Tulsa Business Spanning The Globe

A Tulsa company is doing its part to reverse America's trade imbalance. Callidus Technologies manufacturers a wide array of burners, flares and other devices for oil and chemical refineries. And This

Wednesday, April 25th 2007, 10:22 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa company is doing its part to reverse America's trade imbalance. Callidus Technologies manufacturers a wide array of burners, flares and other devices for oil and chemical refineries. And This year, the governor has picked Callidus as the state's best exporter. News On 6 business reporter Steve Berg reports Callidus says its exporting will only get bigger.

Callidus chairman Bill Bartlett is fired up about being picked as Oklahoma's top exporter.

"We're really excited about it," he said.

When The News On 6 last visited Callidus' manufacturing plant in Beggs, Bartlett's goal was to double the workforce in 5-years. He says it's only taken them 3-years. Now they've added a manufacturing plant in China, where they not only serve the China market, but export from there to India and the Middle East.

"That shop is a nice-sized shop and is very busy," said Callidus chairman Bill Bartlett. "We're adding people almost every week."

Bartlett says exports make up 65% of Callidus' hundred-million dollar business. With booming foreign markets, he expects that will grow to 80% of their business.

"They're all growing today. With China and India just beginning to service the billion-dollar populations of each of those countries. They're going to be strong for years," said Bartlett.

Bartlett now believes the Callidus workforce will double again in the next 5-years. But the one thing he says they definitely will not export is the headquarters.

"We love being in Tulsa," Bartlett said. "And you know we've had no problem recruiting talented people to Tulsa because we think this is a great place to live."

Callidus was formed in 1989. They do business in more than two dozen different companies. They'll receive the exporting award at a ceremony Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.

Watch the video: Green Country Company Receives Exporting Award