Oilfield Electric & Motor

In Ventura, California, Oilfield Electric & Motor has served greater Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties and beyond since 1940. By tackling some of the most complex electrical installations, including upgrades and automation and controls, as well as high-voltage installation and repair and motor and generator sales and service, Oilfield Electric & Motor has actually made difficult, challenging projects its forte.

“We do a lot of work in the oilfields and we’re one of the few local companies doing offshore platform work as well,” explains Alan Fletcher, president of Oilfield Electric & Motor. “Because of the nature of this work, our guys, on average, tend to be more technical and experienced, so we’re well-suited for these oftentimes difficult projects. We’ve developed a reputation over the years for going in and finishing or fixing a project another company hasn’t been able to complete or has messed up.”

Founded in 1940 by Lourie L. Eakin, Oilfield Electric & Motor has been building this reputation for more than 75 years. Fletcher, who has a manufacturing and business background, purchased the firm in 2004 along with his wife, Jana Fletcher. The company now employs 65 personnel, including 45 highly qualified electricians and motor shop specialists.

Niche market

“Our size allows us to respond rapidly and we have enough staff that we have a seasoned group with the expertise to solve challenges in the field and the technical knowledge to fix problems quickly,” says Fletcher. “Our in-house motor shop goes hand in hand with our projects and allows us to sell and repair a range of electric motors. Our motor shop is one of the few in Southern California that is UL-certified for the repair of explosion-proof motors.”

The company also has a commercial department, running service crews and performing electrical installations and maintenance throughout Southern California, but Fletcher says Oilfield Electric & Motor has found its footing in the oilfields. “Our crews are known for their work in the oil industry so our niche has really become this market,” he says.

In the oilfield sector, as well as water management, Oilfield Electric delivers and installs the critical electrical components for automation and controls. “This is a common demand in the oil industry, but also for stormwater management,” says Fletcher. “In the case of stormwater pumping, these controls ensure the drainage canals aren’t backing up. It’s this kind of monitoring technology we power, which helps notify the right people when things aren’t operating correctly so the problem can be resolved.”

Quick turnarounds

Outside of the oilfield market, Oilfield Electric & Motor is active in the industrial sector, working for large corporations such as Proctor & Gamble Co. “Our guys are on-site or available around the clock, performing maintenance and repairs and handling all of the electrical infrastructure,” says Fletcher. “One area we really specialize in is equipment upgrades and plant shutdowns, from the demo to the reinstallation of equipment.”

“When massive plant shutdowns happen, we’re on an extremely stringent timeline,” continues Fletcher. “Hitting timeline targets is critical because every lost hour equals thousands of dollars in revenue. We just completed a shutdown and equipment upgrade for Procter & Gamble Co. this spring, deploying 50 people to get the job wrapped in time.”

Oilfield Electric also serves one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in California. “We’ve just completed a full lab renovation, which is a highly technical installation,” adds Fletcher.

A tenured team

Fletcher says one of the biggest indicators of Oilfield Electric & Motor’s success is the longevity of its team. “We have several employees who have been here for 30 years or more,” he says. “I think more than dollars and cents, employee longevity is the best measure of how you’re doing overall.”

The company’s team takes great pride in their work, resulting in unsurpassed quality. “This quality is evident and a large percentage of our business comes from repeat customers,” says Fletcher. “This and a strong safety program, including random drug and alcohol testing, make for a job well done.”

Fletcher says at Oilfield Electric, each employee can feel good about the work they do at the end of the day. “This is a big part of our company culture and our team takes this to heart,” he adds.

With some of the most experienced electricians in the business, Fletcher doesn’t see many obstacles hindering Oilfield Electric & Motor’s future progress. “Lately, the main thrust is our service side,” he says. “When people have problems or even a small project, they know they can call us and this side of the business is growing.” Since 1940, Oilfield Electric & Motor has shined in Southern California as a leader in the small to large, complex electrical components and installations.