RUS Industrial LLC

Elton Hollis III, general manager of RUS Industrial LLC (RUS), boasts the Texas-based firm doesn’t need a fancy billboard to advertise its products and services. “You hear people talk about quality and pride in their company; you see it in big letters, but we tend to brag about it a little less and just let our products and services do the talking.” And RUS has, for nearly 20 years. RUS is now one of the leading turnkey providers of electrical, fabrication and coatings products and services for industrial, oilfield and power plant customers worldwide.

RUS was founded in 1994 by Roger Bailey, an oilfield electrical contractor, originally as Rig-Up Services (Rig-Up). In 2003 Rig-Up purchased an existing industrial fabrication and coatings facility. Over time, the company began to offer custom fabrication and coating service to industrial clients.

“When Roger sold the company to his son, Jeff Bailey, in 2008, the company added many new areas,” explains Elton. “This led to the eventual change to its current designation, but many people still recognize us as Rig-Up. We still work for many clients that we’ve had since day one, such as Helmerich & Payne. We take great pride in that.”

No matter which name the company is best known by, RUS has expanded its footprint, capabilities and manpower greatly over the years. “Although we’ve grown significantly we still have the mom and pop feel to the business,” shares Elton. “We treat our employees and customers like family. There’s a good atmosphere around here. Take a look around and you’ll see the president laughing and joking in the office and shop. We have an open-door policy.”

RUS now employs some 275 certified professionals in its Channelview, Texas, location. The company still maintains a solid presence in Texas. “We do about 85 percent of our business in the state,” reveals Elton. “We’re expanding though, into new markets in the continental U.S. and beyond.”

One-stop shop For All Things Oil and Industrial

Elton says that RUS has the advantage of being a triple threat in dual markets. “Originally, we focused on supporting the oil fields, but now we’re split about 50/50 between oil and industrial,” he says. “Our competitive edge is that we offer a diverse range of in-house service.”

The company delivers full turnkey solutions for fabrication, coatings, electrical instrumentation, commissioning, heat-trace design and startup, and holds multiple contractors licenses. Additionally, RUS provides custom API/ISO/ASME-certified fabrication and coatings with a superb level of expertise.

“As far as oil operations, we can fabricate driller cabins, masts; basically any component of a rig,” explains Elton. “For industrial customers we provide explosion-proof housing for refineries and piping, just to name a few.” The company’s highly skilled mobile response teams also offer 24/7, round-the-clock repair and troubleshooting service.

The Texas-based driller Helmerich & Payne has been relying on RUS’ trusted service for nearly 20 years. “We’ve worked with Helmerich & Payne since the beginning in 1994; they were one of Roger’s first clients,” shares Elton. “We’re proud to still serve them.” RUS also serves Canada’s biggest drilling company, Precision Drilling, with electrical and fabrication service.

A New Market and Room to Grow

Aside from the company’s big oil business, RUS has entered the solar heat tracing market with full force. “As high as the ups and profits are with oil, the lows are very low,” reveals Elton. “We want to keep our people working so we’ve entered some new territory. We’ve loaded our wagon with more weapons, so to speak, to broaden our spectrum.”

In the middle of the Arizona desert lays the Solana Project, RUS’ most recent venture. “We’re doing all of the electrical and heat tracing,” says Elton. “It’s pretty interesting, because you’re driving for miles and miles through mountains and valleys then you come across this massive solar farm.”

According to Elton, entering the heat-tracing market has opened up opportunities throughout the U.S. “We’re expanding into Ohio and Utah; really anywhere where the oil and gas pool isn’t so big,” he explains. “It’s a pretty exciting opportunity.”

Elton admits RUS has struggled to keep good people working during the economic downturn. “We want to keep the same people on a job, because that’s the best way to ensure quality,” he says. “If you have the same guy, doing the same job, his experience is going to make for a better result.”

Elton views the economic situation as hopeful and thinks the company is in a good position to continue to divide operations 50/50 between the oil fields and industrial clients. “We knew we needed to build a solid foundation first and then slowly build up to growth,” he adds. “Now that we’ve done that our options are open.”

After 16 years in the industry, and more than three at RUS, Elton knows the business inside and out. “My father and grandfather were in this industry before me, so after a stint in college, I decided to join and it’s kept my interest ever since,” he says.

Elton also has a vested interest in the Dallas Cowboys and enjoys a stadium tour and a game when he’s not managing RUS. However, above all else, Elton truly loves working for a company that values safety, quality and its employees. For nearly 20 years, RUS Industrial LLC has been a one-stop shop for turnkey fabrication, coatings and electrical service.

For more information about RUS Industrial LLC, please visit: www.rusindust.com.