Careers at MRC Global
Mission
MRC Global’s mission is to deliver quality PVF products to one customer at a time, time-after-time, wherever they are.
Business segments
MRC Global is a distributor of pipe, valves, and fittings (PVF) and related products and services. The firm operates three reportable business segments based on geography:
- United States Operations – Includes distribution operations throughout the U.S. with concentrations in the most active oil and natural gas producing regions. Accounted for 79% of revenues in 2015.
- Canadian Operations – Includes distribution operations throughout the western part of Canada with concentrations in Alberta and western Saskatchewan. Accounted for 7% of revenues in 2015.
- International Operations – Includes 54 branch locations located throughout Europe, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East with seven distribution centers in the United Kingdom, Norway, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Accounted for 14% of revenues in 2015.
History
In 1921 Oil Well Supply Company employees Jerry McJunkin and Bernard Wehrle partnered to found McJunkin Supply Company in Charleston, West Virginia. The firm supplied products and services to the oil and gas industry. It experienced significant success quickly -- by 1931 it was generating $1 million in annual sales, a figure which grew further to $1.2 million by the end of the decade.
Over the next few decades McJunkin’s customer base exploded. It responded by expanding its operations, acquiring many competitors and opening branches across the U.S.. By 1971 it was making annual revenues of $74 million, and had 725 employees and 45 warehouse locations in 12 states. In spring 2007 it acquired Midway Tristate, followed by Red Man Pipe and Supply Company in October.
With the acquisition of Red Man it gained expanded product and service capabilities, greater geographic reach, and increased growth potential. It also changed its name to McJunkin Red Man Corporation. In 2009 the newly branded firm moved its headquarters to Houston, Texas, already the site of its largest North American distribution center.
In October of 2009 the company acquired Transmark Fcx, a leading distributor of specialty valves and flow control equipment, with a network of 45 distribution and service facilities across thirteen countries. In 2012 McJunkin Red Man’s name was changed to MRC Global Inc. In April of that year it filed an initial public offering and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under MRC.



Business model of MRC Global
Customer Segments
MRC Global has a niche market business model, with a specialized customer segment. It targets its offerings at firms in the following sectors of the energy industry:
- Upstream (exploration, production, and extraction of underground oil and natural gas)
- Midstream (gathering and transmission of oil and natural gas, natural gas utilities, and the storage and distribution of oil and natural gas)
- Downstream (petrochemical processing, crude oil refining, and general industrials)
In 2015, its 25 largest clients accounted for 51% of total sales, with its largest one accounting for 9%.
Value Proposition
MRC Global offers three primary value propositions: accessibility, risk reduction, and brand/status.
The company creates accessibility by providing a wide variety of options. It has one of the largest PVF inventories worldwide, stocking over 230,000 SKUs throughout its service locations. They fall into the following categories:
- Products – Carbon Steel Pipe, Stainless Steel Pipe, Carbon Steel Fittings & Flanges, Stainless Steel Fittings & Flanges, Gas Products, Valves & Automation, Specialty Products, Mill Supplies & Safety, and Oilfield Products
- Materials – Carbon Steel, Low Temperature Carbon Steel, High Yield Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Duplex, Super Duplex, High Nickel Alloy, Titanium, Polyethylene, Brass, Iron, Copper, and Fiberglass
The company reduces risk by maintaining high quality standards. It maintains an in-depth qualification process for its suppliers, which includes the following key components:
Supplier Qualification – Includes the following features:
- On-site assessment by MRC Global's team of experienced auditors (60-80 per year)
- Thorough review of quality system, process capability, and product conformity
- 1-5 days to complete depending on complexity and scope of operations including sub-suppliers
Routine Inspections – Includes the following features:
- Material Test Reports (MTR) Review
- Visual and dimensional inspection
- Positive Material Identification (PMI) for alloy materials
- Independent mechanical and chemical analysis, and pressure testing and x-ray of valves
Non-Conformance Management – Includes the following features:
- Real-time, electronic reporting
- Identification of problem and cause, typically through independent third party analysis
The company has established a strong brand due to its success. It bills itself as the largest industrial distributor of PVF and related products and services to the energy market based on sales, and it holds the leading position across each of the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the energy industry. It serves over 21,000 customers through 400+ service locations in over 100 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its service locations have more than $1 billion worth of inventory. Lastly, it has strong customer loyalty, with an average relationship of more than 25 years with its 25 largest clients.
Channels
MRC Global’s main channel is its sales team, which include both inside and outside sales personnel. The company promotes its offerings through its website and social media pages.
Customer Relationships
MRC Global’s customer relationship is primarily of a self-service, automated nature. Customers use its products while having limited interaction with employees. The company establishes interfaces that directly tie clients’ IT systems into its proprietary information systems, enabling it to provide an integrated supply service. That said, there is a personal assistance component in the form of phone and e-mail support.
Key Activities
MRC Global’s business model entails distributing PVF products and related services to its customers.
Key Partners
MRC Global’s key partners are the 21,000 suppliers in 45 countries that provide it with the materials and equipment necessary for the manufacture of some of its products. These firms can create an account on its website to view invoices and manage various activities. The rest of its suppliers are sourced from trading companies, manufacturer representatives, and other distributors.
The company depends on third-party manufacturers to produce the products it sells. Lastly, MRC Global relies heavily on third-party carriers to ship its items from suppliers and on freight carriers for delivery.
Key Resources
MRC Global’s main resources are its physical resources, which include its over 400 service locations in 100+ countries, its 33 valve automation centers, and its 17 regional distribution centers (RDCs). The company also has important human resources in the form of its sales force, which promotes its offerings and includes many engineers that can answer complex technical questions.
Cost Structure
MRC Global has a cost-driven structure, aiming to minimize expenses through significant automation. Its biggest cost driver is cost of sales, a variable expense. Other major drivers are in the areas of sales/marketing and administration, both fixed costs.
Revenue Streams
MRC Global has one revenue stream: revenues it generates from sales of its PVF products and associated services, as well as other oilfield and industrial supplies for the energy sector.
Our team
info: Andrew R. Lane earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He previously served as Chairman of MRC Global and held several leadership roles at Halliburton Company, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
info: James E. Braun earned a B.A. in Accounting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Newpark Resources and Baker Oil Tools and as VP of Finance and Administration at Baker Petrolite.
info: Daniel J. Churay earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Texas and a JD at the University of Houston. He previously served as President and CEO of Rex Energy and as General Counsel of YRC Worldwide.
info: Grant Bates earned a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Newcastle and an MBA at Deakin University. He previously served as Regional Vice President of MRC Global’s Australasian region.