News & Events

GROUNDBREAKING FOR NBR PLANT/GLOVE FACILITY

(DECEMBER 2021) - U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, local officials, and leaders from Blue Star were among the dignitaries on hand at a ceremonial groundbreaking for a $714M manufacturing facility to be built outside Wytheville, Virginia. Hailed as the world’s first vertically integrated nitrile glove manufacturing operation, the facility includes a nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) plant and high-tech glove manufacturing complex.

M&H Consulting has been contracted by Blue Star to provide overall project development, engineering, design, procurement assistance, onsite construction management, and operational readiness support.

Nitrile gloves are made from nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), an oil-resistant, synthetic rubber. These gloves are essential PPE for medical, laboratory, and examination personnel, but have been scarce since global supply chains were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new facility provides a more reliable, entirely domestic production source that will eventually manufacture up to 60 billion gloves annually.

In addressing attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony, Scott Maier, CEO of Blue Star NBR and Blue Star Manufacturing, said, “We’re going to have a lot of help from everyone in this community to build this company up to be the world-class manufacturing facility that it’s going to be.” He added that the NBR plant should be operational by August 2022, with glove manufacturing beginning by February 2023.

For more details, see local media coverage of the event: WDBJ TV , WFXR TV, and SWVA Today

M&H CONSULTING SELECTED TO DEVELOP NBR PLANT

(OCTOBER 2021) - M&H Consulting was selected by Blue Star NBR, LLC (Blue Star) to provide project development support for a new nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) plant, the first of its kind built in the US in more than 25 years.

NBR is a synthetic rubber that is a key ingredient in producing disposable nitrile gloves used for laboratory, examination, and medical applications. Demand for nitrile gloves and other PPE (personal protective equipment) became acute in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing PPE production and repatriating critical supply chains are key parts of the US government’s overall strategy to improve preparedness for future pandemics and medical emergencies.

The facility will be located in Progress Park, an industrial complex outside Wytheville, Virginia. When fully operational, the plant will be capable of producing approximately 90,000 metric tons per year of NBR. The facility is expected to start production in August 2022.

M&H Consulting assisted Blue Star with initial planning, cost estimation, and permitting activities and is providing continuing project development support with project management, facility design, engineering, supply chain support, execution oversight, construction and inspection management, and operational readiness support.

M&H Consulting will also provide project development support for Blue Star Manufacturing, LLC., to develop a vertically integrated nitrile glove manufacturing operation on the same campus. This advanced, eco-conscious, efficient, automated, AI-driven glove manufacturing facility will be capable of producing up to 11 billion gloves annually.

“We are pleased to partner with Blue Star to develop these urgently needed facilities,” said M&H Consulting President Lisa Costello. “M&H Consulting and our partners have extensive experience in managing large facility projects. By integrating seamlessly with Blue Star project teams from the earliest phases, we have been able to provide a complete functional solution for developing these projects.”

NEW ARTICLE BY PAUL JACOBS IN ESG REVIEW

(MAY 2021) – We are pleased to announce that an article written by M&H's Paul Jacobs was recently published in the Second Quarter 2021 issue of ESG Review.

Entitled “The ESG Ecosystem – A Framework for Understanding The Scope of Sustainability KPIs,” the article provides a comprehensive overview of environmental, social, and governance factors, their impacts on the world, and the four groups of organizations within the ecosystem: framework and standard setters, data and analytics providers, investors, and stakeholders.

“In discussing ESG with people of different backgrounds, responsibilities, and experience levels, I discovered a need for a complete overview of the subject,” explained Jacobs. “Most reference materials focus on one or a few aspects of ESG in great detail. I wrote this article to help people see the big picture.”

Read the article >

HELPING MBA STUDENTS BECOME BETTER PROJECT MANAGERS

(JANUARY 2021) - M&H’s Paul Jacobs is contributing the type of knowledge a group of graduate students needs – practical project management expertise based on a real-life challenges.

Paul volunteered to lead a team of Rice University MBA Program students in planning and overseeing a complex mock development project, the focal point of a course in project management fundamentals. This marks the third year he has crafted a case study and mentored a team throughout the process.

For this exercise, Paul devised a new offshore production facility development project. Over the course of the class, students will learn to define the project scope, identify and interact with stakeholders, set priorities, create a work breakdown structure with a resource and a communication plan, estimate project time and costs, and determine the project’s critical path. The exercise concludes with the team presenting their findings to the class and instructor, who will serve as a simulated Board of Directors.

In sponsoring a team, Paul has the full support of M&H and is able to draw on insights from his 15 years of consulting and E&P company experience.

M&H DEBUTS SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING SERVICES

(MAY 2020) - M&H is pleased to announce a major addition to its service line with full-spectrum consulting for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk management. M&H assists clients at all levels of need, from planning their first sustainability initiative to enhancing an established ESG culture of sustainable value.

Companies worldwide are placing increasing emphasis on strengthening their ESG performance. In addition to helping reduce safety and environmental risks, sound sustainable practices improve brand perception and public reputation, better prepare a company for regulatory compliance, and increase a firm’s attractiveness to investors.

“ESG issues impact every facet of a company and its operations,“ said Dave Costello, P.E., President of M&H. “Managing sustainability risks properly requires not only changes in processes and procedures, but a transformation in the culture of a company. Our sustainability team assesses how our client’s organization ranks within their peer group, identifies opportunities for improvement, and develops plans to implement those improvements. The ultimate goal is to create sustainable value for our client.”

Learn more about M&H sustainability consulting services here.

HELPING PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

(April 2020) - A group of Rice University MBA Program students is gaining practical experience in a hands-on project management course. M&H’s Business Development Director Paul Jacobs is part of the effort, serving as a sponsor and contributing real-world knowledge and direction to enhance their learning experience.

Practical Lessons

The students are participating in a project management course led by Valerie Walker, Lecturer in Management – Operations Management for the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Teams of five students each are tasked with managing a complex, mock development project and presenting their findings to the class at the end of the semester. M&H’s Jacobs is in his second year as a volunteer sponsor for one of the groups.

Jacobs created a scope for the project, challenging his group to develop a new “Acme Energy” production facility offshore Brazil. Although the project is fictitious, details are based on his prior work in engineering offshore platforms and more than 12 years of consulting and E&P company experience.

Communication is Key

In addition to building practical project management skills for the students, Jacobs emphasizes one key principle contributing to their effectiveness as leaders. “Communication is the single most important driver for success,” said Jacobs. “A project manager’s job is not only to communicate with his or her team, but also to facilitate communication between members of the team.”

Jacobs leads status meetings with the team in bi-weekly video conferences. “This is a talented group of individuals and they typically do a good job of asking proper questions. When they need it, it’s my responsibility to question them until they are headed in the right direction.”

COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS

(MARCH 2020) - As we confront the impacts of COVID-19, we want to share information about business continuity efforts for both M&H and your organization.

Health & safety are priority #1.

The M&H executive team is monitoring developments and working proactively to protect our people, customers, and communities. We have implemented additional work space hygiene, social distancing, and other recommended guidelines. Most of our staff has transitioned to remote working and continues to maintain a high level of productivity.

M&H is fully operational.

We are committed to providing uninterrupted, quality service. Our business continuity plan is in place, including contingencies for offsite work and the use of video conferencing, remote data access, and online real-time collaborative applications to maintain productivity and responsiveness.

M&H stands ready to help.

We can assist you in business continuity planning for COVID-19, as well as future threats. We can also provide other services during this crisis, including facilitating Project Hazard Analyses using video conferencing, "real time white board" engineering, and filling staffing needs.

We’re ready to help your business meet the challenges of this unprecedented event. Just call (281) 664-7222.

ESG / SUSTAINABILITY

(March 2020) - Safety is a key component of Sustainability/Environmental, Social, & Governance programs.

Explore how M&H can partner with you to manage risk throughout your enterprise. We offer a full range of services to decrease operational risk while improving safety within your company, community, and the environment. To learn more, call (281) 664-7222 and see details on Risk Management.

In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more about Sustainability/ESG initiatives at M&H. We’ll also provide more information on the suite of services we offer to help your organization develop and improve sustainability programs.

VISIT M&H AT DUG EAGLE FORD

(September 2019) - If you operate in South Texas, production optimization and efficiency in capital spending are top priorities.

You’ll find practical help in achieving them at booth #439 of this year’s DUG Eagle Ford Conference. That’s where M&H representatives will be on-hand to meet you, listen to the challenges you’re facing, and discuss how our consulting expertise can help you reduce costs and drive profitability.

DUG Eagle Ford Conference
Booth #439
September 24-26, 2019
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX

Visit the DUG Eagle Ford website

SEE YOU AT THE MAINTENANCE & RELIABILITY SYMPOSIUM (MaRS)

(July 2019) - We’re looking forward to meeting you at the 13th Annual Maintenance and Reliability Symposium (MaRS), presented by the Society of Maintenance & Reliability Professionals Houston Chapter (HCSMRP).

We invite you to visit us at booth #6 to discover ways we can improve efficiencies and process uptime with our on-demand consulting solutions.

Booth #6
August 7-9, 2019
Moody Gardens Hotel
7 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX

For more show details, visit the MaRS show website.

PHIL GROSSWEILER TO MODERATE SPE OFFSHORE SAFETY WEBINAR

(July 2019) - M&H Principal Consultant Phil Grossweiler will moderate a webinar titled “21st Century Ocean Energy Safety Research Roadmap” hosted by The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

The event takes place Tuesday, July 23, at 8:30 am (CDT). For more on the webinar, see the SPE webinar page.

The webinar will discuss the Safety Research Roadmap, which was developed in cooperation with regulators, service providers, and researchers to identify R&D opportunities for improving offshore safety and environmental performance. The final report by the Ocean Energy Safety Institute focuses on the Gulf of Mexico, while incorporating applicable findings and research from all offshore regions where oil and gas is produced.

About Phil Grossweiler

During his 40-year career in the oil and gas industry, Grossweiler has been a frequent contributor to research and efforts to advance industry dialogue about safety and environmental protection. Earlier this year, he served as speaker and moderator for an interactive discussion “GRP Offshore Worker Empowerment and Process Safety” during the SPE Evangeline Section general meeting. In May, he received the Regional Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility Award presented by the SPE Gulf Coast North America Region. He currently chairs the Society of Petroleum Engineers Human Factors Technical Section and is a member of the SPE HSE Advisory Committee.

VISIT M&H AT SGA NATURAL GAS CONNECT

(July 2019) - Meet the M&H team at the Southern Gas Association’s Natural Gas Connect Conference, July 15-17 in San Antonio.

We’re ready to discuss a full range of life cycle solutions and consulting support— from solving facility design problems to fixing HSE manuals, and everything in between.

Southern Gas Association
Natural Gas Connect Conference
July 15-17
J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort
San Antonio, TX, USA
Booth #309

Visit the conference website

GROSSWEILER TO RECEIVE SPE AWARD

(May 2019) - The SPE Gulf Coast North America Region has announced that Phil Grossweiler, Principal Consultant for M&H, will receive the Regional Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility Award at the group's annual banquet in Houston on May 23. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in environmental protection, health, or safety in oil and gas exploration, drilling, or production operations.

This prestigious honor will be presented to Grossweiler at the 2019 SPE Gulf Coast Section Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet in Houston on May 23. For more on the event, visit the SPE website.

In addition to his current role as Principal Consultant at M&H, Grossweiler’s distinguished career includes serving as Chair of an Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Energy for Ultra Deepwater R&D programs. He also served on the staff of a Member of U.S. Congress working on energy, science, and climate policy issues. He is Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Human Factors Technical Section and a member of the SPE HSE Advisory Committee.

M&H EXHIBITS AT DUG ROCKIES

(May 2019) - M&H representatives will greet visitors at booth 107 of the DUG Rockies exhibition, May 14-15 in Denver, CO.

The M&H team is ready to assist with a wide range of oil & gas consulting solutions, from risk mitigation and design engineering to technical writing and enterprise asset management.

M&H serves clients in the region from their Denver office (600 17th St, Suite 2000S), as well as from their Lafayette, LA, location and Houston headquarters.

DUG Rockies Conference & Exposition
May 14-15
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, CO, USA
Booth #107

Visit the DUG Rockies website

M&H EXHIBIT SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

(February 2019) - M&H will be exhibiting at these upcoming trade shows. If you’re attending, be sure to visit the M&H booth. Our experts will be standing by to discuss your needs and explain how we can help you solve the right problems. We look forward to meeting you!.

DUG – PERMIAN
Fort Worth Convention Center
Fort Worth, TX
April 15-17
Booth #362
Visit the show website

DUG – ROCKIES
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, CO
May 14-15
Booth #107
Visit the show website

MAINTENANCE AND RELIABILITY SYMPOSIUM (SMRP Houston)
Moody Gardens Hotel
Galveston, TX
August 7-9
Visit the show website

DUG – EAGLE FORD
San Antonio, TX
September 24-26
Booth #439
Visit the show website

M&H PROVIDES ENGINEERING FOR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

(January 2019) - A leading independent U.S. oil and gas producer selected M&H to provide engineering services for a new produced water treatment facility supporting their operations in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. M&H launched the project in November 2018 and is providing project management and engineering for process, mechanical, civil, electrical, and instrument disciplines.

“M&H is proud to partner with our clients to support their production operations,” said Paul Jacobs, M&H Director of Business Development. “We appreciate their confidence in our capabilities and look forward to delivering another critical infrastructure project with safety, quality, efficiency, and value.”

The new water treatment facility will separate, filter, and store produced water arriving by pipeline from field operations. Processed water will be reused as needed for continued drilling and fracing operations. M&H will include provisions for subsequent installation of a vapor recovery unit, flare, and associated support equipment to accommodate any future emissions control requirements.

The project is being managed from the M&H Denver location, which opened in the second quarter of 2018.

M&H'S PHIL GROSSWEILER TO LEAD SPE OFFSHORE SAFETY DISCUSSION

(January 2019) - M&H Principal Consultant Phil Grossweiler will serve as speaker and moderator for an interactive discussion seeking input from industry leaders on effecting “game-changing” safety improvements in offshore oil & gas operations. The event will take place during the Society of Petroleum Engineers Evangeline Section general meeting on January 28 at the Petroleum Club in Lafayette, LA.

The meeting will focus on strengthening the safety culture and creating high reliability organizations in offshore operations while exploring ways to advance worker engagement and empowerment.

During the event, entitled “GRP Offshore Worker Empowerment and Process Safety,” Grossweiler will explain the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) and review a 2019 grant opportunity before moderating fish bowl and panel discussions. Attendees will then break into smaller groups for brainstorming. In addition to Grossweiler, panel members will include Keith Seilhan and Patrick Eiland of Veris Global and SEMS II Consultant Mick Will.

For more details, visit the SPE web page.

About Phil Grossweiler

Phil Grossweiler is a Principal Consultant at M&H with recent assignments on LNG projects and managing risk in the energy industry. He served as Chair of an Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Energy for Ultra Deepwater R&D programs. He also served on the staff of a Member of U.S. Congress working on energy, science, and climate policy issues. He was a member of the Planning Committee for the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program workshop last year on “The Human Factors of Process Safety and Worker Empowerment in the Offshore Oil Industry.”

He is Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Human Factors Technical Section and a member of the SPE HSE Advisory Committee. His passion for achieving safe operations stems from service with the U.S. Coast Guard as a first responder and with Exxon as an engineer designing systems for safe operations.

Grossweiler graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He also received MSc Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

M&H CELEBRATES FORTY YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

(January 2018) - In 1978, Ed Maitland and Tom Hoge opened a small engineering firm in Houston, TX. Their goals were simple: innovate, strive for excellence and put the customer first. The oil and gas industry rose and fell and people came and went. But the principles of Maitland and Hoge remained the same.

Forty years later, this legacy lives on as M&H.

Today, M&H offers a complete range of engineering and consulting services for oil and gas applications and serves clients worldwide. After 40 years of service, M&H is an industry leader positioned for continued growth and innovation.