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V.E. Enterprises Earns
Governor’s Manufacturing Leadership Award
September 29, 2008
V.E. Enterprises has earned the prestigious Governor’s Manufacturing Leadership Award.
Each year, Governor Brad Henry bestows awards on manufacturers to recognize them for setting standards in Oklahoma and in the nation. Each of the award-winning companies must be progressive, forward-thinking and willing to adapt to change to become more successful in their marketplace.
“They represent the enormous potential available in Oklahoma and take a leadership role in promoting the importance of doing business in and from our state,” said Roy Peters, president of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. “V.E. Enterprises is a remarkable manufacturer that has had an amazing impact on the community of Springer and nearby Ardmore.” An awards committee made up of manufacturing professionals selects the winners from a long list of nominees. The award was presented at the annual Oklahoma Conference on Manufacturing in Tulsa.
Other winners were Cherokee Nation Industries in Stigler, Cookshack in Ponca City, Expanded Solutions in Oklahoma City and Wewoka, and Pelco Products in Edmond
About V.E. Enterprises
V.E. Enterprises is one of the most respected names in the tank and trailer manufacturing business. Operating under the “V.E.” banner since 1987, the company takes pride in innovation, quality and customer service. V.E. Enterprises’s 135,000 square foot production facility houses top of the line equipment to ensure the highest quality standards throughout the production process.
While large enough to utilize state-of-the-art design and production equipment, V.E. is a family-owned business nimble enough to provide custom fabrication services, allowing customers to take their own concepts from CAD prints to a finished product all under one roof. From its self-contained mud mixers to short-wall mobile mud pits, V.E. Enterprises is prepared to meet dynamic changes in the oil-and-gas, waste management, environmental and other industries.
Efficiency and innovation are keys to the company’s success. But it’s more than just functional. V.E. produces the most visually appealing tanks and trailers in the business.
To keep expanding and meet future goals, the company recently implemented a series of changes to stabilize its workforce and significantly reduce turnover. The plan of attack included increasing pay and benefit packages; providing continuous leadership training to all managers and supervisors; and providing quality employee training in work skills and safety.
“Our goal is to be the best place to work in manufacturing in South Central Oklahoma,” says Dale Wells. “We attribute our success to much higher employee morale, adopting the Lean principles of manufacturing and developing a close relationship with The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and the Southern Oklahoma Technology Business & Industry Department.”
Other initiatives included upgrading the employee parking area with curbing and sidewalks, installing beautiful landscaping, flag poles, new gates and lighted walkways. The company constructed a new production warehouse and office, installed a new telephone system, and built a new employee eating facility with new equipment, tables, seating, coffee bar and new restrooms. The VE Café is now serving hot meals for breakfast and lunch.
The company recently developed a new web site; is now advertising in several international publications; tripled its authorized dealer network and has placed a stronger emphasis on customer service. V.E. is also aggressively pursuing avenues to market its products internationally.
All the activity has led to approximately 50 new jobs, a reduction in accidents by almost 40 percent; and – most importantly – a significant reduction in employee turnover.
“We’ve come a very long way in a very short period of time,” says vice president Brian Barrett. “The most exciting part of all of these positive changes though, is that we’re just getting started.
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