One of the biggest challenges companies in the utility industry face is pole transportation. Getting the poles to your material yard is no easy feat.
New utility projects require the help of a quality hauling company that transports utility poles. With so many options out there, how do you know who to partner with?
There are some key qualities that separate an excellent utility pole hauling company from the rest.
Here’s what you need to look for when choosing a utility pole hauling company:
Experience
First and foremost, look for professionals who are experienced with utility pole hauling.
Of course, you want someone with years of experience, but the type of experience also matters. Furthermore, total years of experience are not as important as the quality of the experience. For example, one company could have 15 years of experience, yet only completed a fraction of the hauls that a company with 5 years has completed.
There are many hauling companies out there, including those who haul heavy loads. However, utility hauling requires some unique considerations.
To ensure a smooth process without damage, look for a company with specific experience in the industry. In general, look for a company that has completed similar jobs in the past. Ideally, you want someone who has significant experience hauling:
Wood poles
Steel poles
Concrete poles
Wire spools
Transformers
Customer-Centered Approach
Opt for a utility hauling company that puts your needs first. Customer-centric haulers do everything they can to ensure a smooth delivery process for you.
These companies are easy to spot! They communicate well, explain the process, and work closely with you to provide the best possible experience.
Asset-Based
Did you know that most “utility hauling” companies don’t actually do the hauling? Instead, they operate as brokers who connect you with carriers. This means they do not own any of the necessary equipment or employ any truck drivers. They simply leverage a network of carriers, who all may have varying levels of quality.
On the other hand, an asset-based utility hauling company does the job. Asset-based means they own their own equipment and employ their truck drivers.
Opt for an asset-based specialty trucking company for your utility hauling needs. Why? Because asset-based trucking companies tend to provide:
Clearer, more direct lines of communication.
Consistent, quality service.
A huge advantage for reliability.
Guaranteed hauling capacity.
A greater sense of accountability for the job.
Self-Unloading
What about once your utility poles make it to the material yard? When you work with most haulers, you will be the one responsible for unloading these massive, heavy loads.
Most of the time, specialty trucking companies do not unload the utility poles. Instead, you’ll have to rent expensive equipment and potentially hire more help just to unload your cargo from the poles trailer.
That’s why working with a self-unloading pole hauling company is so helpful. A self-unloading company has special trucks that include unloading equipment. They use their equipment to quickly and safely unload your poles into a convenient stack at the job site.
When you work with a self-unloading company, they will unload your utility poles for no extra cost. This saves you a ton of time and money, allowing you to get back to your critical utility project quicker.
Bonus: Certified Women-Owned Trucking Company
Another added benefit to look for is a certified women-owned specialty trucking company. A WBE business is owned, operated, and managed 51% or more by women.
Why is it important to consider WBE trucking companies?
For one, all federally-funded projects will have requirements for WBE/DBE businesses. This means a set percentage of the budget has to go to businesses falling under disadvantaged categories, like WBE.
Choosing a certified women-owned specialty trucking company for utility pole hauling is one way to help meet these requirements.
Beyond that, it will also help you establish a positive community reputation and empower the employment of women.
Blackwood Resources is Here to Help
Looking for a utility hauling company that meets all of the qualifications above? Look no further than Blackwood Resources.
That’s right, we are a certified women-owned trucking company that hauls utility poles, including wood utility poles, steel poles, concrete poles, and more.
We use our industry-leading specialized trucks with the right amount of rear overhang to provide utility companies with asset-based hauling. You can also count on us for efficient, safe self-unloading at all job sites.
Learn more about how we can help you with your new utility pole transport needs today. Contact us at 812-676-8770 or jamie@blackwoodresources.com.