Kysar Insurance Agency
300 West Arrington St.
Farmington, NM 87401
phone: (505) 325-4561
We're all about helping people, and making businesses run more smoothly and more profitably.
Featured Client Profiles from our Exclusive Client Group
Phoenix Services
Phoenix Services is a slickline services company owned and operated by Jeff and Crystal Williams. Their unique and innovative approach to wireline makes them a sought after resource in the San Juan Basin; the companies they work for place a premium on their ability to get the job done - and done safely. There are several reasons for their excellent safety record and reputation.
A slickline and wireline company utilizes tools which can be inserted into wells for both workover and logging efforts. While a slickline is a thin cable introduced into a well to deliver and retrieve tools downhole, a wireline is an electrical cable used to lower tools into and transmit data about the conditions of the wellbore. Phoenix's specialty is in slickline work, a highly specialized skill specific to a true niche industry.
Almost all slickline trucks in operation utilize an "Oakey" boom, a dangerous arm that extends over a well to direct the wire. The only way to maintain and lubricate the Oakey boom is to climb the 20 foot tall boom directly over the running wire. Jeff Williams pioneered a new method for lubricating and directing the wire. He uses a custom derrick that can be lubricated remotely, and a steering wheel to direct the wire into the well. The steering system de-stresses the wire, and unlike the traditional slickline truck, the operator does not have to touch the wire to direct it. The custom trucks also use hydraulic locks on the winches, where standard wireline trucks use mechanical locks. When mechanical locks fail, the entire rig can collapse, but the worst case scenario in a hydraulic setup is a hose blowing off, which would simply lock the rig in the same position until repairs can be made.
Another impressive safety innovation came from the realization that a many fall related injuries were occurring throughout their industry. When a well requires service the operator typically has to climb the wellhead without fall protection, which is a common cause of injury. Phoenix invested in fall protection systems and high quality harnesses on every one of its trucks, decreasing the exposure and likelihood of a fall. Each setup costs approximately $3,200, but they have little doubt that the systems have paid for themselves through hidden cost savings, such as productivity losses due to an accident.
One of the most common reasons for downtime is broken wire, and most rigs have a low tech method for measuring the stress on the wire itself. Phoenix has pioneered a tension indicator that allows them to determine any overstress issues long before breakage occurs. A decreased number of breakages also cuts down the time spent working on the well, which makes them a very valuable asset to their customers. Jeff places a high level of importance on the type of tools they carry; with their custom assortment of tools on board every truck he rarely suffers downtime and can handle almost any situation that arises.
Crystal and Jeff Williams have been able to establish a great reputation in a business that has highly sophisticated operations and stringent safety requirements. Kysar has found it very apparent while working closely with Phoenix Services that they value innovation and technical expertise. Jeff's 20 years in the business has resulted in a great approach that few operators utilize - he provides a mentoring program for any employee that has been with them under six months. The experienced employee uses a proprietary checklist each day to review safety items, tool terminology, and procedural methods with the new employee. They are also very selective about who they actually hire, with a minimum of five years experience required as well as a clean driving record and good referrals.
Phoenix extends their proactive business philosophy to the community; they are an avid sponsor of youth baseball teams and the local 4-H. They have donated tens of thousands of dollars to various clubs, and have even had a few state champions.
Phoenix is relatively new to our agency, but they have already demonstrated a high level of aptitude in developing and implementing complicated safety policies and procedures. They employ a full time safety manager who has been able to work with us closely. We really enjoy having Phoenix as part of our exclusive client group!
For additional information:
Phoenix Services
Jeff or Crystal Williams
3600 Bloomfield Highway
Farmington, NM 87401
505-325-1125
Horn Trucking, LLC
We recently had a conversation with the owner of Horn Trucking, LLC about the areas that make her business unique. Dawn Collom started off her career as a toxicology nurse for Mesa Occupational here in Farmington, and after meeting her husband Greg, they decided to take Greg's small aggregate hauling business and turn it into a comprehensive road aggregate business. Dawn and Greg have a great formula; they hire experienced people, 95% of their work is public work projects, and they invest in their own employees at a much higher rate than the industry standard. This strategy has rewarded them with very loyal employees and an almost recession proof business.
Dawn's background in toxicology has paid dividends in her trucking business. She has a very robust program for random drug screening, and has a zero tolerance approach when it comes to abuse. Her key guys have more than 20 years of experience apiece, and are allowed to deal with any and all situations in the field, whether they are drug, behavior, or performance related. This level of autonomy has created a culture where the business runs itself; the key guys and the truck boss maintain a high level of accountability at all times. Dawn's customers appreciate the fact that there is never any drama from Horn Trucking, everything works the way it should work and jobs are done consistently well.
Most of Horn Trucking's work comes from GC's that do road projects. Since the business is woman owned and 95% of the hands are minority, they have a preference level with the state that guarantees them work. If the job is more than 50 miles away, they will contract with the GC to rent yard space, so the daily commute is always less than 50 miles. The purpose is twofold - to keep them classified as a local hauler, and to ensure her people are always on the ground where they are needed. On a typical job they will pick up sand, gravel and dry asphalt mix at the GC's designated location, the yard will load their belly dump trailers, they deliver to the site, dump their load, and the GC takes it from there. The flatbeds that are on the policy are used to move concrete road barriers between the jobsite and the GC's yard. All loading is performed by another party, and all work after dumping is performed by another party. They don't purchase any products, and the maximum value of any given load is around 2,000, a limit they are willing to self insure.
Dawn and Greg's real passion is raising rodeo livestock, which they have managed to tie into their business. They have a cattle hauling rig and a feed lot that keeps them very busy throughout the year. The feed lot is insured with their ranch policy, but the trucking exposure for the cattle is part of the business. Most of the cattle they move belongs to them, but they do move some for other people. Their radius is the same 6 state area they work in; NM, CO, AZ, UT, OK and TX, and the max load is 100,000 in value. This hobby is a small percentage of their revenues.
Dawn and Greg are well known and well liked in the community. They are tied in to the rodeo association and sponsor Original Team Roping and other outreach programs for youth. Dawn has been extremely great to work with over the past year, and is both detail oriented and full of energy. We really enjoy having Horn Trucking as part of our exclusive client group!
For additional information:
Horn Trucking, LLC
Dawn Collom
Po Box 2344
Kirtland, NM 87417
Phone 505-326-4990
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