Watson, Inc

Always great to visit a drill crew and watch a Watson drill working on a job site. We’re so proud of S&W dedicating and showing their respect of those who defend the cherished freedoms we all enjoy. The red, white and blue paint is beautifully complemented by the patriotic cab wrap. Great job!

Win the Day!

Jim was a great friend and huge contributor to the advancement of the drilled shaft industry.

Reflecting on the history of drilling there were, and still are, many challenges and triumphs that propel us continually forward. Jim Maxwell was one of those problem solvers who was not afraid to try a variation of solutions and worked through many drilling challenges for the success of his company and the industry he served.

I reflect on a time when Jim and I team taught a class about drilling. We mutually discussed the advancement of drilling technology, and our idea of how future drilling equipment will operate. I know he enjoyed the opportunity to share and pass on his expertise to the next generation of drillers.

Jim Maxwell was one of the giants in the deep foundation industry, whom we truly admired. Watson passes on our deepest condolences to Hub Foundation and the Maxwell family.

James C. “Jim” Maxwell, who led innovation in deep foundation construction while growing a family-owned contracting business into a sector leader in the northeast U.S., died July 25 after battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for about five years. He was 76.

Maxwell was chair of Chelmsford, Mass.-based Hub Foundation Co. Inc. His father, Francis, founded the pile driving contractor in 1966, and he took over in 1981—leading company growth from 10 full-time employees to 120 today.

A key part of that growth was Hub’s early adoption of drilling. After visiting Italy to learn about drill rigs and see them in action, Maxwell ordered a Soilmec R-10, which was the first European drill rig sold in the U.S.

“It was something completely new,” says company project manager Tony Barila, who met Maxwell while working for another foundation contractor and joined Hub Foundation in 2010. “He got it right.”

The firm continued to expand its offerings under Maxwell, adding micropiles, tiebacks and slurry wall expertise and testing its high-capacity micropile design to reach more than 1,600 tons, a capacity usually reserved for drilled shafts.

Hub Foundation has completed more than 1,500 contracts, contributing to high-profile projects including the Boston Big Dig, Logan International Airport Light Pier and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line Extension.

Colleagues and competitors of Maxwell remember his positive attitude and kindness. Barila says Maxwell would donate company resources for research projects. He recalls a time when another contractor that had out-bid the firm for a project was struggling with the work. Maxwell offered to let that firm use anything it needed from Hub Foundation’s equipment yard.

“I couldn’t believe how generous he was, even to our staunchest competitors,” Barila says.

One of those competitors was consultant John Roma, who says Maxwell helped him several times with machinery, and sometimes with added staff.

“We were competitive ‘enemies’ for so long that we circled around to become good friends,” Roma says.

Maxwell’s depth in the industry brought him to volunteer with the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors, teaching at its anchored earth retention school and serving as a trustee of its industry advancement fund, which awards scholarships to engineering students interested in the deep foundations sector. He was also active in the Foundation and Marine Contractors Association of New England.

For his contributions to the industry, Maxwell was named by the drilled shaft contractors group as its Northeast chapter Living Legend award winner, and was cited earlier this year for outstanding achievement in construction by The Moles, a heavy industry professionals group.

“He had more wisdom and knowledge than many people in the business, and I always respected him for that,” Roma says.

Hub Foundation now is led by Maxwell’s children. Daughter Alizza Weiss is company president, with sons Jeff Maxwell and Greg Maxwell serving as treasurer and vice president, respectively.

“One thing I remember him saying was that he said to his kids, ‘Family business can be your biggest strength or your biggest weakness,” Roma says. In a speech at The Moles awards dinner in February, Jeff Maxwell, delivering remarks on his father's behalf, said in reading Jim Maxwell's words: “You overcome that liability with communication and trust, understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses and giving each other room to grow.”

While ALS paralyzed his muscles, Maxwell wrote that it did not slow his mind. “I find joy in life by remembering my past adventures in this industry,” he said.

Obituary: Jim Maxwell, 76, Was Innovator in Deep Foundations Work Chair of Chelmsford, Mass.-based Hub Foundation Co. Inc. and cited earlier this year by The Moles for outstanding achievement, Maxwell died July 25 after a five year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease,

Great to have the Murphys join us at the IFCEE 2024. Here they all are with Scooter and Doug on the 7300CM

Here are 3 Watson ExcaDrills completed and ready to go to work for advancing the infrastructure of our communities. We put great pride in our products which are custom built by skilled technicians in Fort Worth, TX.

I recently had the pleasure of a presentation to the geotechnical engineer students at Texas A&M. We had a great time as we discussed history of drilling, applicational features of equipment and the processes of drilled-shaft excavations with emphasis on safety. I promised them all big opportunities, occasional challenging problems to be solved and great success in pursuit of their career goals.

Plan on stopping by to visit the Watson Booth at IFCEE 24

https://web.cvent.com/event/74698518-01e7-4af8-bb04-14f9427b2412/summary

IFCEE 2024. Online registration by Cvent IFCEE has always been the premiere foundations event. For 2024, we are bringing it to a whole new level. We want the engineering and contracting community to dig in,. Online registration by Cvent

Drilling technology has continued to advance since the first well was percussion drilled by the Ruffner Brothers in 1806. It took David and Joe Ruffner 2 years to carry the borehole down to 58 feet in depth. They faced challenges are resolved down hole encounters of the unknown. Later came the development of the cable tool drill followed by rotary drills which came on scene with the development of the power source from muscle power to steam and eventually combustion engines. The resourcefulness and advancement of this industry is unique as every hole in the ground exposes the evolution of the overlying formations on the mantel crust of our 4.5-billion-year-old Earth. One of the most fundamental and common goal in drilling is measured by efficiency. How can we improve on yesterday with the technological resources available to us today? Now in 2024 AI is being used for controlling the drill head as it advances forward towards TD.

AI Promises Faster Oil Drilling and Even More U.S. Crude Supply - Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Features & Events - EnergyNow.com Companies use AI to run drill rigs and predict broken pumps Technology could slash costs and squeeze more oil from wells From a dark Houston control room, Rafael Guedes watched on a monitor as a robot took charge of a drilling rig in a North Dakota oil field, locking out…

We are so grateful to our customers who use and depend on our rigs to meet their daily production needs. Most people may not realize that in the far north of Alaska there is a working force of personnel bearing the bitter cold and staying in man-camps during their rotational shifts. This is the construction time for installing vertical support members which serve as the foundations used to support the elevated pipeline feeding to pump station #1. The big production time happens in the cold of winter while the tundra is frozen. Today it is negative 40 below zero. Here is a beautiful picture of a Watson 3000TM and the aurora-borealis. What are the challenges of your job today?

Watson recently finished a refurbishment and mast change out on a 4400CM. The customer sent their drillers down to inspect and test the drill. They drilled and set 62” x 25’ casing near our shop. This will serve as a torque test drill station for all future rigs once completed through final assembly. Thank you Joe and Kieth from GEC for making this happen.

Congratulations to Tony Kraut who received the ADSC Service Award! 🏆

Watson, Inc

We’re wrapping up the year with a big December production month. Thank you all who expect and rely on dependable production rigs in the ex*****on of you projects. Watson rigs are built to OUTPERFORM.

There are many events in our history which could have had different outcomes. Realize the blessings we have are only possible by those who raised their hand, swore an oath to gaurd and protect or draw sword to defend it.

Look at our world today and be grateful we live in the land of freedom. Thank a Vet at every opportunity.

Happy Veterans Day!

Drilling is a skill learned by trying many variations to techniques that don’t work, in pursuit to discover the one that does, then perfecting it.

Today is Equipment Manufacturing Day!.
Watson has strong roots of being one of the top drill manufacturers in the US. Made in the USA has meaning to us as we transform raw material into foundation drills to serve the construction, utility, oilfield and transmission line construction markets. Contractors benefit from the direct B2B relationship we have fostered and maintained as our business philosophy for many generations.

There is a great amount of pride our team puts into every rig we build. It is inspiring to be a member of the team that works together to build an amazing product. We start from plate and tube steel and have the opportunity to cut, shape, machine, weld, sand-blast, paint, assemble, hose, wire, test, operate, QA inspect and deliver a specialty hand crafted product. It is an awesome experience and honor to watch this operation in motion building multiple rigs in a regimented production schedule. Made in America has meaning at Watson. We are greatly inspired when a customer tells us how our rigs have accelerated their daily production ability. Thank you all who go to work everyday to provide for your family, contribute to the community and make our world a better place. Please take time to thank others who labor daily in our land of freedom. Happy Labor Day friends of Watson.

Always winning with Watson!

The Utility EXPO is one month away. September 26-28, 2023. Book your flights and make lodging arrangements now to be in Louisville, KY for the biggest expo for powerline and utility construction. Please stop by the Watson booth E-511 to see the ExcaDrill EX-20 and EX-40. We will also have the 1100TM and 2200TM truck drills on display. Watson drills always providing the winning advantage to contractors for 100 years. WWW- Win With Watson!

https://artbabridgereport.org/?fbclid=IwAR3aAOJF5SyRu_MQX-Y1aNqoYcQsChiqmcllGCkb9prFTezkZ23ZJxvzeAE_aem_AcE6yMFymr81Jrn_gZpgLuNTeJlsoA0PDTNc5PEN6fzr7vTBpmGlKJxdA9qqOTB8o-4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

ARTBA Bridge Report ARTBA’s 8th annual Bridge Report is a comprehensive analysis of the condition of bridges in the United States

https://youtu.be/ql1PVYj-WxA

is celebrating a century in business! To commemorate this momentous occasion we created this historic video to showcase our 4 generation, family owned, US manufacturing business where we make the best drill rigs in the world. A special thank you to all of our customers and employees for making 100 years possible! Turn it up and enjoy. -Doug Watson

Watson Drill Rigs 100 years of Made in the USA is celebrating a century in business! To commemorate this momentous occasion we created this historic video to showcase our 4 ge...

Today is National Lineman appreciation day. Look up at the wires on poles that deliver electrical power to our communities. Every day linemen are installing and maintaining our electrical grid network. We don't think about it until we don’t have it during a brown-out or black-out event. Thomas Edison started it all in 1879 with the Edison Illumination Company. Thank a Lineman for bringing comfort to our homes.

There are special moments in life that we cherish forever. Today was one of those moments.

The Watson 100 year celebration has been a wonderful event of friends all coming together to celebrate our centennial milestone. Here are a few pictures of our event. If you attended and have pictures please upload and post them on our page. Using