MRC Global, a PVF distributor servicing the energy and industrial markets opened the doors to its new operations complex in La Porte, Texas in late October.

The Regional Distribution Center processes 600 pick tickets, or 1,700 individual line items, per day. Teams work around the clock to provide daily support to all the branches in the Gulf Coast region as well as all branches across North America. The La Porte RDC can coordinate 80-100 hot shot orders per day.

“I’m very proud of the work and expertise that went into designing and opening this new location,” said Andrew Lane, MRC Global president and CEO. “We’ve taken the best practices from our 97 years in the PVF distribution business and the best processes in our operations in 22 countries to build this premier distribution and valve engineering facility. By combining our previous Gulf Coast service locations into this single operational complex, our largest distribution center and valve engineering and automation center in the world, we are perfectly positioned to serve our customers with the technology, tools and efficiency they have come to expect from MRC Global.”

Processing that much PVF safely and efficiently is MRC Global’ s business. This is accomplished by new hand-held scanners that identify products on the conveyor system, which stops a tote automatically when more products are needed. The system drastically reduces the amount of lifting and walking an employee must take to pull a ticket – making it both safer and faster. Positive Material Identification analyzers ensure quality assurance, and Push-back Racking is used for large items that take up an entire pallet. This special racking allows for safer loading of new products and eliminates the need for multiple overstock locations throughout the facility.

“In 2019, we will continue to expand this complex by adding a premier valve engineering and modification shop," Lane said. “Once that addition is completed, the Houston operations complex will comprise of a total of 620,000 square feet in office and warehouse space and a ten-acre pipe yard and will be our industry’s largest PVF operations facility.”