American Innovations Acquires Bass Engineering
AUSTIN, TX – September 8, 2005: American Innovations,
Ltd. (AI) announced that it has acquired controlling interest
in Bass
Engineering Company for an undisclosed amount. Bass Engineering
will be a subsidiary of AI and will continue to operate out of its headquarters
in Longview, Texas.
Bass Engineering was founded in Longview, Texas in
August of 1967 by Calvin & Lillian Bass to serve the cathodic protection
(CP) needs of the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas area. Bass Engineering currently
offers a variety of CP services including design, installation, maintenance
and annual inspections of CP systems, close interval surveys, failure
analysis, material sales and environmental surveys. Bass Engineering's
diverse client list includes oil and gas pipelines and producers, petrochemical
plants, electric power generation plants, pulp and paper mills and municipalities.
For almost 40 years, Bass Engineering has been been "The Reliable Name
in Cathodic Protection".
"Bass Engineering is the premier name in cathodic
protection services. AI is the premier provider of technology for cathodic
protection with an unbeatable combination of industry leading products
like the Pipeline Compliance System software, Allegro Field Computer™,
Bullhorn® remote monitoring system and MicroMax™ current interrupters,” explained
Rich Smalling, President of American Innovations. “In fact, Bass
Engineering originally created the Pipeline Compliance Software. Bass
Engineering is truly a jewel on its own; in 38 years, it has built a
solid gold reputation in the industry for reliable service and engineering
excellence. We believe we can improve our technology by working more
closely with people that use the technology; and we hope that our association
with Bass Engineering will help it grow faster and operate more effectively
than it otherwise would on its own.”
Majority shareholders since founding the company in
1967, Calvin and Lillian Bass are well known in the CP industry for
their integrity, fairness, hard work and expertise. Over the last several
years, as the couple contemplated retirement, they began exploring options
for ensuring the continued success of Bass Engineering. “Retirement
was a difficult decision and, in many ways, a painful one. Bass Engineering
is not just a business for us, it is part of our family, part of us,” explained
outgoing President Lillian Bass. “I know AI will help our staff,
including newly named President, Clay Brelsford, maintain the health
and reputation of Bass Engineering by continuing to provide our customers
with reliable CP services long into the future.”
Clay began working with Calvin & Lillian during
the summer of 1976 following high school graduation. He continued to
work with the company between semesters while a student at Texas A&M
University until his graduation in 1980. “I didn’t know
then that I’d found a career, but I certainly knew I had found
something I truly enjoyed doing. For more than 25 years, Calvin & Lillian
have been mentors, friends, and business partners. I will miss them,
the company will miss them and the industry will miss them,” recalled
Clay. “At the same time, we are excited to become a part of the
AI family.”
“Other than majority ownership, there should
be little change at Bass Engineering,” continued Rich Smalling. “Clay
and his team have been with Bass for a long time. They know the industry
and have helped run a very successful business. With our support, we
hope to improve on a great reputation.”
Between the Integrity Management Division, Field Data
Division and Bass Engineering, AI brings a lot of experience to the
oil and gas industry. Its user group meetings in February 2006 will
be a great opportunity to tap into that expertise. For more information,
please see AI's new web site at www.amerinnovations.com, Bass Engineering's
site at www.bass-eng.com or
call 800-229-3404.
About Bass Engineering
Based in Longview, Texas, Bass Engineering has earned its reputation
as “The Reliable Name in Cathodic Protection” over a period
of almost 40 years. Bass Engineering offers a variety of CP services
including design, installation, maintenance and annual inspections of
CP systems, close interval surveys, failure analysis, material sales
and environmental surveys. Bass Engineering’s diverse client list
includes oil and gas pipelines and producers, petrochemical plants,
electric power generation plants, pulp and paper mills and municipalities.
About AI
Based in Austin, Texas, American Innovations is a fast growing provider
of products and services for the oil and gas industry, as well as other
industrial markets. Its Field Data Division, headquartered in Austin,
includes Bullhorn® web-based remote monitoring, MicroMax™ GPS
synchronized current interrupters, Allegro Field Computers and the Pipeline
Compliance System (PCS) software. Its Integrity Management Division,
headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, includes the IAP, IMP and FMP
software systems, RiskCat HCA identification and engineering services
aimed at helping oil and gas companies comply with integrity regulations.
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