By William Chelak

For the past two decades, Hughes Enterprises Inc. of Big Piney, Wyoming, has specialized in everything from heavy hauling and construction to the environmental cleanup of contaminated soils for customers based throughout Wyoming and the surrounding states.

EXCELLENT REPUTATION

“We have a well-established reputation for completing jobs on time and within budget no matter the complexity,” says Keith Hughes, one of the owners of the family owned business that launched in 2001. “That’s because our customers know they can always trust us to be onsite exactly when needed and with the expertise required to finish the work with quality and precision.”

Since 2001, much of this dedication involved the hauling of construction equipment and vehicles weighing up to 100,000 lbs across state lines and to jobsites hundreds of miles from the Hughes headquarters. “We have a full inventory of heavy machinery ranging from backhoes to crushing equipment. Sometimes getting there is half of the job. Unfortunately, our business does not take lightly to delays. So, everything has to be ready to roll whenever the work comes in and no matter the location,” explains Hughes.

LOWBOY REFURBISHMENT

To further secure the timely delivery of this equipment all across Wyoming and its neighboring states, Hughes Enterprises recently refurbished the company’s 55-ton lowboy used to transport most of its heavy-duty machinery. “Travel and wear really took a toll on the unit, which was used on nearly every job for the past 15 years,” adds Greg Meismer of Hughes. “Earlier this year, we gave the lowboy and its trailer a total facelift. It came out so well that a lot of people thought we bought brand new equipment.”

Based on the referral of an industry colleague and some online research, Hughes Enterprise turned to TrailerDecking.com for the materials needed to refurbish the lowboy’s 42 ft long and 8.5 ft wide platform. This included the purchase of a complete collection of 3-inch screws, T40 Torx Heads, 82 Degree Countersink, and 9/32-inch Drill Bits as well as 200 square feet of the company’s Genuine Apitong/Keruing 2×8 Full Sawn Rough Heavy Duty Deck Boards and Apitong Oil.

RESTORATION WITH OIL

Shipped directly from TrailerDecking.com, Genuine Apitong, Keruing provides the durability required for the repair and replacement of hardwood deck boards used in demanding low boy, heavy equipment, and heavy-duty trailer applications. The company’s Apitong Oil was also selected for its ability to enhance the strength and beauty of exterior wood products used in most heavy-duty automotive and industrial applications. Developed with a proprietary blend of Tung oil, UV blockers, fungicide, and trans-oxide pigments, Apitong Oil’s water-resistant, acid-resistant formula extends the usable service life of wood products while maintaining the wood’s natural color and significantly delaying the graying and weathering process.

According to Meismer, the day-long restoration project started with three Hughes employees removing the low boy’s damaged deck boards and cutting the Genuine Apitong, Keruing into 22 pieces that ranged from 11 to 13 feet in length. The boards were then stained with the Apitong Oil and screwed down onto the low boy using the installation tools supplied by TrailerDecking.com.

CLOSING THOUGHT

“The end result was amazing,” says Mesimer. “Absolutely beautiful. Most people can’t even believe it’s the same trailer.”

“Well worth the time and effort,” adds Hughes. “Our credibility is based upon our ability to deliver results on time. This trailer is an essential part of our business—one that will hopefully withstand the rigorous demands of our industry for the next 8 to 10 years or beyond.”

About TrailerDecking.com

TrailerDecking.com was established in 2009 as a business unit of Nova USA Wood Products, an international leader in tropical hardwood decking and flooring, TrailerDecking.com offers a complete line of Apitong flatbed trailer flooring in both rough and shiplap, laminated hardwood truck flooring for van bodies, hardwood trailer components such as scuff liner and tie-down rails, and supplies like Apitong Oil, a high-quality wood finish developed for the transportation marketplace. For more, visit www.trailerdecking.com or call 1.855.APITONG.