The pile driving industry is in a healthy place right now, says Bruce Langan, Director of Pile Driving Technologies at Equipment Corporation of America (ECA). When asked about the state of the market, he was quick to point out that business is strong.
“Right now the state of the pile driving industry is rebounding quickly,” Langan said. “We are extremely busy with our rental fleet. We’ve had a lot of good sales opportunities in front of us, and it’s really picked up over the last six to eight months. The market is very healthy, and we’re doing everything we can to build up our inventory to meet that demand.”
Where the Work Is
So, what’s behind the upswing? According to Langan, the slowdown in some private development has shifted activity toward infrastructure. “There’s a lot of heavy highway work, which always entails a lot of pile driving, sheeting, and support work,” he explained. “And flood relief programs are moving into their second phase with wharfs, sheet pile walls, and containment structures. That’s driving a lot of activity right now.”
Regionally, he sees two hot spots. “You’re seeing a lot of flood control in central to southern New Jersey along the coastline,” Langan said. “The other big market right now is Pennsylvania Turnpike and heavy highway projects across the state. We’re seeing more of those jobs coming out to bid, and customers are asking for everything we have including piling, drilling, and tieback equipment. It’s keeping us very busy.”
Equipment That Proves Itself
With ECA representing such a wide range of pile driving products, Langan says versatility is one of the company’s biggest advantages. “We’re not a one-trick pony,” he explained. “Whether you need an air hammer, hydraulic hammer, diesel hammer, or vibratory hammer, we’ve got it. That versatility gives us options to help customers design the most efficient approach for their project.”
When pressed to choose a favorite, Langan did not hesitate. “HPSI hammers would be my number one choice,” he said. “They’re reliable, innovative, and the support from the owners is phenomenal. I’ve seen them outperform competitors by 15 percent on a job site. Contractors don’t mind paying more when the equipment proves itself.”
Service and Training as a Priority
But for Langan, it’s not just about the equipment. It’s also about service. “Having service people trained for the products is a very, very important part of what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “We’ve been running more clinics, like Dawson and soon Pileco, to make sure our technicians can troubleshoot and repair quickly. That saves time and money for everyone, and it ensures the product goes out to the customer ready to perform.”
As the market continues to grow with infrastructure and flood control spending, Langan believes ECA’s combination of reliable equipment, versatility, and strong service support positions the company and its customers for long-term success.
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