Published in the October 2001 "Offshore Source"

Commentary

By Drew Michel

Foreword to the first commentary

The only thing better than being apart of the publishing business is having partners that agree to let me write a column about anything on my mind in a given month. I will do my best to keep you amused each month while trying to relay some "truths" gathered during more than 35 years in the industry. My first choice of subject was made because I know many share my opinion of the company and individuals involved.

Send suggestions for future commentary "rovdrew@earthlink.net"

C. A. Richards & Associates Inc.

Three Decades of lntegrity

On a rare occasion a team assembles and endures to provide almost legendary service to our industry; one of those teams is C. A. Richards and Associates, Inc. (CAR), celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. In 1971 Charlie Richards, after having tried several other business ventures, the success of which depends on who is telling the story, decided to set up business as a manufacturers' representative in Houston, Texas. Those who remember the oil and gas boom times of the early seventies know that his timing was impeccable, but another success secret was his initial choice of "associates", his wife Barbara, almost from the beginning, and son Chuck, just out of Texas A&M in 1974.

Their first product line was Boston Insulated Wire and D. G. O'Brien underwater cables and connectors. They added another product line; Subsea Systems, of Escondido, California, a manufacturer of underwater TV systems in 1972 and Klein Associates, Inc. side scan sonars in 1975.

In 1979 a series of events lead to CAR moving from Subsea Systems to Hydro Products for TV systems and adding Hydro Product's parent company Honeywell Marine Systems for dynamic positioning systems and acoustic positioning products. Hydro Products had been a leading manufacturer of underwater TV systems, but had shifted focus to their new ROV business. CAR's task was to reinstate the TV business and introduce the new ROV systems. In a few years Hydro Products was once again dominating the underwater TV business.

As the dark clouds of an oil and gas industry collapse were beginning to form in 1984, CAR decided to diversify into other markets, such as the dredging industry. This maneuver helped the company weather the storm of a depressed drilling market. One of the primary product lines during that period was Del Norte radio positioning systems. Honeywell also made a decision at this time to divest themselves of their marine product lines. Charlie took the opportunity to purchase the Hydro Products TV business, moving it to Houston and changing the name to Hydro Vision International. In 1991 the underwater viewing product line was completed with the acquisition of Photosea Systems, a premier manufacturer of underwater still cameras.

The early nineties brought better times in the form of new deepwater activity and a Gulf of Mexico invasion by European companies. One of these -companies, Kongsberg, was looking for expansion of their product lines and representation in the U. S. They bought Hydro Vision International from C. A Richards and appointed the firm as their U S rep.

C. A. Richards now represents Kongsberg Simrad, NEXANS, Riegl, Syntech, Sun Star Electric and Wavespec Ltd. Notable associates not mentioned earlier are Marshall Aucoin who was on the team from 1975 to 1992 and Kim Pribilski who started as a high school vocational office education student in 1977 and is still on board today (she claims she was only 10 when she started). The most recent member of the team is Aimee Coates, rapidly earning the respect of her customers and peers. Oh, and we can't forget Bill Gronvold who comes and goes.

This team endures because of a constant display of trust and integrity. Those of us who have dealt with them these three decades have learned that if something we need can be found they will find it; if they say it will be delivered tomorrow it will and if its not going to work they will let us know and won't deliver it at all. Chuck has worked extensively with the ADC, takes special interest in MTS scholarship programs and serves as vice chair of the MTS DP Committee. Charlie is active on many committees and is the current chairman of the board of the Offshore Technology Conference. Barb, Kim, Aimee Charlie and Chuck, we wish you another three decades of well earned success.

Presented with permission of "Offshore Source"