We are proud to spotlight NASTT’s No-Dig Show Silver Sponsor and Corporate Member, Wyo-Ben.
Wyo-Ben began with a partnership consisting of Keith Rockwood and Neal Brown, together with Barbara Brown Bixby and R.E. Dansby, who acquired mill property at Greybull, Wyoming and bentonite claims. Their partnership was carried on under the name of Wyo-Ben Products Co. In its first year of operation the company processed 15,000 tons of bentonite which was sold for rotary drilling and oil well cementing mud. Over the next six years its business grew steadily, supported by an expanding economy and a rapid increase in the growth of oil well drilling technology.
In the 1980’s, the oil well drilling and iron ore pelletizing business declined dramatically. Wyo-Ben suffered tremendous losses. The principals were forced to make a monumental decision; Try to stay in business or fold like so many other companies. Wyo-Ben redirected sales efforts and changed the character of the company. While withstanding innumerable hardships, Wyo-Ben slowly transformed into the strong, diversified company it is today.
One of the markets that Wyo-Ben moved into after the collapse of the oil well drilling and taconite pelletizing markets was that of groundwater. Wyo-Ben began research and development on a new bentonite product which would create a better method of abandoning seismic shot holes. The product, Enviroplug®, was the first commercially produced bentonite chip. Word spread and the product’s properties were applied to other industries, including water well. Wyo-Ben began supplying groundwater contractors with other bentonite products, including drilling mud and grouting materials. Recognizing the need in the marketplace for better distribution, Wyo-Ben partnered with existing wholesalers offering sole distributorships within areas.
Continually being responsive to demand in the market place, Wyo-Ben’s products quickly expanded into other industries including: water and mineral exploration, horizontal directional drilling, oil and gas exploration, caisson drilling and tunneling, environmental sealants and industrial waste water treatment. A new suite of products was introduced, Cleartreat®, designed specifically for treating industrial waste water.