In the summer of 2021, the oilfield industry was grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic and struggled to regain its footing. Business after business faced tough decisions, and those decisions were more than just financial. They were personal. This was the moment Jamey Fieler, owner of PCS Insulation, found herself at a crossroads that would define the rest of her life.
“I was laid off in late August, right as harvest season was about to kick off,” Jamey recalls. “I thought I’d take a couple of months off to help BXL INC with corn season.” It seemed like a natural pause—a break before figuring out her next step. Little did she know that fate had other plans.
Just two days after her layoff, Jamey received an unexpected call from a former customer. “They asked for a quote on a job, and I had to tell them that I was no longer working at the company,” she says. “I told them once I landed somewhere else, I’d let them know.” But her response wasn’t what the customer expected.
He didn’t see it as an end. Instead, he saw an opportunity. “You’ve been in this industry for over a decade. You should just go out on your own,” he told her. The words lingered, heavy with the weight of possibility. Within two hours, Jamey received something that would change her entire career: a full Master Service Agreement (MSA) in her inbox.
“Anyone in this business knows that getting an MSA from a producer or midstream company doesn’t happen that quickly or easily,” Jamey laughs, recalling the surreal moment. But there it was—proof that the universe had nudged her into the unknown. On September 1st, 2021, PCS Insulation was born.
What started as an unplanned leap of faith quickly turned into a thriving business, driven by Jamey’s passion for industrial mechanical insulation. Even though she had tried to escape the industry—working as a pipeline operator for Kinder Morgan and Oneok for over three years—insulation had always called her back. “I have this love/hate relationship with insulation,” she admits with a chuckle. “I tried to leave, but it wouldn’t let me go.”
PCS Insulation wasn’t just a business for Jamey—it was a reflection of her values. “I’ve always believed in doing what’s right in business, no matter what role I’m in. I wanted to provide high-quality products and services while making sure each customer felt like they were number one at a fair price,” she explains. This commitment to integrity became the foundation for the company, setting it apart in a competitive field.
The company started with two specialized products: removable insulation blankets and transport windshield protectors. While other companies in the industry manufactured products primarily for their own projects, PCS Insulation took a different approach. “We provide products to other insulation companies, and we have great relationships with them,” Jamey says. This strategic approach not only kept them competitive but also fostered a loyal customer base year after year.
As PCS Insulation grew, so did Jamey’s team. What began with just one employee expanded to 18 full-time staff and 10 seasonal workers. From producing only 100 blankets per week, the company’s capacity skyrocketed to more than 800 blankets per week, reaching an impressive milestone of 27,000 products in 2024 alone.
Despite the growth and success, Jamey never lost sight of what made her business special: the small-town charm of Sidney, where PCS Insulation is based. “Sidney is a great place to run a business. It’s small enough to feel like a hometown, but big enough to meet all our needs,” Jamey says. “One of the best parts is that we’re able to hire local employees. We’ve been able to build a strong, loyal team because we don’t just see employees as numbers; they’re part of something bigger. It’s not just a paycheck—it’s a career.”
Being involved with the Sidney Chamber of Commerce played a key role in PCS Insulation’s success. “The Chamber helped us become more involved in the community. Most people didn’t know who we were or what we did when we first started, but the Chamber opened doors for us and gave us opportunities to volunteer and support local events,” she shares.
Sidney’s unique blend of economic opportunity and small-town spirit provided a solid foundation for PCS Insulation. “When we started this business, overhead and labor were two of the biggest challenges. But being in Sidney allowed us to keep those costs lower compared to places like North Dakota,” she says. This geographical advantage allowed the company to grow without compromising on the quality of service or product.
Even as PCS Insulation expanded and reached new heights, Jamey remained committed to supporting the local economy. “Even though we’re highly specialized, we try to shop locally for everything we can—from business supplies to insurance and banking. It’s our way of keeping the money in the community,” she explains.
For Jamey, being a business owner isn’t just about profits. It’s about making a real impact on the lives of her employees and community. “We’ve been able to put nearly a million dollars into the pockets of our employees, and knowing that we’re helping our team feed their families and have a better life makes every stressful day worth it,” she says with pride.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. The company’s geographic location, sometimes far from its customers, presents logistical hurdles. “The drive can be a challenge, but the benefits of being in Sidney make it worth it. An extra couple of hours on the road each day is a small price to pay for everything Sidney provides,” she says with a smile.
Despite the long hours—starting her day at 5 a.m. and often working until 10 p.m.—Jamey wouldn’t trade her role for anything. “There’s always something to tackle—whether it’s a production issue, a customer concern, or a team matter. But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she shares. The rewards of building something from scratch, of helping her employees thrive, and of seeing her business succeed are worth every challenge.
PCS Insulation is more than just a business—it’s a testament to resilience, community, and the power of doing things the right way. From the unexpected layoff to becoming an industry leader, Jamey Fieler’s journey is proof that sometimes, when one door closes, another one opens. And for Jamey, that door led to a legacy that will continue to shape Sidney and the insulation industry for years to come.
