Wisconsin Utility Exposure

‘Exposing’ Growth

Excellence in Underground Utility Services with round-the-clock service

Wisconsin Utility Exposure (X-Pose) is a prominent WBE Hydrovac company in the state of Wisconsin, operating 18 trucks across the region. With dispatch locations in Waukesha, Hartford, Slinger, and Milwaukee, the company specializes in exposing underground utilities for a variety of clients, including utility companies, engineering firms, municipalities and contractors.

Kim Wehse, the President, explains, “Our primary service involves verifying underground utilities, identifying their exact depth, and ensuring they are not in the way of new installations such as water services, sewer laterals, or fiber optics.” This is achieved through a method known as vacuum excavating/Daylighting where the team systematically exposes the utility lines at regular intervals to ensure safety and accuracy.

Wehse continues, “What sets us apart is our experienced team. Some of our guys have been with us since we started back in 1999. Their expertise allows them to navigate unique and challenging situations efficiently.” This extensive experience means that the team can handle utilities that might be buried as deep as 25 feet, ensuring precise verification without damaging the existing infrastructure.

Additionally, Wisconsin Utility Exposure excels in remote access capabilities. “We often find ourselves needing to work in areas that aren’t easily accessible by our trucks,” says Wehse. In such cases, we use remote hose systems to reach the work site. We can get to where we need to be behind a house or through a tree line without disturbing the surroundings.”

The company prides itself on leaving no trace of its work apart from the valuable data it provides. “When we finish a job, we backfill the area, restore the grass, and reseed if necessary. It’s like we were never there, yet the engineers and contractors have precise, accurate information,” Wehse states.

Early Involvement in Development Projects

Wisconsin Utility Exposure plays a crucial role in the rapidly growing commercial and residential sectors. They are often called in at the earliest stages of development to ensure that existing utilities are accurately located before any heavy machinery touches the ground. This proactive approach prevents potential hazards and costly mistakes during construction.

“We’re usually called in early,” Wehse explains, “especially in new residential areas where utilities are already in place. We verify their locations before excavation begins.” This early intervention is critical for road widening projects or modifying existing roadways. “If they are widening a road or changing its grade, we verify the depth of utilities so they can proceed without any unexpected issues.”

Beyond the essential hydrovac services, the company offers a wide range of additional services. “We assist with utility pole installations,” says Wehse. “We’ll dig the holes, ensuring the old poles are safely removed and new ones installed without damaging existing lines.” This is particularly vital for replacing outdated infrastructure and ensuring the continued reliability of utility services.

X-Pose’s expertise extends to transmission substation work as well. “Substations are sensitive areas, and large excavators aren’t always feasible. We handle trenching and other necessary tasks with precision,” Wehse points out. Properly handling substation updates and expansions is essential for maintaining the power grid’s integrity.

In addition,  X-Pose provides SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering Services) allowing us to verify pipeline crossings. “For pipeline crossings, we ensure the utilities are where they’re supposed to be, using techniques like utility line openings (ULO),” Wehse elaborates. “We core drill into the road, creating small access points to safely hydrovac down to the utilities, identify them, take pictures, and measure their depth through GPS.”

One of the growing aspects of their business is coring and restoring roadways. “We drill a hole, then hydrovac down to the utility, gather the necessary data, and backfill the hole. We can even replace the core plug so seamlessly that you can hardly tell we were there,” Wehse explains. This meticulous approach leaves a minimal footprint, ensuring the integrity of the roadway while providing precise underground utility information.

Challenges in the Modern Business Environment

As the world grapples with supply chain disruptions and a shortage of skilled labor, Wisconsin Utility Exposure has managed to maintain a steady course. Wehse reflects on these macroeconomic realities and the company’s strategies for overcoming them.

“We are always looking for the right people to be part of our team,” she says, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. “We work as a team because of how we treat our employees. We’re here until the last one comes back in. We’re a family-oriented business.” This close-knit approach stems from the company’s roots, established by Wehse’s father and brother, Steve, in 1999. Despite growing to 35 employees, the company maintains a small family business feel, treating everyone like family.

This strong team ethic has been pivotal in retaining skilled workers, a critical factor in an industry facing a labor shortage. “Nobody is bigger, better, or brighter than the next guy. We bring everybody in when we have a tough job,” Wehse notes. This inclusive culture ensures that every team member feels valued and integral to the company’s success.

In terms of growth, Wisconsin Utility Exposure adopts a measured pace. “We’ve always grown slowly, usually adding a truck a year,” Wehse explains. This deliberate expansion strategy allows the company to ensure it has the necessary equipment and personnel to handle its workload effectively. “We can only work with the people that we have, so we’re always looking to add new employees, but we can only add them when we have the available equipment.”

The company operates consistently throughout the year, with winter being a hectic season. “The Hydrovac trucks have burners that heat the water, allowing us to cut through frost,” says Wehse. “We equip our guys with the right PPE to keep them safe and able to continue working in freezing conditions.” This preparation ensures that even in the harshest winters, the company can meet client demands without compromising safety or efficiency.

Wehse acknowledges that the company has experienced challenges regarding supply chain issues, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. “There were times when tires weren’t available, and we had to overorder to ensure we had enough,” she recalls. However, the company navigated these disruptions by stocking up on essential parts and sourcing products from alternative suppliers. “Things have settled for us now, and we’re back to normal.”

The ability to pivot quickly and maintain operations smoothly, even during a global crisis, is a testament to the company’s resilience and forward-thinking approach. “Everyone worked through those times, even when many people were working from home. We had to be in the office and managed,” Wehse concludes. This adaptability has positioned Wisconsin Utility Exposure to weather future challenges and continue providing top-notch service to their clients.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Strategic partnerships have significantly impacted Wisconsin Utility Exposure’s growth and stability. These collaborations are instrumental in navigating economic fluctuations and operational challenges, providing the company with the support and resources necessary to thrive.

“Our banking source has been a huge asset to us,” Wehse states. “First Business Bank has worked with us year after year, helping us strategize loans and manage our equipment investments, especially with the current high interest rates.” This conservative approach has built a solid foundation of trust between Wisconsin Utility Exposure and its banking partners. “By working conservatively, we’ve earned their trust. They see the longevity in our equipment and the quality of our work, which has allowed us to grow steadily.”

Wehse also highlights the crucial role of their sales representative, AJ, from Super Products. “AJ has been fantastic in informing us about the latest equipment trends and availability,” she says. “We’ve standardized our fleet with Super Products Mud Dog hydrovac trucks. This standardization helps us manage our parts and equipment more efficiently.”

The decision to stick with the Mud Dog trucks has been strategic. “We started with Mud Dog and have continued with it because it allows us to standardize our parts and equipment needs,” Wehse explains. This consistency streamlines maintenance and ensures that the team is familiar with the equipment, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.

Priorities for the Future

As Wisconsin Utility Exposure looks to the future, maintaining its high standards of service and operational efficiency is paramount. The company’s leadership remains focused on ensuring customer satisfaction and safety while navigating the industry’s ever-changing demands.

“The main priority for the next 18 months is working smart, working safe, and keeping our customers satisfied 24/7,” Wehse states. “We’re available around the clock. The owners answer the phone all night if needed. Just last night, a storm rolled through, and we were able to respond to calls and dispatch our teams quickly.”

Consistency in service delivery is essential for the company as it moves forward. “Consistency will be key as we continue to grow and adapt,” Wehse emphasizes. We want our customers to know they can reach us anytime and be confident in our quick turnaround times and reliable services.”

This commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence will guide Wisconsin Utility Exposure through the upcoming months, ensuring it remains a trusted partner in the industry. By focusing on smart, safe practices and maintaining its readiness to respond to any situation, the company is well-positioned to continue its success and growth into the future.

AT A GLANCE

Wisconsin Utility Exposure

What: Hydrovac services for underground utility exposure and verification

Where: Wisconsin

Website: https://www.wisconsinutilityexposure.com/