Tulsa-Based Big Elk Energy Named America’s Fastest Growing Manufacturer by Inc. Magazine
APPRECIATION FROM TULSA: From left, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, CEO and Founder of Bog Elk Geoff Hager and Tulsa Regional Chamber COO Justin McLaughlin at a press conference recently held at the Big Elk facility at 4140 S. Galveston Ave. The conference was hosted in the production bay and speakers stood on a manufactured skid as they gave their remarks.
Photo courtesy JESSE BOUDIETTE, Propeller
Inc. Magazine has named Tulsa-based Big Elk Energy Systems as the fastest growing manufacturer in America.
In just its third year of business, the company generated $20.6 million in revenue, and this year expects that number to grow to $31 million. and founder Geoff Hager says he hopes to be at $100 million in the next five years.
“We succeed because of our team,” says Hager. “Our people persevered through the most difficult of circumstances, and now we are stronger for it. We have a dream team, and the genuine affection our people have for each other is something very special.”
With most of its business focused in the northeast and Gulf Coast, there are plans to focus on international growth in the next 1-2 years.
“Vendors and suppliers stuck with us when conventional wisdom would have said to go another way,” adds Hager. “They extended grace to us in our hour of need and now, our success is their success. We will forever be grateful for their partnership.”
To commemorate the Inc. Magazine honor, the company hosted a manufacturing news conference with Mayor G.T. Bynum and other city officials on Friday, Aug. 17 at its facility.
“I would like to congratulate Geoff Hager and Big Elk Energy Systems on their success and applaud their commitment to growing in Tulsa,” Bynum said. “Big Elk is a great example of the opportunity for growth that exists right here in Tulsa when you assemble a strong team and compete with the best in your field.”
The manufacturing industry in Tulsa is thriving and is bringing new business to the community. Mayor Bynum and city officials made remarks about manufacturing and what it means to Tulsa.
“Big Elk is a model company for manufacturing excellence,” said Justin McLaughlin, of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “The company formed during a risky time for energy products, but through steady leadership and a commitment to quality, they’ve weathered the storm to emerge as a leader in their field. Since 2016, manufacturing has accounted for 60 percent of the job growth facilitated by Tulsa’s Future, the chamber-led regional economic development partnership. Big Elk is at the forefront of this trend, and we at the Tulsa Regional Chamber are proud to have them as a partner committed to regional economic prosperity.”
Big Elk was founded in 2014 by Pawhuska native Geoff Hager. At a time when the energy industry crumbled, Hager trusted his inner belief. “My parents are pastors and faith brought me to where I am,” said Hager. “Founding Big Elk was what I was supposed to do and I wasn’t going to give up.”
Big Elk’s team of nearly 100 employees focuses on engineering, systems design, piping layout, drafting, and electrical and control systems. The experienced workmanship provides the best solution to bring projects on time and fully realized. They provide services in measurement systems, pigging, fuel gas skid, electronic flow measurement () and gas quality analysis.
The company was named after Hager’s third great grandfather, a chief of the Osage tribe born in 1852 named Opontonga, translated “Big Elk.”
In January 2018, Big Elk launched M3 Energy Services, a service company focused on in-field meter verification for large flow natural gas meters.
For more information about Big Elk, visit bigelk.com
Updated 09-13-2018
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