Let Innovator resolve your logistics headaches. It’s no secret that the more contractors you have on-site, the more challenging it becomes to manage logistics headaches, safety, quality, and cost.
This is especially true if your site is remote. This makes it harder to get the supplies and human power you need when you need them.
Back in 2016, Innovator worked with Tecnicas Reunidas (TR) leaders to help them solve this type of problem. They were performing major construction at their site, which is located approximately 70 kilometers north of Fort McMurray.
This is when they (unfortunately) found themselves contending with departing contractors and a horrible natural disaster.
Great Skills, Greater Responsibilities
We started as a subcontractor for another company already working out there, only having six to eight people. The original contractor had left the site, and TR asked us to take over the reinstatement activities.
Innovator specializes in hydro testing. As a result, we were able to easily begin work reinstating TR’s piping systems.
However, responsibilities grew quickly. TR realized Innovator could provide the extra human power and skillset necessary to complete the entire job.
So they asked Innovator to bring on close to 300 people! And we happily met those needs.
Within three weeks, there were 150 people on days and 150 people on nights.
It’s not just the amount of people that were important here though. Because Innovator focuses more on providing highly skilled, cross-trained crews, we optimized the skillset around the work being performed.
We were the right fit for this job because we were able to get the manpower so quickly. We were productive. Flanges were repaired. Structural supports were fabricated. And closure welds were performed.
Cleaning Up The Logistics Headaches
Part of the reason our work at the site was so extensive (and necessary) was that the site had been managed by several different contractors. They all were performing different work prior to our involvement.
The organization was poor because there had been five other companies that performed construction at the site. This left us having to go through everything and resolve loose ends and numerous leftover issues.
Honestly though, overcoming the organizational hurdles was simple compared to the logistics headaches of getting supplies and human power to the remote site. After all, this was during one of the costliest and most destructive Canadian disasters of all time: the Fort McMurray wildfire.
The fire didn’t affect the site directly. But it did shut down Fort McMurray which was the main hub for the crew’s supplies. All consumables from coveralls to our water supply were hindered.
Workers were flown back and forth to the site, and all these items combined proved to be logistics headaches in order to make the job go smoother.
Teamwork was required. And the patience of the workers was great. Because of the fire, everybody knew they’d have to wear dirty coveralls for a bit while we got things organized. Lots of sacrifices were made.
But with all that being said and with the number of contractors involved, there wasn’t any arguing to speak of. And that was very impressive. We are proud of our crews!
No matter the hurdles to overcome (logistics headaches or otherwise), our great crews at Innovator are happy to help.
Whether you’re facing a small leak or a large-scale industrial construction project, Innovator crews have the skills, technology, and expertise to handle it all.
