MANSFIELD — Jim Weist has always believed there is a bright future underground.
That’s why the president of Michael Byrne Manufacturing is excited about the company’s recently announced acquisition of the American Augers boring product line.
“This strategic purchase combines two trusted names in horizontal earth boring, delivering even greater value, innovation and service to our customers,” Weist said.
“With this acquisition, (we) expand (our) capabilities to support a broader range of auger boring equipment and parts while continuing to provide the high-quality machinery, custom engineering and the same responsive assistance our customers have counted on,” Weist said.
He said the acquisition aligns with the company’s long-term strategy to expand its presence in the utility market and enhance product offerings for customers across the trenchless drilling industry.
“We are excited about this acquisition as it delivers innovative, high-quality boring solutions while continuing to support customers who have relied on American Augers’ auger boring equipment for decades.
“We want to assure all existing American Augers’ customers that their equipment will be fully supported,” he said.
The move comes as the growing company, located near Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport at 1855 Earth Boring Road (just south of Cairns Road), prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026.
Michael Byrne founded the company in 1966 inside his Mansfield garage. Six decades later, it remains a family-owned company, now led by Byrne’s son-in-law.
The purchase comes a few years after Weist said several critical American Auger employees began to leave the West Salem-based company and join Byrne Manufacturing, which has expanded to 41 employees.
“In the last five years, we probably picked up nine or 10 of their employees … pretty critical employees … plant manager, head of sales, engineers,” Weist said.
American Augers, which had been acquired by Toro in 2019 through its purchase of Ditch Witch, announced in December it was temporarily suspending production. Weist, who said the two companies had built a relationship over the years, reached out to inquire.
Eight months later, the acquisition was announced.
The transaction includes inventory, key equipment designs, intellectual property, and support systems related to the auger boring product line, according to Weist.
According to an article published at the Equipment World website, Toro will maintain ownership of its underground equipment, including large horizontal drills, pumps and fluid cleaning systems.
It comes three years after Byrne Manufacturing received approval for an enterprise zone agreement that led to the construction of a 10,000-square foot new building on the company’s site.
That $1.5 million investment, assisted by a 10-year, 60-percent tax abatement on the increased value, was to result in seven additional jobs over three years. Instead, Michael Byrne Manufacturing has added 17 new workers to its payroll.
Weist said the company is looking to add weekend shifts at the facility and another physical expansion is not out of the question.
“We have room at our facility to expand. We own a little over 10 acres out here. We are doing some preliminary work on where we could put some sort of expansion in the assembly and paint shop areas — that’s where our logjams are right now,” he said.
Machines manufactured by Bryne are often sought for use by companies installing any variety of underground utility lines — water, sewer, gas, oil electric, etc.
The American Rescue Plant Act approved during the COVID pandemic has funded infrastructure improvements around the country. It’s been a boon to businesses such as Byrne Manufacturing, which also supplies crucial parts such as gearboxes and also services equipment.
“It’s critical and it’s going to be even more critical if (the United States) continues to reshore manufacturing, data centers. All of that underground stuff has to be done in advance before they starting putting things on top of it,” Weist said.