Local business weathering the storm through diversification

By Jamie Rieger
As many oilfield spinoff companies are slowing down production, modifying their budgets, and some laying off workers as oil prices remain low, one Bow Island business is bucking the trend.
KamberFab Manufacturing, which manufactures oilfield tanks, is not only bucking the trend, they are busy enough to be looking to hire more welders.
“We are actually swamped here and are booked solid until April, May. We trying to hire more welders, in fact,” said owner, Myles Baerg.
Baerg said KamberFab,, which currently employs 20 people in manufacturing and another 10 painters, has been able to stay steady because of other products they manufacture.
“One of our oilfield customers was going to drill 20 holes, but now are only going to do six, with four tanks needed for each hole and that still is not bad,” said Baerg. “Besides our custom oilfield work like the tanks and skids, we also keep our foot in the door with agriculture by doing grain bins, hopper bottoms, and bin floors.
“For us, things are going really good, but a lot could still change.”