As Alberta oil sands opportunities continue to build, Braid Industrial Services and Tarpon Energy Services are now in a stronger position to capitalize.

“On June 9, Tarpon acquired all Braid shares previously owned by Bermac and Murray Leimert,” says Denise LaForge, Chair of Tarpon’s Board. “This acquisition strengthens Tarpon’s platform for growing infrastructure and improving execution. And, as the potential for E&I construction increases, there is great value in engaging Braid’s services as a platform within Tarpon’s integrated offerings.”

One of the major considerations in completing this acquisition was the commitment of Braid’s leadership team to stay on board. “With the shares of Braid now wholly owned by Tarpon, there is great excitement about the future throughout our company,” says Murray Leimert, President of Braid. “Although we will continue to operate as a separate entity, clients will experience the ease of accessing joint deliverables with Tarpon’s one-stop service.”

When the branding for Braid was chosen in mid-2005, a plan was already in place to bring Braid closer with Tarpon over time. “Braid’s name and logo stands for the intertwining of expertise,” explains LaForge. “Essentially, with this acquisition, we have leveraged the strength of our two companies, while at the same time keeping intact the successful human resource strategies unique to Braid’s business model.”

As a gateway to the oil sands, Braid’s Edmonton location provides another important benefit. “We continue to recognize that in order to tap into the big plays, we require a geographic stronghold to make us more competitive and that keeps us close to our prospects and clients,” says LaForge. “In pursuing business development initiatives, location will be a key component of the marketing mix that raises our strategic profile.”

Internally, there will be more cohesion as Leimert joins Tarpon’s executive team. “During our monthly executive meetings, we will be collaborating on various strategic planning initiatives,” says Kevin Fleury, President and CEO. “It is most important that our corporate culture is consistent throughout the two companies – with a focus on governance, our value and our mission to exceed client expectations.”

By acquiring 100 per cent of Braid’s shares, Tarpon has reached another corporate milestone. “When we were first approached by CNRL, we knew there was strategic advantage in setting up a joint venture to take on this great opportunity,” says Fleury. “We implemented our vision for servicing this key client as a pilot for success. Now, two years later, we continue to leverage opportunities and experience as our two companies move forward to capture more business with one cohesive team.”