Castronics last week completed the final stages of a merger deal that makes them part of Lafayette, Louisiana-based IOS., according to Castronics president Perry Van Newkirk.

“This is a very good fit for Castronics,” Van Newkirk explained. The two companies have historically shared a similar space in the industry, often interacting with the same client base. “We have some customers that they don’t  and vise-versa,” he continued. “Now we join all of our customers together and become a stronger force.

“We’re very excited about the merger.”

Inspection Oilfield Services--previously International Oilfield Services--started small in Lafayette, in 1981.  Kevin McKay, CEO of the company, said that it  has been growing steadily since its launch. They are now a full-service inspection company, dealing with everything from casing to drill pipe that an oil producer might use in the field.

Over the past year, after some research into the matter, they concluded that Castronics could be a gateway into the Rocky Mountain customer base.

“Castronics is such a wonderful company and such a great facility,” stated McKay, “I think both companies will become synergy companies, and will come together well.”

According to Van Newkirk, Castronics hired an outside expert to inspect its product. With the agreement between the two firms they will be able to use an onsite inspector from the IOS fold. The organization also offers a sales force to Castronics of fourteen people. Van Newkirk also stated that, in the future, the merger deal will create more jobs for Kimball and the surrounding area.

In fact, there is already an additional ten people on site at Castronics since the merger just last week. And the newly combined operation expects to build onto the location, setting up at least one new structure.

“The more business that we create, the more job opportunities there will be,” McKay explained. “If this thing goes the way we think it will go, it could be a very big thing.

“We want to grow bigger and better.”

Both McKay and Van Newkirk believe the rail spur project will benefit in the sales and transportation of their product as IOS and Castronics reach new markets. There is some speculation that it helped attract IOS to the merger.

“I appreciate that the community voted the support the bond for the rail spur,” Van Newkirk said.

The Kimball facility will remain under the Castronics name and Van Newkirk will stay on as its president of the company. He will take on added duties as a vice president for IOS.