March, 2026
MTI Equipment Celebrates 40th Anniversary: Marking Four Decades of Industry Leadership,
Safety Excellence, and a Return to Independent Roots

From our 1986 beginnings to our current position as global industry leader, the MTI story has always been about the people. Meet the ownership group leading the charge into our next 40 years: (L to R) Canon Stahl, Alain Trimble, Shawn Hendricks, and Mike Lauzon. Together, they bring a lifetime of relationships and expertise to the table, ensuring MTI remains the most trusted name in pre-owned HDD.
NORTH PORT, FL — March 6, 2026 — MTI Equipment is proud to announce its 40th anniversary, commemorating four decades of service to the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.
From its founding in 1986 to its current position as a global leader in preowned HDD equipment, with over 5,000 drills sold, MTI’s journey is defined by innovation, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to the contractors who power our infrastructure.
A Full-Circle Evolution
MTI was founded by a utility contractor who recognized the impact of HDD equipment in its early days. He later brought in his son, Canon Stahl, and son-in-law, Shawn Hendricks, to help grow the business. Their success ultimately led to MTI’s acquisition by Ditch Witch/Charles Machine Works in 2012. In 2019, the organization completed a strategic re-acquisition from the Charles Machine Works/Toro family of companies, restoring MTI to its independent, family-owned roots. Since then, the company has continued to experience significant growth in personnel, facilities, and industry expertise.
Strengthening the Team
Following the re-acquisition in 2019, the leadership team—Shawn Hendricks, Canon Stahl, and Alain Trimble—strengthened the company’s competitive position by partnering with Mike Lauzon, a seasoned industry veteran and son of the founder of HDD Broker. With his deep industry roots, Lauzon joined an ownership group with unmatched experience, relationships, and technical expertise. The company has also continued to attract and develop talented professionals, building a team of nearly 50 employees.
Culture and Safety: The Core of Success
Central to MTI’s success is a dedication to safety and employee well-being. MTI has achieved a major internal milestone: over 1,400 consecutive days without a lost-time injury. This achievement underscores the company’s priority of making MTI one of the safest and most rewarding workplaces in the industry.
A Message from Leadership
Alain Trimble, a key leader in the ownership group, reflected on the milestone:
"Reaching 40 years in business is an incredible milestone for our company. This achievement would not be possible without the trust of our customers, the collaboration of our partners, and, most importantly, the dedication of our employees. Their hard work, commitment, and pride in what we do every day are the true foundation of our success. Because of them, we can consistently provide what we believe is the best preowned HDD equipment and, as we say,
‘Take the Risk Out of Buying Used.’ We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and look forward to continuing to serve our customers for many years to come.”
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
As MTI moves forward into its fifth decade, the company remains focused on growth and customer value. To kick off the celebration, MTI will roll out a series of promotions throughout 2026, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
About MTI Equipment
Headquartered in North Port, Florida, MTI Equipment is a premier global distributor of preowned HDD equipment. Operating from a 40,000 square foot facility on 13 acres, and serving customers in more than 40 countries, MTI is dedicated to providing superior equipment, industry-leading Certified Preowned standards, and unmatched support for the HDD and utility construction sectors.

Media Contact:
Owen Weaver
Marketing Manager
941-474-6789
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