When it comes to moving heavy equipment, there are hundreds of rigging and crating companies out there who claim to be the biggest and best name in heavy equipment transportation logistics, but rarely will they have the traits and actions that back up their words.
Often, business owners in need of a rigging company’s assistance will get blindsided by extra costs, lack of communication, and even safety violations by companies who are not interested in forming a relationship with the people employing their services. They want to get their machinery on and off-site in as little time as possible, get the money and go.
If you want to make sure you’re choosing a rigging and crating company that will get your project done right the first time while also offering quality service, keep in mind these 5 traits when you are looking for the right rigging company to help you move your heavy equipment.
1: Make Sure Your Rigging Company is Customer-Focused
Any company working in transportation logistics knows that there needs to be a strong connection between the business owner and the rigging crew. When rigging and crating companies don’t take the time to understand how their work will be impacting the client’s business, relationships can turn sour as the crew will be slowing and even mitigating the workflow in the client’s space.
Rigging companies that are only interested in implementing their tools and equipment risk conflicting with their client’s best interests because they are not looking to use the best rigging method for the job. If they were, then they would pick the method that has the lowest impact on the client’s workspace and flow when it comes to interference removal, ground loading, and personal safety while also keeping downtime to a minimum. That way, the client’s business isn’t stagnant for too long.
That’s why you should always look for a rigging and crating company that is customer-focused. They factor in all the previously mentioned variables into their transportation logistics and work with their clients directly to find a rigging method that meets the customer’s goal. Customer-focused rigging and crating companies understand that, just like them, you have a job to do, so they will always work with you to find the best use of yours and your facility’s time.
2: Look for Curiosity on a Rigging Team
Inquisitive rigging crews are a great indicator that their services are the right fit for the project because their questions show that they are committed to covering and understanding the necessary details of the rigging project to make sure they get the job done right. The types of questions they ask can be a good gauge of their credibility as well.
For example, if a rigging crew asks you “Will production at your facility continue while we work?” or “Are there critical systems that will be powered down or disabled during project execution?” then that shows how they are customer-focused, just as discussed in the section above. Questions like “How did you determine the weight of the haul?” or “How much clearance space is there around the equipment that needs to be moved?” show how the rigging crew is also concerned with following all necessary construction safety protocols and procedures which further emphasizes their dedication to creating a quality project for their client that also keeps everyone from potential harm.
The more questions they ask, the more details the rigging crew wants to know, which shows that a lot of variables factor into their rigging and crating projects. This means that they are more likely to give you an accurate quote and show an interest in you and your company’s needs.
3: Check to see if the Rigging Company is Qualified
In 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) passed the C-DAC Rule which greatly improved the safety standards for crane and rigging companies. This rule introduced a series of protective protocols for rigging crews that could better protect them from potential harm, like using synthetic slings under the manufacturer’s instructions, assessing the ground conditions, qualifications, and certifications for lift directors, crane assembly directors, equipment operators, signal persons, and more.
When a rigging company starts asking questions that relate to any of the protocols mentioned above, you can trust that your rigging team is especially qualified for the job, and they have a credible reputation. This means that your work will be done with integrity in mind and with the safety of everyone on site as the top priority. If they haven’t asked you any questions that sound like they relate to the C-DAC Rule, then go ahead and ask your prospective rigging and crating company “does your team have the necessary training and qualifications to execute this project?” This question can help you weed out a lot of faulty rigging teams right away.
4: Make Financial Transparency a Must-Have When Choosing Your Rigging Company
When it comes to transportation logistics, your cheapest option does not equate to your best value. If a rigging company is charging you far less than what you anticipated for a scope, do not get too excited about your savings just yet. Often, companies will do this because they plan on making up for the cost of downtime, interference removal, or repairs.
High-quality, competitive project proposals from rigging companies will address key, critical factors of the project that determine the overall budget with you such as the time frame, risk mitigation, change order prevention, project delay, equipment damage, and more. On the other hand, low-quality providers from rigging companies will exclude these critical financial factors to lure you in with their lower price tag, only to get you to boost your budget for these “unforeseen costs” later down the line.
So, if you want to find a reputable rigging company, then you should first establish a line of transparent communication between you and your potential crew about budgeting and the project itself—which leads us to our last trait you should look for.
5: Communication is the Key to Success—Make Sure your Rigging Company Has It
When you are working on a project as involved as transportation logistics, communication is key. So, when looking for a rigging crew to help you get the job done, make sure you find someone who is dedicated to the job at hand and will openly communicate with you on everything from budgeting to the timeline and equipment used. Just like you would want them to ask you questions, as mentioned in number two, you should also be asking your rigging crew lots of questions to help establish a line of clear communication.
Some basic questions you could start with would be like “What happens if the project takes longer than anticipated?” or “What if this project takes more people or equipment than we originally thought?” You should also start asking yourself some questions about them, too, as an evaluation of your potential partnership. Do they help you through planning and coordination details for moving heavy equipment? Do they bring up risks with the project that you did not consider? Do they seek clarity from you on roles and responsibilities? Do they communicate with you promptly? You should be able to gather all the answers you will need from these questions in the first few conversations you have with the potential rigging crew, so be sure to pay attention to their answers.
Rowe Transfer: The Right Rigging Company.
Rowe Transfer is just the rigging company you are looking for to help you with all your logistical needs. We perfectly exemplify all five traits listed above, and with our extra mile service, we can take care of all your rigging, crating, and warehousing needs. All it takes is just one call, one contact, and one estimate. Visit our website today for a quote and you’ll see why we have been East Tennessee’s most trusted rigging company for over the last century.