STEWART KRAUSE
Sales Manager
Wyo-Ben Inc.
Billings, Montana
THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT?
When making a decision, look past today. Most decisions will have long-lasting consequences.
ON MY DESK RIGHT NOW?
Pricing. Keeping up with ever-changing costs is the most difficult I’ve seen in my career.
MOST SATISFYING PART OF YOUR JOB?
Customer interaction. Spending time on the jobsite is always rewarding and always a learning experience.
OTHER THAN SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FACING MANUFACTURERS?
We’ve seen a significant increase in regulatory oversite from permitting new claims to site inspections. Mining permits that took two to three years to process a few years ago are now up to seven or eight years. Energy cost inflation is having a huge impact on our industry, causing hauling and mining costs to increase rapidly.
THE NO. 1 MISCONCEPTION WHEN IT COMES TO PURCHASING DRILLING FLUIDS OR ADDITIVES?
Value is the price, the service, and the vendor’s commitment to the industry. Service is a commitment to get the product to the customer in the time frame required, be responsive, and help choose the correct product. Service is not as sexy as the initial sale, but it’s what keeps you in business for the long haul.
WHICH DRILLING SUPPLIES, TOOLS, OR EQUIPMENT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN 2022?
We’re constantly looking to bring new products to market or reinventing old products with new formulations. Supply chain issues have forced us to spend more time on existing product reformulation to meet market demand. With fuel driving delivered costs of bentonite, looking for new ways to make up drilling fluids is also front and center.