Prime Horizontal Completes Management Buyout, Kench and Dekker Take the Helm
According to Trenchless Technology, Prime Horizontal, a global horizontal directional drilling guidance and tooling company, has completed a management buyout that installs Simon Kench as CEO and Nico Dekker as CFO, with both becoming managing partners of the business.
Leadership Continuity at a Known HDD Supplier
Prime Horizontal is not a newcomer. Founded in 1997, the company has spent nearly three decades building a reputation in HDD guidance services before expanding into sales and rental of downhole tools. It currently operates offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Australia, serving utilities and energy pipeline clients on drilling projects worldwide.
Kench is one of the company’s original founders, having started his career as a guidance engineer in 1995. “Having been a part of Prime Horizontal since its founding in 1997, this management buyout is both a continuation and evolution,” he told Trenchless Technology. “We are focused on continuing to deliver high-quality customer support and tooling, as well as building strong relationships with our clients worldwide.”
Dekker brings a background in finance, HR, and marketing. “This management buyout positions us to expand our international presence, ensuring business continuity, growth, and stability for all stakeholders,” he said. The new leadership has flagged plans to grow the company’s international service offering and increase the global availability of experienced, multilingual teams.
What It Means for Subcontractors
HDD subcontractors who rely on Prime Horizontal for downhole tool rentals, sales, or guidance services should note the following:
- The MBO keeps the company’s original founder in the top seat, which points toward operational continuity rather than a disruptive ownership change.
- Kench’s field background as a guidance engineer suggests technical support quality is unlikely to erode under the new structure.
- Dekker’s stated focus on international expansion and multilingual team growth could improve response times and availability for US and Canadian crews working cross-border or remote projects.
- Subcontractors sourcing downhole tools should confirm their existing vendor contacts and pricing agreements remain in place, as ownership transitions, even smooth ones, can affect account management.
