Penske Logistics faced a critical infrastructure failure at its Chesterfield facility-a broken main water line threatened to disrupt operations.

THE CHALLENGE

Penske Logistics, known for its advanced transportation and distribution solutions, faced a critical infrastructure failure at its Chesterfield facility-a broken main water line threatened to disrupt operations. The challenge involved a serious excavation to expose and repair the damaged pipeline. Given the complex nature of the project, Penske contacted the city to temporarily shut off the water supply to the site. Lee Industrial Contracting was enlisted for the task, and utilized ground penetrating radar to safely navigate the underground utilities during the excavation.

Lee Contracting’s expertise and swift response were crucial in managing this potentially disruptive situation. The team first addressed the immediate concern by pumping out a manhole to allow safe access to the vault. Upon shutting off the valves, they discovered water continuing to leak, prompting further excavation. This revealed a 4-inch cast iron main water line with a significant crack, located adjacent to the main line.

THE RESULTS

Lee Contracting’s Midland team collaborated on the project, which resulted in cutting out an 8-foot section of the damaged 4-inch cast iron pipe and replacing it with durable ductile iron. Following the replacement, the team conducted a thorough test of the new section, confirming the absence of leaks and restoring full operational capacity to Penske Logistics.

The crown of an automotive supplier’s Verson press machine was damaged beyond repair. Installing a new one on their existing press was a…crowning achievement.

THE CHALLENGE

After the crown of one of the largest tier one supplier’s Verson press machine became damaged beyond repair, the company purchased a new one and called Lee Contracting to install the crown on their existing press. However, the job consisted of much more than simply removing the old crown and setting the new one. The rigging team first went to the site to pick up the old crown with their in-house gantry system, rolled it over and set it down on bunks. Next, the Lee Contracting maintenance and repair team disassembled the old crown in hopes of using those same parts in the newly purchased one.

While the crown was disassembled, the Lee Contracting team found damage to the eccentric bushings. This is where Lee Contracting was presented with the first challenge. Eccentric bushings help to reduce friction between two objects and are critical because of their ability to minimize vibration and noise. Ordering new bushings could take six to 10 weeks for delivery, but Lee Contracting knew that would push the project timeline back significantly.

THE RESULTS

A two-week turnaround for the client instead of six to 10 weeks.

Once the crown was disassembled by the maintenance and repair team, the rigging team hauled the old crown out and brought in the new one. Thankfully, the team used their experience, and positive supplier relationships, to think outside of the box. Lee Contracting was able to get unfinished bushings from the supplier, machined them and hand grooved each one to spec in-house.

During the project, the Lee Contracting maintenance and repair team also:

• Re-built the hydraulic overload protection system to prevent any damage to the press in the event of an overload
• Fixed damaged intermediate gears by in-house welding the entire shaft
• Put the machine back together with the newly refined parts