Waukesha, WI – November 13, 2012 - DUECO, Inc., a Waukesha based corporation, has customers throughout the East Coast and elsewhere in the country working their DUECO built trucks and crews hard to restore power throughout the area. Responding to a call Friday, November 2 from a major utility in the North East, DUECO’s Pennsylvania branch team members have been servicing trucks in Long Island, New York, repairing trucks and performing maintenance following the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. DUECO shipped over 100 new trucks to this customer between June 2011 and June 2012 and the trucks and linemen have been busy servicing customers.
DUECO service technicians are doing everything from aerial device to truck chassis related maintenance and repairs such as changing filters, fuel pumps, lights and tires. “With all the hours and chaos, it’s quite an experience,” says DUECO service technician Leo Wade. “We’re doing a little bit of everything at the same time and the trucks are coming in bunches.” According to Wade, the customer appreciates DUECO’s critical support of their equipment. “They are bending over backwards,” explained Wade. “They’re supplying the parts we need and are taking care of us, including meals.”
As for shelter, the first night out, the DUECO crew slept in their trucks, as many who are supporting the efforts are doing. Due to no-vacancy hotel situations and exorbitant hotel prices, the crew of three is now sleeping in a pop-up camper in wash bay of a customer facility, or in the parking lot when the garage is full with vehicles being serviced. In addition to keeping the trucks up and running around the clock to restore the power along the East Coast, DUECO’s crew is providing vital relief to linemen who can take a break while their truck is being serviced. Two more mechanics were dispatched, with a rental camper, to aid in the effort on Friday, November 9.
Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation (UELC), also based in Waukesha and a sister company to DUECO, Inc., has numerous rental utility trucks supporting the effort. The company received a voice message on their after hours line from Marilyn S. of New Jersey saying she was watching a line of utility trucks heading east in New Jersey and noticed that they all said "M. J. Electric" on them. One was a rental unit from UELC with an 800# on it. Her message said "Thank you to the company from Michigan that is coming to New Jersey to help in our time of need. God bless all of you for your help".
Michigan based M. J. Electric provides electrical construction services nationwide specializing in transmission and distribution line, substation, electrical and instrumentation construction.
On November 8, UELC received a call from a woman in New York City who had seen UELC truck #18206 in her neighborhood and she shared, “Thank you so much for sending your trucks to us and returning our power”. The UELC rental trucks were sent to New York City by WeEnergies, who had the trucks on rent prior to the storm and sent them to aid in the effort. WeEnergies provides electric and natural gas service to customers in areas of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
About DUECO, Inc.
DUECO is the largest provider of Terex bucket trucks, digger derricks, and cranes for the utility market in the nation. DUECO also manufactures hybrid utility trucks and custom utility truck bodies and distributes mini derricks, aerial lifts, stringing equipment and trailers. Family owned and operated since 1955, DUECO’s philosophy of teamwork, integrity, and open communication with customers and employees ensures high quality equipment at the best value. With headquarters in the Metro Milwaukee area, DUECO services customers 24/7 in fifteen states. To learn more about DUECO and what the company can offer, please call us at 800-558-4004 or visit us on the web at dueco.com.
About UELC
Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation, founded in 1967 offers rental and leasing units ranging from bucket trucks and digger derricks to cable pullers and track vehicles. UELC is a strong business partner to contractors, utilities, municipalities and other industries across the nation. With headquarters in the Greater Milwaukee area, UELC’s nationwide network of dealers and service centers are ready to fulfill any utility equipment needs. To learn more about UELC offerings, visit www.uelc.com or call 1-800-558-0999.
