GONZALES, La., Nov. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Specialty Welding and Turnarounds, LLC (SWAT), a leading provider of specialty welding and other turnaround services to refinery, petrochemical and industrial customers, has launched a major expansion to the West Coast and made a key management hire to oversee the region. SWAT is a portfolio company of Hastings Equity Partners, LLC, a private equity firm focused on investing in lower, middle-market businesses in the energy sector.

"SWAT has experienced unprecedented growth since our start in 2014," said Chief Executive Officer Johnny Holifield. "When the opportunity to expand to the West Coast where we could better serve our customers presented itself, we jumped on it. SWAT provides our customers the highest quality of service, with the best craftsmen, in the safest way possible. With our consistent track record of outperformance, we knew we were equipped to handle the challenge of geographic expansion. While many of our larger competitors moved out of California when the California Senate Bill 54 took effect in 2014, we formed a partnership with four different state labor unions: Local 342 and Local 549 in Martinez and Local 250 and Local 92 in Carson. With over 500 welders, pipefitters and boilermakers working in Martinez, Wilmington and Carson, SWAT will exceed 400,000 man-hours in its first year of operation in California."

SWAT's major geographic expansion would not be possible without the hiring of a senior leader to focus on West Coast operations. With its premier reputation and extensive network, SWAT successfully recruited Spencer Moak to oversee the region. Prior to joining SWAT, Moak was the Turnaround Manager at Ohmstede Industrial Services and the Operations Manager at Plant Performance Services.

"As someone who has worked in the field for years, I'm familiar with the top-notch work SWAT does," said Moak. "When the opportunity presented itself to join SWAT and start their West Coast operations, I couldn't pass it up. Together, we're able to build off of SWAT's excellent reputation around the Gulf Coast and serve a large customer base in California."

SWAT recently opened a new office in Signal Hill, California and expects to double its business on the West Coast in 2019.

About Specialty Welding and Turnarounds

Specialty Welding and Turnarounds is a leading provider of specialty welding and turnaround services to refinery, petrochemical and industrial customers. Learn more at www.swatservice.com.

About Hastings Equity Partners

Hastings Equity Partners is a private equity firm focused on investing in lower, middle-market businesses in the energy sector. Hastings' approach is to leverage the extensive operational experience of the firm's managers and investors, many of whom are active or former CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies. In addition, due to the firm's expanding portfolio of oilfield services companies, it is able to share best practices, technology trends and contacts across its platform to ensure that all of its investments benefit. Hastings strives to help companies create sustained value for its employees, customers and investment partners.

SOURCE Hastings Equity Partners