Pantara Equipment Rental, based in Port Coquitlam, B.C., specializes in hydraulic drill rentals and assistance services for drilling and shoring companies.
“I have decades of experience operating hydraulic drills,” said Daryl Houston, president of Pantara Equipment Rental. “With my company, I offer hydraulic drilling services to people who need them. The machines I rent come with an operator as an option to minimize breakdowns and damage on the machines, resulting in less stress for the renter.”
If a company owns hydraulic drilling equipment but lacks a qualified operator, Pantara Equipment Rental can supply experienced personnel. The company provides operators skilled in running a wide range of drills, including Comacchio, KLEMM, Soilmec, Interoc and Airtrac. Additionally, Pantara can provide labour workers as needed.
“There is a lot involved with my company,” said Houston. “It’s not just about renting equipment. I offer other services too. I train drillers and I also help other companies with their equipment. I continue to get calls from people asking questions about their equipment, and I can also provide advice on purchasing equipment. I have mechanical capabilities and innovative techniques. What I am offering is my years of experience doing this type of work.”
Houston says that safety, quality and production are the foundations of Pantara Equipment Rental. He notes that while modern hydraulic drills rely heavily on electronics, older machines can still perform just as well. His expertise allows clients to find the right equipment for their specific projects. The idea for Pantara Equipment Rental originated from Houston’s recognition of an industry gap – a need for rental-based hydraulic drilling services. Two years ago, his vision became a reality.
“My vision is to be there to assist companies in the industry with projects that require hydraulic drills,” said Houston. “Most of my work is in the lower mainland British Columbia area. Working with Pantara Equipment Rental allows companies to use our hydraulic drills for a short period of time without having to invest a bunch of money in equipment, maintenance, operators and training. They get the job done and can continue with their work.”
While Pantara Rental Equipment has maintained a small team of three to four employees over the past two years, the company’s reputation has grown significantly.
“Our name is out there now,” said Houston, who is proud to own an Indigenous-led business. “We are more well known now and that can be attributed to the fact that we have proven that we do what we say we will do. Pantara lives up to its slogan, which is skill, agility and ability. Our equipment is from Germany, and I have been working with this equipment for many years because I have worked with other companies before starting my own business. I am very proud that I am Indigenous and own my own business.”
Houston is also proud of the fact that Pantara Equipment’s clients have all been happy with the equipment and services provided, often returning to the rental company when hydraulic drills are needed for additional project work.
“Pantara Equipment Rental is a small company. You can count on us to do the job right and we don’t charge a lot like the big guys do. My rates are reasonable, but production quality is high. Companies can call me, and we’ll discuss how they want to go about a job, and I will do my best to make it easier for them to get the right equipment,” said Houston.