Choosing a rig? Here’s what matters

Geomachine Oy

When selecting a ground investigation rig, the first step is naturally to ensure that the new equipment is compatible with your investigation methods. But what other questions often arise during procurement discussions? That’s what we’ll explore in this article.

Geomachine currently offers a selection of seven different rigs, each designed for specific investigation methods. With such a wide range of options, it’s essential for ground investigation companies to have enough information to make the right purchasing decision.

Geomachine’s Sales Manager Alex Lindholm has helped numerous companies in the field select the most suitable and effective tools for their needs. A successful choice always stems from open dialogue. “Even if we’re dealing with a seasoned expert in the ground investigation industry, we never skip the step of mapping out the rig’s intended applications during procurement talks. It’s important to thoroughly assess the client’s current situation and make sure they’re aware of all the options that best meet their needs at this point in time.”

These three questions are the most common

Ground investigation is a highly specialised and relatively small field. For this reason, those working in the industry are usually well informed about the equipment options and manufacturers available. “A client who already knows us typically enters procurement talks with a specific machine model in mind. They may already have some experience with that model, making the discussion quite straightforward. However, even if the base machine is familiar, many are surprised to learn just how smart these rigs can be nowadays. That’s why we always take time to talk about how our digital services can now help optimise tasks such as machine maintenance, servicing, equipment management, and project planning.”

New clients often come with three standard questions. “They usually want to know whether the rig is compatible with their current method, whether it has enough power, and whether it can reach the necessary depths. These are easy questions to answer. All Geomachine rigs are absolutely capable of performing the methods they were designed for.”

The best choice now – but what about the future?

The ground investigation industry evolves alongside changes in its operational environment. According to Alex Lindholm, there is currently high demand for larger rigs that can be used for deep investigations. Market shifts often raise concerns among clients, and these are addressed during discussions. “No one can say for certain which investigation methods will be in highest demand in the future. The good news is that if you invest in a more robust rig now to meet current needs, it can often still be used for lighter methods as well. For instance, all our rig models can perform vane testing. This often comes as a surprise during discussions.”

When looking to the future, every client is also interested in how the machine will be maintained after the purchase. “We always talk about how future maintenance and spare part needs will be handled. With us, there’s no need for concern – our maintenance and support services are professional and readily available whenever needed. This part of our business is constantly evolving. A recent example is our new field service concept. We’ve recently doubled our field capacity, meaning that help is now available very quickly when needed.”

At the time of purchase, the client may not yet have a clear idea of which technical features would be ideal for the tool. “Sometimes clients only realise what features they want once they’ve started using the machine on an actual site. And that’s completely fine. During the next scheduled service, we can simply add the features the client wants.”

Brand loyalty built on preferences

User preferences also play a major role in choosing equipment. Once you get used to working with a particular brand and it proves reliable, brand loyalty tends to stick.

“It’s a bit like choosing a car. When a certain brand appeals to you for whatever reason, there’s little reason to switch. Those in the ground investigation industry who favour Geomachine rigs typically appreciate their durable build, easy mobility, smart features, and reliable maintenance and support. These are the practical reasons why they continue to choose our machines year after year.”

Interested? Contact Geomachine!