Kodiak began in 1994, founded by a group of site assessment professionals with backgrounds in geology, environmental science, and a shared enthusiasm for drilling equipment. With just a small office, shop, truck, trailer, and a single Pionjar drill, we got our start not as drillers who worked their way up, but as technical specialists. We understood soil and groundwater long before we understood drilling.

Today, that technical foundation still runs deep. Our current management team includes five science degrees and two college diplomas, with two of us registered as Professional Geoscientists (P.Geo) in Ontario.

Our specialty is limited access drilling, which many assume means indoor drilling only. While indoor spaces like basements and utility rooms are certainly part of what we do (and areas where we excel), limited access goes far beyond that.

We’re just as likely to be found drilling outdoors on sites like soccer fields, parks, or boulevards, where traditional drilling rigs can’t reach or could damage the landscape. For us, limited access means any location where space, terrain, or surface conditions call for compact, maneuverable drilling equipment.

“Our vision for Kodiak has remained the same for all these 30 years… boreholes and monitoring wells with small drills. Within the past 30 years, I am most proud of our ability to be innovators and problem solvers to realize that vision.”                                        – Randy Goodwin, Kodiak Drilling Manager

 

An integral part of our 30 years of operations is our commitment to ensuring the highest standard of safety training and protocols. We have grown substantially since our early days with just the Pionjar and pickup truck, but our overall dedication to safety and efficiency has remained constant. 

It’s hard to believe now, but it was common for drillers not to check locates years ago. Kodiak and Geo-Environmental Drilling were pioneers in insisting on complete locates and all Kodiak employees have extensive locate training. We believe in the importance of this training so strongly that we will pay for our client project managers and field technicians to take it. 

We’ve developed what we believe is the most effective tailgate safety process in the industry—recognized by its feature in the Ontario Ground Water Association magazine (You can read the full article on our website here).

At its core, our system is built around two key components that make it both practical and impactful in the field.

1)  Tailgate Safety Checklist: A single-page, checklist-style form completed at every job site. It covers specific safety topics across each component of the site analysis, ensuring nothing is overlooked.                                                                                                                                  

2)  Health and Safety Plan – Field Work: This detailed document outlines the ten components referenced in the checklist. It provides site personnel with the guidance needed to complete thorough, site-specific safety assessments.

With 30 years under our belt, we take pride in our innovation and progress in tackling complex challenges. Thank you to everyone who’s been a part of our journey—we’re excited for what lies ahead!

Learn more about the technology used and our eight kinds of small drills in our article, here.