Robin Rogers greets visitors to the sprawling Pantex Ennerflo Systems Inc. campus with a smile.
“When I first started here in 2008, there were eight people here. Now, we’ve grown four-fold,” Rogers said.
No wonder. Based in Houston, Texas, Pantex has developed a reputation as the go-to source for high-quality control systems in the world of oil and gas exploration.
It’s all the vision of CEO Anand Bhagavatula, who moved to the U.S. 30 years ago for a job at the original Pantex, which was then based in nearby Stafford. But it was after moving to Buffalo, New York, for another engineering job, and to raise a family, that he was lured back when he learned Pantex was for sale.
“Our parent company decided not to continue in this line of business,” Bhagavatula explained. “But these customers were still calling me about orders.”
His solution? Buy the company and start over from the ground up.
Now, Pantex Ennerflo Systems Inc., is known world-wide for its ability to provide turbine fluid systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and equipment for oil and gas drilling production.
It’s all done by a small team that moves efficiently throughout the company campus, from one project to the next.
I’ve known Anand and Pantex since 2005, when they were in startup mode. We’ve been tied at the hip since. Greg Pendzich, Houston-based Commercial Relationship Manager for Regions Bank
“I’ve known Anand and Pantex since 2005, when they were in startup mode,” said Greg Pendzich. “We’ve been tied at the hip since.”
Pendzich is a Houston-based Commercial Relationship Manager for Regions Bank. In the nearly 20 years since they connected, he’s seen what makes Pantex tick.
“Anand has a highly tremendous business acumen,” Pendzich explained. “He’s an engineer who can see his cash flow years in advance.”
Since then, Pantex has seen its business explode, through equipment purchases, a new worksite, expansion and by connecting Bhagavatula with Regions’ Treasury Management.
“When I first met him, he had all his ducks in a row, including his projections. That’s unusual,” Pendzich said. “The company has been successful because he’s the master of engineering – and the master of business.”
Bhagavatula has also created a work environment that resonates with his team. For him, “it starts with trust.”
“The culture he’s built for us is strict, but fair,” said Shawn Stafford, an engineering technician. “Most of our guys like to work hard. That’s why they’ve been here so long.”
The most important philosophy is very simple: focus on providing value to the customer. And live up to their trust. Everything else will fall in place automatically.Anand Bhagavatula, CEO
Pantex’ list of customers is a Who’s Who of world-class institutions – from General Electric and Siemens to Chevron, Exxon and Shell.
The company’s next generation of leaders is represented, in part, by Bhagavatula’s son, Aashish, a financial analyst who manages day-to-day project management.
One of the current projects Pantex is working on is providing equipment for offshore wind that aim to create massive green energy in scale. The process is ongoing, but the result could change how clean energy is produced and delivered to the U.S. in decades to come.
If trials prove successful, “by 2050 we can provide 15 to 20 percent of U.S. power,” Aashish said. “I’m very proud – very proud – that I can be a part of this.”
Even during the pandemic, when most businesses shuttered, Pantex soldiered on as an essential company. If the last 18 years have been incredible, what lies ahead is … well, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
“The most important philosophy is very simple: focus on providing value to the customer,” Anand Bhagavatula said. “And live up to their trust. Everything else will fall in place automatically.”
