1969

In the late 1960s, Bill Nurcombe is employed with a company that markets sand control filter used in oil and gas wells. In 1969, the US company who manufactures these products stops supplying to the Canadian market. Bill takes that as an opportunity  - and together with Ted Hanlon, Len Stein and Bill Burton, buys the U.S. manufacturing company and moves it to Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

1969-1978

From 1969 to 1978, Variperm’s main focus is perfecting the design and manufacturing process of sand screen filters. They also form a partnership with a major supplier of downhole tools supplying Variperm with work-over and completion tools Variperm markets to local producers.

Variperm builds a small inventory of “fishing” tools, and in the late 1970’s opens its first service centre in Lloydminster, Alberta.

1981

Variperm opens a second service centre in Taber, Alberta (currently located in Brooks, Alberta) and a small sales office in Calgary.

Bill buys out his partners and to own 100% of Variperm.

1982

Variperm begins manufacturing “stainless steel wire wrapped screen”, giving Canadian producers access to this new, local technology and bringing Variperm to the forefront of the sand control industry in Canada.

1988-1989

Variperm moves manufacturing operations to Calgary to combine sales, manufacturing and head office under one roof.

1990-1991

Variperm starts designing and manufacturing their own line of completion and work over tools.

James and Kelly Nurcombe join their father in the family business.

2001

Bill Nurcombe retires from daily management of Variperm, but remains on the Board of Directors. James Nurcombe transitions to President and Kelly Nurcombe becomes Manager of Water Well, Environmental and Industrial Applications.

2002

Variperm diversifies into the Western Canada ground water market to offer their sand filter technology to non-oil and gas markets.

2004

Variperm establishes their own machine shop and manufacturing plant in Calgary, which allows them to custom design and manufacture state of the art, specialized products and equipment for sand control applications. This vertical integration further enables the company to dramatically reduce turnaround times for customers, as well as facilitates Variperm’s new tool development and prototyping effort.

2008

To compete with production and increasing sales volumes, Variperm constructs an 8000 sqft state-of-the-art field location office in Brooks, Alberta. 

2010

Variperm completes the build of a 8,000 sqft field service centre in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

2014

Variperm partners with SCF Partners, a specialized oilfield services and equipment investment firm, to support the continued growth, capacity expansion and development of Variperm.  Variperm’s founder, Bill Nurcombe continues service on the company’s Board of Directors, while James continues to lead the company into the future.

The Calgary manufacturing plant has tripled in size to 65,000 sqft over the years, and the company has active plans for further expansion, aiming to double from their current size by early 2016.