With the business climate over the world still cool following the recession impact of 2008, things have nevertheless remained rosy for Southeast Saskatchewan.
In evidence of this, one need look no further than the Carlyle-based company, True-Torq.
With locations in both Carlyle and Estevan, True-Torq has made another step in its continued growth with the opening of a new shop building, north of Carlyle, on the east side of highway 9.
"We were in just one bay, and things were getting kind of tight," explained True-Torq manager Rick Cormier. "With everyone's truck inside, plus the work vehicle, and having to handle equipment, well, we needed to get a bigger space."
Now with construction of the new building and move to the location complete, space isn't as big a problem any more.
"The new building is 45 feet by 84 feet," Cormier said. "We have space for everything, and a good office space as well."
True-Torq has been under its present management for the last five years, and the new building has been planned for just as long.
"We started talking about a building pretty early on," Cormier said. "In Estevan, our location has its own building, so its nice to get this one up and going."
"True-Torq supplies casings and other material to the oil and gas drilling and service rig industry," Cormier said. "We also provide down-hole rental equipment to drilling and service rigs."
Within the shop, the area is filled with equipment and items that would be familiar to people who work the oil fields, however one area within the shop was dominated by an item that needed a little explaining.
"Over there is the painting booth," Cormier explained. "It has high-pressure fans to take all the loose paint spray, and feeds it through filters."
"It is supposed to help the environment by trapping all the excess paint, and reduce reparatory issues for guys in the shop."
Cormier himself has been working the fields since he was just out of school. This type of long experience is one of the things that makes True-Torq's services sought after.
"We have a really experienced staff on board right now," Cormier said. "Most of our guys have between two-to-six years of experience in the patch on rigs, so the equipment, and the issues that can come up as a result of the equipment, they are all really familiar with."
While True-Torq has been continuing to grow, Cormier points out that it is still in many ways a Carlyle venture.
"We are still a family business in a lot of ways," Cormier said. "I live in Carlyle with my wife and kids, just like the other managers."
"We are really happy to be around here, and to have a chance to raise our kids in such a great community," Cormier said. "I was born in Edmonton, but spent most of my life around here."
"We're really dedicated to the town and the region."
