Versatile & consistent

MMR Group builds portfolio in multiple markets

By Angelle Bergeron

Comprehensive and versatile services, combined with a consistent, skilled work force, have been hallmarks of the MMR Group of Baton Rouge since the electrical and instrumentation contractor was established in 1990.

In addition to performing extensive work in the oil & gas industry, chemical and petrochemical, power and industrial, MMR also has a large portfolio in offshore marine and platform work, said James "Pepper" Rutland, CEO.

"We start with topside construction and take projects all the way through assembly and offshore hookup," Rutland said. "A lot of people in our business specialize in construction only, but we also do the startup work and technical work. That means we work on the back end to help them to start it up and maintain it. Not many companies do both upstream and downstream like we do."

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In installation, MMR's scope of services includes air supply installation, control room equipment installation, instrument installation, process leads, panel fabrication and signal wiring. In electrical, the contractor handles controls, electrical equipment setting, grounding, lighting and power distribution.

MMR also offers a wide range of technical services, including calibration, commissioning, detail design, high-voltage testing, instrument procurement, loop check, maintenance, start-up assistance and system analysis.

MMR owns and operates four power plants in California, and has performed work from the west coast through Florida. For almost 10 years, MMR has also maintained an international presence in South America and West Africa.

"Our diversity allows us to pool labor from other areas," Rutland said. The contractor has a year-round labor force of 1,500 to 2,000, including an estimated 400 electrical and instrumentation craftsmen, said Grady Saucier, vice president of marketing. "We've got portability of people, with the same craftsmen who can swap back and forth day to day."

The company's diversity ensures steady work for its labor force.

"We are not just a company that focuses on refinery work in Baton Rouge because we are not industry or geographically dependent," Rutland said. "We are in a lot of different markets in a lot of different places. All industries are cyclical, so if you are in several industries, you don't have that lag time."

A consistent workforce ensures a level of experience that customers want. "That is very important to the major industries, who are not interested in getting a whole bunch of new hires to do a major platform project," Rutland said.

MMR recently completed work for British Petroleum on the company's new Mad Dog offshore structure.

"We did work for them in McDermott's Amelia fabrication yard and followed it out to the Gulf of Mexico for hookup," Saucier said.

The company's excellent safety record is a plus, particularly with petrochemical and oil and gas industry clients.

"Whenever we do a project and it has a good safety record, it is a good project," said Saucier, who touts the company's .73 EMR as well below the national average. "Our overall recordable rate for last year was .14, and the national average is 4. Last year we had more than 3 million man hours worked with no lost time accidents."

"We are very proud of our safety record," Rutland added.