Every new project in the oil & gas or chemical industry is unique. Besides location, there are different processes, budgets, technologies, regulatory and compliance requirements, and ESG (environment, social, and governance) concerns.
Sydney “Syd” Truss not only understands the requirements of his EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) customers in the U.S., but has developed a reputation for being a trusted resource for businesses seeking measurement solutions tailored to their specific projects and applications.
Rooted in WIKA
WIKA is Syd’s first and – so far – only employer. While attending the University of Houston, he learned about the company from a college friends whose father worked in WIKA USA’s sales department, and there were openings for outside salespeople. Since Syd didn’t have any previous sales experience, he didn’t get that particular position, but he did land a job in receiving.
After only a year, he was promoted to inventory lead, a position he held for three years. He then transitioned to inside sales and, shortly afterwards, became a customer service manager. Later, as director of sales operations, he oversaw the customer service, engineered projects, and CADD departments. Today, Syd is an integral part of the EPC Business Development team, focusing on oil & gas and chemical accounts.
Syd isn’t the only Truss at WIKA. When his sister Lynne was studying at the University of Houston and wanted to interview someone doing her dream job, Syd asked the head of human resources if Lynne could speak with her for a class project. Afterwards, the HR director said she saw so much potential in Lynne and wondered if Syd would mind if she offered his sister a position as HR assistant.
“Of course I didn’t mind,” Syd said. “I felt totally comfortable with Lynne working here, knowing the type of company WIKA is and the opportunities it afforded me. WIKA is such a great place to work because it offers the strengths of a large global company but with the qualities of a close-knit family business.”
Like Syd, Lynne has steadily worked up the ranks. Today, she is WIKA USA’s human resources director.
Serving EPC Customers’ Unique Needs
Having been in both inside and outside sales, Syd has worked with many different types of customers over the years. The biggest difference between EPCs and other accounts, he said, is the sheer scope and scale of their projects. There are many moving pieces that must be accounted for so that the project stays on time and on budget.
One such example involved working with an EPC contractor to expand an international energy company’s ability to increase its capabilities in carbon capture, utilization, and storage/sequestration (CCUS) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Syd facilitated the multi-year relationship between the EPC and WIKA to supply specially engineered meter runs for measuring and controlling the flow of liquid CO2 under high pressure.
Syd’s well of expertise in oil & gas has made him the point person for liquified natural gas (LNG) projects. He has supported nearly every large-scale LNG construction project in the U.S. – an accomplishment he finds especially gratifying since the LNG export revolution has reshaped not only this country, but the world’s energy status quo.
Helping make WIKA the preferred choice for so many of these projects is something Syd take a lot of pride in.
“My customers place their trust in me to help them determine the best products and technologies for their various projects,” he said. “EPCs also need a partner who understands not only the product, but can offer the proper documentation – from NDT (nondestructive testing) reports to global approvals. One of the favorite parts of my job is working with WIKA specialists – here in the U.S. and also around the world – to come up with comprehensive, just-right solutions for EPC projects.”
Helping Deliver the WIKA Advantage
Quality instruments. On-time product delivery. All the necessary documentation. Knowledgeable and friendly customer support. These are some of the areas where WIKA excels. To these Syd adds a few more.
“EPC companies appreciate working with suppliers that are stable and reliable. With so much at stake, they want zero risk – or as close to zero as possible. That’s precisely what they find – and get – when partnering with WIKA.”
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