Oil and Gas End Users Introduced to Straightpoint Load Cell Range

End users from the oil and gas industry took note of the myriad of safety advantages offered by Straightpoint’s force measurement, load monitoring and suspended weighing load cell range at the Topsides, Platforms & Hulls Conference & Exhibition in Galveston, Texas earlier this month (February).

Such was the level of interest generated in the dynamic load monitoring capability of load cells in particular, Straightpoint director David Ayling and John Molidor, the general manager of the stateside operation, who were both in attendance, made a swift decision to take exhibition space at the event next year.

The Straightpoint team was center of attention at Topsides.

The Topsides show (named in part after the upper section of an offshore oil platform), organised by PennWell Corporation, gave Ayling and Molidor an opportunity to interact with end users who apply equipment to the design, engineering, construction, transportation, installation, and modification of topside structures, platforms and hulls.

It was a priceless opportunity to submerge the business in an end user market, given that much of the company’s networking activity revolves around its ongoing campaign to partner with rigging companies and other distributors.

Ayling said: “Given the demographic in attendance we had the privilege of educating delegates and offer a deep drill into the safety and other benefits of our load cell range as applicable to their lifting applications. It was refreshing to be able to introduce the product to professionals and help them formulate an idea or solution to a challenge that they face in their operations.”

“A very large percentage of visitors to our booth didn’t even realize that digital dynamometers or tension load cells existed,” said Molidor. “Imagine how many oil and gas-related fabrication shops are out there that are not utilizing this cost-effective technology.”

He added: “The Topsides format provided direct exposure of the product without relying on dealer representation, allowing us to present features and benefits directly to key decision makers and upper management. These upper level managers are key to Straightpoint’s continued growth and participation in high level projects.”

The Galveston, Texas location of the event added further value to Straightpoint’s participation in that much of the growth potential for the company in North America is generated by the state, where Ayling hopes to have a physical presence in the near future.

Topsides booth setup

Molidor reiterated the importance of that expansion. He said: “Myself and David came away from the event with an extremely positive outlook for the company’s future growth and are reassured that a Houston, Texas branch must be an integral part of our plans.”

That said, PennWell Corporation drew a truly global audience to the event with attendees from China, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile all stopping at the Straightpoint booth and making enquiries. The positivity generated served as further encouragement to Straightpoint’s global network of partners to continue to engage in select trade events.

David and Kannika Ayling

Ayling said: “We continually encourage and challenge our dealers to keep our brand and products in front of the target market and we will support them with whatever products and literature they need to do that successfully.”