Wind Energy Lifts Barr Fabrication in Brownwood
In 2000, Sandra and Bo Barr formed Barr Fabrication LLC in a modest peanut warehouse in Cross Plains, Texas. They planned to fabricate airbrake reservoirs for the railcar industry, but when they opened the doors of their business, the bottom fell out of the industry. After this setback, Bo went job shopping. One job led to another, and soon the Barrs were running a high quality fabrication job shop. Customers praised their dedication, quality and fast delivery.
In 2001, barely able to make ends meet, the Barrs found a Louisiana company that needed wind tower mechanical internals. The Barrs took a purchase order for 134 towers on the spot. ”Since we did not have the capacity at the time, we thought that this would surely shut us down,“ says Sandra Barr. ”We fulfilled the contract on time, and we were in the wind energy business.“
The Barrs moved their operation to Brownwood, Texas in 2005 and built an 18,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for wind energy components. The wind energy boom hit, and the shop was full before it opened its doors. Barr Fabrication also manufactures components for petrochemical, solar and other energy generation components. It builds for the transportation industry, including rail and custom trailers. The company’s reputation as a quality manufacturing facility opened the doors to a global market with some of the world’s largest companies. Barr Fabrication is beginning work on a three-year contract for 6,600 generator frames for wind turbines.
”We will be one of the few domestic suppliers for this product, and we will double the output of any one generator frame producer,“ says Bo Barr.
In 2005, the couple started their own transportation company, BF Transportation LLC. Formed initially to haul solely for Barr Fabrication, the company has taken on new clients.
The wind energy industry grew so quickly, the Barrs knew there would be a high demand for site work. To meet this demand, they formed Barr Fabrication Field Services LLC in 2006.
”The idea behind the company was to provide our customers with site personnel that embraced the same core values and principles that made Barr Fabrication a successful company,“ says Chance Barr, vice president of operations for Barr Fabrication.
The field services company has completed some of the world’s largest retrofits and continues to grow. While it’s been in business just two years, it will soon generate as much profit as Barr Fabrication.
As the Barr’s three companies grew in size and revenue, so did their need for financial management. They launched management company McDermett Milner in 2007 to handle the accounting and human resource needs for all three businesses. Combined, the three companies employ 110 workers with a broad range of education and skill levels.
In 2007, the Texas Department of Agriculture awarded Barr Fabrication a Texas Capital Fund grant of $750,000 in the form of a 20-year, zero interest loan. Thanks to the grant, the Barrs are building a shop one-third larger than their current facility. The planned 27,000-square-foot shop will add approximately 51 new manufacturing jobs and be fully operational by 2009.
Through the years, the Barrs developed exceptional relationships with local and state governments and organizations. They credit the city of Brownwood, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas as key players in their success. They also work with Texas State Technical College in developing programs that benefit not only their company but the entire county.
”We are thankful that the local and regional organizations have been so accommodating,“ says Sandra Barr. ”We feel at home in Brownwood, and we look forward to a long and rewarding relationship.“
For more information on the Texas Capital Fund, contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at (877) 428-7848 or via e-mail at finance@tda.state.tx.us. Visit www.agr.state.tx.us for more information.