About MICHELS
Michels Corporation was originally organized in 1960 and began doing business as a small gas pipeline and telephone cable construction company. Throughout the 60's, the company expanded its operations to larger underground utility construction projects throughout the upper Midwest. In 1970, Michels formed its Sewer, Water and Tunnel Division. This division – more... was developed to compete in the construction of municipal open-cut sewer and water projects as well as custom horizontal boring, dewatering and tunnel construction. Tunnel operations have today become a specialized expertise of the company. In 1976, Michels expanded into the manufacture of crushed aggregates and the supply of aggregate materials for construction. Today, Michels Materials Division operates over 90 limestone quarries and sand and gravel pits throughout Wisconsin and is possibly the largest aggregate producer in the state. In 1977 Michels began construction of rural water distribution systems throughout the northern plain states. Michels is heavily involved in road construction and aggregate crushing services to various contractors and municipalities throughout the state.
In the early 1980's Michels became one of the very first contractors involved in the construction of fiber optic telecommunications systems in the United States. Michels quickly developed unique methods and built customized equipment to complete this type of construction. One notable example of this was Michels' design and fabrication of several rail-mounted cable plows. Today, Michels Mid-America Line and Cable is one of the largest design and outside plant telecommunications contractors in the United States.
In 1987 we responded to the greater demand for environmentally sensitive construction by mastering cutting edge technology for performing a new method of trenchless utility construction known as horizontal directional drilling. Michels currently owns and operates a fleet of 23 directional drilling rigs with ancillary equipment. A majority of these rigs were designed and built at the Brownsville facilities. Of these 23-drill rigs, five have large diameter drilling capabilities. The newest model, completed in 1996, was christened "Hercules-1200", referring to its immense 1,200,000-pounds thrust/pullback power. The previous four large rigs were designed, built or rebuilt to 840,000-pounds of thrust/pullback capabilities. In 1997 Michels acquired Superior Electric Company of Appleton, WI. With this acquisition Michels brought on board an electrical line construction contractor with critical expertise in electrical design/build construction. Today, Michels is recognized as one of the leading horizontal directional drilling contractors in North America with fully supported operations, as of 1997, in Canada.
In 1999 Michels completed the acquisition of Pilchuck Contractors, Inc. of Redmond, Washington. Pilchuck is Michels wholly owned Seattle based underground utility contractor that has served the needs of gas and telecommunications customers throughout the Northwest for over 14 years. Pilchuck joins Michels with almost 200 skilled trades people. This acquisition has helped expand Michels' gas distribution and telecommunication construction businesses in the Northwest U.S.
Having seen the need for turnkey telecommunications cable installation in 2000, Michels acquired Data-Tel Communication Services, which is a communications design, engineering, inspection and right-of-way service company providing telecommunication services to many of the same customers Michels Mid-America Line & Cable serves today. The addition of Data-Tel as a subsidiary of Michels, brought over 175-employees involved in design engineering, surveying, drafting, field inspection, right-of-way agents and more. This allows Michels to expand its services in telecommunications to include design, engineering, permitting and even design/build solutions for their customers. Data Tel's main offices are located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with additional offices in Neenah and New Berlin, Wisconsin.
A new era began recently when Michels Pipeline Construction, inc. changed its name to Michels Corporation. For over 40-years the name "Michels Pipeline Construction" has epitomized the origin of our success in the gas pipeline utility construction industry. Over the years, Michels has diversified and evolved into a company, which provides a wide array of services to the construction industry. Today, the name Michels Corporation and its associated divisions, which include: Pipeline; Materials; Directional Drilling; Mid-America Line and Cable; Sewer Water and Tunneling; Pilchuck Contractors; Superior Electric; Superior Northwest; Data-Tel; Fond Du Lac Stone and M & M Concrete, represents the breadth of the services and capabilities of linking systems for construction, energy, distribution and communications. – less – More from ZoomInfo »
