Juanita Pienaar recently caught up with Jordan Vevers, National Marketing Manager at Atlas Plant Hire, to unpack how the company is continuing to drive progress in geotechnical and drilling industries. With decades of experience, a national footprint, and an unwavering focus on reliability, Atlas Plant Hire remains a trusted partner for companies working in some of the most demanding terrains in South Africa.
Trusted power in tough conditions
Whether it’s the parched stretches of the Karoo or the muddy depths of an urban construction site, drilling operations hinge on one critical factor: dependable, high-pressure air. And that’s where Atlas Plant Hire steps in.
“We supply leading OEM equipment like Atlas Copco and Doosan, known for their durability and high performance,” says Vevers. “Our high-pressure portable air compressors are built to meet the intensity and scale of modern drilling operations, from geotechnical investigations to large-scale piling and deep borehole drilling.”
The compressors are capable of operating at pressures of up to 25 bar (365 psi) and are designed for heavy-duty use across industries. “These are not your average machines,” Vevers notes. “They’re engineered to deliver consistent airflow and pressure, even in the most unforgiving geological conditions.”
Meeting the demands of a changing industry
South Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors are growing, and with that comes an increasing need for drilling excellence. “There’s definitely a shift in the market - customers are demanding more performance, less downtime, and greater energy efficiency,” says Vevers.
In response, Atlas Plant Hire has focused on fleet modernisation and customer-centric support. “We’ve invested significantly in new equipment and in expanding our national footprint,” he explains. “This ensures we can deliver quickly and provide on-site technical support when and where it’s needed.”
The company’s compressors support a wide array of applications, including:
- Geotechnical investigations
- Piling for foundations
- Water well drilling
- Mining exploration drilling
“In each of these sectors, reliability is non-negotiable,” Vevers adds. “We know that for our clients, equipment failure isn’t just an inconvenience - it’s a cost they can’t afford.”
A service model built on trust
But it’s not just about the machines. According to Vevers, the backbone of Atlas Plant Hire’s offering is their after-sales support. “We don’t just deliver equipment - we deliver peace of mind,” he states.
The company maintains strategically located branches across South Africa, ensuring fast turnaround times for repairs, maintenance, and replacements. “Every minute counts on a site,” says Vevers. “If something goes wrong, our clients need to know that we’ll be there to fix it - fast.”
This dedication has earned Atlas Plant Hire a loyal customer base, particularly in remote regions where technical support can be hard to come by. “We understand the logistical challenges of working far from urban centres. That’s why our compressors are mobile, easy to deploy, and built to endure.”
Leading with sustainability and safety
As environmental and safety standards evolve, so too has Atlas Plant Hire’s approach to equipment selection and fleet management. “Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s part of how we operate,” says Vevers.
The compressors are fitted with low-emission engines, fuel-efficient systems, and advanced filtration. “Noise reduction and air quality matter, especially on sites near communities or in sensitive environments,” he explains.
Safety, too, remains top of mind. “We make sure our equipment is up to standard, properly maintained, and easy for operators to use. A safe site is a productive site.”
Empowering Geotechnical and Piling Projects
While Atlas Plant Hire’s equipment is certainly suitable for water well drilling and remote boreholes, their most active projects today are piling and geotechnical drilling for infrastructure and commercial developments.
“We’re extremely busy on geotechnical and piling sites right now,” Vevers notes. “These applications require stable, high-pressure air delivery over extended periods, often in urban environments where space is tight and uptime is critical.”
The company’s compressors are particularly well-suited to piling operations, where precision, power, and reliability are non-negotiable. “Our machines deliver the consistent pressure needed to drive piles into complex or variable ground conditions,” Vevers explains. “That’s what makes them indispensable on foundational infrastructure jobs.”
Beyond raw performance, the logistical and technical support Atlas Plant Hire offers is what keeps piling contractors coming back. “We work closely with site engineers and project managers to ensure the right setup, preventative maintenance, and fast response if anything goes wrong. We’re not just a supplier - we’re an extension of the project team,” he adds.
Final word
As South Africa ramps up infrastructure projects and pushes into new territory for geotechnical and foundational work, companies like Atlas Plant Hire are proving indispensable.
“We know what’s at stake for our clients,” says Vevers. “They need equipment they can trust, backed by a team that understands their challenges. That’s what we deliver - day in, day out.”