Teaming up in Tacoma: Why one facility is great news for rolling OEMs
Manufacturers of rolling equipment will benefit from having access to trucking and processing services at one location, as WW Solutions and Keen Transport consolidate their facilities at the Port of Tacoma on the US west coast.
With Keen serving the combined and expanding equipment processing centre with inland trucking to end customers or dealers, customers can now look forward to having one single partner to handle their processing and inland distribution needs.
The move follows last year’s deal that saw WW Solutions acquire 100% of the shares in Keen Transport.
Staff from both sites are under one management structure and are undergoing training to ensure everyone has a firm understanding of the different OEMs and the uniqueness of their respective equipment.
Products in storage. Machines are separated by brand and model to keep track of products and control their inventories.
A worker directing a machine onto a trailer for further transport.
The processing centre have the ability to do welding of various kinds like mounting of attachments and modifications as needed.
The facility has a foreign trade zone.
A natural fit
“Collectively, we will offer a greater breadth of value-added services,” says Dan Higgins, Keen Transport’s Head of Sales. “Customers will appreciate many advances in our overall quality, with additional storage space, more trained technicians, an increase in the number of docks for loading and unloading, and an updated inventory system.”
Both companies have worked with many of the same OEMs over the years, which has helped smooth the consolidation of the EPCs. The strategic location of the Tacoma processing centre close to the port allows for units to be moved quickly and efficiently.
Steady progress
The consolidation has been progressing for the past couple of months, and all customer equipment previously stored at Keen’s off-port EPC has now been moved over to the combined site at the Port of Tacoma.
Staff from both sites are under one management structure and are undergoing training to ensure everyone has a firm understanding of the different OEMs and the uniqueness of their respective equipment.
Significant capital expenditure is also planned, including a new Rubb storage building and extra acreage for truck loading and unloading.
Significant regional growth
“As we continue to see significant growth in the Pacific Northwest, the consolidation of our two facilities positions us to best support the growing needs of our customers and partners well into the future,” says Higgins.
The Port of Tacoma is an important port in WW Ocean’s RoRo liner services to and from Asia and Europe, providing customers with optimised transitions in the outbound supply chain.
Doug Peterson, Account Manager, WW Solutions, says the region is growing when it comes to rolling equipment. “Roadbuilding, agriculture, forestry, and even mining are all enjoying growth in the Pacific Northwest.”
“Naturally the services they need today are accommodated with ease, but there are undoubtedly services, which perhaps they have not even thought of yet, that we will be ready to offer, exactly as we did for the automotive industry.”
Fast facts
Tacoma EPC
- 19 acres of paved parking
- Very close to ocean transportation berths
- Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) incentives
- Easy access to I-5 Interstate
- Access to rail connections
- 10,000 square feet of covered parts storage
- Eco-friendly wash bay with oil/water separator
- Two finish-to-order work bays
- Services: Receiving/shipping, storage, exercise, PDI, minor paint and body repair, rust prevention, washing, welding, hydraulics, electrical, assembly, troubleshooting, tire work
- Truck loading, unloading and rigging
