The Bayou Companies, LLC and Subsidiaries, located in New Iberia, LA, is a third generation family owned business that has provided services to the oil and gas pipeline industry for more than 65 years.  E.S. “Ed” Shea, Sr. started the company in 1942 as a one man, one welding truck operation.  In the late forties, Ed Shea’s two sons, Jerry Shea, Sr. and E.S. “Buddy” Shea, Jr., entered the business both graduating in Petroleum Engineering from LSU.  The two brothers began a long and successful business partnership which resulted in steady growth of the Bayou Companies over the next forty years. 

The Bayou Companies has evolved over the years, starting with Bayou Well Works and Bayou Welding Works in the ‘40s, adding Swanee Natural Gas, Inc, a natural gas distribution company built from scratch and Associated Marine & Supply, Inc, a geophysical supply company in the ‘50s.  In the early 1970s, Bayou Pipe Coating started operation with one fusion bonded epoxy pipe coating plant adding a larger diameter coating plant in the late ‘80s. 

In an effort to consolidate the administration of the various operating companies, Bayou Management Services was formed in 1979.  Jerry Shea, Jr., Stewart Shea, and Jimmy Shea, the three grandsons’ of the company founder, became the principal administrative officers of the new entity.  

During the 1980s, the coating business experienced significant growth and Bayou exited the natural gas distribution, well servicing and pipeline construction businesses.  Management made the decision to enter into the pipe bending business in 1985.  Buddy Shea passed away in 1986.  In 1989 Bayou constructed a second coating plant adjacent to its original coating operation.  This new facility was designed to coat larger diameter, heavier wall line pipe and to allow the Company to be more responsive to it’s scheduling requirements.  During the ‘90s, Bayou started offering a broader array of services associated with the emerging deep-water Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production; these services included fabrication of double and quadruple joints, anode and buckle arrestor installations, internal coatings, and insulation.  Bayou also began concrete weight coating in 2000.  All of the New Iberia operating companies were merged into Bayou Management Services in 1996 and Jerry, Sr. started phasing into retirement over the course of the following three years.   

In 1994 at the invitation of the Stupp Corporation, Jerry, Stewart, and Jimmy entered into a joint venture with Stupp (Bayou Coating, LLC) to build and operate a coating facility next to Stupp’s pipe mill in Baton Rouge, LA.  Bayou Management Services was contracted with Bayou Coating to provide management services.  Bayou Flow Technologies, LLC a joint venture between Bayou Management Services, PermaPipe, Inc and the Cuming Corporation was formed in 2001 to serve the deepwater market for insulated pipe applications.  BFT utilizes the assets of all three companies to offer flow assurance solutions worldwide. 

In 2001, Bayou Management Services, Inc changed its corporate name to The Bayou Companies, LLC; this was done in conjunction with an aggressive marketing campaign to build upon the company’s already solid reputation in the market place. 

The business is managed with Jimmy overseeing operations, Stewart overseeing administration and finance, and Jerry Jr. heading the sales and business development team.  While each Managing Partner focuses on his own particular area of responsibility, the strategic decision making for the company and its subsidiaries is carried out by Jerry, Stewart and Jimmy as members of the Management Committee.  All three Managing Partners are actively involved with various trade associations acting as President and Chairman of various boards at various times.  This association has helped to elevate the industry profile of The Bayou Companies. 

In 2002, The Bayou Companies purchased a majority share of Commercial Coating Services, Inc and C&L Pipeline Equipment (which was later sold).  These acquisitions enabled Bayou to expand into the field joint and custom-coating business, as well as the pipeline equipment rental business. Fourth Generation family members began entering the business in 2002 and in 2003. 

In 2006 Bayou continues investing in the business with the completion of the latest state of the art small diameter FBE coating plant; which began operation in 2007.  In addition, one of the original names of Bayou was re-launched – Bayou Welding Works, LLC (BWW) officially started business in January of 2006 where welding was previously sub-contracted to a third party.  Bayou Welding Works brings over 50 years of senior management in the fabrication business.  BWW handles all of Bayou’s multi-jointing high fatigue SCR quality welding and PLET and PLEM fabrication; while complimenting this work with onshore and offshore fabrication services.   

From a one man operation in 1942, to a group of multi-faceted companies having over 700 employees in 2008, the original philosophy of providing quality work at competitive prices has remained.  With the addition of quality personnel as well as the fourth generation to help guide Bayou into the future, Bayou will continue to grow and adapt to the ever-changing needs of the oil and gas pipeline industry.