This installment reports an increase in activity for all drilling markets.
After going through a couple of leaner years in 2002 and 2003, things definitely are on the upswing - all over the place. “The contractors are buying everything - from 2-inch to 48-inch,” says Todd Taylor, vice president of Halco America Inc. “Our sales are up by 30 percent. The 2-inch hammers are doing a lot of post holes, small utilities and things of that nature. The 48-inchers are being used on municipal holes - elevator shafts, large utilities and the like.”
Asked about which markets are driving sales, Taylor replies, “Quarrying is going up; oil and gas is still busting out. And it seems like this is going to be a good year for water wells - they're finally coming on line when they normally are supposed to. The good weather has helped that. Construction is up. Geothermal is strong.” Asked if he sees any markets that are off at all, Taylor is quick with a blunt “No,” adding, “Even the directional drilling is coming back.”