Challenge

Pentagon Freight Services, Inc., one of the largest privately owned oil and gas freight forwarding companies in the world, provides its customers with premium freight forwarding services worldwide. When Pentagon needed to transport an over-dimensional derrick measuring 95 feet long, 31 feet wide, 19 feet tall, and weighing 135,000 pounds from Brookshire, Texas, to the Port of Houston, they sought a carrier with proven heavy haul expertise who they could trust down to the smallest details.

For Pentagon, this was the first time moving this load for a new customer, and they needed a carrier who could uphold their commitment to safety while transporting the derrick on time. Pentagon had worked with United Vision Logistics in the past, and they knew they were the right partner for this unique project.

Solution and Implementation

United Vision Logistics took on the challenge, and with their close attention to detail they ensured the safety of the load every step of the way.

"We had worked with United Vision Logistics in the past, and when it came to this project I knew I could trust them. Initially I got rates from a number of different companies, but with loads like these it has nothing to do with cost. It's about who you trust to handle the freight," said Debi Patterson, Inland Transportation Supervisor for Pentagon.

As a part of the United Vision Logistics commitment to reliable service, the heavy haul team was on-site from the start. Before scheduling the load, they measured the derrick and surveyed its location to determine any possible challenges. The team was able to identify potential on-site and on-route issues, ensuring they would have the proper equipment and permits in place to guarantee safe and on-time delivery. With access to a diverse range of trucks and trailers, the team determined the appropriate equipment for both the route and the load by carefully comparing dimensions of the load and the equipment and ensuring they could handle the weight.

United Vision Logistics also identified a problematic ditch on both sides of the two-lane road leading out of the load's original location; they filled and covered the ditches to ensure maximum safety before the trip began. United Vision Logistics also secured all necessary permits and acquired a bucket truck to lift wires along the way. With a police and civilian escort to accompany them, they transported the load 100 miles to the Port of Houston.

"United Vision Logistics was intimately involved with this load. Their terminal manager was on-site throughout the process," Patterson said. "The devotion to customer service and personal interaction with customers really sets United Vision Logistics apart from other companies we've worked with. I haven't had a problem that United Vision Logistics hasn't been able to solve."

Outcome

United Vision Logistics' expertise and intimate involvement with the job gave them the knowledge they needed to transport Pentagon's over-dimensional load safely and on-time with no injury to people, property or the environment during the 100-mile haul.

Transportation of these derricks is now a recurring project for Pentagon, and the freight forwarder continues to rely on United Vision Logistics' expertise and commitment to reliable service for each of these loads.