There’s a deep sense of pride in being able to look back and say, 'I helped build that.' It’s a reflection of the dedication we bring—not just individually, but as a team and as a company.
“Our relationship has been truly mutually rewarding, Weldfab has shaped my career, and I’m proud to have contributed to its ongoing success” - Darren Chatoor, Senior Manager, Technical Support Services, Weldfab Limited
Darren Chatoor, Senior Manager, Technical Support Services, Weldfab Limited
In 1989, Darren Chatoor was a teenager dropping off his older brothers at the Methanol 1 facility in Point Lisas to work on a plant shutdown. He looked on in awe at the complex plants and hoped that one-day he too can contribute to the Point Lisas Estate development. His chance came soon after when he secured a role as a trainee draughtsman with the Claxton Bay based contractor, Weldfab.
Thirty-six years later, Darren is still with Weldfab and has moved through the ranks to his current roles as Senior Manager, Technical Support Services. Darren credits Weldfab with a large part of his success “Weldfab has provided me with opportunities to lead critical Plant turnarounds and other key projects, alongside skilled talented professionals, and contribute to a culture of quality and safety.”
In his over three decades with Weldfab, Darren has been involved in the construction of all the major facilities in Trinidad, including methanol, ammonia and LNG facilities, working on a wide range of projects, from simple structures to complex superstructures, reformers, and heat recovery units.
While plant construction work has decreased in the last decade, he is still actively involved in all major maintenance, plant turnarounds and critical projects both locally and regionally. His knowledge, experience and ability has earned him the reputation as a turnaround specialist, a title which he attributes to an amalgam of experience, knowledge, competence and expertise gained working alongside many international colleagues with similar experiences.
Personal growth:
Over the years Darren executed a range of complex projects with tight deadlines, adapting to evolving client expectations and working in high-pressure environments where precision and efficiency were critical. These situations pushed him to grow both technically and professionally. As he reflected on his experiences, he noted that ‘Weldfab has constantly pushed him to strive for excellence. There’s a deep sense of pride in being able to look back and say, 'I helped build that!' It’s a reflection of the dedication we bring—not just individually, but as a team and as a company.’
One of the major challenges for contractors is the “feast and famine” nature of the sector, with lots of work in one period, followed by no work in the next. Maintaining high standards of quality and safety is a major challenge as teams scale up and then back down in response to changing projects. Darren explains that this requires efficient workflows, skilled labour, and tighter coordination across departments.
The last few years have been tough for industry, with the volume of work reduced and margins tightening in response to the on-going gas shortages impacting the petrochemical sector. The Covid pandemic was an especially tough period. Darren is proud to report that Weldfab had zero layoffs during the pandemic, even while balancing the new norm with reduced revenue and greater costs. They also take great pride in the fact that they were the first local entity to execute a major plant turnaround (or TAR) in 2020 without a Covid 19 case.
In reflection, Darren acknowledged some of the exceptional industry leaders who provided advice and mentoring throughout his development at Weldfab, including but not limited to, Hafiz Ali (CEO), Asgar Ali (Shareholder), Terrance Humphrey (Shareholder), Asraph Ali (Chairman and Shareholder) and Winston Mooklal (especially for his introduction to the Plant Turnaround environment).
Darren’s views his role as an active contributor to the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector as two-fold: both an honour and a responsibility adding that “This industry is a cornerstone of the nation's economy and plays a vital role in shaping its development. Knowing that the work we do at Weldfab contributes to such a critical sector gives me a deep sense of pride. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of the legacy that has supported Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector for the past 46 years. There is no doubt that WELDFAB stands as a leader in this space, and we take great pride in the contributions our team continues to make to the industry”
In commenting on the future of the sector, he stated that “the industry continues to grapple with gas supply shortages, which undermine client confidence and threaten the sector's long-term sustainability”. He underscored the need for ramping up exploration and production activities, while also investing in green energy initiatives to attract downstream opportunities. He also stressed that a deliberate effort needs to be made to attract talent to the sector while promoting the sustainability of employment opportunities and simultaneously addressing the gap in both technical skills and industry knowledge that younger generations have yet to fill. The issue of a stronger local content within the sector also came out as an area where greater effort could be made, to ensure that small local companies are given opportunities that match their skills and competencies
As a father of two young children, Darren ended his conversation with us by sharing some advice for persons entering the energy industry: “learn and absorb everything, be curious, stay committed, and never stop learning. The energy sector especially in places like Trinidad and Tobago is full of opportunities, but it also demands discipline, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to adapt. The skills gained in this industry are highly transferable and can be applied anywhere in the world. Moreover, manage your expectations - success comes through hard work and dedication.
Coincidentally, Darren and Weldfab both share a birth anniversary which could perhaps explain their enduring and unbreakable relationship.