The harsh reality in directional drilling is that unexpected breakdowns don’t wait for business hours. That’s why reliable aftermarket directional drilling support is more than just having the right parts on hand. It’s about knowing you can depend on hardworking people who know the ins and outs of your business and realize what’s at stake every day.
One of those people is Ed Gay, aftermarket customer support specialist with Vermeer Southeast in Fort Myers, Fla. With more than 30 years of HDD tooling experience, Ed’s more than a parts guy. He’s a trusted problem-solver who shows up when and where it matters most. Over the years, Ed has faced countless challenges in the field, and his solutions highlight exactly why customers rely on Vermeer dealers for confidence under pressure.
Directional drilling tooling expert finds solutions to your jobsite challenges
Gay says HDD tooling solutions are all about figuring out what customers need and when they need it — even if they don’t know the answers themselves.
What if you’re skeptical about HDD tooling solutions you’ve never tried?
Trust the expert.
- The challenge: A contractor was stuck in a cycle of drill system failures, but was still skeptical about switching to Vermeer Quickfire® HD tooling.
- The solution: Ed only sells tooling solutions that customers are confident will perform. Sometimes, that means offering a hands-on demo and letting the tooling prove itself under pressure. After seeing the results, the customer outfitted all three rigs with Quickfire HD. That’s more than a sale for the dealership. That’s a boost in productivity for the customer, backed by experienced support.
Can you afford to wait until business hours for HDD parts support?
Not when it’s go time.
- The challenge: Late on a Friday night, a customer’s rig went down just hours before a critical DOT road crossing scheduled for Saturday. Without the right part, the entire project was at risk of falling behind schedule.
- The solution: Ed took the call and hit the road. By midnight, he had unlocked the Fort Myers store, located the needed part and had the crew boring again before sunrise on Saturday. That kind of commitment is why Vermeer customers drill with more confidence.
How do you reduce drill downtime before it even starts?
Be proactive.
- The challenge: Hidden HDD tooling issues often become major jobsite delays and major budget hits, making it critical to stay ahead of the game.
- The solution: Ed’s proactive site visits help catch wear or performance issues before they become problems. This boots-on-ground strategy has driven explosive growth in parts sales, helped customers adopt the right tooling faster and built trust that keeps contractors coming back.
What makes the Vermeer Southeast team shine?
In Ed’s words: “One team, one dream.”
Vermeer Southeast’s culture of collaboration means every jobsite win is shared and every missed deadline is taken personally. Every service call starts with a family mindset, thanks to a team that includes his wife, father-son duos and siblings.
When commercial drilling is your livelihood, you want support that feels like more than a transaction. You want someone who’s been there, knows what works and treats your business like it’s their own. And that’s just how jobsite heroes like Ed operate.
Real stories. Real support. Real confidence.
This is what having MORE CONFIDENCE looks like in action. From Vermeer genuine parts to the Vermeer Confidence Plus asset protection program, Vermeer dealers deliver aftermarket support for directional drilling contractors who can’t afford to guess.
Ready for directional drilling support that shows up?
Contact your local Vermeer dealer today and experience the kind of support that keeps your business moving forward.
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, the Vermeer logo, QuickFire and Vermeer Confidence Plus are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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