Scott Stone combines a wealth of operational and business development experience with horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in his role as European Operational Manager with Michels Trenchless Europe.Scott entered the HDD industry in 1988 as a steering tool guidance engineer with Visser Smit Reading & Bates (VSRB). He became an HDD maxi rigs project manager in 1991 and worked throughout Europe. In 1995, Scott joined Visser & Smit Hanab (V&SH) to continue development of the HDD technique in Europe. For the next 20 years, Scott was involved in major HDD projects, including drills and installations of 56-inch pipelines to distances of more than 2.5kms. He was also heavily involved in HDD landfall and shore approaches requiring underwater connections in varying ground formations from soft soils to hard rock.In 2015, Scott transitioned to the commercial side of the industry, further developing the use of HDD in the United Kingdom. He was instrumental in securing the UK’s largest-ever HDD contract for 148 drills using rigs from 17t to 450t.Scott Joined Michels in 2022 to support expansion of services throughout Europe. Michels Being one of world’s largest and most respected HDD contractors.