Customer Spotlight: Downey Drilling Inc.

Tom and son, Brent Downey of Downey Drilling, picking up their new V-140X!

“I would recommend Versa-Drill to anyone in the drilling business. What makes the difference between Versa-Drill and other companies is the people. The people, the processes, the parts support, the engineering, the warehouse. It’s all just amazing.”

In this customer spotlight interview, we are proud to showcase Thomas Downey, president of Downey Drilling. With over 45 years of his own experience and three different generations of family knowledge, meaning a total of 70 total years in the business, Downey knows a thing or two about this industry.

Here, Downey provides a deeper dive into his company's history, challenges the industry faces, and the transformative impact of investing in Versa-Drill rigs.

VD: Hey there, Tom! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today.

TD: Glad to be here. Let’s dive into it.

VD: Great. So, Tom, could you tell us a bit about the history and unique aspects of your company?

TD: Absolutely. Our family's roots in the water drilling business go way back to the mid-1960s when my father started working for a small company in Nebraska. That was a time when a lot of irrigation development was taking place there. When he began to run his own company, we had eight boys in the family, and all of us kids worked at it. Some of us went to college, some of us into other careers. My brother and I went to college, then bought the business from our parents in the late 80’s.

In 2005, we acquired a new business, the business we continue to run today. Starting with 10 employees, over 19 years we have grown it to 80 employees working in nine states. Irrigation is still our bread and butter. But over that time, we expanded our services to cover a wide range of drilling needs, from large-scale irrigation wells to livestock and domestic wells, wastewater systems, groundwater studies, and even geothermal heat exchange. Now, two of my sons are working at the company as well.

VD: That's quite the journey! Along the way, what have been some of the biggest challenges your company has faced?

TD: Labor has definitely been a major challenge for us, as it is for many others in the industry. Finding skilled workers and managing a growing team can be hard. To tackle this, we offer attractive benefit packages and participate in worker visa programs. We also ensure our management team spends time in the field. That has worked so far. Management being involved helps us maintain a strong connection to our operations and deal with on site issues.

VD: It's clear that you've navigated those challenges well. Now, let's talk about your recent investment in Versa-Drill rigs. What led you to choose Versa-Drill and the specific rig you selected, and how has your experience been with the equipment so far?

TD: We have the V-140X. The reason is because I saw it at a convention. It was afterwards that we started considering a top head drive. It wasn’t something I ever dreamed I would want. I’m usually a rotary guy, because you can actually hear the rigs talking to you. You can tell exactly what you are drilling just by the sounds. But when we began looking at labor needs and safety, especially with this younger generation of workers and the advancements in technology, Versa-Drill’s V-140X made a lot more sense.

We also knew we wanted 40,000 pounds pull back, a carousel, and ease of controls. It’s become more about ease of operation in general.

So, once we made the decision, our V-140X was delivered in a very, very timely manner. The first ground it broke was at a cancer center at the University of Nebraska. Today it’s headed to eastern Wyoming to drill test holes for irrigation.

VD: It sounds like Versa-Drill has been a game-changer for your company. Are there any specific features or aspects of the rig that have impressed you the most?

TD: Absolutely. Beyond the technological advancements, we’ve really appreciated the customer support and fast troubleshooting. Once, we had a wiring issue, and we called up Versa-Drill after hours and got in touch with Brandon. He sent us what we needed overnight, helped us plug it in, and the problem went away. Versa-Drill just has great part support, great engineering support. And that’s what we look for in a manufacturer.

VD: That's fantastic to hear! Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to share or any recommendations you have for others in the industry?

TD: Absolutely. I would recommend Versa-Drill to anyone in the drilling business. What makes the difference between Versa-Drill and other companies is the people. The people, the processes, the parts support, the engineering, the warehouse. It’s all just amazing.

When you have the people and the support behind those people, it sets everyone up for success.

VD: Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us, Tom. It’s been great talking to you today.

TD: Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure.

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