Vermeer has purchased the electric-powered horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and fluid systems technology from Netherlands-based Normag, and the buyer’s near-term plans include growth into the APAC region.

The transaction, the financial details of which were not confirmed, now gives Vermeer rights to develop, manufacture and distribute fully electric HDD rigs as well as fluid management systems.

Vermeer said all of its product development, engineering, marketing and production will move immediately to the Vermeer EMEA headquarters in Goes, Netherlands. The buyer is projecting its first rigs and fluid systems will be in production and ready for distribution in Europe by late this year.

“That will likely include a system built around a 120-metric ton HDD rig, a 2,500-litre reclaimer and high-pressure pump,” Vermeer said. “The company also plans to offer additional fluid systems in the first year to establish a range of reclaimers ranging from 750 to 3,000 litres per minute of cleaning capacity.”

Once established in Europe, the company said it will introduce the technology to key global electric system markets such as Australia and North America over 24 to 36 months.

“With this technology already proven in operations across Europe, our Vermeer team can now fast-track an electric HDD offering that helps operators better control their cost of operations and worksite impacts through reduced fuel use, near-zero emissions, limited noise and an overall smaller rig footprint,” said Vermeer President and CEO Jason Andringa.

The purpose-built Normag HDD system technology has been in development for more than eight years in the Netherlands. 

Sources: normag.nl and Vermeer.com