Posted on 08/14/2012 7:08:44 AM PDT by thackney
Pipe manufacturer TMK IPSCO will move its corporate headquarters from Illinois to Houston to increase its exposure to the oil and natural gas market, the company has announced.
Currently based in Downers Grove, Ill., TMK IPSCO said it will move most of its headquarters offices to the company’s new research and development center on Houston’s northwest side. The company expects to complete the Houston move by the summer of 2013 and build a new headquarters in the city within the next two years.
“Houston is the hub of the global oil and gas industry. It’s important for the company to be positioned there in order to facilitate relationships with key customers, attract and retain energy-industry talent and demonstrate our commitment to the industry,” said TMK IPSCO Chairman Piotr Galitzine, in a written statement. “Most importantly, this transition will enable us to be a better, more efficient and more service oriented company.”
The company is the U.S. arm of Russia’s largest steel pipe maker, TMK, which counts Exxon Mobil, Shell and other major oil producers among its customers. It manufacturers drill pipe, well casing and other products for the oil and gas industry.
TMK IPSCO has 11 facilities in the United States. In addition to its research and development office on Houston Oaks Drive, the company has three manufacturing plants in Texas.
What part of Michigan? Is it all liberal, or aren’t there some conservative regions?
“What part of Michigan? Is it all liberal, or aren’t there some conservative regions?”
I was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Grew up there. Went to college at the University of Michigan because it had the best engineering program in the state of Michigan — and got out as soon as I could following graduation.
There are some conservative parts of the state, but Ann Arbor ain’t one of them.
That’s gotta sting.
I remember that election well. I cried. I was in DC and watched otherwise intelligent people tell me that a Cook County Democrat would make America a beautiful, happy place again.
I said, “Look what they’ve done for Cook County.” They wouldn’t listen. Now, here we are.
I didn’t expect Illinois to miraculously turn red in 2008 due to the overwhelming affect of Chicago politics. But I was surprised as many counties turned blue as they did. Especially around us (Ogle).
Winnebago, that’s Rockford. That’s always blue. Rock Island County as well, as someone else pointed out. But other counties nearby are fairly conservative. Downstate as well, both in central and Southern Illinois. Yeah, 2008 was a hard election to swallow. Too many people bought into the Kool Aid.
Speaking from a viewpoint on the outside, I would have expected those in Illinois but outside of the Chicago area would understand better than most the nation, how crooked Chicago politics are and how they bring down those outside their area with their influence.
But the voting record in 2008 does not show that to be true for the majority.
You have to understand that Chicago is the original Bread and Circuses town. Here’s a great book on the founder of the Cook County Democratic Party:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Gambler-King-Clark-Street/dp/0809328933
He’s a pimp, gambler and gangster. His replacements all follow the same pattern. The people eat it up because they really want to believe in magic: something for nothing.
Here in Illinois we balance the budget by borrowing, damn our own state constitution. The media squawk, but then head out to dinner with our local pols. I live in the North Korea of America, but we eat alright.
How does that explain all the Obama voting outside of Cook County?
East St. Louis.
I have lived many places but I can tell you Texas is my home and always will be..When we came back from our last tour of duty there was a little change,we could tell the Yankee democrats were moving in..My husband is from NJ and he never wanted to go back there not even to visit..
I suspect the business friendly environment in Texas played a role as well.
Are you from the UP? LOL It’s been gorgeous here the past week.
If the employees actually move with the company there would be many changes, one being moving from a *locust* state to a right-to-work state. Also, just because one is from a union state it doesn’t mean they are in love with unions.
Michigan is actually a gorgeous state when the weather is right. (I'm a warm weather freak, so Texas is perfect for me.) It could also be a very prosperous one if they could get the overall attitude squared away. Between the natural resources, access to the Great Lakes, predominately strong family values and knowledge base they have what it takes. I left because of the weather, but once you are on the outside looking in, you realize how much the attitudes in Michigan are holding them back.
It does seem that with the breakdown of Detroit and some of the current political signs coming from Michigan that maybe they have turned a corner and will start fighting their way back. It will take real fortitude to be successful.
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