An Epic Moment
by, Chauntel Seminerio, Managing Editor
Yesterday, October 27th 2015 was a momentous day for the city of San Marcos and the State of Texas marked by the check signing and presentation ceremony presented by Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar to Epic Piping, Inc. and Austin Community College District for their $1.7 million dollar investment in the state of the art industrial pipe fabrication facility.
Thanks to Keith McCollum, head of recruiting for Epic Piping, they received the largest state grant ever allotted to a private company in Texas.
The manufacturing facility, formerly occupied by Butler Manufacturing™, left behind a perfect turn-key home for Epic that seems to be made for them; like Cinderella’s glass slippers.
The humble recipients of the grant funds opened their doors yesterday guiding us through their immaculate production spaces and sprawling future plans.
Currently, Epic Piping holds the title as the largest pipe manufacturer in the world under their 325,000 square foot roof with construction in progress adding another 35,000 square feet by the end of November.
The facility offers six bays for fabrication of carbon steel, chrome moly, stainless steels, duplex steels, nickel based alloys, and jacketed piping, followed by 7 concrete 50 X 20 x-ray rooms for quality assurance of each weld, heat treatment, hydro pressure testing, sand blasting and painting for delivery of excellence in every custom order to every client.
The company locally sourced every one of their 200 full time employees through ACC, Texas Workforce, Gary Job Corps and trade schools like South Texas Vocational Training, intent on hiring another 150 after the New Year. They refer to one another as family, not employees. From the management team to the hard-working, rugged blue collar members of the Epic Piping family, they exemplify the American workforce.
The company not only invested in the state of Texas and the city when they chose San Marcos for its birthplace but continues to invest in every employee they hire; having in-house trained and certified 98% of their family stating they are “building the next generation of welding workforce together”.
To further set the standard for pipe welding Epic owns a one of a kind $700, 000 robotic cutting and welding instrument known as CLOOSE ensuring enhanced performance and reliability in project execution.
Guests in attendance of this victorious moment for Epic Piping and Austin Community College included Mayor Daniel Gurerro who warmly spoke appreciations to the many active participants in this achievement, compliments to the facility and “team people resources” of Epic Piping family stating “Epic sets the tone and example for excellence”.
Plant manager Gabriel Anaya made the opening remarks graciously thanking Adriana Cruz, Victor Garza and all of GSMP who made it possible for their entrance as well as Workforce Solutions, ACC team, the Mayor and Chairman of Texas Workforce Commission Andres Alcantar. The esteemed chairman turned right around to directly thank Epic Piping for creating integral jobs right here in Central Texas, stating “you can rely and depend on the work being done here; Epic reflects the priorities of Texas and Texas values the investment of Epic Piping.
