Customers of Ditch Witch Midwest were invited to one of five open houses to celebrate the company’s 35 years in business.

Attendees at each location, including Kaukauna, WI (Oct. 11), Waukesha, WI (Oct. 13), Brownsburg, IN (Oct. 18), Fort Wayne, IN (Oct. 25), and Carol Stream, IL (Oct. 27) had a chance to operate some of the Ditch Witch Jet Trac directional drills and compact utility equipment that Ditch Witch Midwest carries to support area municipalities and landscape companies.

“Mud schools” were offered to educate customers on the finer points of mixing directional drilling fluid, and locating seminars offered tips on using Ditch Witch electronic locating equipment to spot buried utilities at the job site.

Earl Harbaugh established Ditch Witch Midwest in 1970 when he opened the Carol Stream facility. His son, Mark Harbaugh, is now the organization’s general manager.

“Our primary goal of the open houses was to thank our customers for thirty-five years of business, and to let them know that we wouldn’t be here without them,” said Harbaugh. “We wanted to give them a chance to run the equipment, ask questions, do a little training, and have a lot of fun. This was also a good opportunity for them to come and see our facilities, which they normally don’t do because they primarily deal with our salespeople.”

Lunch was served during each event, and all attendees received hats and shirts with the Ditch Witch logo.

The Wisconsin stores also held a drawing for an autographed football, helmet, and Ditch Witch shirt signed by Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

At the Carol Stream location, there was a drawing for two footballs and one helmet autographed by various players from the Chicago Bears. And everyone had the opportunity to take advantage of a 10 percent discount on all Ditch Witch parts and services.

A total of 400 customers representing approximately 200 companies attended the events, according to Harbaugh.

The Ditch Witch organization specializes in the design and manufacture of underground construction equipment, including trenchers, vibratory plows, directional drills, pneumatic piercing tools, backhoes, electronic tracking and locating tools, vacuum excavation systems, excavator-tool carriers, mini excavators, and mini skid steers.

For more information, call 630/665-5600.

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