André Fuller, General Manager of Hagstrom Drilling, digs deep into the company’s adaptability in an evolving industry landscape, commitment to innovation, and focus on delivering exceptional quality services.
A PASSION FOR PRECISION
Notable for its operations across the vast and diverse terrain of Australia and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, Hagstrom Drilling (Hagstrom) was established in 1992 by Paul Musca.
The private, family-owned contractor is headquartered in Canning Vale, Western Australia (WA), serving as a strategic hub for the mining and exploration sectors, allowing the company to leverage local industry knowledge and support various interstate operations.
The location boasts advanced facilities, including a training centre, workshop, machining capabilities, and specialised warehousing.
Elsewhere in WA, Hagstrom also operates in Kalgoorlie, Newman, Karratha, and Port Hedland.
“Our business continues to evolve year on year; however, the entire team prides itself in remaining acutely aligned with Paul’s initial vision of delivering industry-leading services, without compromising quality or safety,” opens André Fuller, General Manager.
“Our continued aggressive investment in leading automated equipment allows Hagstrom to offer high capacity and low-risk drilling solutions with relevance across multiple sectors.”
The company offers a variety of drilling disciplines, including but not limited to diamond, hydrogeological, reverse circulation (RC), sonic, and geotechnical.
Hagstrom’s technical services have expanded from primarily focusing on water well and geotechnical drilling to a comprehensive range that supports projects from grassroots exploration to mining operations for global firms.
“We have a uniform, industry-leading fleet of late-model drill rigs and support equipment, featuring proven equipment brands such as Mercedes, Schramm, Boart Longyear, Sandvik, and Eijkelkamp Fraste,” Fuller informs us.
“Moreover, our high-capacity, all-wheel drive, truck-mounted equipment is available alongside custom-built, super low-impact, track-mounted rigs and heli-portable drilling equipment.”
UNMATCHED EXPERT SOLUTIONS
To position Hagstrom as a one-stop shop for its clients, the company ensures it remains agile in a changing market.
“We are fortunate to have a large portfolio of long-term clients that have helped us expand our service offerings organically over the years. However, our main focus remains on partnering with the market for the duration, not just for short-term projects,” assures Fuller.
“This means we must continuously seek solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs whilst establishing a trusted partnership backed by our diverse capabilities and over 32 years of operational experience.”
Hagstrom takes pride in offering clients a comprehensive solution that effectively reduces risks associated with even the most complex drilling projects, whilst ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.
“There isn’t much we can’t offer, aside from providing the compelling geology! One size doesn’t fit all in drilling, so we can pull many levers within our business to provide specific assets, robust executional planning, and comprehensive analytics and reporting,” he explains.
“This provides our clients with the confidence to continue engaging our team to deliver myriad services often over five, 10, and 15+ year periods.”
In the fast-paced world of junior exploration, flexibility is essential, which Hagstrom provides in a way that larger drilling firms cannot match.
With established and reliable operating systems, the company can respond to client requests quickly, ensuring operations continue smoothly even in the most remote locations.
“Whether you are hiring our team for large-diameter production bores or intricate deep directional diamond drilling projects, you can rely on the same level of technical expertise, logistical support, and quality service provided by Hagstrom on-site,” Fuller states proudly.
“Our focus is on utilising platforms that enable data-driven solutions, optimising bit-on-bottom time, reducing costs per metre, and enhancing value for our clients”
André Fuller, General Manager, Hagstrom Drilling
SHAPING TOMORROW’S POSSIBILITIES
Hagstrom is strategically implementing a series of targeted initiatives designed to drive robust growth and foster meaningful diversification within its operations.
“We offer a unique value proposition of providing the entirety of surface drilling disciplines. By keeping an ear to the ground, we identify pain points and formulate plans to position our business as leaders in resolving them,” Fuller shares.
Hagstrom is investing in R&D for equipment automation by using advanced remote rod handling systems.
This enhances its workforce potential and establishes the company as an employer of choice, prioritising the safety of team members and our clients.
“Our focus is on utilising platforms that enable data-driven solutions, optimising bit-on-bottom time, reducing costs per metre (m), and enhancing value for our clients.”
Whilst investing in new equipment is essential for growth and diversification, a skilled workforce and efficient operating systems are crucial for successful market integration.
Hagstrom’s leadership team is dedicated to enhancing its existing workforce skills and strategically recruiting subject matter experts to bring fresh perspectives and promote continuous improvement.
“To ensure our team’s success, we must align our operating systems with current and future business demands. We will utilise effective change management to keep our procedures and workflows relevant as conditions change,” explains Fuller.
“We aim to protect the Hagstrom brand, built over 30 years, by collaborating with our team and partners to set realistic, yet often ambitious, goals for growth and diversification.”
“We aim to protect the Hagstrom brand, built over 30 years, by collaborating with our team and partners to set realistic, yet often ambitious, goals for growth and diversification”
André Fuller, General Manager, Hagstrom Drilling
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES WITH DYNAMIC DRILLING
Hagstrom is dedicated to being a leader in adopting new technology and innovative drilling techniques.
“We have invested significantly to ensure our fleet is uniform and industry-leading, from Schramm T685/i RC drill rigs to air trucks and service vehicles. This uniformity allows our drill crew and field service team to operate consistently across sites and enhances our team’s training and development,” assures Fuller.
The company has made substantial investments in high-capacity sonic drilling rigs, which also support diamond, rotary air, and downhole hammer drilling with remote-controlled rod handling and drilling capability.
“This expands our capabilities in low-impact diamond drilling, hydro drilling, and large-diameter coring. Since our inception, Hagstrom has been recognised for operating modern, high-capacity equipment across various drilling markets and disciplines,” he acclaims.
However, the drilling industry is cyclical and responds quickly to market conditions and commodity pricing.
Whilst Hagstrom ramps up operations when the market is strong, it also faces rapid downturns that negatively impact cash flow, even as it continues to invest in its fleet and workforce. Recent reductions in government incentives for early-stage exploration in Australia have further strained cash flow for explorers.
Additionally, delays in land access and surveys can postpone drilling campaigns by six to nine months, affecting rig utilisation.
“Attracting younger talent is also a challenge, as drilling is often perceived as a labour-intensive and unglamorous career. We emphasise the significant career opportunities available in the industry, but a limited candidate pool results in wage pressures and the necessity to position Hagstrom as an employer of choice,” Fuller affirms.
A PATH OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Employing innovative technologies on drill rigs to ensure safety, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance, Hagstrom utilises transformative drilling methodologies that enhance overall performance and sustainability in its operations.
All assets are equipped with significant automation and engineering controls aimed at boosting productivity whilst maintaining safety.
This includes remote operation of drilling functions, which keeps the team away from high-risk areas, as well as advanced engineering on service vehicles and support trucks.
As a result, routine inspections and maintenance on drill masts can now be done from elevated access equipment on vehicles, eliminating the need to work at heights.
“We have custom-designed an automatic diamond inner tube breakout unit, which can be easily deployed via a solar-powered hydraulic sloop that directly connects to our freedom loader rod handling systems,” details Fuller.
“This system reduces manual handling risks in daily tasks and is compatible with both routine and larger, six-inch (in) diameter wireline diamond drilling operations – which we believe is a first for the Australian industry.”
Over the next 12 months, Hagstrom will maintain a straightforward approach by strengthening its market share across various commodities and clients whilst continually improving productivity and safety.
The team is focused on reviewing existing practices to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in all aspects.
“We will be increasing aspects of our existing hydro drilling capabilities alongside all other disciplines, including the implementation of new software and monitoring systems on our fleet to minimise any rig downtime and respond swiftly and thoughtfully regardless of the location.
“Our presence will extend back into most states of Australia and we will also continue to explore opportunities in neighbouring markets,” excitedly concludes Fuller.
By continuously investing in cutting-edge technology and expanding its footprint, Hagstrom is not just adapting to change – it is shaping the future of drilling excellence.
HAGSTROM DRILLING PARTNER
