Interview: Western Equipment Solutions (WES)

Pile Buck’s interview with Western Equipment Solutions (WES), a fast-growing provider of foundation drilling equipment and services across the Western U.S. and Canada.

Pile Buck (PB): For readers who may not be familiar, can you give us an overview of Western Equipment Solutions?

Western Equipment Solutions (WES): Absolutely. We’re a veteran-owned, full-service foundation drilling partner serving clients across the Western United States and Canada. Since our launch in 2017, we’ve grown to provide new, used, and rental rigs from leading manufacturers like Soilmec, TEI Rock Drills, Leffer, Tescar, PTC, Marini, Intric, and Junttan—along with custom tooling, operator training, jobsite logistics, financing, and 24/7 technical support. We are also adding Chicago Pneumatic Air Compressors to our lineup of equipment we sell and rent. Our mission is simple: push the foundation drilling industry forward by combining deep technical expertise with responsive service and tailored solutions.

PB: WES made a big move in 2023. Can you talk about that?

WES: In March 2023, we acquired the assets of Champion Equipment Sales (CES). This strategic merger unified two long-time collaborators under the WES name and significantly expanded our footprint. The acquisition gave WES coverage of the Pacific region—including California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Oregon—for representing products such as Soilmec and Leffer. The move increased our sales and service capacity, strengthened our manufacturer partnerships, and allowed us to serve a wider market with more resources and technical depth. It was truly a game-changer.

PB: Where do you operate today?

WES: Our headquarters is in Salt Lake City, Utah, but we also maintain regional offices in Paramount, California, and Nisku, Alberta. We have a parts garage in Vancouver, BC, and additional sales and service personnel in Boise, Idaho, and Houston, Texas. This network lets us provide timely, localized service to clients wherever the work takes them.

PB: How has your equipment lineup grown over time?

WES: One of our biggest areas of growth has been in our equipment inventory. We’ve added large-diameter rigs such as the Soilmec SR-35, SR-65, all the way up to the SR-125, which are ideal for complex, deep foundation projects. At the same time, we’ve expanded our compact and limited-access offerings with Tescar and Marini micropile rigs—perfect for urban and tight-space jobs. As the sole distributor for Leffer, we also provide specialized foundation tools to complement our lineup. Our rental fleet has grown over $20 million in equipment, including CFA kits, casing oscillators, segmental casing, drilling tool packages, and a wide variety of rigs, giving customers maximum flexibility. To further enhance versatility, we’ve added PTC Vibrodrivers and Chicago Pneumatic air compressors, ensuring we can support projects of every scale and condition.

PB: Can you share more about the team driving this growth?

WES: Absolutely. Our President, John Wilson, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over 28 years in sales and 18 years in foundation drilling. John has been the driving force behind our growth and success, but he would be the first to say he couldn’t have done it without his exceptional team. He leads with discipline, collaboration, and a long-term vision. Craig Berninger, our Sales Manager, brings over 33 years of drilling expertise and a geology background. Austin McCauley, our Service Manager, has over a decade of field experience. We also have regional leaders like Sean Montgomery (Sales & Business Development), Neil Sampson (Canadian Regional Sales), David Pereira (Central U.S. Sales), Rich Hardman (Rental Manager), and Christian Child (Operations). Our team of 34 inddividuals also includes exceptional office staff, parts and warehouse team and 14 Service Tecnicians throughout the western US and Western Canada. This mix of experience gives us both strategic insight and hands-on problem-solving capabilities for our clients.

PB: How do you typically engage with clients on new projects?

WES: We start with a thorough needs assessment, evaluating soil conditions, project depth, access limitations, environmental considerations, and budget. Based on that, we recommend the right rigs, tooling, and accessories—whether it’s a Soilmec rotary rig for deep shafts, a Tescar unit for limited access, a TEI rock drill attachment, oscillators, or segmental casing. We also provide training, preventative maintenance, and emergency support to keep operations running smoothly.

PB: Urban drilling presents unique challenges. How do you help clients navigate them?

WES: Urban sites often mean tight access, vibration limits, and high safety demands. Thanks to solutions from manufacturers like Tescar and Marini, we’ve expanded our ability to offer limited-access rigs and compact equipment tailored for constrained environments. We also provide specialized tooling and on-site consulting to help clients navigate complex urban job sites. Mitigation strategies—such as hazard avoidance, perimeter controls, and noise or vibration management—are applied based on specific project needs and locations to ensure compliance and efficiency.

PB: You now offer a dedicated financing department. How does that help your clients?

WES: Financing can make or break a project. That’s why we developed flexible options—including leasing, equipment loans, refinancing, residual leases, and seasonal payment plans. What sets us apart is our ability to finance items that traditional banks often don’t understand—like casing, which moves in and out of the ground. We’ve worked closely with financing companies to build that understanding, allowing us to support clients with the right equipment without delaying projects.

PB: Can you highlight a few milestones that reflect your recent growth?

WES: Definitely. In 2023, we completed the CES acquisition, expanding our geographic reach and service capabilities. We’ve increased our staffing and now have 14 technicians supporting clients across four parts locations. This network allows us to keep clients up and running efficiently. Our rental fleet has also grown significantly, and we now have hundreds of tools on the ground across multiple locations. Our large-rig fleet grew with additions like the Soilmec SR-125, enabling us to handle major infrastructure projects. And through industry events like the TEI Rock Drills Hollow Bar Seminar in Salt Lake City, we’ve strengthened both client education and community engagement.

PB: What are your main goals moving forward?

WES: Our focus is on continued Canadian expansion, particularly strengthening our Nisku hub and CFA rig training/tooling programs. In the U.S., we’re working on growing our large-diameter rig inventory, expanding our rental fleet, and refining our financing programs. The big picture? Be the go-to drilling solutions partner for every major project in North America.

PB: How would you summarize WES’s growth story?

WES: We started as a small, purpose-driven company in 2017, but our roots go back much further. Many members of our team previously worked together at Champion Equipment Sales, with shared experience dating back to 1998 and earlier. After formally establishing WES in 2017, we grew through strategic acquisitions, territory expansion, and deep investment in people, equipment, and infrastructure. Today, we are one of the most trusted names in foundation drilling solutions across North America. Our growth is not just about getting bigger; it is about building smarter, faster, and more flexible solutions for our clients.

PB: How can people reach you?

WES: We’d love to connect. You can email us at [email protected] or call (801) 288‑8919.