Soils & Engineering Services, Inc. (SES) was incorporated on April 1, 1966 in Madison, Wisconsin.  The company was started by Earl Reichel, P.E. and Steve Schmidt, both of whom previously worked for Warzyn Engineering.  Steve left SES in 1972 to pursue other interests.  In 1980, Octavio Tejeda, P.E, became a partner with Earl.  Octavio is currently the majority owner of the company.

Originally, the soil borings were subcontracted or a drilling rig was rented and operated by Steve.  The first company-owned drilling rig was purchased new on August 26, 1968 from Central Mine Equipment Company (CME).  This rig, pictured at left, was a CME 55.  The drilling rig cost $9,325.00 and the Ford F-600 truck cost $3,925.00 with an $800.00 truck winch added on to the front bumper.  Soil sampling was performed with a 140-pound drop (safety) hammer and a rope and cathead.  In 1986, we rebuilt this drilling rig to include a CME automatic 140-pound drive hammer, a Moyno 3L8 pump, a new engine, and a sturdier tower.  The drilling rig is currently mounted on a single axle Chevrolet Kodiak truck.  Both the drilling rig and truck are still running strong.