WorldWide Drilling Resource

Creating What is Needed Adapted from Information by MARL Technologies Ron Innes foundedMARLTechnologies in 1977, based on his extensive experience as a geotechnical drilling contractor and business owner, when he saw the need for geotechnical drilling equipment to dramatically enhance reliability and production in the harsh environment of the high Arctic. No one made drills robust enough to perform well in temperatures far below the breaking point for most machinery. Extremely remote jobsites meant getting parts for repairs was difficult, if not impossible. This was the origin of MARL’s philosophy that if troublesome and unnecessary components were removed, and those remaining were chosen or built with care, there would be fewer parts to break down, and fewer hazards for the operator. A pioneer in the industry, Ron introduced dry auger drilling to western Canada in 1959. He always embraced the idea that investing in state-of-the-art equipment which outperforms the competition through superior technology and reliability, pays off. This philosophy remains the guiding principle at MARL. Faster hole completion times, less downtime due to drill failure, and good value for the client is the benchmark the company uses to measure its success. As a result, they have eliminated high- maintenance components such as deck engines, clutches, transmissions, kellys, kelly bearings, and right-angle drives. Owners appreciate the fact they never have to repair those old technology items, or worry a part will let them down on the job. Over the years, MARL's client base expanded from the geotechnical community to firms in other drilling industries, including water well, envi- ronmental, geothermal, cone penetration testing, construction, and mining. MARL became the North American dealer of the Fraste line of rotary drills to offer the depth of quality drills their clients were looking for. The company provides an alternative to those seeking a drill to make them stand out from their competition. While not as large as some of the better known brands, once a buyer discovers the value they get, not only from their MARL or Fraste drill, but from the after-sales support and service team, they are hooked. Nearly 100% of clients become repeat customers. MARL’s focus on technology has also allowed them to offer many safety features not found on other drills, such as the electronic safety curtain; as well as safety features like auto-stop rotation levers, emergency stop buttons both on the back of the drill and the truck cab, certified drill towers, and engineered hoisting/lifting bales, to name a few. As part of their drive to harness technology to make better drills, they developed a revolutionary patent-pending product called the eSPT, which in geo- technical applications automatically counts SPT (standard penetration test) hammer blows, and offers unprecedented data access to project managers, in real time, anywhere with Internet access. The eSPT allows drill operators to offer value-added information unlike anything the competition can provide. The MARL Team continues to build upon the foundation of innovation and excellence, and is very excited about feedback from clients on the new eSPT system. Both the M-series auger drills and Fraste rotary rigs can be found worldwide. MARL’s manufacturing facility is in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and the U.S. division is in Littleton, Colorado. Fraste drills are manufactured in Nogara, Italy. MARLTechnologies plans to continue doing what they do best - design and build better, safer drills which provide clients with outstanding value. Look for their ad on page 63. Early photo of Ron with the small heli-portable drill he designed for work in the high Arctic. Ron visiting the Fraste plant in Italy. MARL M 10 auger drill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orldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2016