YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown manufacturer Brilex Industries will partner with a Houston-based manufacturer to make oil and gas production equipment for facilities operating in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.
The partnership will create at least 30 local jobs in 2013 as a result of increased manufacturing here. It also is expected to provide customers of Valerus, the Houston company, with access to production equipment more quickly and at reduced transportation costs.
Valerus has been described as one of the world's leading providers of oil and gas handling and processing equipment. The company announced plans to ship its first order of locally-manufactured equipment to its customers this month.
Valerus, in partnership with Brilex, will manufacture gas and natural gas production equipment in high demand in the northeast Ohio region. That equipment includes separators, gas processing units, coalescing filters, glycol regenerators and absorber towers.
"Brilex is proud to bring its reputation for quality, efficiency and on-time reliability to Valerus gas processing equipment," said Brian Benyo, president, Brilex Industries. "Our partnership with Valerus will benefit the local economy and bring value to the region's growing oil and gas industry."
Founded in 1996, Brilex is a fast-growing company that does fabricating, machining and complete machine assembly.
Nick Sajatovic, vice president, manufacturing and supply chain for Valerus, praised the local and state government for support the company received, along with support from Team NEO and the Northeast Ohio economic development team that guided the development process.
The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, which helped introduce officials from the two companies, praised the deal. The Regional Chamber first met Valerus officials in December 2010 during a trip to Houston in an attempt to attract new companies to the Valley.
Since 2010, the Chamber had remained in contact with Valerus and has hosted company representatives on several occasions for property and community tours, in addition to presenting numerous local and state resources to assist with their investment. During one such visit, the Chamber introduced Valerus representative, Nick Sajatovic, to Alex Benyo of Brilex. The business relationship bloomed from there.
"We are pleased to have Valerus in our community. The joint venture announced today is a perfect example of the business-to-business relationships we strive to create," said Sarah Boyarko, the Regional Chamber's Vice President, Economic Development, Retention and Expansion.
"This project is not only the attraction of Valerus to the Mahoning Valley, but it is also the retention and growth of an existing company, Brilex Industries. We are excited about the future possibilities for both groups," Boyarko said. "This is a big win for the community and represents a positive return on our travel investment to attract new companies to the Mahoning Valley."