This article was first published by CompressorTech2 Magazine for the Take Five feature of its June 2021 issue.
There are a lot of companies that attempt to provide a “one-stop shop” approach in serving their particular industries. The reality, however, is that it’s difficult for any one company to develop expertise and capability to truly achieve that goal, especially in an industry like gas compression.
Yet that’s the ambition of Global Compression Services, the Midland, Texas- headquartered manufacturer and supplier of OEM and aftermarket parts, components and engine accessories for reciprocating compressors and ignition and control systems. And if any company is positioned to achieve that one-stop capability it might be GCS, as the company is an amalgamation of four companies – Ignition Systems and Controls (ISC), H&S Valve, Global Compressor and Potemkin Industries. The companies were consolidated into a single entity in 2019 and Anthony D. Speer was named president that same year after just under two years as vice president of ISC and H&S Valves.
COMPRESSORTECH2 recently questioned Speer on the new company and its activities.
WHAT PROMPTED THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE FOUR COMPANIES INTO ONE?
All of these companies had the same customers, so it was a natural fit to bring them together for a turnkey option for customers.
We can provide the one-stop shop for natural gas compressor equipment parts and services for operations across the globe. Global Compressor was really known for Parts and repair. ISC brings experience on the engine side – parts and service. H&S and Potemkin can manufacture.
Our goal is to raise the industry standard of value by offering full manufacturing capabilities that are unrivaled in the aftermarket compressor parts industry.
THERE ARE MANY SERVICE COMPANIES IN THIS SPACE. WHAT DIFFERENTIATES GLOBAL COMPRESSION SERVICES?
I believe the depth and breadth of our product and service offerings coupled with our geographic footprint place us in a unique position to deliver value to our customers. Additionally, our model of frequent and intentional customer interaction allows us to better understand our customers’ immediate and ever-changing needs.
We are proud of our legacy of customer service. All of the legacy companies that now form a part of Global Compression Services have a strong history and reputation of providing uncompromising customer service. We intend that Global Compression Services will build on that legacy and become the clear choice as the go-to company for their needs.
WHAT CHALLENGES COME FROM BEING A ONE-STOP SHOP AS WELL AS A COMPANY THAT STOCKS A VAST PARTS INVENTORY?
Our people must possess both a wide and deep knowledge of our customers’ endless array of makes and models of OEM equipment. In the same vein, our inventory must also run the gamut. We must have a clear understanding of the local market so that we can stock the inventory that will allow us to provide our customers with a very quick turnaround service.
HOW CAN YOU HELP CUSTOMERS OPTIMIZE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES?
We provide solutions. Those solutions are always intended to optimize our customers’ efficiency. Our solution may take the form of a service or a product. Our goal is to be there for any related need our customer may have.
Our sales team is regularly at our customers’ location and routinely interacting with customer personnel to identify needs. In addition to providing OEM parts, we provide cost-effective alternatives through our aftermarket manufacturing capabilities.
Our goal is to know more about our customers’ equipment than they do. It is not uncommon for customers to call us requesting information about a part or component on one of their units.
THE INDUSTRY IS CYCLICAL. ARE SERVICE COMPANIES LESS AFFECTED BY THAT CYCLICALITY BECAUSE EVERYTHING EVENTUALLY NEEDS SERVICE?
I do not believe any company is immune to the cycles of our industry. Clearly, the stronger organizations fare better during a down cycle, and we believe we are positioned to capitalize on what appears to be a significant market improvement in the near future.
YOUR FIRST FULL YEAR WAS A TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED UPHEAVAL IN THE INDUSTRY THANKS TO THE PANDEMIC. HOW DID THE YEAR PLAY OUT FOR YOUR COMPANY?
Suffice to say we are certainly glad to have 2020 in the rearview mirror! The resiliency of our people is incredible. In addition to dealing with the pandemic, our people were dealing with major organizational changes and the implementation of a new ERP (enterprise resource planning) system as part of the process of bringing these companies together.
IN WHAT AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES DO YOU SEE THE MOST GROWTH POTENTIAL?
Global Compression Services is expanding into the Marcellus and Utica Plays in the near future with a storefront in the Greater Pittsburgh, Pa., area. This location will allow us to provide our customers with a very quick turnaround on our services, such as compressor valve and component repair.
We will also house a large inventory of parts at this location to better serve the need for quick supply.
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