NANA creates construction arm: new company plans resource-development focus, shareholder development.

• Author: West, Gail
• Position: BUILDING ALASKA

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Launching a new business in the midst of one of America's deepest recessions, particularly in the construction field, demands confidence and optimism. NANA Development Corp. has both, as evidenced by the introduction of NANA Construction LLC in September 2008.

Fortunately, Alaska hasn't felt the serious financial pinch experienced by much of the Lower 48, but the local construction industry is not as robust as it has been. Even so, NANA Construction has entered the Alaska market and plans to prosper. The new venture joins the NANA companies already providing services, from basic to highly technical, to Alaska's natural resources industries. According to David Marquez, NANA's senior vice president and chief operating officer, NANA Construction is another piece in the corporation's toolbox of capabilities.

PHYSICAL PLANT

Headquartered in Anchorage, NANA Construction is up and running with 30 employees under the leadership of a 25-year veteran of Alaska's construction industry, president Ralph "Mac" McKee. McKee led VECO Construction for 23 years before making the transition into the new NANA subsidiary. McKee's resume also includes stints with Fluor and Arco.

Last year, according to McKee, NANA purchased more than 20 acres of property in Big Lake and began putting up a fabrication shop to help the company focus on its primary business target, the resource development industry. McKee said NANA Construction has a 60-foot by 240-foot module assembly building and Wheelabrator technology for blasting, coatings and tank fabrication. Also part of the Big Lake site is an administration and change room, and future plans call for a piping and structural fabrication building and an expansion of the primary assembly area to accommodate a training center. McKee said NANA Construction also intends to put up an office complex.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"We'll make the process and control modules here that are used in the oil field and mining industries," McKee said. "The market for these modules opened in 1987 with the need for truckable modules for the North Slope. There are restrictions that have to be met to carry those modules on the haul road. We can meet those restrictions. Our Big Lake location was strategic in that it shaves off transport time, avoiding northbound Anchorage traffic."

TARGET MARKET

Among the capabilities the new company offers will be full-service construction, maintenance and operations services for oilfield and...