HDD Seminar Focuses on Productivity & Profitability

Benjamin Media hosted its first HDD Seminar since 2003, proving that the horizontal directional drilling market (HDD) market continues to gain strength and momentum in the construction industry. The event — held Dec. 8-10 at Bally’s in Las Vegas — focused on topics for contractors handling small- to mid-size HDD applications in various conditions.

The event — called Productivity and Profitability Seminar: The Latest Tools & Techniques for Horizontal Directional Drilling — combined classroom presentations by leading industry experts with outdoor demos and HDD company exhibits. The seminar kicked off on Dec. 8 with a panel discussion, moderated by Mark Bridgers with the Continuum Advisory Group, and included as panelists, Dr. Sam Ariaratnam, Arizona State University and former ISTT chairman; Neil Borenstein, The Toro Co.; and Kevin Miller, Miller Pipeline and DCA.

Classroom topics included the HDD Good Practices Guidelines, equipment procurement strategies, bore planning, drill pipe maintenance, project management, tooling, mud management locating accuracy, and proven methods vs. shortcuts. Companies taking part in the sessions were Ditch Witch, Digital Control Inc., Vermeer, HDD Broker, Hunting Trenchless, Horizontal Technology Inc. and Tru-Mor Services.

Industry sponsors for the event were: Digital Control Inc., Derrick Equipment Co., The Toro Co., Vermeer, Barbco, Horizontal Technology Inc., Radius, American Augers, Tulsa Rig Iron and Jet Lube.