Oklahoma Facts

Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Industries, Inc. is one of the largest private companies in America. It owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining, chemicals and biofuels; forest and consumer products; fertilizers; polymers and fibers; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; commodity trading and services; minerals; ranching; and investments. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested about $50 billion in acquisitions and other capital expenditures.

With a presence in nearly 60 countries, Koch companies employ about 60,000 people worldwide. In 2012, Koch companies directly employed more than 47,000 people in the United States, and supported more than 200,000 jobs and about $11 billion in compensation and benefits.

• Koch companies began operating in Oklahoma more than 50 years ago, following the purchase of Rock Island Oil & Refining Company in Duncan.
• Former Koch Industries presidents Sterling Varner and Joe Moeller are both from Oklahoma.

Companies in Oklahoma

John Zink Hamworthy Combustion's world headquarters is located in Tulsa. John Zink, a historic name in Tulsa and the combustion and environmental solutions business, became a Koch company in 1989. Today, John Zink Company and its affiliates are global leaders in ultra-low emission process burners, boiler burners, duct burners, flares and thermal oxidizers. The companies are also global suppliers of flare gas/vapor recovery and vapor combustor systems.

Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP has a manufacturing facility in Muskogee that produces consumer products, including a variety of well-known brands such as Angel Soft^®, Mardi Gras^® and Sparkle^®, as well as many of the company’s away-from-home tissue and towel products. Georgia-Pacific LLC, based in Atlanta, and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose and related chemicals. The company has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers.

Koch Nitrogen Company, LLC owns and operates facilities in Enid that produce ammonia, UAN and urea. These plants provide fertilizer to customers in Oklahoma and the Midwest. The company and its affiliates have the capability to market and distribute more than 13 million tons of fertilizer products annually.

Safety and Environmental Commitment

Koch companies are committed to operating businesses in a manner that protects the health and safety of employees and the public, as well as the environment by reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Koch companies’ performance is among the best in their industries. Here are some examples:

• John Zink Company has earned the Award of Excellence in Safety and Health from the Oklahoma Safety Council and the 2009 Award of Excellence from the Oklahoma Department of Labor and the Worker Safety Policy Council for its employee-centered programs and outstanding safety performance during 2008. It has also earned the Award of Excellence in Safety Culture from the Oklahoma Department of Labor and the Governor’s Pinnacle Award for excellence in safety and health presented by the Oklahoma Safety Council.

• Koch Nitrogen Company earned the Stewardship Award for safe shipping from Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company three consecutive years. It has also earned the Pinnacle Award from Union Pacific and the Safe Handling Award from the Canadian National Railway Company.

• The John Zink Company’s Tulsa and Georgia-Pacific’s Muskogee facilities have each received STAR certification in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs for their workplace safety performance. The John Zink facility has also received Super Star and Star of Excellence awards from OSHA.

• John Zink Company’s Tulsa site was part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Performance Track program from 2003 until 2009 when the program was suspended. The company exceeded the program’s criteria for recognition that includes continuous environmental performance improvements, an internal environmental management system and a record of sustained compliance with environmental requirements. In addition, the company was recommended for ISO18001:2007 Health and Safety Management System certification from International Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Series.

Community Commitment

Together with employees, Koch companies provide financial and in-kind support, time and talent to add value in our communities. Here are a few examples:

• Georgia-Pacific has received the Business of the Year Award from Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee Port Authority and Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce for its $20 million investment in upgrading the facility, hiring 26 full-time employees and its contributions through community service, donations and sponsorships.

• Georgia-Pacific has donated $70,000 to help create Muskogee’s Butterfly House and Garden, which will include the Teacher’s Gardens and Butterfly Sanctuary for area schools to introduce their students to environmental science.

• In 2012, the Porum Landing Fire Protection Association received a $10,000 grant from Georgia-Pacific's Bucket Brigade™ program. Launched in 2006, the program has contributed more than $1 million to rural and small town fire units across the U.S. to meet critical needs, as well as provide educational materials to schools.

• Koch Nitrogen Company donated $25,000 to the Denny Price Family YMCA in Enid to help build a new fitness center to benefit community youth.

• John Zink Company and other Koch companies donate funds for projects and scholarships that support education in Oklahoma, including Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma.

• Koch Pipeline Company, L.P. donated 1.7 acres near Hugo to the Speer Volunteer Fire Department, giving the fire department a location on which to build a new fire station.

• A Koch Nitrogen Company challenge grant helped purchase new rescue equipment for the Enid Fire Department. The company contributed $4,500 that enables the EFD to provide enhanced emergency rescue services to the community.

• Koch Industries helped renovate the Child Study Center at the Children’s Medical Research Institute that provides services to special needs children and their families. Outdoor and indoor play areas accessible for children with disabilities were added to the Center, which is located within the Oklahoma Health Center in Oklahoma City.

• Koch Pipeline Company donated a water tower located on land it owns in Jenks, along with $12,000 to refurbish the symbol of Oklahoma oilfield history, to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. The tower was relocated to the OMHOF’s museum in Muskogee where it will ultimately serve as a highly visible symbol for the Hall of Fame.

• Through the Georgia-Pacific Foundation, the company partners with many local and statewide organizations to improve the quality of life in communities where GP employees live and work. The GP Foundation focuses support in four key areas: education, enrichment of community, environment and entrepreneurship.

• Koch companies’ national involvement with The Salvation Army extends into Oklahoma. Koch companies have partnered with the Tulsa Salvation Army in a variety of ways, including support of the annual benefit dinner.