Editor Greg Ettling presents a selection of news from around the industry.

Kettle Drilling Sets New Record

Kettle Drilling Inc., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, while celebrating its 10th year in business on Feb. 1, set a new world record by drilling 609 feet in a single 10-hour shift, the company announced in a press release.

The event occurred at the Midas mine utilizing an Atlas Copco U8 APC Deep Hole Computerized Drill. The drilling crew has the ability to download data from every hole indicating what the penetration rate was, how much weight was on the bit, what the water pressure was, rotation speed, etc.

Terex Corp. Acquires Halco

Terex Corp. has announced that on it has completed the acquisition of Halco Holdings Limited, including its subsidiaries Halco Drilling International, Halco America Inc., Halco Drilling Equipment in Australia and Halco Drilling in Ireland. Halco designs, manufactures and distributes down-the-hole (DTH) drill bits and hammers for drills. The Halco business will be operated in conjunction with the TEREX Reedrill operations of Terex. TEREX Reedrill is a manufacturer of drilling equipment for the mining, construction and utility industries.

“This acquisition brings with it tremendous opportunities as Halco and Reedrill join together to strategically grow their respective businesses with the support of the global Terex organization,” comments Rick Nichols, president, Terex Materials Processing & Mining. “Halco, under Terex's ownership, will continue its history of developing drilling products and strategies that improve its customers' productivity and profitability. Additionally, the Terex organization is committed to servicing the existing customers and distributors of Halco without interruption, and to build on Halco's solid business foundation. Mike Holt, Alan Lockwood and Todd Taylor will continue in their roles at Halco and will report to Alan Walker, Reedrill's General Manager.”

Terex is a diversified global manufacturer with 2004 net sales of approximately $5 billion. Terex operates in five business segments: Terex Construction, Terex Cranes, Terex Aerial Work Platforms, Terex Materials Processing & Mining, and Terex Roadbuilding, Utility Products and Other. Terex manufactures a broad range of equipment for use in various industries, including the construction, infrastructure, quarrying, recycling, surface mining, shipping, transportation, refining, utility and maintenance industries. Terex offers a complete line of financial products and services to assist in the acquisition of Terex equipment through Terex Financial Services. More information on Terex can be found at www.terex.com.

Promotions at Laibe

Personnel moves at Indianapolis-based Laibe Corp.:

• James Hopkins has been elected president and chief executive officer of Laibe Corp., manufacturer of the Versa-Drill line of water well drilling equipment. Hopkins has been with Laibe since 1999, beginning his career with the company as national sales manager. He became general manager in 2000, managing production activities as well as sales and marketing.
• Ronald Ellis has been elected the company's vice president and chief financial officer. Ellis has been with Laibe since 1991, beginning his career with the company as controller.

Stadeli Honored

The Oregon Ground Water Association (OGWA) has named Dawn Stadeli of Arrow Drilling, Newberg, Oregon, its Member of the Year. A statement from the association notes that Stadeli “has volunteered countless hours on behalf of our industry and this association through her efforts and commitment to ground water education. This year, she has agreed once again to chair the public education committee to continue efforts in promoting ground water education.”

Send Us Your Tales of Woe

A reminder about the “Down Hole Disasters” section in your June issue of National Driller: We're asking industry professionals to share their “Job from Hell” stories with the rest of the drilling world. E-mail your scary saga, frustrating facts or anecdote of agony to ettlingg@bnpmedia.com, or use fax number 248-502-1005. All participants will have their names thrown in a hat with a chance to win a $100 American Express gift certificate. Please submit your tale of terror by April 1 to qualify for the drawing.

Wrapping Up Trade Show Season

We're coming to the end of the heavy trade show part of the year. March features the New England Water Well Association Expo (Mar. 24-25, Marlborough, Mass.), the Michigan Ground Water Association Convention (Mar. 28-28 in Grand Rapids, Mich.) and the Water Quality Association's Aquatech USA (March 28 ­ April 1 in Chicago). National Driller will have a booth at each of these important industry events; if you're planning on attending any of these shows, please stop by to say hi and bring any comments, questions, complaints, commendations and/or the latest good joke you've heard. ND