Danos can do a lot.
One of the most trusted integrated service solutions companies within the energy sector, Danos’ menu for oil and gas clientele is extensive. For decades, they’ve supplied innovative and effective solutions on automation projects and control systems for independent and major oil companies; they’ve constructed large deepwater hook-ups and large-scale spool piping projects both on land and offshore; they’ve handled waste monitoring, industrial cleaning and environmental surveys; they’ve offered shorebased management and logistics; and they’ve done all this (and more) from 11 offices in states like Louisiana, Texas, Pennsylvania and even Africa while employing roughly 1,800 workers.
And to think, all of this literally sprung from operations conducted at a kitchen table.
Founded in 1947 as a small tugboat company by Allen Danos, Sr., and Syriaque Curole, headquartered at Curole’s house, the company today maintains much of its intangible roots despite blossoming into a corporate power house three generations later.
“Really, the family has been integrated with the business, and the business integrated with the family for my whole life,” said Eric Danos, the company’s executive vice president. “And I, and everybody I think, feel fortunate to build onto the legacy that’s gone on for 70 years. The blood, sweat and tears were really shed by my grandfather, a true entrepreneur. So we’re building on his legacy and the hard work of those who worked here before us, so I consider myself very fortunate to do that. There’s a lot of pride and responsibility that’s felt within a company that employs nearly 2,000 people.
“And the company was really founded on a set of values,” Danos continued. “Back then, they were just understood. Today, they’re on a website. But the values haven’t changed: ‘Taking care of people, serving the customer and operating with a sense of integrity.’”
In that spirit specifically the tenet of “Serving the Customer”, Danos has applied via the Port of South Louisiana to the Foreign Trade Zones board for subzone status in FTZ 124 — where clients can defer or eliminate duties. In Danos’ case, the extra time will allow customers to import foreign-sourced materials for Danos to sort, store or construct/assemble, thus pushing Customs payments back until the equipment or goods are taken out of the FTZ for use or consumption. The overall intent of the FTZ program is to stimulate economic growth domestically.
“The minute we stop evolving our business to meet our customers’ needs, we’ll fall behind… We’re competing across the U.S., and the ability to have a Foreign Trade Zone allows us to attract projects,” Danos said. “These projects are going to happen somewhere in the country, so they might as well happen in our facility in the Port.”
And when they do happen, Danos believes its workforce is best at handling the long-list of customer needs and wants. At the core of its company values, Danos promotes a “High Performance Culture” — a belief system that the company feels enables six critical worker traits. These six traits are employees who are open to change; those that participate in coaching; workers who are passionate about winning; those that act and take ownership of outcomes; those willing to challenge and debate; and workers who empower teamwork.
“We believe in developing the best people in our industry,” Danos said. “If we can find people who fit our values and share our purpose and help us achieve our vision, then by growing them within our system, we’ll continue to have the competent leaders that are essential to our business. Ultimately, we believe our people want to be successful. So it’s up to us to create the environment to make that happen — giving them the tools and training, plus opportunities for development and holding people accountable to theirs and our high expectations.”
By William Kalec
