b'T U B U L A RTubular Transportation and Management GetsTexas-size Upgrade with Summit Industrial Park To a child, a backyard can become any place that bursts forth from his or her imagination. Whether itsa castle, a battlefield, a maze or even the moon, that yard has the potential to be whatever that childcan envision. Similarly, SCOA saw the possibilities in an undeveloped property located in the Permian Basin in Ector County, Texas; through hard work, synergy and DX initiatives, Summit Industrial Park (SIP)also known as West Odessa Rail Logistics LLCbecame a reality that was once only imagined: A top-notch consolidated and streamlined operations hub to serve tubular supply-chain transport for SCOA, its group companies, and more.Above,Michael Thomas,GM of West Odessa Rail Logistics LLC (SCOA subsidiary)Each of the distributors had solutions in place toefficiencies, inventory optimization, and even shorten-Odessa solve the unique challenges of working in West Texas,ing days-to-bill all serve to lower transportation costs TEXAS Michael Thomas, GM of West Odessa Rail Logisticsand minimize redundancy. LLC (SCOA subsidiary) explained about the property,The most difficult part of this process was actually the located just outside Odessa, Texas, but as we consoli- decision to invest in and develop a new site in West dated distribution companies, it became clear that theTexas during the 2020 economic downturn and the different solutions were fragmented. The idea to developcrisis in the oil industry,Thomas confirmed. Uncer-a central stocking location for SCOAs OCTG distri- tainty and volatility pushed all stakeholders to scrutinize bution companies, BLPS and P2E, was the beginning.the strategy, costs, and long-term value of the project. That developed into the concept of an industrial parkThis extra rigor was challenging but ultimately that that could be leveraged for any SC business venture thatmade for a better defined, leaner, and fitter business plan. is targeting the Permian Basin/West Texas area. Once groundbreaking started in late October 2020, the The $20 million investment resulted in a 50-acre projectchange in the West Texas labor force became evident. (with another 50 acres to be developed by 2024) thatFinding qualified contractors, labor, and building ma-promotes cost savings opportunities by way of itsterials all served as challenges. Building a local network location, operations consolidation, and the DX solutionshas been key to overcoming the lack of resources and for process efficiency and standardization. These opera- gaining priority, and the record low temperatures, as tions upgrades put SIP into a league of its own when itwell as electrical grid issues, in February 2021 also creat-comes to tubular transportation management: Loadinged construction difficulties.12 visions Fall 2021'