PIRTEK, a leading fluid transfer solutions company, has expanded its Southeast presence with a location in Columbia, S.C. The new PIRTEK location is the first in South Carolina.

Jason Barrs opened his franchise, PIRTEK Columbia, under the company's Tier 2 model, which was rolled out last year. Under the standard Tier 1 model, a franchisee operates a full service and supply center staffed with six team members and a minimum of two mobile service vehicles. The Tier 2 model, on the other hand, allows a franchisee to keep inventory in a small warehouse or storage facility and to lease two vehicles at a lower point of entry.

Tier 2 franchisees are expected to grow into a fully staffed and outfitted service and supply center within three years. Each new mobile service vehicle in the fleet widens the franchisee's exclusive territory.

Barrs became a PIRTEK owner after 17 years in the insurance industry working in claims. Before working in insurance, however, Barrs had spent some time in the hydraulics industry. He thought about returning to that field in some capacity, and started searching online for a franchise after a friend suggested he consider that route. “PIRTEK popped up on top of the search results,” he said. “So, I checked out the company, did my homework and liked what I was seeing.”

After he contacted the headquarters in Rockledge, Fla., and inquired into PIRTEK franchising, Barrs decided to make the trip down to gain a better feel for the company. “It just kind of took off from there,” he said. “When I went down there, I was excited. When I left, I was thrilled and I couldn't wait to get started.”

Barrs plans to pursue the typical industries that benefit from PIRTEK's services: construction, manufacturing, farming.

“I'm looking forward to growing the business and making this successful,” he said. “I firmly believe that life leads you where it's going to lead you. Life led me here and it's exciting.”

For more information about PIRTEK USA, visit www.pirtekusa.com.