TGA Global Partner Profiles

TGA Global Partner Profiles featured on this page represent the employers of TGA Board members and/or are corporate sponsors of TGA, are based in the Tulsa area and do business internationally. Every two months, TGA will feature a new Global Partner Profile on this page. Check back regularly for the next profile of a local company helping to grow the Tulsa area’s global reputation.

Note: Each Partner Profile included here has been approved for accuracy by the featured company or organization. However, circumstances, people and places may have changed since the date of publication.

Tulsa’s T.D. Williamson Welcomes Global “Channel Partner Connect Participants

tdwilliamson.com

In 1920, T.D. Williamson, Sr. established the AAON, headquartered in Tulsa, manufactures HVAC solutions for commercial and industrial indoor environments. Designing and manufacturing highly configurable equipment to meet exact needs brings long-term value to our customers. Since 1988, AAON has grown from a modest start-up to a publicly traded industry leader with over 3,000 employees in four facilities across the United States.

As Tulsa was booming with the emerging petroleum industry, the company’s operations quickly spread to oil fields in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Kansas. In 1943, the company was renamed T.D. Williamson, Inc.  Now, 100 years later, T.D. Williamson (TDW) serves the gathering, transmission and distribution sectors of the pipeline industry with a global portfolio of products and services for both onshore and offshore applications. The company helps ensure the world’s pipeline infrastructure continues to operate safely, whether it’s carrying oil, gas or new energy sources such as hydrogen.

As TDW’s business globalized, thanks to independent distributors who sell TDW products and services around the world, TDW can connect with and better serve diverse customers. These independent distributors came to be known as TDW “Channel Partners”.

Recently in 2022, Channel Partners from more than a dozen countries – including Indonesia, Greece and Nigeria – gathered in Tulsa, Oklahoma from November 15 to 17. There they enjoyed two days of technical presentations, awards, a facilities tour and a traditional Thanksgiving luncheon.  

 “The success of our Channel Partner strategy heavily depends on building a mutually satisfying relationship based on commitment and trust,” said Kateryna Akimova, senior manager of channel strategy. “This results in developing the best possible solution for the final customer.”

In this spirit, TDW hosts “Channel Partner Connect” every year. The event helps TDW and the Channel Partners learn, network and form stronger relationships. As a result, the company can deliver a consistent level of excellence to operators worldwide and help the industry reach global sustainability goals.

TDW experts presented on topics pertaining to each of the business lines, but the Channel Partners particularly enjoyed the HT&P talks. They also had many detailed questions for Stacie Sauer, senior manager of technical training, and David Files, technical training manager.  

“The training department works hard to make the qualification of Channel Partner technicians as efficient as possible,” Akimova said.

While impressed by all the presentations, the Channel Partners seemed most struck by the chance to connect with TDW people one-on-one.

 ”One of our Channel Partner managers, Akis Tsiomos, told me that he was just amazed by the warm welcome he received by all of the U.S. employees here in Tulsa,” said Julie Simmons, senior marketing specialist.

Because the event was held in November, Channel Partners also had the chance to enjoy an authentic Thanksgiving luncheon – where many of them tried traditional dishes such as stuffing for the first time.

“Many thanks to TDW hospitality. The whole team enjoyed it a lot,” said a representative of SEPsafe, a Czech company that won “Best Performer” this year.  “And thank you for the award - it means a lot to us.”

TDW looks forward to hosting Channel Partners again in early 2024 – and to sharing more food, knowledge and connection.