Making a lasting first impression
Sennebogen material handlers the right fit for Thibodeaux & Son Scrapyard
Tim and his Dad, Louis, started taking on large demolition and scrap recovery projects on the Gulf Coast in 1983. When Louis retired from Thibodeaux & Son Scrapyard 10 years ago, Tim stepped up to manage the business. But he's still a mechanic at heart.
"We run a tight shop," he says. Since his days servicing the fleet, he has always enforced a strong maintenance program, from daily checks to scheduled maintenance and regular oil sampling.
His focus on maintenance is reflected in his choice of scrap handlers, too. A number of SENNEBOGEN green machines handle a full range of duties in the Thibodeaux yard and beyond. SENNEBOGEN has been his scrap handler of choice for years and his original 835 M machine still looks and runs like new.
"I like the maintainability of SENNEBOGEN equipment," he reports. "Access to the engine and the working parts is excellent. And our dealer, Lyle Machinery, provides excellent technical support for any troubleshooting."
Demolition work
The safety features that are built into every SENNEBOGEN machine are also important to Thibodeaux operations. He explains, "Much of the work around the port here is related to offshore oil rigs, which generates a large amount of scrap iron. Our job is similar to a demolition contractor, taking down jackets and decks up to 120 feet tall. I'd say that's our specialty. It can be dangerous work, so we take a lot of pride in working safely to meet the needs of our customers."
Good impressions build business
Thibodeaux has another motive for ensuring that his fleet is safe and well-maintained: it builds business! At last year's ISRI Show, SENNEBOGEN displayed the new 830 M-HD-S that Thibodeaux had just purchased. Showing off the Thibodeaux logo, the 830 M-HD-S brought an impressive look to the show. Now, the same machine is making an impression all over the port region of New Iberia.
His SENNEBOGEN machines are busy unloading trucks, feeding the shear and loading barges with 1,400 tons in just 1 day. "It used to take up to 4 days to load a barge of that size but with our SENNEBOGEN, we load it and get it on its way in a day and then it goes on to doing something else. It certainly has improved the productivity, equipment utilization and efficiency of our yard." Thibodeaux sends the new 830 M-HD-S out to load and sort material for his offsite projects too. "The appearance of the 830 green machine makes a good impression on customers, offsite. They see we have reliable equipment; that we can move in, do the job and get out fast. No muss, no fuss, no downtime."
Mobility and reach
But the 830 does more than put a pretty face on the firm. Even with its large-dimensioned tires, the 90,389 lb. (41,000 kg) machine powers itself to and from jobsites in the area. Its tires provide excellent floatation for working in soft and uneven site conditions. Thibodeaux's 830 is also configured with a long-reach boom to take on large lifts and to pick through large, tall structures.
To keep up his fleet's great appearances, Thibodeaux will be sending his own technicians to Stanley, NC, later this year for advanced instruction at the SENNEBOGEN Training Center.
"We like to be self-sufficient," he say. "It keeps us ahead of everyone else. We take care of the machines and they take care of us."
