About UIT
Mission Statement
UIT is dedicated to improving the safety, accuracy and efficiency of operations related to design, construction and overall management of subsurface infrastructure. Our mission is achieved by developing and deploying world-class underground imaging technologies that are non-intrusive and reliable. We continuously strive to accomplish our mission through the development and integration of emerging technologies and establishing strategic relationships with select service providers that utilize our expertise and technology to serve the needs of the market.
Our Expertise
UIT provides unique expertise in two areas:
- Technology development:
UIT integrates multi-channel ground-penetrating radar (GPR), multi-sensor time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) instruments, seismic detectors and geo-positioning systems to “see” structures below ground and to generate 3D underground images and maps.
- Services:
We provide a wide range of services involving processing, interpreting and archiving 3D subsurface data of underground facilities. Using our proprietary software and technology, we provide engineering and geophysical solutions to problems concerned with risk mitigation and underground asset management.
Primary users of the UIT technology and services include:
- Energy transmission and distribution companies (natural gas, electricity, petroleum, water)
- Public and private utility and communication companies
- State transportation departments
- Municipalities, public works agencies, and water districts
- Any organization concerned with the underground infrastructure and its environment (land developers, archaeologists, geologists, storage tank owners, etc.)
Our Story
UIT was created to address two major classes of problems: (a) prevent damage during underground construction activities, and (b) enable effective management of subsurface infrastructure assets.
Not knowing the exact location of buried pipes, such as gas lines, has the potential to lead to catastrophic events. Many accidents occur annually which result in property damage, injuries or fatalities causing unnecessary delays, claims, and additional costs. UIT develops and deploys the technology that generates accurate subsurface information. The use of this technology and information prevents these accidents from happening.
UIT was formed in 2002 as a joint venture between Vermeer Manufacturing, Inc. — a leading manufacturer of excavation, directional drilling, construction and agricultural equipment — and El Dorado Investment Company, which is engaged, among other things, in the business of providing venture capital to fund the development of innovative products and services. El Dorado is an affiliate of the Arizona Public Service (APS) Company.