At Apache Industrial Services, there is always a plan. There is a way of working. There is a way of interacting. There is a way of being. Everything is purposeful — from how the company hires, trains and develops its craftsmen; from the way the company builds and fiercely protects its culture; from the belief safety is personal and each employee is empowered to work safely on every task, every time; from the way personnel at every level work to not only interact but genuinely connect with the customer; to the way the company’s leadership views and prepares for the future — of not only the company but the industry and its vast and ever-changing needs.
Since its inception, Apache’s growth has been focused and measured as it has carefully added craftsmen and services and dramatically increased capabilities and its geographical presence, and added to its innovative and continuously evolving approach to safety. And since the very beginning, the one constant with Apache has remained — when a promise is made, it is kept — to its people and to their customers.
“There will always be companies that are larger and some that are smaller,” explained Mike Knigin, CEO of Apache Industrial Services. “Yet, we have always believed we are measured not by the size of our work force but by the commitment of our word and our ability to deliver what we say when we say it and at an extraordinarily high level. I think more than anything our ability to deliver on our promise defines Apache and genuinely differentiates us. Our customers recognize it, but more, our people are driven by it.”
Apache pride in action
There is an unquestioned pride that is inherent across every level of Apache — in the way its craftsmen work and complete each task as well as the way leaders interact with customers and the professionals on the line. It is just known as the Apache way of working. And to fully appreciate the Apache way and the pride that permeates throughout every crevice of the organization, it is important to understand the origins and purposeful pathway upon which Apache has embarked.
Apache is and has always been about the people. The professionals who comprise Apache have been carefully selected, brought on board, trained, developed and acculturated into the Apache way of working. With forward-thinking human capital practices, Apache is as purposeful about its people and their shared commitment to working safely and cohesively for and with each other as well as the customer.
There is no accident in the way an Apache professional approaches the job — it is careful, considerate and committed. There is no checking the box simply to be compliant; rather, there is an authentic commitment to approaching and completing the job the right way. It is what customers expect, what leadership expects, but more, it is what each professional on the job expects of himself and of the Apache professional to his right or left. “We recognize it takes a little more to be part of Apache,” explained Mark Honniker, a 29-year veteran of the company. “We expect our craftsmen to not simply do the job, but do it well. There is an expectation, a trust we have of each other. It starts with having a different focus and commitment before the job even begins.”
A culture of purpose
Each Apache employee, regardless of how long they have been part of the company, recognizes there is a different way of working and interacting. To them, and everyone throughout the company, it is simply known as the Apache culture. And the company is committed to protecting and fiercely defending its culture, as it continues to set expectations and clearly articulate the values and behaviors that have long defined the organization. These values are instilled beginning the first day an Apache employee is hired and continuing until they are fully prepared to walk on a jobsite, the Apache way.
The company continues to invest in its people and the way they work through extensive training and constant communication — both on and off the jobsite. The company is not only committed to continuous improvement of its people, it is also disciplined in the manner in which it approaches the systems and planning to ensure that even with rapid expansion and growth, the Apache culture will continue, and not simply continue, but become even stronger and more well documented.
Core to the culture is a commitment to people, an understood respect and an absolute commitment to doing the right thing. And at Apache, there is an understanding culture actually starts before a person is even hired. Because of its defined human capital strategy, the company is careful and very purposeful about who is hired — recognizing it takes a lot more than knowledge, technical skills and ability to become a successful Apache employee. It takes someone who values integrity over loyalty and an unwavering commitment to doing it right — whenever and whatever the task requires.
“I’ve been part of the Apache family for more than 20 years. I have watched many changes in our business, many new people, lots of growth, new lines of business, but what has always remained true is the way our company treats its people,” shared Delin Manuel, vice president of operations. “They do it because it is the right thing to do. And, the outcome is an improved work product and invested employees, like me, who not only work hard but genuinely believe in the company and the way we work.”
At Apache, it is a normal occurrence for the CEO, the president and any leader of its other companies to be on the jobsite, not looking over a job but fully engaged with Apache craftsmen and the customer, at all levels, to make sure the job is done right and completed on time. “We built this business by rolling up our sleeves, never losing focus on the customer, being totally focused on safety and really enjoying the work we do,” said Doug Lee, founder and president of Apache. “And, as we have grown, expanded our base of operations and added many more people, we have never gotten away from doing what we have always done — and that is being on the site, working, focusing on the little things and communicating with our team and our customers. It’s how we have always done things, and how we will continue as we move forward. It’s the part of the business I enjoy most.”
Purposeful progress
And the commitment from every area of the company is as clear as the outcomes it produces. As the company has codified much of the way it works and its unique focus on and commitment to its people, so too has it begun to evolve its vision of the future.
In the past year alone, Apache has been invited to work on many prestigious, high profile projects across the Gulf Coast region. With its acquisitions of Gulf Coast Gunite and Industrial Gunite and Industrial Coating Contractors, and expanded presence across Texas and Louisiana, including Corpus Christi and Baton Rouge, Apache has continued to add to its expertise, profile and impeccable safety records. But more, Apache has added partners who share its values and commitment to getting the job done right, on time and on budget. With deep capabilities and expertise in fireproofing, painting, refractory insulation, abatement, maintenance and scaffolding, Apache continues to build on its strong, growing reputation in these areas.
“It gives us great confidence to see companies like Apache Industrial Services and their recognition of what is ahead for the industry,” shared Lex Moyers, vice president of construction for Houston Fuel Oil Terminal Co. “They have exhibited a unique ability to remain absolutely focused on today while also looking ahead at tomorrow. Their commitment to building a work force the right way — recognizing the importance and value of each and every employee — is appreciated and defines their company.”
New facilities and Craft Training Center
And now Apache is looking to the future. And not only its future but that of the industry and what it believes is required to most effectively serve its customers. With the construction of its new 125-acre campus, 300,000-square-foot facility that includes its state-of-the-art Craft Training Center, Apache is making more than a statement about its vision for the future. The new facility represents a commitment to continuing to build upon and improve on its legacy of performance. And, with the Craft Training Center, Apache will house the training for its future work force, regardless of trade or expertise. In fact, when complete, Apache will boast the largest fireproofing, coatings and linings facility in the entire Gulf Coast.
When asked about the new expansion of Apache’s facilities and the construction of its training center, Knigin responded, “We could not be more enthusiastic about what this campus, with our new facility and Craft Training Center, will mean to our business and mostly, our customers. We recognize the quickly approaching demand for talented craftsmen, and we are committed to being ahead of the curve with how we attain and train the finest craftsmen while we work to build the necessary, high quality work force that will be required for the jobs of tomorrow. We are ready for what is ahead.”
The Craft Training Center will be where craftsmen are brought to strengthen their talents, learn the Apache way and refine their understanding of the culture, behaviors and expectations of working for the company. It will provide state-of-the-art spaces and technologies while reaffirming the company’s commitment to its people.
Foundation remains safety
No matter where it grows, or how it evolves, Apache Industrial Services will remain at the forefront of safe operations. It remains committed in its belief safety is a series of purposeful acts and thoughts of highly engaged and empowered employees. It is the recognition safety is personal — as each Apache employee is challenged to identify the reasons and the people for whom they work safe each day. Ask any employee, and you will hear in great detail about his very personal safety plan. Often it starts with “I work safely for my wife, my kids, my family, my parents” but each professional has his own reason and drive for working to complete each task safely.
At Apache, safety is not simply conversation — although safety is a constant discussion point on jobsites, at meetings, at gatherings or by the water cooler. Safety is about results — real, measurable and continually improving results. In 2013, Apache completed 2.8 million man-hours with only one recordable. But, for Apache, while proud of its safety success, the goal of zero still remains the only acceptable outcome. And, true to its history, the company has a plan to ensure the goal is ultimately achieved.
“Because of the lengths we go to select, hire and train each employee, we have an extraordinarily high expectation and belief our people will be the safest on any jobsite,” continued Lee. “It is why we fully empower them to make decisions to ensure their and others’ safety. And, it is why we have such a strong presence by our leadership at each site to reinforce our belief and support of them and their actions.”
Apache Industrial Services may never become the largest company of its kind in the industry, as it is too focused on being the best it can be for its customers and its greatest asset, its professionals. This requires undeniable focus and commitment to a different level of performance across every level of the company. And, as the company has demonstrated, it must remain true to the values and way of working that have always defined Apache and the pride of its people.
For more information on Apache Industrial Services, call Mike Knigin or Doug Lee at (713) 450-9307 or visit www.apacheip.com.
