Bidell ships first unit from Weirton
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WEIRTON -- Monday marked a milestone for Bidell Gas Compression, as the first compressor units fabricated at its Weirton facility were shipped out to customers in the natural gas industry.
"This is a big day," Tom Welch, engineering manager, said Monday morning as the units were going through final preparation for delivery.
Welch noted the entire order would take approximately nine truckloads, with a portion of it sent out Monday, another delivery scheduled for Thursday, and a third set for March 6.
Components will be taken from Bidell's site, through the city along Main Street and onto U.S. 22.
Dan Martin, vice president of manufacturing, noted Feb. 14 marked one year since the company took possession of the former machine shop building located in Weirton's north end. Operations fully began in October.
Martin explained, because of the size of each compressor unit, they are fit together on site, and then split up prior to delivery.
"We build the package, and then dismantle it," Martin said.
The units being shipped out now, representing the company's first order after opening four months ago, were retrofitted from previous units, and upgraded to fit current needs.
"These were built four years ago by another company in Tulsa, Oklahoma," Welch explained, noting they repaired and tested all of the components, and converted the compressor from a two-stage to a three-stage.
In addition to the compressor, each unit also includes a cooling system and a Caterpillar motor.
Welch noted Bidell has continued to receive fabrication orders, and continues to hire and train employees. The company currently has 35 direct employees, and will be adding 10 more this week, he said.
"Bidell is committed to hiring local people," Welch said.
Welch said the company is working with West Virginia Northern Community College, the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, the Robert C. Byrd Institute and the state of West Virginia to provide training and apprenticeship programs.
During an open house held by the company in September, Martin said more than $3 million had been invested into rehabilitating the former 100,000-square-foot machine shop.
Bidell announced its plans to open its facility in March 2017. It is a subsidiary of Total Energy Services Inc., a company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Weirton facility serves as the company's U.S. headquarters.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)