Center Rock Inc.

Center Rock's Forces

Drill Faster. Run Harder. Work Smarter.  That’s our motto here at Center Rock Inc.  Our customers all have the same goal - get the job done as safely and as efficiently as possible.  More and more are choosing Center Rock products to help get the job done right.
    Center Rock manufactures and distributes a complete line of air drilling tools and products.  At our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, we build stock and made-to-order products that are used by leading drilling, oil and gas, foundation and construction, roadway, and mining contractors across North America, Europe, Asia, Russia, and Australia.
    Center Rock Inc. was founded in 1998 by Brandon W. Fisher at the age of 26.  After graduating from Berlin High School in 1990, Brandon took some college classes, got a taste of the drilling industry and in a very short period of time, he was hooked!  Brandon worked for one of Ingersoll Rand’s distributors as the company's Eastern Oil & Gas sales Representative, working in the field with new and existing products before deciding to venture out on his own, searching for ways to improve the existing products.  This young entrepreneur recognized the need for a manufacturing company that was reactive to customer needs, with innovative products and round-the-clock customer service and support.
    Center Rock began as a drilling company, for which Fisher designed and built his own Horizontal drilling rig.  Shortly thereafter, he began focusing on making Center Rock an air and rock drilling supplier and manufacturer. 
     "I love what I do," Fisher said.  "There is always a challenge in this industry to find new ways to drill into the earth, and the challenge feeds the excitement."
     Brandon, along with a high-tech engineering and design team, has created a company different from its competitors, with its unique products and service capabilities.  Center Rock provides 24/7 assistance to customers with sales, service, and customer support.
     Richard Soppe is an integral part of the Center Rock team.  Richard is the Manager of DHD Sales and Product Development.  He attended Kansas State for two years and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  His 35 years of experience in the drilling industry include water well, oil and gas, exploration, mining and construction.  Some of Richard's most memorable projects include the first and second live lake taps ever done anywhere in the world (20' diameter shafts, 100' deep under 250' of water) and the Beaver Dam in Arkansas, which is the longest, deepest, hardest rock overlapping pile secant wall ever done.  He also worked on the Alaskan Pipeline in -45 degree weather drilling new holes to support the above ground sections of the pipeline.  Richard's experience has included 37 different countries. Richard works out of the Wisconsin office.
    Rudy Lyon is the “design machine” of the Center Rock team, where his responsibilities are managing CRI’s New Product Development initiatives.  Rudy is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Virginia Tech with an MBA.  He worked for Ingersoll Rand, then Atlas Copco from 1980-2007. Rudy has been involved with the design, development, marketing, and operations management of Rock Drilling tool design and production since he started working for Ingersoll Rand's Research Center in 1980.  A holder of numerous patents relating to downhole and water-powered rock drilling tools, Rudy’s contribution of improved products have advanced the drilling industries. 
    Warren Lay is Center Rock’s Design Engineer. He began working for CRI in March of 2008. Warren graduated from the West Virginia Institute of technology with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. His previous work experience includes 23 years at Ingersoll Rand and Atlas Copco in the downhole drill product line. Warren and Rudy both work out of our Virginia office.
    Dan Stoner is Center Rock’s Sales Manager of Oil and Gas Market.  Dan began his career with Center Rock as a Sales and Field Rep in June of 2005. Dan’s prior work experience was unrelated to the drilling industry, but much like Brandon, when Dan got a taste of the drilling industry, he too was hooked! His main focus is the sales of downhole bits and hammers, high pressure air compressors and boosters, and other downhole tools and accessories. 
    With locations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Arkansas, Center Rock Inc.‘s continued growth and success can be attributed to its innovative leadership, it’s dedicated team of employees, quality products and service, and of course, Center Rock’s customers.