Case Study

In early July of 2015 the final delivery of a shear baler was made for our customer. The move started in Italy and culminated in Stoystown, PA. Given the size of the pieces, the machine was broken down into two breakbulk pieces accompanied by an open top container containing smaller pieces able to be broken down and loaded together. With the biggest piece weighing in at almost 156,000 lbs, special details including permits and escorts were needed for all road transport. The pieces needed to be shipped together in an effort to clear the cargo as one complete machine saving close to $30,000 in duties that would be due with the cargo arriving separately. Luckily, BAHRI line makes a direct call from Livorno Italy to Baltimore with the capability of handling not only containers but roll on and lift on cargo as well. The move was a true team effort including quoting and vendor selection, then coordinating with our partners in Italy to get the cargo from origin to port. Then getting customs and our US vendors satisfied so there were no hold ups. When it comes to moves of this nature every detail needs to be correct.

The cargo arrived safe and sound into the Baltimore port with a planned loading of the breakbulk pieces two days later with respectively given a delivery date three days later. In Baltimore everything went smoothly with the biggest piece being the only true concern. For that piece, the transport required police escorts, major permits, and a planned route to move as safe as possible over newer roads and bridges. The larger piece loaded as planned and met the Baltimore police to move through the city before rendezvousing with the Maryland State Police later. The next morning the rig was at the PA border secured only 40 miles from its final destination. The smaller break bulk piece and open top container were both picked up from the port and moved onsite at Stoystown for early morning unloading with cranes.

Everything moved smoothly until we learned the biggest piece was still being held at the PA border with permits not matching weights of the rig due to extremely poor weighing conditions on a pot-hole filled parking lot at a local truck stop. The police and PA DOT were determined not to let the load move that day and required new permits before it would be allowed to leave the yard and into PA. This went on for almost two weeks only 40 miles from destination until finally, with help from the PA State Senators office, permits were received and pressure applied to release the cargo and the rig was moved to the final destination. The delay of two weeks was extremely difficult for everyone involved. Ken Bolin, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Bo Brown, President, had to be involved to keep communication flowing and turn every rock possible to help this get released. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when it was finally done, especially our customers. Even though it was a difficult situation, it was made that much better that there was open communication from Rogers & Brown’s team to all other parties throughout the process. Though the news was sometimes discouraging, it helped our customer and also kept the relationship open for future moves.