Strategically located in the Asia Pacific region, Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment Vietnam Co. Ltd (SBOEVN) is a high precision manufacturer and supplier of high alloy non-magnetic, high corrosion resistance steels for the oilfield industry, including high-tech components for measurement while drilling (MWD) and logging while drilling (LWD), in addition to rotary steerable tools. Within its mission to provide its valued customers around the world with high-complex parts, at globally competitive pricing, this makes it a true one-stop shop for every oilfield equipment need. With all major multinational oilfield service companies among its clientele, we speak to General Director, Paul McLaughlan to learn more about SBOEVN and its superior offering.
Sitting under the umbrella of parent company and global market leader Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Group (SBO Group), which is located in Austria, Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment Vietnam Co. Ltd is a standalone business unit that was established in 2009 in the province of Binh Duong, Vietnam, some 40km north of Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, it has come a long way, having expanded its facility in late 2013 to over 100,000sqft of production space, and by 2019, having installed 12 new CNC machines, increasing manufacturing turning and milling output by over 30%.
Paul tells us more about the company’s extraordinary journey so far: “The last five years have been an unbelievable journey for SBOEVN, the biggest challenge and constraints being the impact of COVID-19 and the industry downturn in 2020, which tested our incredible staff, remaining fully operational with over 60% of our valued employees living onsite for over 100 days. This was nothing short of remarkable and shows the true testament, resilience, and commitment of our employees during the pandemic. Nothing was going to stop them from serving our customers.”
With such a brilliant, devoted team behind it, SBOEVN can match the expertise and experience of SBO Group, and its location in Asia Pacific means it can offer competitive pricing, too. As such, it delivers a range of cost-effective products and services in the form of solid collars and non-mag drill collars (NMDC), stabilisers, LWD and MWD collars, hard facing sleeves, laser cladding of wear resistance carbide layers, collar repairs, and deep hole specialised gun drilling. With special non-magnetic steel supplied to it by SBO Group, this gives it the advantage of being able to manufacture its products onsite. As a one-stop shop, the company not only ensures value for customers through its comprehensive services, but also reduced risk.
At the helm of SBOEVN is General Director, Paul McLaughlan, reporting directly to the main board of directors in Austria, and his focus is on demonstrating strong management techniques, implementing clear operational direction, motivating team members, optimising resources and processes, and building strong business relationships. As a senior manufacturing operations professional, Paul boasts more than 35 years of extensive oil and gas industry experience, and he has worked in seven different countries throughout his career.
Alongside the wider SBO Group, the entire SBOEVN team share the core values of ‘Partnership’, ‘Integrity’, ‘Innovation and Continuous Improvement’, ‘Diversity, Trust, and Empowerment’, ‘Entrepreneurial Accountability’, ‘Sustainability’, and ‘Value Creation’. Each of these values guides the team’s daily work and collaboration with each other, business partners, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders, in order to provide a service that it both customer-centric and rich in technological knowhow.
Under ‘Partnership’, the team strive to be a reliable and responsive long-term partner for customers with the ongoing development of advanced technologies, products, and services to help them achieve their objectives. In terms of the day-to-day, they deliver unfalteringly high-quality services and practical solutions that create added value for customers time and again. This comes with ‘Integrity’ in everything the team does, with great dedication to honesty.
With ‘Innovation and Continuous Improvement’, the company encourages and rewards innovative behaviour from its employees. The team is committed to continuous improvement and working hard to be the best in their field. It also places great importance on ‘Diversity, Trust, and Empowerment’, promoting an environment of transparency, trust, and personal responsibility. It strives to be a company that is attractive for its employees and, being performance-oriented, encourages continuous learning and development, offering them challenging growth and advancement opportunities.
“We foster an environment where every voice is heard, and diversity is celebrated, recognising that unique perspectives drive innovation and success. Transparency and open communication are fundamental, empowering employees to share ideas, express concerns, and contribute to our shared goals.”
Through ‘Entrepreneurial Accountability’, the company provides a strong strategic and financial basis for its highly autonomous subsidiaries, with common objectives and clear communication channels being the basis for its success. Also contributing to its outstanding operations, the company is committed to ‘Sustainability’, with focus on long-term growth and sustainable energy. It implements the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and operates in a safe and environmentally responsible manner always.
Underlying this, SBOEVN understands the importance of fostering strong team dynamics, aiming to strengthen the bonds among team members. To promote collaboration, trust, and communication, it arranges fun group outings, team-building exercises, and engaging workshops, creating opportunities for the team to connect on both personal and professional levels. It also prioritises healthy work-life balance, understanding that happy and fulfilled employees are essential to the company’s success. Through various wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and support systems, it endeavours to create an environment where employees can flourish both personally and professionally.
“Above all, our corporate culture is characterised by a sense of camaraderie and teamwork,” Paul enthuses. “We believe in supporting each other, lifting one another up, and celebrating our collective achievements. We cultivate strong relationships and a sense of belonging among our employees. Our culture is not just what we do; it’s who we are, guiding our actions and shaping our identity as a company.”
Now, this award-winning team has its sights set on a very bright future indeed, with Paul telling us that the company vision isn’t just focused on expansion but rather sustainable growth, innovation, and ongoing success. This will entail strategic initiatives aimed at diversifying its offerings, penetrating new markets, and strengthening its presence globally. Through meticulous planning and thoughtful execution, SBOEVN is looking to position itself as a leader within its industry while remaining agile and responsive to the evolving market.
The remainder of 2024 is looking to be the busiest in SBOEVN’s history, with its ongoing bay three extension underway and expected to finish in early 2025, and it will have installed another five new machines by Q1 2025 which will increase its capacity by another 15%. Paul shares, “We anticipate increased sales growth around 30%+ from last year while manufacturing new product lines for high-complex parts. Our short- and long-term plans are to continue to be the supplier of choice to all our valued customers. We now supply to all major multinational oilfield service companies in the world.”
As the team at Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment Vietnam Co. Ltd continue to embark on this exciting journey, they remain guided by their core values and as driven and ambitious as ever. Paul concludes, “Our future direction is not merely about expansion or succession but about building a legacy of innovation, resilience, and enduring impact. With a clear vision, strong leadership, and a dedicated team, we are poised to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, driving our company towards a future of continued growth and prosperity.”
For business enquiries, contact Paul William McLaughlan – General Director from Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment Vietnam Co. Ltd via email – [email protected] or on their website – www.sboevn.com
