Building underground utilities in West Texas demands durability, precision and dependable support.

For Edgardo Madrid & Associates, a Midland-based civil contractor led by father and son Edgardo Madrid and Edgardo J. Madrid, those demands have shaped every major decision since the company's launch in 2014.

Today, the firm operates more than 50 Caterpillar machines while installing critical water, sewers and storm infrastructure across the Permian Basin. But the foundation of that growth was built long before the first machine was delivered.

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Madrid Sr. relocated to Pecos, Texas, in 2000 under a work visa to work for a civil engineering firm. Four years later, he was recruited by the city of Pecos as director of public works, overseeing landfill operations, streets and municipal infrastructure.

"The goal was always to build something of our own," Madrid Sr. said. "We wanted to do it the right way, when the opportunity was right."

After more than a decade in public service, the family secured United States residency. At the same time, Madrid Jr. graduated from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin with a business management degree. The timing aligned.

"We had talked about it since I was in high school," Madrid Jr. said. "Once we had residency and I graduated, we were ready to make it happen."

In late 2014, the two launched Edgardo Madrid & Associates.

"At first it was just us," Madrid Jr. said. "We were supervising projects, putting bids together, sometimes operating the equipment ourselves."

"We knew the work," Madrid Sr. added. "Between the engineering and public works experience, we understood all aspects of the work; we just needed to win the jobs, and we knew we would make it happen."

The company began with civil utility projects in Pecos, Monahans and Fort Stockton. After three years, it earned approved contractor status with Midland and Odessa.

"That's when we started scaling," Madrid Jr. said.

Today, the company oversees 65 employees across its civil division, continuing to grow each year.

One current project is a water and sewer installation serving the future Midland Lee High School and surrounding development. Crews are installing approximately 4,000 ft. of 8-in. water line and 2,000 ft. of 16-in. water line. Sewer lines reach depths of 20-25 ft. through hard cap rock.

"The soil here is tough," Madrid Sr. said. "If you don't have the right equipment, you won't get very far."

West Texas conditions are demanding. Limestone and caliche require heavy-duty equipment, while also navigating safely through the dense network of oil and gas pipelines in the oil patch is no easy task.

Those factors influenced the company's first equipment decision.

Its first buy was a Cat 420 IT backhoe from Warren CAT. The machine remains in their fleet today with approximately 11,000 hours.

"I still remember that first backhoe," Madrid Sr. said. "It was the first big step for us."

The decision was driven by service capability as much as equipment quality.

"Out here, service is everything," Madrid Jr. said. "When a machine is down, every second costs us money."

At the time, Warren CAT had significantly greater technician coverage in the region than competitors. For a young contractor operating hours away from major metro areas, rapid support mattered.

As the Madrid fleet expanded, so did expectations. There were periods years ago when service capacity in the region was stretched thin due to heavy workload across the oilfield economy.

"We had times where machines had to be sent out of town," Madrid Jr. said. "But we also saw Warren CAT recognize these issues and make adjustments as the years went by."

According to Madrid, Warren CAT significantly expanded technician staffing and service infrastructure in West Texas over the past few years. The dealership now commits to completing common repairs within two business days on a full-service Cat Customer Value Agreement.

"They've put real investment into service," Madrid Sr. said. "When they make a commitment like that, it shows they care about the customer."

The relationship has come full circle.

"We started with Warren CAT, and we've grown together," Madrid Jr. said. "Service and our sales rep, Ryon Vestal, are what keeps us there."

Today, Edgardo Madrid & Associates operates more than 50 Cat machines. In 2025 alone, the company invested $4.9 million in equipment and attachments.

Among its newest additions are six Centennial edition units allocated through Warren CAT, including a one of five in the world 150AWD motor grader, two 320 excavators, two 938 wheel loaders and a 420 backhoe.

"For us, the Centennial units represent growth and legacy," Madrid Jr. said. "They reflect where the company is today, and how it has stood the test of time."

Beyond aesthetics and branding alignment, the machines feature integrated technology. The 150AWD motor grader arrives with 3D-grade-ready software from the factory. The excavators are 2D-grade-ready, reducing rework and improving productivity.

"It's incredible how much technology has advanced, but if you don't adapt and grow with it, you will get left behind," Madrid Jr. said.

Warren CAT helps customers learn and understand their new equipment by coordinating demo specialists to walk operators through the new systems and features.

The Madrid operation also strengthened internal maintenance, adding shop and field service techs and maintaining constant communication with Warren CAT service departments.

"If we cannot resolve something immediately, Warren CAT's Rapid Response team is always there to assist us," Madrid Jr. said. "That partnership is important."

To further improve uptime, the company recently launched an in-house maintenance and preventive tracking app.

"We needed better data," Madrid Sr. said. "In order to operate more efficiently, we needed to see where the money was going so that we could make those cost adjustments. Now we can track everything."

Despite fleet growth and equipment investment, the Madrids emphasize that customer service remains central.

Using drone-based GIS technology, the company independently verifies cut-and-fill quantities before submitting bids.

"We've lowered bids when our estimate showed the scope required less work," Madrid Sr. said. "We are not here to surprise clients with change orders. We want long-term relationships. The Permian Basin is our home, the people we do business with are people we see every day, and we want our clients to know we will provide the best quality work while also looking out for their budgetary needs."

The company also provides 24-hour emergency repair services for Midland and Odessa. That reliability has earned recognition. The firm has been named Best Contractor by the Odessa American for five consecutive years and Best General Contractor by the Midland Reporter Telegram in Midland this past year.

Looking ahead, the Madrids plan to expand the company into a few other divisions.

"We have big plans coming up, but we just take it a day at a time. When you love what you do, and you get to impact your community and people's lives, you don't think small. You think long-term. You think legacy. We're focused on growing the right way, investing in our people, delivering excellence and building a future that reflects the values we stand for." Madrid Jr. said.

From one backhoe purchase to a Centennial fleet supported by Warren CAT's strengthened dealer infrastructure, Edgardo Madrid & Associates continues to lead West Texas infrastructure with steady growth, family leadership and a service-driven partnership approach.