Encore is a family business formed in 1981 by Frank Lucas with
a one ton pick-up truck and a
30 foot trailer. Frank’s sons, Don and Jim Lucas, came into
the business in its infancy. Initially Encore was an oil patch hotshot
outfit, running tools to drilling rigs, parts to plants and working
for oilwell supply companies.
As they acquired more one tons trucks and trailers, they found lucrative business with the newly developing directional drilling work, started hauling core barrels, did some winching, and in the slow times found the odd construction related job.
Encore’s first crane was an Atlas 3006 with 19’ of reach, and then in rapid order a Tico 4-ton, a 5-ton Viva and an old top pull 8 ton National, their first straight boom.
Encore grew out of the one ton business into the single axle 5 tons (gas jobs with propane conversions that shook themselves and whatever poor devil was driving almost to death). They didn’t have the power, platform or weight capacity demanded of our maturing trucking and crane company. This realization doesn’t come easy and took time to extricate from equipment capital commitments. They eventually switched to diesel powered tandem units & rigged them with good cranes and good people.
Following Encore customer’s leads and demands, their cranes grew in capacity. In 1994 they purchased their first tandem-tandem with a 40 ton monster folding crane. In 2000 they purchased another one and over time acquired other trucks with cranes of various sizes and uses to suit customer needs.
Once Encore acquired the cranes and trucks, they could use their energies to develop best method practices, develop customizations and gear to help their customers work easier and more efficient.
