Soybean Plant Expansion — Industrial Mobilization
CHS Inc. soybean processing plant expansion requiring mobilization of 75 oversized components from barge discharge to construction site.
What they were up against.
The CHS expansion project required the safe and timely delivery of 75 plant components discharged from barge at Winona, MN and transported approximately 180 miles to the construction site in Fairmont, MN. Total weight: 1,939,359 lbs with the largest unit at 70,000 lbs.
The project faced pandemic constraints with driver and equipment shortages caused by COVID-19, regulatory uncertainty from canceled DOT route surveys that risked major delays, and unpredictable weather with lightning and strong winds interrupting barge discharge and crane operations.
How Total Connection solved it.
Crane Services: Sourced equipment and certified operators for barge discharge at Winona Terminal and on-site offloads at the construction site.
Specialized Trucking: Dispatched 75 specialized transport units including flatbeds, double-drops, extendables, and RGNs matched to each component's dimensions and weight.
Permits & Escorts: Coordinated with DOT and state police for oversize approvals and safe passage. When DOT canceled approved routes mid-project, deployed surveyors immediately and secured alternate routes.
Weather Disruption Mitigation: Negotiated with drivers and crane operators during storms to minimize standby costs and avoid budget overruns.
Real-Time Updates: Continuous stakeholder communication via proprietary tracking system throughout all phases.
The Results.
Components Delivered
On-Time Delivery
Cost Overruns
What changed.
All 75 components delivered on time with zero disruption to the construction schedule. Cost controls achieved with no penalties, demurrage, or excess charges across the entire project.
Zero safety incidents across barge discharge, crane operations, and trucking phases. Stakeholder confidence maintained through real-time communication and project visibility throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equipment deployed: 33 standard flatbeds, 19 double-drop flatbeds, 17 extendable double-drops, 5 six-axle step-deck extendables, and 1 RGN extendable.
This project showcases Total Connection's ability to execute complex industrial mobilizations and deliver on-time results even during a global crisis.
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