Industrial Equipment was founded & started in 1999 by Stewart Vachal, Rory Anderson & Dean Klein. All three were former employees of Pamco – the Waukesha engine distributor which was eventually sold to Stewart & Stevenson.

Stewart Vachal graduated from North Dakota State School of Science with a degree in Parts Management. He started with Pamco as a parts person in 1974. He was promoted to Parts Manager, District Salesman, District Manager & finally Regional Manager for North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. When Pamco sold to Stewart & Stevenson, Stew was the manager of Williston, ND and Casper, WY.

Rory Anderson graduated from Williston High School in 1978 & went on to welding school at North Dakota State School of Science. After returning to Williston in 1980, he went to work at Seco Truck Equipment as a welder.  In 1987 he went to work for Pamco as a shop hand, working his way up to Service Manager.

Dean Klein graduated from college at UND Williston with a degree in Diesel Mechanics. He then moved to Idaho working for an implement dealer until moving back to Williston in 1979. He then went to work for Pamco as a shop mechanic, working his way up to Lead Field Service Technician, and then Service Manager.

                Shortly after Stewart & Stevenson sold in 1999, the three partnered up and started Industrial Equipment. The core business was gas compression, repairing & overhauling natural gas engines – such as Waukesha, White Superior, Ajax, etc; as well as gas compressors – Ariel, Dresser Rand, Joy, etc. As the markets evolved and changed the business diversified to adapt to the demand. The business continually expanded, adding a full-fledged machine shop and fabrication shop. Along with the natural gas engines & compressors, IESS started working pumps, generators, air compressors, light towers, etc.

                Along with the expansion of IESS, the three owners also expanded & started sister companies to complement IESS. Badlands Steel was started in April 2007, Eco AFS was started in August 2009, and Grizzly Wire rope was started in 2007 & sold in 2012.

                From the peak of the business in 2014-15 when the business employed around 80 people, to the crash of oil & the Covid downturn – all three companies were able to survive & continue to diversify & grow with the current trends & market.

                As of Jan 1, 2024, the ownership has changed. Stew and Dean sold their shares of the companies to Rory Anderson along with Brad Knutson. Brad started working with the three back in 1997 as a parts person at Stewart & Stevenson. When IESS started they hired Brad as the Parts manager & he worked his way through several positions up until becoming a partner. Rory and Brad hope to keep the tradition & reputation of the businesses going and continue to grow and expand.