Today, Ellicott Dredge Enterprises (EDE) is wholly owned by Markel Corporation, a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (MKL) which focusses on investing in strong businesses with long term growth potential through its subsidiary Markel Ventures.
Over the past several decades there has been a focus on strategic brand acquisitions. This approach has helped position EDE as a leading global supplier of small to medium sized dredges. Whether clients need a 6 inch remote-controlled Mud Cat electric dredge for a wastewater treatment plant, a self-propelled IMS Versi-Dredge for a small port, or an Ellicott cutter suction dredge (CSD) for a coastal restoration project, EDE can provide a solid solution that is field proven. This strategy has allowed the company to grow from a cutter suction dredge supplier to a premier global supplier of CSD’s, self-propelled dredges, remote control dredges, automated dredges and dewatering equipment. Today over 3,000 dredges have been sold in more than 100 countries from Ellicott and its affiliated brands:
Ellicott brand dredges are responsible for the construction of the Panama Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway and have been used in over 100 countries around the world. Ellicott has a reputation for building the toughest 8 in. – 20 in. (203mm – 500mm) standard production dredges in the dredging industry with a laser focus on simple controls and minimal electronics that ensure the lowest possible downtime in remote locations. Ellicott customers know they can count on their dredge to get their jobs done on time and within budget without the hassle of unnecessary electronics that create weak points in the operation. Major developments in the global dredge industry can be attributed to the Ellicott name including the swinging ladder dredge, the bucket wheel cutterhead, and the dual bucket wheel cutterhead.
Visit WebsiteMud Cat designed and patented the Auger dredge concept in 1971. In 1987 Ellicott purchased Mud Cat from National Car Rental and the same year Mud Cat sold its 500th auger dredge. Mud Cat dredges are known for taking a beating and continuing to perform and that’s why “the only way to stop a Mud Cat…is to turn off the key.” This holds true today as Mud Cat customers come back after 30-35 years of operation and purchase new units. Today Mud Cat focusses on building the highest quality 4 in. – 10 in. diesel (D-Series) and electric (E-Series) dredges for industrial, wastewater, environmental, and mining projects. Mud Cat builds manned, unmanned, and automated dredges. Mud Cat has an impressive reputation working with the largest engineering firms in the world in some of the toughest environments.
Visit WebsiteIn 2003, the IMS brand was acquired due to its unique position in the global dredging industry as the most widely sold self-propelled, one-truck transportable auger dredge in the industry. The Starwheel Drive® self-propulsion with TractionMaster® technology allows the operator to move freely in rivers, lakes, canals, marinas, and larger open water bodies where swing wires and anchor cables are not ideal. The patented Pump Defender® debris screen reduces downtime in debris rich environments by up to 80%. The patented WeedMaster® cutterhead converts the hydraulic dredge into a hydraulic weed harvester that can cut most aquatic vegetation types into 2-6 inch pieces and pump them up to 1km away. No other dredge in the world can cut and pump vegetation.
Visit WebsiteThe GeoPool dewatering system is the latest addition to the EDE brand portfolio and the company’s first step into the dredge dewatering sector. The patented GeoPool® dewatering system is a reusable galvanized steel dewatering pool with dewatering capacities ranging from 1,500 to 14,000 yds3. The patented features allow for rapid dewatering of dredged slurry and unlike mechanical dewatering systems the GeoPool can handle flows from 500-6,000 gpm without adding on additional costly units.
Visit WebsiteAlthough there have been various ownership changes in the business since the first Ellicott brand dredge was built in the early 1900’s, the EDE tradition continues to thrive under its parent company Markel following the “Markel Style”. EDE brands have multiple U.S. President’s E-Awards for exporting achievement and the historic Baltimore facility was visited President Obama. Today EDE and its brands are respected around the world for longevity, performance, and reliability evidenced by its high level of repeat customers. By providing customers with proven robust designs they know they will get their projects done on time and within budget.
EDE has two production facilities in the United States including:
