Those people are so fed up with SLB, they won't sit around and wait for the plant to re-open. Even if it means taking a lower paying job. And Ponca is a small town with a even smaller talent pool for that kind of work. There is also the fact that the company has such a terrible reputation for treating its employees like dirt.
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Everybody figured the Ponca plant had a five year shelf life after the Schlumberger skeezers took over.
the big secret goal is to slowly wind down Ponca and shut the doors, move the work loads to Italy and China. Be prepared and you been warned...
deter
That is true and SLB knows it, so sad.
they don't have anywhere else to go. Will wait and crawl back when the man calls .
Yep, Operators have no issues buying and running Chinese product. They been doing it for almost 10 years and like all things made in America, soon it will be made in China. Is what it is. If you're a good CNC operator, now would be a good time to start doing some serious networking into other Mfg. sectors that can use your skills.
They have and will buy bits from China, sorry but the almighty dollar has the final say.
No U.S. Driller would buy a bit made in China. They'll buy from Baker Hughes first.
The plant has been here because of cheap labor and the tax gifts that Oklahoma and Ponca City give to the company. That's why they moved from California - can't hire good CNC machine operators for $12.00 /hr in the big city!
The Ponca city has and had excellent employees that know their jobs inside and out. Now that SLB has taken the plant over things have gone downhill rapidly. Some examples would be broken down, outdated equipment and low employee moral. And to the Ponca city is a s----hole comment you are totally wrong, Ponca is great place to live and raise a family.
SLB has been setting up bit mfg. in China the last few years. The next 5-10 years most if not all Drill bit mfg will be moved overseas so to achieve cheaper labor, cheaper mfg material, and to streamline lean inventory.
inertia? overwhelmed? lmao!! Ponca city holds all the world records for drill bits. that plant used to produce over 100 bits per day. if it fails, its because of the lack of budget slb has given them and not at all because of the "lack of talent". maybe a little knowledge before posting on something you no nothing about.
Yes Houston, where they pick one big word to rally a comment but neglect to check for spelling and proper grammar. Nice try, now go fetch me a sandwich.
Shut it down for good.
Just like you said, doesn't make any sense to maintain a large operation in a small sh-- hole with limited talent pool. Over the time, inertia will be overwhelming for the local employees. Evantually, they can't do anything but b--ching. Need to move the operation down to Houston. Much better infrastructure and more trained workers fighting for a job.