In Port Charlotte, Florida, Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc. laid the groundwork for a 30-year legacy of proven performance, one bore at a time. With 22 employees and three Vermeer horizontal directional drill rigs, this family-owned company has earned a reputation for reliability in cable installation.
It’s been built on a relentless work ethic and supported by reliable equipment, always-within-reach parts and a proactive local dealership.
“We are a drill company with three drill rigs that operate Monday through Friday. It is very important for us to have confidence that those machines are going to work five days a week,” said David Getchell, drill operator at Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc.
When success is measured by every foot of fiber installed, HDD reliability and uptime are mandatory. Vermeer horizontal directional drills and support from Vermeer Southeast give the contractor confidence that its drills will always be ready to work.
“What keeps us coming back to Vermeer is the quality of the machines. We know that our machine is going to work every single day without having issues or problems. If something does arise, we will be taken care of and will be able to work every single day,” said Chad Steele, project manager at Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc.
Horizontal directional drills built for precision and backed by experience
Getchell has seen it all. He’s drilled for pipes of all diameter sizes, from 1-in (2.54-cm) fiber installations to 36-in (91.44-cm). Even so, his experience with the Vermeer D23x30 S3 directional drill (predecessor to the D24 horizontal directional drill) stands out.
This compact drill provides 24,000 lb (106.8 kN) of thrust/pullback and 3,000 ft-lb (4,067.5 Nm) of rotational torque in a short, narrow design.
“I have operated multiple sizes of drills. The Vermeer D23x30 S3 is compact and has a lot of power. It has a small footprint and is easier to use. This makes it versatile for a large range of applications,” Getchell said.
Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc. often installs fiber behind other recently installed utilities, including crossing water and sewer. Tooling options provide precise steering and maximum tooling life.
How the Vermeer QuickFire® HD system unlocks your directional drilling performance
Coral, rock and variable ground conditions often push the limits of the drill connection systems. Vermeer Southeast Aftermarket Customer Support Specialist Ed Gay spends much of his time on customer jobsites identifying needs and finding solutions. He recommended that Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc. adopt the Vermeer QuickFire® HD connection system. It allows fast and efficient tooling connections when working in hard rock and coral.
With no exposed bolts to break off, the new connection system solved a pain point for the company. Crews haven’t seen an issue since adopting it on all three of its Vermeer HDD rigs — even while drilling in some pretty hard ground conditions.
The Vermeer Quickfire® HD connection system has helped reduce the labor involved with changing over from pilot bore to pullback tooling. It also expands the types of ground conditions where crews can use the quick connection system. And the contractor thrives on innovations that give it an edge over its competitors.
“Southwest Florida Cable is always willing to try new things when you tell them you have a better idea. That works out great for both of us,” said Gay.
Benefits of having Vermeer dealer support nearby
Access to multiple nearby Vermeer Southeast dealers gives Southwest Florida Cable Construction, Inc. the confidence to grow and expand.
- Parts and support are always easily accessible
- Quick response to maintenance needs
- Less downtime and more consistent uptime
- Confidence to take on new projects in expanding work areas
“If one dealership location doesn’t have it, somebody else will have it or travel to get it. Our machines are always a priority for them,” said Steele. “The dealer is on the same page as far as knowing what we need and how important it is for us to have those products and parts. We have open communication. They don’t wait for us to call them.”
The Vermeer Confidence Plus® asset protection program provides the ongoing service Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc. needs to assist in protecting the productivity and value of its Vermeer drills. They get peace of mind knowing that Vermeer Southeast will perform required maintenance at recommended intervals using genuine Vermeer parts.
For Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc., this means:
- Maximized uptime, as parts can be fixed or replaced before they fail.
- Reduced labor, as Vermeer Southeast takes care of all maintenance.
- Increased operator efficiency, as regular inspections can help identify wear parts that need replacement.
How onsite support ensures maximum reliability for your directional drilling operations
Wherever work takes Southwest Florida Cable Construction Inc., their Vermeer dealer is there to help with equipment service and support right on the jobsite.
“Vermeer Southeast gives me confidence because they are always there when we need them. When we call with a problem, they either show up or guide us through the problem, no questions asked,” said Steele. “They keep records and will call to inquire about the condition of the drill rods. They make sure the correct product is being used and that it is up to date. They are exceptional at what they do.”
Years of field experience as an aftermarket customer support specialist mean Gay knows exactly where to start when a customer has a challenge, even if he doesn’t have the answer right away. He says when he rolls onto a jobsite, customers are happy to see him. They understand that he and Vermeer Southeast are willing to do whatever it takes and be a good business partner.
This article contains third-party observations, advice or experiences that do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Vermeer Corporation, its affiliates or its dealers. Testimonials and/or endorsements by contractors in specific circumstances may not be representative of normal circumstances experienced by all customers.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications. Vermeer, QuickFire, Vermeer Confidence Plus and the Vermeer logo are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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