Drilling partners

Maine Drilling & Blasting, the largest drill & blast contractor in the US, carries out jobs ranging from massive infrastructure schemes down to small residential projects. The company began buying tools for its drill rigs from Sandvik Mining and Construction about 15 years ago, and today it buys nearly all its tools from Sandvik.

An interesting aspect to the two companies' relationship is the way they have simplified shipping. Rock tools are brought by ship from Sweden to an East Coast port, and then transport them by truck in their original sea-borne containers. This eliminates several steps of handling - and all the potential damage to the rods which could result. Still carefully wrapped in their original bundles.

“The fewer touches by both Sandvik and us mean less chance for damage or breakage of the rods,” said Maine purchasing manager Al Perozzi. “We've also consolidated our requirements into four shipments a year, down from 12, and that helps eliminate overall handling.”