The
History of Brady Welding
William (Bill) Brady started Brady Welding
in 1957. He began with a 1953 one ton Ford welding truck and a
Lincoln welder that he purchased for $1200. His father-in-law,
Earl Hance, loaned him the money to start the business. Through
hard work, Bill was able to purchase tank trucks in 1960 and rig-up
trucks in 1965. Within a few years, he began purchasing heavy
equipment such as backhoes and dozers. During this time Brady's
began offering roustabout services. Shortly thereafter, Bill
bought out Morgan & Hamm Machine Shop in Healdton. During this
time Brady Welding & Machine Shop was operating at 301 Shell Street,
Healdton, OK, with Bill's wife, Naomi, working in the office.
Brady Welding &
Machine Shop incorporated when it moved to its current location at 797
Highway 76 North, Healdton, OK in 1981. This is an industrial zone
on a well traveled highway, conveniently located near Ardmore, OK,
between Oklahoma City and Dallas, TX. The current location
consists of a main office building, a 6000 square foot machine shop, a
6000 square foot truck shop, and other storage
buildings in a 7 1/2 acre yard. Brady Welding and
Machine Shop, Inc. recently purchased a shop, office building, living quarters,
and 3 acre yard in El Reno, OK. The most recent addition has been
the purchase an office building, service shop, and yard for the pumping
unit division. This office is located on the South side of
Healdton.
Brady's currently offers crane services,
pumping unit sales and servicing, dirt work (backhoes, trac-hoes, dozers, etc.), trucking (fluid
& equipment), shop and field welding, rig moving and building,
industrial construction, a full machine shop, and other contracted
oilfield services. To see a a detailed list of services currently offered
by Brady Welding & Machine Shop, Inc. please see the
Services page.
Bill Brady retired as President of Brady Welding & Machine Shop, Inc. in
2000 after building the company from a single welding truck to an
incorporated multi-million dollar business that offers a full range of
oilfield services and employs over 150
people. The family-owned
business is now run by Bill's sons Mike, David, and Bill Dan. Mike
graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Petroleum
Land Management and began working in 1980. David got his degree in
Business Management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and
began working in 1982. Bill Dan graduated from Southeastern
receiving a degree in Business Administration. He began working in
1988. Bill's daughter, Jana, graduated from the University of
Oklahoma with a degree in Business Education and began working as the
company's bookkeeper in 1986.
Brady Welding & Machine Shop, Inc. is
involved with and supports the community. Brady's donates
thousands of dollars per year through money, labor, and services
to local and regional charities, churches, schools, scholarship
foundations, and athletic departments. Brady Welding is a member
of the Healdton Chamber of Commerce.
Brady Welding &
Machine Shop, Inc. will be celebrated its 50th anniversary of business
in the oil and gas industry in August
2007. We would like to thank all of you that have been an integral part
of Brady Welding's success. |
