Sargent Irrigation - History
In 1953 Larry Whitesel and Wayne "Pete" Kaps joined Charlie Sargent, who founded the company in 1937. They incorporated as Charles Sargent Irrigation, Inc. Larry and Pete obtained full ownership of the company the following year and in 1979 Larry obtained full ownership. Today, Larry's son Mike Whitesel is President of the company.
All of the company work was based out of Broken Bow, NE until 1971 when the first branch office was opened at Bassett, NE. This expansion proved that locally managed offices were able to do the complete job to better serve the area needs. As irrigation continued to expand several more branch offices were opened in Nebraska, California in 1976, Wyoming in 1981 and Nevada in 1982. Today Sargent continues to serve most of the Midwestern United Sates.
Sargent Irrigation's rapid expansion had reached a point in 1975 where its suppliers were not furnishing a quality product in sufficient quantity. With rapidly increasing energy costs, a highly efficient, dependable turbine pump was the top priority. Engineering and technical people were employed to begin development of Sargent's own design. Sophisticated machines were ordered and inventories were built up. By the spring of 1976, the completed “Sargent” pump was being manufactured and shipped from the Sargent Pipe plant at Broken Bow, NE.
In 1978 the need was recognized to specialize in the municipal and industrial market. Personnel were hired with experience in that area and Sargent Irrigation Municipal Division was born. Today that division continues to serve the municipal market as “Sargent Drilling”.
In the early 1980’s Sargent began to explore the international market. Within a few years one major project was completed in Mexico, in 1986 Sargent Irrigation International began drilling in Algeria. Today Sargent Pipe Company is shipping turbine pumps as far away as Australia and looking for expansion throughout the world.
The 1980’s and 1990's saw the need for specialization in drilling of monitoring wells, heat pump loop wells, dewatering wells, and domestic wells. This requires specialized equipment and training and Sargent continues to service each of these areas.
Service is a very important part of any industry and Sargent has developed several service specific programs in this area.
We have turned the corner into the new millennium and Sargent's goal is to continue to blend experience, professionalism, and modern technology into the best services possible for the customer.
All of the company work was based out of Broken Bow, NE until 1971 when the first branch office was opened at Bassett, NE. This expansion proved that locally managed offices were able to do the complete job to better serve the area needs. As irrigation continued to expand several more branch offices were opened in Nebraska, California in 1976, Wyoming in 1981 and Nevada in 1982. Today Sargent continues to serve most of the Midwestern United Sates.
Sargent Irrigation's rapid expansion had reached a point in 1975 where its suppliers were not furnishing a quality product in sufficient quantity. With rapidly increasing energy costs, a highly efficient, dependable turbine pump was the top priority. Engineering and technical people were employed to begin development of Sargent's own design. Sophisticated machines were ordered and inventories were built up. By the spring of 1976, the completed “Sargent” pump was being manufactured and shipped from the Sargent Pipe plant at Broken Bow, NE.
In 1978 the need was recognized to specialize in the municipal and industrial market. Personnel were hired with experience in that area and Sargent Irrigation Municipal Division was born. Today that division continues to serve the municipal market as “Sargent Drilling”.
In the early 1980’s Sargent began to explore the international market. Within a few years one major project was completed in Mexico, in 1986 Sargent Irrigation International began drilling in Algeria. Today Sargent Pipe Company is shipping turbine pumps as far away as Australia and looking for expansion throughout the world.
The 1980’s and 1990's saw the need for specialization in drilling of monitoring wells, heat pump loop wells, dewatering wells, and domestic wells. This requires specialized equipment and training and Sargent continues to service each of these areas.
Service is a very important part of any industry and Sargent has developed several service specific programs in this area.
- 1980 was the beginning of the “Pep” (pump efficiency testing) program
- 1982 E-LOG (electric well logging)
- 1990 down hole video well inspections
- 1997 Sonar-Jet well cleaning and rehabilitation
We have turned the corner into the new millennium and Sargent's goal is to continue to blend experience, professionalism, and modern technology into the best services possible for the customer.
