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Trepus Corporation
Demolition Specialist Doesn't Waste Time, Money Replacing Lost Tools—ToolWatch System Helps Trepus Respond to Same-Day Demo Calls
Demolishing houses, buildings, bridges and just about anything man can build is the mission of Redmond, Washington-based Trepus Corporation. The young, fast-growing company is making a name for itself working on complex construction projects that require demolition before retrofitting or new construction can begin.
Trepus founder and project manager, Joel Trepus implemented the ToolWatch tool tracking system in mid 1998 to reduce tool and equipment loss and theft, a problem that could cause costly delays and lost business. "As the company grows, so does the tool inventory and we were simply losing too much equipment. ToolWatch enables us to manage our tool inventory efficiently from project-to-project as well as on the jobsite," says Trepus.
According to Trepus, demolition contractors must move quickly. "The demolition contractor comes in first before the other trades can start. If we're not in and out on time, it puts the whole job behind schedule. We often get the call and start the job on the same day, so for us, having all the right tools ready to go is critical."
The ToolWatch System tracks virtually everything the company uses on a demolition jobsite, from consumable items like caution tape, earplugs and saw blades, to expensive items like $1000 roto-hammers and $2500 laser levels. The company uses shipping containers as portable on-site shops. Using the ToolWatch System, bar coded tools, equipment and consumables are checked out to the site and delivered in the container.
The company also uses ToolWatch to track their vehicles and heavy equipment including trucks, bobcats and a 20-ton crane. Shop manager, Bryan Harding sets up each vehicle as a location, with assigned tools and equipment, and employees assigned to vehicles are accountable for the inventory.
Harding says because of the speed with which jobs are set up and completed, keeping track of tools and equipment is always a challenge. Tools may be purchased and put to use the same day. Says Harding, "In the past, if a tool was purchased and taken directly to a jobsite, it would be easy to lose it because it was never entered into the inventory. Now, I can inventory new tools at a jobsite from the tailgate of my truck. I just attach the bar code label and scan it with the ToolWatch Pen.
In addition, Trepus may work on a job with as many six other contractors, increasing the potential for tool loss. The ToolWatch bar code labels act as a theft deterrent and, in some cases, jobsite tool loss has been cut by as much as 80 percent.
Unusual demolition projects require creative solutions and special equipment. On Seattle's Pier 66 project, Trepus employees worked under the pier as well as topside. Workers cut 20' by 30' openings for new elevator shafts in two-foot thick concrete and had to connect I-beams to keep chunks of concrete in place while the work was under way. The company rigged a giant tarp under the pier to prevent falling debris from polluting the harbor and the waters of Puget Sound.
Although tool loss and theft have been dramatically reduced, items from the Trepus tool inventory of more than 2500 occasionally are lost or stolen from jobsites, but now the company can generate an up-to-date status report from ToolWatch making the replacement and insurance claim processes more efficient.
Even with the company's steady growth, the new tool purchase budget is modest because ToolWatch reports allow the decision-makers to get an accurate assessment of new tool needs. Adds Harding, "We have to move fast and hold employees accountable for the tools under their control. With ToolWatch, we can spend our time getting the job done, not looking for our tools."
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