HOBAS Pipe USA Announces Leadership Transitions

HOBAS Pipe USA, recently announced a pair of leadership changes. Edward “Ed” Kocurek stepped down as president and CEO. Taking his place in that role – effective April 1 – is Martin W. Dana, former vice president of sales.

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Dana joined HOBAS Pipe USA in that role in January 2018 after spending the previous 18 years at Northwest Pipe Co. in Portland, Oregon. Northwest Pipe is the largest manufacturer of engineered steel water pipe systems in North America. While at Northwest Pipe, Martin held various positions including, vice president of sales, vice president of the tubular division and vice president of business development.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the College of Business Administration at the University of Oregon in Eugene. He is a 27-year veteran of the pipe industry, starting his career in 1993 with Oregon Steel Mill’s Napa Pipe division, selling pipe to the oil and gas industry.

“Martin has done an outstanding job of leading our sales efforts for the past two years and we are confident that he is the right person to take HOBAS Pipe USA to even greater heights going forward”, said Kocurek. “We continue to be excited about the future of the company as we build on our past successes, expand our product portfolio, and continue to provide both outstanding products and services to our clients.”

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Kocurek has served HOBAS Pipe USA for nearly 34 years in a variety of roles. He has presided as president, CEO for the past 20 years. He Ed will remain with the company through 2021 as an advisor to the new president, CEO.

He is a 1982 graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in civil engineering. He began his professional career as an EIT in the consulting engineering field with West Texas Consultants in Odessa, Texas.

In 1985 Kocurek relocated to Austin, Texas and went to work for Key Enterprises in the utility construction industry. In 1986, Key Enterprises acquired a license to manufacture Hobas Pipe in the western United States and selected its current location of Houston to construct its manufacturing facility. Kocurek relocated to Houston and was instrumental in overseeing the construction of the original 36,000 sq-ft manufacturing facility.

After completion of the facility Kocurek served the company as technical sales support before moving to the production department where he served as production manager and then plant manager. In 1993 HOBAS Pipe USA was acquired by Hobas AG (Austria), the original licensor of the Hobas CC technology, and Kocurek was promoted to general manager responsible for HOBAS Pipe USA. At that time, the company also acquired the eastern United States manufacturing rights from Price Brothers and became the sole provider of Hobas CC pipe in the United States.

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In 2000, Kocurek added the titles of president and CEO and served in that capacity until stepping down.

Under his leadership, the company has grown from a relatively small market segment pipe supplier to the successful international business it is today. Hobas Pipe is currently in water and sewer systems throughout North America; from Hawaii to Newfoundland and from Mexico to Alaska. From its original 36,000 sq-ft facility, HOBAS Pipe USA has expanded to more 150,000 sq-ft under roof and has a workforce of more than 170 employees.

SOURCE – HOBAS Pipe USA