Weir Oil & Gas today announced a $65 million expansion of its Weir SPM manufacturing and service facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
The investment is part of the company's strategy to keep up with growing industry demand for drilling and hydraulic fracturing following a rise in the numbers of horizontal rigs supported by oil and liquid rich shale in North America.
The expansion includes the purchase of 12.7 acres adjacent to Weir SPM’s current location to build a dedicated Fort Worth Service Center to provide quick response times for major pump overhaul.
Construction will also include multiple warehouses, an assembly and engineering office, pipe shop, pump machine shop, a swivel manufacturing facility and service center. New and renovated offices will accommodate recently hired management and engineering staff. The site also includes land for future expansions.
Renovations and construction are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2012.
Steve Noon, divisional managing director of Weir Oil & Gas, said, "We will continue to invest in Weir SPM. Since its acquisition in 2007, Weir SPM has maintained a market-leading position in this niche segment of the oil and gas industry. The expansion in Fort Worth will support our extensive service footprint and will provide additional capacity to meet our customers' needs."
The renovations and new space allow Weir SPM to install new machinery for increased pump, fluid end and flow manufacturing capacity. The equipment purchased includes additional machining centers, lathes, and equipment capable of producing swivels completely in house for the first time in the company's history.
The Weir Group PLC is headquartered in the UK, with interests in over 40 countries and products focused on the minerals, oil & gas and power markets.
