Ditch Witch, a division of The Toro Company, has announced several strategic actions to support future growth in its core segments, drive operational efficiencies and reinforce its position as the authority in the underground construction industry.
Focused on delivering solutions that align with the evolution of its targeted industries, The Toro Company has completed the sale of the Trencor business and the auger boring product line of the American Augers business. These actions allow Ditch Witch and American Augers to strengthen its focus on horizontal directional drilling (HDD), a rapidly growing segment of the underground construction market supported by demand in the pipeline, water and energy transmission sectors.
In the short- and long-term, all staff from the West Salem facility are being retained to support the American Augers business. "We plan to accelerate production of our legacy American Augers drills, pumps and cleaning systems, driven by strong demand in the pipeline, water, and energy transmission sectors," Kevin Smith, vice president of Ditch Witch, explained. "The facility will continue to be utilised for manufacturing American Augers equipment, supporting our strategy to optimise our workforce and assets for future growth.
Allows us to sharpen our focus on core product lines
"Separating auger boring from American Augers' HDD business allows us to sharpen our focus on core product lines and invest where we see the greatest opportunities for growth and leadership.
"The underground construction market has evolved significantly, with rising demand for heavy-duty directional drills and advanced trenchless technologies. As projects in oil and gas, power transmission, and water infrastructure grow more complex, contractors need solutions that deliver longer, deeper, and more precise installations. HDD technologies are uniquely suited to meet these demands, and this strategic decision positions us to better serve our customers and lead in this dynamic market.
"These decisions reflect our vision and unwavering dedication to our customers and partners," Smith added. "By streamlining our operations and focusing on the fastest-growing, most critical technologies, we are positioning Ditch Witch and our dealer network to continue to lead the industry for years to come.
Under the Ditch Witch Division, American Augers will continue to design, manufacture and distribute its line of horizontal directional drills, pumps and fluid cleaning systems for complex infrastructure projects. As underground construction projects become more challenging, Ditch Witch's renewed focus on HDD and trenchless technologies underscores its commitment to operational excellence, innovation and meeting the evolving needs of contractors worldwide.
Talking about how the change will impact the company's customers, Smith explained: "Our Ditch Witch and American Augers customers will see a positive difference, as we are sharpening our focus and resources in the HDD market. This strategic move enhances our ability to deliver unmatched service by streamlining production and accelerating innovation in our core products. The Toro Company will continue to own and manufacture American Augers' line of heavy-duty directional drills, mud pumps and fluid cleaning systems, ensuring top-quality solutions and support in the underground construction industry.
"Looking ahead, these strategic moves help strengthen our foundation and accelerate our ability to deliver the quality, innovative solutions our customers expect. We are excited and ready to lead the next era of underground construction," Smith concluded.
