Gulf South Machine Represents the Best of Louisiana’s Small Business Community

Photo by Louisiana Economic Development Small Business Services

 John W. Matthews, Jr., (Left to Right) Louisiana Economic Development Director for Small Business Services, honors Gulf South Machine, Inc. executives Kenny Adams, Ron Buchta, and Phil Tourelle with the MEPOL 2017 Small Manufacturer of the Year Award during a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge.

Written by Chris O’Connor of Gulf South Machine

Gulf South Machine Inc., a Ponchatoula, LA company, was named Louisiana’s Small Manufacturer of 2017 by MEPOL in a reception held at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge in early May. GSM was recognized and honored for its initiative in improving its quality management system in response to the industry-wide economic down turn brought on by the recent low price of oil.

“We have been through and survived all of the many oil price busts over the years. We vowed this time we would not only survive, we would find a way to thrive”, said GSM’s Phil Tourelle, Assistant Vice President.  “We improved efficiencies in our production and delivery processes and then partnered with MEPOL to achieve ISO 9001-2008 certification, ultimately documenting the high standards GSM customers have been relying on for years.”

“I congratulate Gulf South Machine for winning the 2017 Small Manufacturer’s Award presented by Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana,” said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. “It is through MEPOL that Gulf South became internationally certified and expanded its customer base to include Fortune 500 companies as well as industry leaders in oilfield equipment and other fields.  Specializing in precision machining for almost half a century, this company provides good jobs for our skilled Louisiana workforce and the highest quality products for its clients. Like the other 2017 Small Business Award winners, Gulf South Machine represents the best of Louisiana’s small business community.”

MEPOL is a US Dept. of Commerce sponsored program of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System serving Louisiana manufacturers statewide with a commitment to improving the competitiveness of local manufacturers and growing a vigorous manufacturing sector that is essential to Louisiana’s economic well-being. They provide grants, training, in-house agents and third party consultant services to Louisiana manufacturers with a focus on productivity, profitability and manufacturing success. Their valuable expertise aided in the long process of reviewing and reworking the Quality Management System at Gulf South Machine to achieve compliance with the internationally recognized ISO standards. Obtaining this certification solidified the reputation that GSM has within the oil and gas sector, but now also opens opportunities for other markets and new customers.

Kayla Gentry of MEPOL said about working with GSM, “Gulf South Machine’s team is committed to providing high quality products and services.  They have created a company culture that exemplifies team work and pride. Upon achieving the ISO 9001-2008 certification, their full service CNC machining facility has gained new customers, entered new markets and hired more people.  This type of growth is a great example of what can be achieved through performance excellence and dedication to quality processes.”