RIDGID
RIDGID is celebrating its 30th anniversary in diagnostics, recognizing three decades of innovation in inspection, locating and diagnostic technology for plumbing, drain and utility professionals.
Since entering the diagnostics category in 1996, RIDGID has played a key role in transforming how professionals inspect pipelines, locate underground utilities and diagnose infrastructure issues. By combining rugged design with advanced imaging, locating accuracy and intuitive digital workflows, RIDGID diagnostic solutions have become an essential part of job sites around the world. Designed to work seamlessly together, RIDGID diagnostic reels, pipe inspection cameras, monitors, locators and recording systems enable faster setup, reliable compatibility and enhanced efficiency.
RIDGID Diagnostic Innovation Milestones
1996: RIDGID introduced its first SeeSnake inspection camera, giving trade professionals a groundbreaking way to perform non‑invasive pipe inspections. Using push‑cable camera technology, the system provided clear in‑pipe visuals, enabling faster, more accurate diagnostics without dismantling plumbing infrastructure.
Early 2000s: The SeeSnake platform evolved and expanded into a full suite of rugged, jobsite‑ready video inspection tools. Engineered for durability, pushability and ease of use, these systems integrated camera reels, optical heads, push cables and monitors to deliver reliable, real‑time video from inside plumbing and drain lines.
2010s: RIDGID advanced SeeSnake diagnostics with digital monitors featuring Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. These enhancements enabled live streaming, on‑screen capture and simplified recording workflows, improving reporting accuracy, client communication and long‑term documentation, while introducing more flexible viewing and remote‑diagnostic capabilities.
Late 2010s–2020s: Introduction of TruSense technology marked a major leap in diagnostic innovation. This data‑enabled camera technology enhanced visibility and situational awareness inside pipes, going beyond traditional video to deliver smarter, more insightful inspection capabilities.
2023: RIDGID’s latest breakthrough, digital self‑leveling, eliminates the mechanical leveling components that traditionally wear over time. The result: reduced maintenance, increased uptime and longer‑lasting camera performance.
2025: RIDGID expands digital self‑leveling across its SeeSnake reel lineup, bringing enhanced imaging to more inspection scenarios than ever before. Now available on standard, mini and compact reels.
Vermeer
Vermeer Corporation has acquired 186 acres of land to build an all-new 300,000-square-foot facility in the Des Moines metro, located in Bondurant. Initially, it will be home to 300-plus jobs related to the manufacture and support of Vermeer industrial parts and equipment.
This investment supports the growth Vermeer has seen due to an accelerated momentum of innovation, increasing customer demand across all markets, expanded support in the field and a growing strength in the Vermeer brand worldwide.
“I’m incredibly proud of this business my grandfather, Gary Vermeer, began 78 years ago and the team doing the work to equip Vermeer customers around the world,” said Jason Andringa, president and CEO and third generation family member.
“While Pella will always be home to our headquarters, the need for Vermeer equipment has continued to grow and the innovation coming from Vermeer requires continued investment both in Pella and beyond.”
Vermeer Des Moines operations began spring of 2023 and today the team of 143, working out of 108,000 square feet, has demonstrated an incredible ability to deliver parts and equipment Vermeer customers need as they feed and fuel communities, manage natural resources and connect people to daily needed infrastructure.
This state-of-the-art facility will include advanced manufacturing tools and practices, a patented air circulation system and other exceptional investments to ensure another world-class manufacturing location.
Today, the Vermeer Des Moines team builds critical, wearable components Vermeer equipment uses during job site operations, known as Cutting Edge products. The all-new facility will serve as a state-of-the-art center of excellence for all aftermarket components supporting the Cutting Edge business. Additionally, the facility will also include full-spectrum manufacturing capability – including machining, weld, paint and assembly – giving Vermeer Des Moines versatility to meet a continually growing demand and will focus on the manufacture of key Landscape product line ups.
This new Vermeer Des Moines facility is the most recent investment in a series of strategic growth moves Vermeer has made following a strong growth trajectory since 2016. In the past three years alone, including upgrades across multiple facilities, Vermeer has added a 135,000-square-foot expansion at Vermeer MV Solutions in Greenville, SC, opened a 312,000-square-foot Global Parts Distribution Center in Pella, leased and built out a 108,000-square-foot facility in Des Moines, reworked 127,000 square feet of operational space in manufacturing in Goes, The Netherlands, and acquired significant ownership in a manufacturer located in Queensland, Australia.
PPI
The latest technical document from the Plastics Pipe Institute’s (PPI) Municipal Advisory Board (MAB) details the required wall thickness for a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) watermain pipeline that is subject to the fault crossing seismic hazard. The 38-page MAB-10 2025, Design of HDPE Water Mains for Crossing Seismic Hazard, includes formulas, calculations and charts, plus information about pipeline response to strike-slip events. It partners with the previously published MAB-9, Design of HDPE Water Mains for the Lateral Spread Seismic Hazard.
“As requested by multiple owners and consultants, the Municipal Advisory Board developed this document to assist in the design of HDPE for the expected fault crossing seismic event,” stated Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., F. ASCE, co-chair, HDPE Municipal Advisory Board, and vice president for PPI’s Municipal & Industrial Division. MAB serves as an independent, non-commercial adviser to the Municipal & Industrial Division of PPI, the major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry.
“In MAB-10 2025, simple relations are developed for the required wall thickness for an HDPE water main subject to the fault crossing seismic hazard,” he continued.
“The two primary seismic hazards to buried pipelines are wave propagation (WP) and permanent ground deformation (PGD). For the fault crossing hazard as described in MAB-10, the required wall thickness is a function of site conditions – burial depth and soil unit weight – the acceptable pipe strain, and geometric characteristics of the hazard, specifically the amount of fault offset and the pipeline’s fault crossing angle.”
Heat-fused HDPE pipe sections create a leak-free joint and a monolithic pipeline. The ductility and flexibility of HDPE pipe provide high resistance to earthquakes and is also an important factor for ease of installation. The HDPE pipe also resists corrosion and is not subject to tuberculation, important for maintaining and maximizing water flow capacity. HDPE pipe can be installed using a variety of trenchless and open cut methods.
The MAB-10 volunteer task force consisted of multiple engineers, utility professionals, industry experts, and contractors. The project was led by Michael O’Rourke, Professor Emeritus Civil Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. UI
MAB-10 plus other documents are located on the PPI website or by scanning: