Katy Area Company, AFS, Provides World-Class Solutions for the Energy Industry

As one of nearly 80 R&D facilities and testing labs in the Katy Area,  Assured Flow Solutions LLC (AFS), has leveraged local talent to grow their global footprint. The company is known for engineering and laboratory testing services, so opening a lab in Katy has allowed the company to grow exponentially.

Energy companies throughout the world turn to AFS for flow assurance support and industry expertise, in addition to reading their many whitepapers and attending their annual technical conference. Though AFS is a global thought leader and innovator in the oil and gas industry, their story began in Katy, Texas. Tommy Golczynski, co-founder and Managing Partner of AFS, is a graduate of Katy High School. When he had the opportunity to grow a company in his hometown, he knew that doing so would provide him with a wealth of support and the ability to tap into local talent. When AFS co-founder and managing partner, Tony Spratt, had the idea to expand their business by constructing a lab facility, they agreed that Katy would be an ideal location. After opening the company, they tapped other Katy alumni to help grow the company. Katy alum provided the initial IT and marketing support and helped to secure funding for the company’s Katy laboratory. Today, Katy alumni continue to play an important role in the organization as key personnel in the lab facility. As one of the R&D and testing facilities who employ over 1,000 people in the area, access to talent has been critical to the success of AFS and other Katy R&D companies.

• 50 Most Innovative Companies to Watch (2018)
• Wolfram Innovator of the Year (2017)
• Inc 5000, Fastest Growing US Companies (2016 – 2017)
• Oil & Gas Award – Denver Finalist (2016 – 2017)
• Houston Business Journal FAST 100 (2016)
• Stan Stanley Eagle Leadership Award Finalist (2016)
• Who’s Who in Energy (2014 – 2016)
• Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (2014)
• Woman of Excellence Award – Federation of Houston Professional Women (2014)

Beyond the financial impact and many awards, AFS is also proud to give back to the Katy community.  Specifically, since 2013 AFS has sponsored numerous fundraising efforts with the Katy-based charity Stuff the Sleigh.  AFS also has sponsored youth baseball teams through Katy Pony for twenty seasons.

The ingenuity and thought leadership of their executive team, along with their highly-skilled and dedicated employees, has led to AFS receiving so many awards and experiencing significant growth. Their location in Katy has made it possible to recruit the high caliber employees necessary to facilitate this. Here, they are able to attract top talent looking for a good salary and a high quality of life. With little traffic in Katy and a family-friendly environment, AFS employees can enjoy life and have a rewarding career.

In addition to easy access to talent and their Katy roots, AFS chose to locate in the Katy area due to its proximity to Houston’s Energy Corridor and the wealth of available commercial space. Urban Companies, with help from Stream Realty, quickly built out a laboratory space in the Grandway West complex to fit the company’s specific needs. Now, AFS enjoys the cost-saving benefits of being based in the Katy area, while being a short drive from clients located in the Energy Corridor. This type of commercial space and support is available to other companies as well.      

The Katy Area Economic Development Council encourages entrepreneurs and company executives to consider the many benefits of locating in Katy, Texas.

For more information, contact Lance LaCour, CEcD, President / CEO of Katy Area EDC at lancelacour@katyedc.org