Local Industry Success
The Okmulgee area has a large manufacturing base for a community of its size. Five of our manufacturers ship their products globally. Over 4,000 workers commute into the Okmulgee area for work each day from surrounding areas--over 20 Oklahoma counties, from as far as 185 miles. The average US city has about 7-8 percent of their workforce in value added manufacturing. Okmulgee has 11 percent of its workforce in manufacturing. Our manufacturers are very supportive of each other and welcome additional plants in the area. We are very proud of our high profile, global manufacturing companies.
Anchor Glass was incorporated in 1997 and is one of the leading manufacturers of glass containers in North America. Anchor produces flint, amber green and other colored glass items for clients in the food, beverage, liquor and consumer products industries.
​
The glass industry has consistently contributed to the state's economy throughout the twentieth century. Pittsburgh Plate Glass constructed a plant in Henryetta in 1929 - 1930. The plant was closed in 1974, but was purchased by Midland Glass in 1976 and refitted for making glass containers. Anchor Glass Corp acquired Midland's plant in 1984. Today Anchor Glass Corp in Henryetta employs 350 +/- people. They manufacture and ship over two million bottles per day for one major brewery alone.
.png)
Covington Aircraft has become a world leader in aircraft engine overhaul and repair. They specialize in Pratt & Whitney R-985 and R-1340 radial engines and PT6A turbine engines.
In addition to engine overhaul and repair work, it performs engine installations, operates engine testing facilities and carries a large inventory of replacement engines and parts. The company also ships engines and parts throughout the world.
Covington is a Pratt & Whitney Canada Certified Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) and provides both corporate and agricultural aircraft service.
CP Kelco is a global, nature-based ingredient solutions company that connects the science of nature with manufacturers of consumer and industrial products. In keeping with the principles of parent company, J.M. Huber, they are an active participant in the community. CP Kelco supports Okmulgee public schools, the City of Okmulgee Annual Fireworks Extravaganza, the Okmulgee County Humane Society, the Okmulgee Jr. Bulldogs Football and Cheer Program, and many other local initiatives and charities.
​
Their relationship with Okmulgee began in 1975 when they broke ground on a facility to meet the growing demand for xanthan gum. Originally discovered on cabbage, xanthan gum is a plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent that helps the viscosity of liquids. It is produced via a large-scale fermentation process, similar to that found in the brewing industry. In the past 40 years, CP Kelco has expanded multiple times. They added production capability for another fermentation-derived ingredient, gellan gum, in 2016. Originally chosen for its ready access to low-cost energy sources, the site continues to enjoy this strategic manufacturing advantage. CP Kelco is proud to support food, beverage, personal care and industrial companies with their nature-based ingredients developed in Okmulgee.
Liberty Partners, Inc. specializes in aircraft modifications support, offering engineering, certification, design and fabrication services. Since 2003, it has operated out of its Okmulgee, O.K. facility where it continues to provide solutions to private, commercial, and government operations.
Established in 2007, M&M has been a trusted supplier to the aerospace, defense, and/or energy industries since day one. They quickly tripled their capacity by 2013 and are well positioned with land and facility to continue their growth. They also work closely with partners in the aerospace, defense, and energy industries, ensuring the highest quality and on-time delivery of their complex components. M&M is well positioned to continue to expand their role by bringing value beyond the traditional scope of manufacturing.
PACCAR WINCH is a proud staple of the Okmulgee and Broken Arrow, OK communities where they continue a long history of manufacturing industry leading BRADEN winch, hoist and drive products. Since 1924, the BRADEN brand has remained a driving force in Northeast Oklahoma. From hub driven winches for the booming oil industry in the 1920’s, to producing parts for the military in WWII and modern hydraulic driven units for heavy machinery, BRADEN manufactures rugged, reliable and long lasting products.
Polyvision manufactures the world’s most durable CeramicSteel surfaces, combining the best qualities of porcelain and steel to create a surface that is unmatched in the industry.
Since 1975, Okmulgee has been home to PolyVision’s North American manufacturing facility and distributes material throughout North America, South America, China and other nations . Sustainably producing CeramicSteel for whiteboards, chalkboards and architectural applications, our production processes are streamlined for the highest level of quality, customer service, and competitive value. As a proud part of the Okmulgee community, PolyVision partners with Okmulgee ACE High School to provide mentoring and opportunities for students to experience real-life applications of STEM learning.​
Pump and Motor Works is a leading supplier of new and remanufactured rotating equipment. For the past 25 years, they have worked to develop and maintain the largest inventory of large electric motors and industrial pumps in the world.
​
Their capabilities have dramatically increased since their beginnings as a small brokerage firm. Pump and Motor Works has evolved into a fully integrated research, design, development, and testing facility with a team of engineers and technicians equipped with the latest in cutting-edge technology. They are headquartered in Okmulgee with a 60,000 square foot manufacturing plant, lightning-fast response time, and 24-hour support.
Since 1919, Thompson Pumps have been used in every major American oil field and throughout the world. The company manufactures a complete line of precision sand resistant subsurface oil pumping equipment and provides one of the industry’s most complete inventories of tubing pumps, insert pumps, pump barrels and pump parts. They have established a remarkable record for performance, dependability, efficiency and economy. Thompson Pumps are manufactured to API Specifications Q1, which dictate quality management system components. Their field engineers are thoroughly trained and experienced in all phases of pump work.
Bullet Fence is our smallest manufacturer (in terms of number of employees) but the back story of an innovative individual shows the creativity of a solution to a problem!
PROBLEM: The idea for the Fence Bullet was born on Founder/Owner Ron Goedecke’s ranch. He began a fencing project building fence braces with used oil field pipe. However, he didn't have a torch and welder to fit and weld the cross members. Trying to contract a field welder to do the job he found the welder was only available on weekends at $40/hour. While waiting for the contractor, a friend agreed to fit and weld the fence braces, but due to a burn ban, he was unable to weld for several weeks. Once the burn ban was lifted the majority of the braces were built. Goedecke still had a problem as some of the brace locations were in a creek area, inaccessible to a welder. He calculated that had he hired the Contract Welder at $40/hour to fit and weld the eight cross members, the friend doing it would have cost $30 each. Goedecke came to the conclusion that welding is a big pain, it’s expensive, inconvenient, and not always an option.
THE SOLUTION: Looking for a solution to the problem, Goedecke planned to buy some pipe connectors. However, after searching the internet and asking fence contractors, he came up empty-handed. He was bothered that no pipe connector was on the market for pipe sizes commonly used for braces. Having seen many people struggle with building welded braces, he knew it was more than just his problem. Knowing the major force of fence bracing is compressive, he knew welding was not necessary. He began penciling drawings for a no-weld pipe connector which evolved into the Fence Bullet. He first installed Fence Bullets on his ranch. With posts set, a brace member cut to length, it took him just 5 minutes, using end wrenches to easily install the rail fence cross member. Since he didn’t have to wait on a welder, he stretched galvanized pipe fencing immediately. With Fence Bullets, he didn’t need a welder to build pipe fence braces. Fence Bullets were less expensive, more convenient and always an option, leading him to state the obvious fact, “ No welder. No problem."
Okmulgee native Bill Horne and his business partner "Mr. Ray" started S&H in the mid-1960s as they tried to find a formulation of a pain cream that would help someone very dear to them who had severe pain in their joints.
Their creative endeavor led to more all-natural formulations that now include Medic Moist (wholesale market) and Pain Rid, What! & Golden Set (all retail market). (Medic Moist and Pain Rid are both the same formulation with different labels).
Bill's wife (Thelma) and daughter (DeAnette Stewart) took over the company after he passed to continue Bill and Mr. Ray's legacy.