14 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Through the Years of HDD Adapted from Information by Melfred Borzall, Inc. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) took many years, and incremental developments in directional technologies, to get to where it’s at today. Fred Melsheimer, a machinist and welder, started Melfred Welding & Manufacturing in 1946. Melsheimer designed and invented many tools and techniques forming the basis for HDD, like the slurry, or wet, boring process. Following in their father’s footsteps, Fred's sons Ted and Dick started working at the company in 1955, becoming full-time in 1961. Together, they created the DynaMole which was a self-propelled hydraulic boring machine enabling longer bores. In 1969, Dick and Ted obtained a patent on the DynaMole, which included a method of pulling utilities behind a back reamer during horizontal drilling. Another figure emerged who would be crucial to the HDD industry. Martin Cherrington had watched a gas line installed using a handheld air drill, and got an idea for guided drilling. Eventually, this led to Cherrington custom building an early version of a directional drill rig in 1964, to complete road-boring jobs. A huge breakthrough happened while Cherrington was installing gas lines for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company when they had to cross the Pajaro River in central California. Using a newly developed rig and some unconventional methods, Cherrington successfully drilled underwater. This showcased the potential of HDD as an effective technique for underground drilling, minimizing disruption to the environment. In the late 1970s, Dick worked with Goldac Co. to launch the first electric drill bit locator. This locator served as a direct ancestor to modern-day walkover transmitter location systems, a core component of horizontal directional drilling equipment. The advancements of the 1970s set the stage for significant technological progress in the 1980s. Dick established Borzall Equipment, focusing on producing durable reamers, bits, and other HDD tools. Later, he would join back up with Melfred Welding to form Melfred Borzall. Dick, along with the Melfred team, began developing the first HDD rig called the Sure Shot Directional Drilling system. The system was launched in 1990, revolutionizing the HDD market, making advanced technology available to contractors and drill operators everywhere. It featured innovations such as an electric strike alarm and hydraulic control valves for better safety, visibility, and control. Digital Control introduced the DigiTrak system, designed from the ground up to locate boring tools. It quickly became a crucial piece of HDD equipment, giving drill operators roll, pitch, and more accurate location and depth readings, as well as a remote display for real-time monitoring. For eight decades, Melfred Borzall has focused on one thing: building HDD tooling that makes directional drilling more productive, more predictable, and more profitable. What began as a commitment to solving tough drilling challenges has grown into a legacy of innovation that continues to shape how the industry bores. Today, the legacy continues with a strong focus on engineering, manufacturing excellence, and practical innovation supporting the modern HDD contractor. While technology has evolved, the mission remains the same - design and build reliable tooling helps drill operators work smarter and more efficiently. With four generations involved, the commitment runs deeper than ever: stay close to the customer, keep improving the product, and continue earning the trust of crews across the industry. HDD
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