designed to build/assemble metering and piping systems for use in the natural gas and the oil industries. Later, Phase II operations will expand fabrication services at the Port of Muskogee, OK.

"Our mission is dedicated to provide leading natural gas exploration companies with products and services that will meet their specifications and requirements," said CEO Tom Word.

Demand for natural gas orifice meters "requires a successful company to operate an efficient production facility that can provide cost effective, quality product with on-time delivery as primary objectives," explained Word. The new plant's state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment "will improve flow of product through the fabrication process. With over 100 years combined experience in the oil and gas industry, [Word] is prepared to meet market demands."

The CEO said the company will apply for the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program (gives companies a cash rebate of up to 10 percent for new jobs averaging over $94,000 a year), and use the Oklahoma CareerTech system for employee training, according to Word.

"This is another example of how Oklahoma's traditional energy sector of natural gas and oil continues to provide jobs and create economic growth for Oklahoma," said Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Dave Lopez. "We are excited to see a company like Word Industries Fabrication come into the marketplace and advance our state's manufacturing and energy industries."