WorldWide Drilling Resource

A History of Turning Problems into Solutions Adapted from Information by Mills Machine Company, Inc. Estimates show less than one percent of U.S. companies have survived 100 years. Out of the millions of U.S. family-owned businesses, less than 1200 are currently 100 years old and under the same family own- ership and operation. Mills Machine Company (MMC), Inc. is one of these companies. Founded in 1908, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, MMC is an internationally recognized manufacturer and distributor of earth drilling tools and accessories with standard prod- ucts and custom solutions for a variety of industries in both domestic and international markets. MMC was founded on the concept of turning customer problems into solu- tions. W.H. Homer Mills recognized the need for a repair shop in Shawnee, and the company grew as he developed a reputation for his pride in customer service and mechanical ability in solving problems. During the Oklahoma oil boom of the 1930s, Homer and his sons found an opportunity to serve the growing seismic and oil industries. The company expanded by repairing drilling rigs and bits, which allowed MMC to transform its repair service into a true manufacturing operation. In 1947, the company completed its headquarters facility, which it still occupies. With the advent of irrigation farming in the early 1950s, MMC recognized a growing need in the water well industry. By helping farmers find a solution for their irrigation problem, the company was able to undergo a major shift, which lead to man- ufacturing a larger array of drill bits, as well as increased service offerings for drilling rig and mud pump repair. After David Mills obtained the company in the early 1970s, MMC achieved a new level of growth with larger corporate customers and contracts. In 1979, Chuck Mills joined the company, and ac- quired ownership from his father in 1981. Throughout the 1980s, MMC achieved more growth, ex- panding into the directional drilling and blasthole mining markets. The increasing need for monitoring wells led to growth in the environmental and soil sampling industry. New product development, in- cluding “hollow stem,” and the MMC patented “Milclaw” bit, aided corporate growth, along with the continued expansion of custom product sales in international markets. After more than 100 years of experience in developing earth drilling tools and accessories, MMC is still turning problems into solutions. The company continues to increase business opportu- nities in its primary sectors of the water well and environmental industries, while targeting more op- portunities in the geothermal and construction industries. By listening to customers and responding to their needs with the right products at a competitive price, MMC has established a reputation for its service excellence and long-term business relationships. 17 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2017