February 2021 Vol. 76 No. 2

Features

75th Anniversary

Charge

THEN

Founded 2006, in Benicia, Calif., as Accu-Bore, by Billy Kilmer, Jr.; in 2009, Mike Robirds, P.E. joined as an owner.
Initially performed horizontal directional drilling throughout California for public and private utilities, as well as general contractors.
Company grew quickly, and by 2010 had completed several successful large-scale projects, including the replacement of natural gas lines for Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
In 2011, combined engineering and directional drilling to offer full-scale, turnkey, design-build utility and infrastructure services.
In 2013, Kilmer and Robirds launched Veteran Power to focus exclusively on installation of electric infrastructure.

NOW

In 2019, the companies relaunched under the new parent brand Charge to better reflect their collective strength and agility, and a third entity was introduced as Veteran Pipeline Construction (VPC).
The name Charge is a nod to our military background, our forward-thinking approach and mission-oriented team dynamic, as well as the utilities that charge our lives.
Specializes in gas and electric distribution infrastructure design and construction, maintenance, compliance and emergency response services, and maintains a full suite of in-house trenchless solutions, including expertise in directional drilling.
Charge companies design and/or build projects through a variety of programs, including mobile home park (MHP) utility upgrades, main/service replacements, fire hardening, EV charge networks, and undergrounding overhead power lines.

MILESTONES

Over the past 15 years, Charge has strategically and cohesively evolved to become a leading provider of EPC (Engineer, Procure, Construct) services for the West Coast utility industry.
Charge remains privately owned, with Kilmer and Robirds also fulfilling executive roles and actively managing the enterprise.
From the beginning, the owners sought purpose in the workplace, creating an environment where employees would feel empowered and supported to grow with the company, to lead others, and to enjoy their career. Similarly, relationships within the utility industry throughout the West Coast have grown steadily over time due to a combination of performance and trust.
Today, Charge has nearly 300 employees. As we take on the responsibility of building the “last mile” for our utility partners, the entire team takes pride in doing the job with utmost safety and professionalism, knowing that not only are we building critical infrastructure, we’re protecting each other and serving
the communities in which we live.

CONNECTIONS

Underground Construction magazine has always been an incredible source of information for our company. From new products, to educational information, to market data, we have relied on the magazine for more than 10 years.
We congratulate everyone at the magazine on a tremendous milestone and wish you the very best for the next 75 years!

Radius

THEN

Founded in 2003 by Riff Wright and David Bullock, as a small shop in Weatherford, Texas, focused on repairing HDD tools and contract machine services for the aerospace and Oil & Gas industries.
Faced a lawsuit – based largely on the “repair vs reconstruction” argument in patent law – in 2006 and agreed to settlement (the only option, as an underfunded start-up at the time) that meant no longer offering repairs on certain HDD tools.
That agreement, however, was the catalyst to the development of its flagship rock bit and sonde housing. Addressing the shortcomings of older bits, its patented design and geometry improved steering, increased durability and featured standard thread connections – driving company’s growth over the next several years.

NOW

Evolved into a leader in both HDD tooling development and aftermarket tooling supply; offered everything from vice jaws to pilot tools and a complete line of products for large Maxi projects and rigs, from 100,000 to 1 million pounds.
Houses one of the largest HDD tool inventories in the industry.
Key element driving success is serving customers: “They are the reason we exist.”

MILESTONES

Acquired by Charles Machine Works in 2011, which led to exponential growth over the next eight years. Through collaboration with CMW sister company, American Augers, for example, developed engineering and manufacturing teams to serve both the auger boring and maxi HDD industries.
Opened a new manufacturing facility in 2015, with improved access to a number of shipping hubs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities.
Acquired by Toro, as part of Charles Machine Works, in 2019, once again leveraging its HDD experience and knowledge with the resources of a large, highly successful company.

CONNECTIONS

Advertising in Underground Construction (and exhibiting at UCT) has been a key part of marketing and branding efforts, since the company began.
Core message is that it’s serious about the HDD industry, but also has fun promoting it and supporting those who make their living within it. For example, through humorous ad campaigns and offering rides on a mechanical bull at its booth when UCT was in Fort Worth.

Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company

THEN

Founded in 1903, by John (Jack) Sheehan, in Tulsa.
Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company was one of America’s pre-eminent pipeline builders, managed by four generations of Sheehans, until it shut down in 2016.
Sheehan was not only a powerful figure of a man, but his commanding presence and personality were commensurate with his physical size.
Heis never failing wit, sound common sense and absolute honest of word and deed earned him the confidence of men with whom he did business and the loyalty and respect of his employees. John Sheehan was truly a pioneer of the modern pipeline construction business.

MILESTONES

Jack Sheehan was one of the earliest and most-knowledgeable leaders of the pipeline industry.
His first pipeline job, in 1886, was an 87-mile, 8-inch wrought iron line from McKean County Pennsylvania to Buffalo, with his partner Patrick McGhan. Used large wrenches (pipe tongs) to make up thread and couple joints of the 12-foot length pipe.
Until his death, in 1921, John and his crews laid some of the first pipelines in the rugged developing oilfields of Native American Territory, working
for many who would become giants of the industry: Josh Cosden, Henry Sinclair and others.
During its 113 years, Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company installed over 27,000 miles of pipe in 47 states and Canada for 240 clients.

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