COVID-19 has required individuals around the world to drastically change various aspects of their life. While some cared for sick family members, fell ill themselves and/or required quarantine, others had to adjust to working from home and helping their children with online learning. Most people also changed their shopping habits, opting to use online ordering and home delivery over visiting a store. Our nation garnished appreciation for truckers, delivery drivers, manufacturers and other essential workers as they continued to re-stock essential supplies as we all navigated through the restrictions of the pandemic.

To ensure supplies continued to be delivered across the nation, demand for ground support equipment skyrocketed. As a world leader in the design and manufacture of this equipment, Clyde Machines has the experience and operations necessary to quickly respond to the increased demand. One customer required a large volume of dollies to support multiple air cargo operations across the United States and abroad.

Despite the expedited nature of this order, quality and longevity were still of utmost importance. With over six decades of industry experience, Clyde Machines prefers to galvanize all component possible due to the superior corrosion performance and life-span hot-dip galvanizing provides. Galvanizing also contributes to the aesthetics of the equipment while in use because: “No one likes to see rust!”

With the project requirements in hand, Clyde Machine coordinated the schedule with a trusted galvanizer capable of meeting timeline requirements and began to fabricate the dollies. Open communication between the fabricator and galvanizer allowed the project to flow easily. They worked together on solutions to address any issues that could affect the finish quality while maintaining steady deliveries and turn-times week after week. Over 700 dollies were completed and delivered in a 3-month period, satisfactorily meeting the expectations of the end customer.

In short, the production of these dollies helped provide PPE, supplies and clothing to those who could not venture outside their home. Increased capacity was needed in the initial stages of the pandemic and the team answered the bell with their efforts in supplying dollies quickly to help to resolve those needs, which were growing by the week. In all, 813,000 pounds of steel was galvanized to produce the finished coating on the dollies. This 406.5 tons of steel, combined with the expertise of Clyde Machines and hot-dip galvanizing, helped keep airfreight services rolling. Although it quelled a seemingly endless demand for equipment in the short-term, adapting habits will likely continue the demand into the future. Luckily, the equipment produced by Clyde Machines will remain in service for decades due to hot-dip galvanizing.