Population growth and infrastructure renewal go hand in hand with a sometimes-surprising amount of piping. CCI Piping Systems manufactures products for the water, wastewater, and oil & gas industries, providing long-term solutions, and its clients can trust this team to think ahead. As one of the leading manufacturers in its field, and home to a range of proprietary products, the company has established itself as a true expert in the water/wastewater industry.
Celebrating 30 years in the piping industry, CCI Piping Systems is preparing for one of its biggest expansions at its facilities in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana to date. Making space for its growing stable of industry-leading innovations, this proud team enjoys driving growth while delivering the quality its name has become synonymous with. It also makes it a priority to excel at providing customers with the information they need to make informed decisions and ensure ease of ownership.
Providing markets across the United States, CCI Piping Systems works with around 20 independent sales representatives throughout the country who assist in keeping its growth robust. For this reason, this proud fabricator and supplier understands the value of building lasting relationships, including with associates beyond its customer base.
As markets have changed over the past few years, the company has also seen shifts at home. With its Chief Financial Officer bidding the office a warm farewell just last year after 20 years of outstanding service, the company’s financial department has especially had a lot to adapt to. Its leadership base is also in a period of transition. As a firm just about halfway through its 10-year succession plan, its acting President and CEO, Gene Cazayoux, remains a visible presence—which includes weekly lawn mowing duty with the help of Spicy, a most charming orange tractor.
Starting the company in 1995 as a pipeline coatings distributor, Cazayoux’s first claim to fame, ArmorCote U-Bolt, was exactly the ticket to success this forward-thinking entrepreneur had hoped for. He set out to build the company with a small team over the next decade. In 2006, his daughter, Claire Morley, joined the company’s ranks, bringing fresh ideas and setting up systems for improved efficiency. Her sharp sense of sales, marketing, and appreciation of people helps keep clients across the country aware of where to find the next-generation products. Starting with marketing, soon adding in sales, and eventually working her way up to leadership, she now proudly works aside her brother as Executive Vice President – Sales & Administration.
Today, CCI Piping Systems is bursting out of its seams and recently broke ground on a new 20,000-square-foot warehouse. Complete with 4,000 feet of administrative space, this space promises to launch the company onto an entirely new growth trajectory. That means future product lines will have the space and technology necessary to flourish. Moreover, there is enough space to continue building yet another facility.
Naturally, its leadership is over the moon with the firm’s good fortune as times are on the up for this close-knit team. “It’s fantastic. We’re [continuing] my father’s legacy and continuing to grow,” says Paul Cazayoux, Executive Vice President – Operations & Finance, of the company’s growth and three-decade milestone.
His fellow company leader, Lucas Johnson, Vice President of Operations, supports this sentiment. “We want to be as efficient as possible. We’ve grown so much that we could only add as much equipment as we had space.” As one of the original employees who helped establish the company, Johnson has witnessed its evolution. “My journey here has been remarkable. We work with a great group; we have a core group willing to go to any department at any time,” he says of the company’s culture of cross-training. “The group of people we work with is amazing.”
Johnson’s thoughtful leadership has played a significant role in the company’s success. In recognition of his work, Cazayoux celebrates his contribution to the firm’s longevity and success with sincerity. “With Lucas’ leadership—he’s been with us for over 20 years—he’s helped us navigate [this time]. With his guidance and the team that we have, we are set up for success,” he enthuses.
Customers can be assured of the team’s immediate and full attention at all times, thanks to the robust culture of care and consistency the company has built. With a qualified sales team handling incoming calls directly, the approach provides seamless access to quick, meaningful assistance. “We build relationships with our customers. It all starts at home,” says Cazayoux.
It is evident that these leaders genuinely appreciate their people. “We have the best team in the world,” says Cazayoux. “I would put them up against anybody. They really work well together, and we run smoothly.”
Of course, the quality of all CCI’s relationships shapes its success in the market. Customers benefit from the team’s camaraderie and commitment as much as they do quality piping and value-added innovations. The intangible benefits are numerous, and as a result, CCI Piping Systems has been awarded numerous times over the years for its outstanding business acumen and contributions to the industry.
With hard work comes new horizons, and as such, forecasts look good. As urban growth persists, CCI’s team is able to bring the piping innovation and fabrication it is known for to new communities. “I don’t see the water and waste industry slowing down,” says Cazayoux. This growth keeps the team on its toes, spurring innovation and new ideas to meet market needs. “The biggest hindrance to growth is complacency. We’re always trying to learn,” he continues.
With automation becoming the new normal, continuous investment in the latest equipment remains a priority, but, while CCI Piping Systems strives to remain at the leading edge of technological advancements, it remains intent on not jeopardizing its people’s positions within the company. Banning complacency from its operations, the company is always exploring new learning avenues. To achieve continuous personal and professional development for its employees, its Human Resources Department of one, Tessa Brown, is committed to identifying and providing access to scores of training opportunities and courses that help its staff develop new—and further hone existing—skills.
Aiming to remain an industry changemaker, CCI Piping Systems and its team continue to build on its legacy of enduring quality and innovation. With its ISO 9001 certification firmly in place, its customers remain protected by a level of assurance like no other. And, as its new facility is going up as we speak, the most exciting part for existing and potential customers, perhaps, is that soon the team will reveal a host of new and younger products that will remain under wraps until the new outfit is complete and fully operational. Construction teams are working around the clock to get things ready, and we at FMG look forward to what comes next for this dynamic company.
