HRE is a prominent manufacturer of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rigs and currently produces three drills with pullback forces of 500,000, 750,000 and 1,000,000 pounds. Production of these units will move to the Vermeer manufacturing plant based in Pella, Iowa in early 2008.

The units will carry the Vermeer brand name and be sold through the Vermeer exclusive distribution channel beginning in the spring of 2008.

“The market for drill rigs of this size is robust, as gas, oil and major water and sewer projects have a strong global outlook,” says Dave Wisniewski, Senior Director of Underground Solutions for Vermeer.

“While there are competitors in this range of drills, we feel our global sales and service distribution network will distinguish Vermeer in this market.”