Akkerman was featured in Trenchless Technology for new installation challenges with microtunneling.

Within the growing microtunneling industry in North America, a deeper dive discussion regarding the importance of a quality microtunneling operator and crew is needed, as these highly trained individuals are oftentimes a key to a successful operation.

For many of us who have dedicated our careers to the trenchless industry, we understand the need for continued education, networking with industry professionals, and sharing our knowledge through seminars and practical manuals. With the microtunneling industry continuing to grow in North America, we have focused much of our attention on general best practices, new technologies and lessons learned on a project scale, while missing a deeper dive discussion regarding the importance of a quality microtunneling operator and crew. These highly trained individuals are oftentimes a key to a successful operation.

If you are engaged in this article, most of you will already understand the microtunneling process and how it works. Instead of focusing on microtunneling systems, I want to focus on some of the aspects that make a great microtunneling team.