Texas Panhandle Telecom Contractor Cuts Downtime With Vermeer HDD Switch
According to Trenchless Technology, XIT Communications, a contractor operating across 20 counties in the Texas Panhandle, credits a switch to Vermeer horizontal directional drilling equipment and a regional dealer support program with significantly reducing downtime and helping the company grow its operations.
Note: This article is based on sponsored content published by Trenchless Technology.
Remote Conditions Demand Reliable Equipment
Working in a region where a parts run can take more than an hour each way, XIT Communications previously dealt with frequent breakdowns and parts availability problems with its former equipment manufacturer. After moving to the Vermeer D24x40 S3 HDD, Construction Operator Kelly Brown said the crew has spent considerably more time being productive on the job.
The dealership relationship has been just as important as the equipment itself. Vermeer Texas-Louisiana Outside Sales Representative Brody Hooper works directly with the XIT team to plan long-distance jobs and ensure crews leave the yard with the right parts and tooling. The dealer also set up replenishable parts consignment boxes stored at XIT Communications’ shop, restocked monthly by Vermeer Texas-Louisiana to cut down on emergency supply runs. For critical needs, the dealer offers flexible parts transport.
XIT Communications also enrolled in the Vermeer Confidence Plus asset protection program, which covers multi-point inspections, scheduled maintenance, and service performed by dealer technicians using genuine parts. The program gives the company predictable operating costs, covering parts, fluids, and labor.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Remote HDD and utility contractors in areas like West Texas, the Permian Basin, or the Rockies face real productivity losses from downtime. Dealer support programs and consignment parts inventory can offset that risk without tying up cash in a large parts stockpile.
- Predictable maintenance contracts, such as Vermeer’s Confidence Plus, help smaller subcontractors build accurate job bids by removing the guesswork from equipment operating costs.
- Subcontractors shopping for HDD equipment should evaluate the dealer network, not just the machine. Parts availability, local service coverage, and proactive support can matter more than purchase price on remote or multi-county projects.
- Telecom and fiber buildout contractors in rural markets, particularly those installing broadband infrastructure under federal funding programs, should assess whether their current equipment and dealer relationships can support the workload expansion ahead.
