Going “back to basics” is a simple sounding concept, but it gets harder to do the more a person is indoctrinated into a system.  This is even true when it comes to businesses, and especially true when it comes to Pro-Tec Equipment.
With the core of Pro-Tec’s staff having around 10 years of time on the job, more or less, we have been able to go through the whole learning curve.  Starting with the basics (how to size a trench shield) and going all the way to the advanced classes (custom shields and Slide Rail Systems).  However, the more and more a person deals with the advanced classes, some of the basics start to fade away.  Once you’ve mastered a calculator, it’s tough to do division, long hand, with a paper and pencil.

There are times that it seems people get carried away trying to solve a contractor’s trench shoring and shielding problem with an answer that is more complex than it needs.  Sometimes, an 8’ tall x 16’ long trench shield with end panels is the best, most basic way to go, instead of a 4-sided Slide Rail System, sometimes however, it is not.  It seems like an easy thought, go with this over that, for the most part, it canis that easy.

So what are the basics for trench shields?  Making sure the correct pins go with the shields to the jobsites.  Having the correct stacking gear, in the correct locations.  Communicating to customers when and where their orders are.  There are more, but I think you get the point.  The basics are the simple things.  The simple things are the things the make the difference between a one time customer and a repeat happy customer.  Going back to basics is more that just a cute four word phrase; it is a constant high wire act that has to be performed daily in order for companies to be profitable and survive.