Weatherford moves out

Posted 8/5/10

A number of Powell employees watched as the equipment was loaded on the trucks, which bore addresses from as far away as South Carolina and Washington and as near as Thermopolis. They showed little emotion for the most part, although there were a …

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Weatherford moves out

Posted

{gallery}08_05_10/weatherford{/gallery} Workers secure a piece of machinery to a truck that will haul it to another location as Weatherford prepares to shut down its operation in Powell. More than a dozen trucks arrived Monday and early Tuesday, and all the equipment was expected to be moved by Tuesday evening. Tribune photo by Don Amend Semi trucks haul equipment from facilityAlan Road was a busy place Tuesday as Weatherford International began moving equipment from its Powell facility in preparation for shutting down operations in Park County.An estimated 15 trucks began arriving Monday afternoon. They lined Alan Road on Tuesday waiting to be loaded, and a spokesman said she expected the operation to be completed by the end of the day.

A number of Powell employees watched as the equipment was loaded on the trucks, which bore addresses from as far away as South Carolina and Washington and as near as Thermopolis. They showed little emotion for the most part, although there were a few understated expressions of anger and disappointment at the closing of the facility.

Initially, some information on the disposition of the machinery and the employment status of the employees, was offered, but later it was withdrawn. The Tribune was provided a contact number for a spokesperson in Houston, but the contact person was on vacation Tuesday. The person answering the phone said she would try to supply information, but had not done so by press time Wednesday.

More than 40 employees have been affected by the closing in Powell.

Weatherford, a multi-national oilfield service company based in Switzerland, announced the closure of the Powell manufacturing plant in May. Clyde Holt, director of manufacturing for Weatherford, said the plant was being closed due to “difficult economic conditions” in the energy industry created by the global economic situation.

“This scenario in turn has resulted in a steep decline in manufacturing capacity requirements and ultimately drove our decision,” Holt said.

Holt said closing the facility was a difficult decision, and the company regretted having to make it.

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