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KERN BUSINESS JOURNAL
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BUSINESS PROFILE: Braun Electric Co.
Braun Electric Co. services focus on oil field safety, innovation How has instrumentation in Kern County’s oil and gas fields changed over the more than four decades Braun Electric has been in business?
Ed Ott is the president and chief executive officer of Braun Electric Co. Ed Ott reflected on the increasing and changing demands of providing electrical service to Kern County’s oil fields. In Ed Ott this business profile, he answered questions posed by the Kern Business Journal staff.
An evolution from analog instruments to fully digital and wireless controls has fueled an extensive and rapid update of most facilities. As such, only firms dedicated to understanding the trend and adapting to the highly technical aspects are in a position to provide support to the tasks and activities required to complete the work. In some cases, it takes multiple companies to fully execute such a change, each specializing in a particular segment of the project. Braun is a major participant in the natural transition of electrical work to high tech transmitters and digital applications encompassing approximately 60 percent of the work. The company has invested in an internal team focused solely on keeping Braun Electric Co. on the cutting edge of technology. For instance, in the past, companies would write and fill out forms every day. It required time, it was vulnerable to human error, and it was not as efficient as it could be. Today, Braun is rolling out the use of iPads in the field to provide better service to clients. Accessibility to information is increasing in accuracy and faster than ever before.
What is Braun Electric?
Braun Electric Co. is a premier electrical and instrumentation contractor, based in Kern County since 1945. The company’s priorities remain employee safety, customer service and the delivery of the best equipment available today. Braun is the leading electrical and instrumentation contractor in the oil and gas industry for the San Joaquin Valley. Braun serves mostly the upstream oil and gas businesses on Western Slope and San Joaquin Valley assets. The company performs work on overhead power distribution, pumping units, processing stations, gas and water treatment facilities, transportation hubs, ductbanks, substations, motor control centers and PLC controls. By focusing on industrial projects, Braun has learned to refine processes and focus resources more specific to that type of work. Braun’s clients are confident in its preparation and execution of all work resulting in a high degree of quality without sacrificing safety. Braun maintains consistent quality for all clients and shares the same standards of safety.
What advances do you see in the future?
When was the company started?
In 1945, the Braun Electric Co. began providing contracting services from its location in Taft, Calif. When John Braun and Kevin Coghlin bought the business, the company grew to what it is today through a vision of putting employees and clients first. By making clients partners and employees cherished team members, Braun exceeded goals it had set out to meet. Considered a benchmark organization in many respects and functionally capable of managing a sizable workforce, Braun hangs its hat on investing in each team member and leader by fully developing each person to the best of their abilities, offering endless opportunities to those who are committed to the company’s vision. Braun Electric prides itself on its safety record. Why is that so important?
Safety is the foundation for Braun’s operations. No pursuit of a dollar or finished product is worth the life of even one individual. The work performed by the company and what the clients or partners do every day is dangerous work. Braun does not take safety lightly. As a result, everything from vehicle operation to working in the field is detailed in specific guidelines and requirements to ensure team and client safety. When the industry behaves with safety in mind, the probability of a catastrophic event is severely diminished and the community will benefit from it. Braun Electric is one of the founding donors to California State University, Bakersfield’s Aera Energy Occupational Safety and Health Management Program. Why invest in such an educational
Photos courtesy of Braun Electric Co.
Serving mostly upstream oil and gas businesses on Western Slope and San Joaquin Valley, Braun Electric Co. performs work on overhead power distribution, pumping units, processing stations, gas and water treatment facilities, transportation hubs, ductbanks, substations, motor control centers and PLC controls. program?
Investing in the community, education and fellow residents is the only way anyone will grow and succeed. Braun believes not only in human endeavor, but also in extending a helpful hand when fellow neighbors need it the most. When it comes to safety, Braun will always voice support 100 percent. Community, education and growth are keys to what Braun stands for. How does Braun Electric recruit and train its skilled staff?
Although college is important, Braun also tries to look at other avenues of op-
portunities. When the company is involved in hiring and recruiting, which is a regular occurrence, Braun looks not only for training and educational background on resumes, but also for experiences, such as work ethic, reliability, passion and dedication. Braun’s team members are not only educated, but also have the requirements and certifications to do the job. Team members are dedicated, determined and willing to go the extra mile. The company believes in having leadership that guides the team in the right direction. Braun is always accepting resumes and seeking people interested building careers.
There needs to be movement away from traditional business thinking and radically reinvent business systems to meet the extreme demands of a sector requiring extensive amounts of information in real time. To do this, there must be engagement with the best minds, technical tools, and feedback accessible within the business world. In an industry and business that is ever changing, Braun will rise to the challenge and meet all opportunity with open arms and strategic planning. Why are instrumentation and efficient electrical systems so important to oil and gas producers?
Environmental law and corporate governance are not just law. They are an excellent way to track the results of what businesses produce and the effects they have on the environmental output. Technology and electrical components/systems will lead the innovation to achieve the environmental targets of better air and water. Braun is proud to be part of the reinvention process and, at the same time, be able to work concurrently with clients to minimize down time, thus further reducing emissions and use of water. What oil field innovations has Braun Electric helped pioneer?
Braun innovations include fully automating safety planning in the field and cross integration of real time cost management. How does Braun Electric stay on the cutting edge of its industry?
Teamwork is critical to the technically precise work performed by Braun Electric Co. staff.
Braun stays on the cutting edge by setting goals, including a five-year plan with stretch goals and realistic objectives necessary to maintain benchmark status. Braun also provides leadership in the industry segment with regards to business management, safety, advanced planning and best value as a service provider. The company is known for meaningful innovation that provides clients value, which is based on client-defined value drivers. Braun operates on a principle of staying ahead of trends in the industry.