Over the past 66 years, our consistent delivery of safe, high-quality solutions on complex, challenging projects has established us as a global leader in energy and infrastructure construction.
Entering the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) market in 1988, we have distinguished ourselves as an authority on trenchless techniques that offer safe, environmentally sound ways of installing utility lines in areas where traditional open-cut construction would not be practical or possible, such as under waterways.
As our trenchless team has grown and advanced with the industry, we have continued to expand our new installation and rehabilitation solutions. By completing some of the world’s most challenging installations, we have gained a reputation that extends beyond North America.
In addition to our international companies in Canada and Australia, we have been serving Europe since 2021 when we contributed to a major offshore wind project. Michels Trenchless GmbH was officially established in 2022 and continues to deliver trenchless solutions in Germany.
“We started in Lahr with two rooms—one office and one meeting room,” Michael Lubberger, a Prokurist and our first German team member, said. “On Jan. 1, 2023, we started to expand because our employees’ numbers were growing.”
Meanwhile, a shop and yard were established in Lichtenau to support Michels’ fleet of custom-designed and fabricated equipment. Throughout it all, the company cultivated the leadership, safety, and field operations teams needed to deliver trenchless construction throughout Europe.
Over the past few years, our team has delivered critical infrastructure projects that include an offshore wind initiative involving 40 HDDs in support of Germany’s goal to supply 80 percent of the country’s electrical needs from renewable resources by 2050. Additionally, a 300-meter-long HDD was completed in the inner city of Offenbach last year.
Our ongoing successes in international markets have provided international opportunities for long-term, multiyear assignments for North Americans.
Marc Harren, an Estimating Manager, took an assignment to Germany from July 2023 to July 2025, to support Michels Trenchless GmbH’s estimating and negotiating on joint venture and prime HDD opportunities. His contributions led to the awarding of more than 63,000 meters of trenchless crossings via 119 individual drills.
“There was a need for support from someone experienced within Michels to help establish processes, corporate structure, and culture,” said Marc, who has been with Michels for 9 years. “Everyone wore many hats.”
Marc’s time overseas not only benefited our German operations, but also proved rewarding to the expat himself.
“I gained a more worldly vision. Seeing and learning in great depth about the culture, customs, and social concerns was a real eye opener,” Marc said. “The Michels team in country—German and North American—is second to none!”
This year has proven momentous for our international endeavors. The trenchless processes at Michels Trenchless GmbH sites in Germany as well as Michels Trenchless Pty. Ltd. sites in Australia were certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for quality, environment, and health and safety.
We also opened a new office in Wiesbaden to accommodate our European employees and the roughly two dozen team members from the U.S. supplementing the team there. Moreover, Engineer News-Record ranked Michels as 8th among Contractors Working Abroad in 2024.
“We are privileged to be an internationally recognized provider of energy and infrastructure construction services,” Matt Westphal, President, Europe & Asia Pacific, said. “I credit the hard work and dedication of our entire team, including our field personnel, health and safety professionals, office and shop staff, senior leadership and our sub-contractors, for our reputation for reliability, high quality, and safety.”
