HOUSTON (September 1, 2015) – Experts from petrochemical, maritime, and logistics companies and organizations offered their views of opportunities and challenges facing the Houston Ship Channel and Greater Houston region during the 6th annual Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Petrochemical & Maritime Outlook Conference held at the Pasadena Convention Center Thursday, August 27. Mobil Steel International, Inc. President and CEO Leonard A. Bedell was one of more than 700 attendees that absorbed information presented by panelists and featured speakers. Most recounted expansion plans and addressed workforce development initiatives to provide skilled workers needed for new projects.
“The expansion of our industries – from the Port of Houston to our refining and chemical complexes throughout the Gulf Coast region – is requiring more qualified employees to handle these high tech jobs,” said Chad Burke, president of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. “That is a good challenge and we are meeting the challenge by working with our partners to identify the workforce needs and ensure that we have the right solutions.”
Mobil Steel knows first-hand that the petrochemical industry is expanding. According to Bedell, in the first half of 2015, Mobil Steel achieved its highest half-year production in a decade, in part due to fabricating steel for petrochemical facility expansions along Houston’s Ship Channel, as well as projects in west Texas, Louisiana and Colorado.
“It was very informative and exciting to hear the experts offer their forecasts and provide a positive outlook on industry in our region,” said Bedell. “Houston is blessed with many industry leaders and Mobil Steel takes pride in calling them our customers and neighbors.
“Mobil Steel is well-positioned with six fabrication bays, a flexible schedule and quality certification to fabricate steel for this industry, as well as for the natural gas shale plays and the commercial building industry,” Bedell said. He added that the company meets market demand with focus on customer service and quality performance. Earlier this year, Mobil Steel earned its ninth consecutive quality certification from American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).
Mobil Steel is a founding sponsor of the Economic Alliance Petrochemical and Maritime Outlook Conference which celebrated its sixth year. Bedell and business development manager, Stuart Robles, hosted a table of customers and dignitaries. Joining Bedell at the Mobil Steel table were State Senator Larry Taylor; State Representative Ed Thompson; State Representative Dennis Paul; Chris Bezdek, Executive Vice President, Community Bank of Texas; and Wayne Webb, Executive Vice President, Community Bank of Texas.
About Mobil Steel International, Inc.
Mobil Steel International, Inc. fabricates steel used in some of the world’s essential industries: chemical, manufacturing, petroleum, communication, clean fuels, and power utilities, as well as commercial construction. Mobil Steel, which has been at its South Wayside Drive facility in Houston for 45 years, has a production capacity of more than 1,000 tons per month in its 80,000 square feet of plant and office facilities under roof, providing flexibility to manage multiple projects. The 8.5-acre site is located within major freeway access to the refining and petrochemical complex in the Gulf Coast region. Mobil Steel is quality certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Mobil Steel is active in Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors, Association of Chemical Industry of Texas, and American Welding Society. The company is a sponsoring member of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Mobil Steel is a registered small business with the Small Business Administration. For information about Mobil
Steel visit www.mobilsteel.com.