Spartan Composite Mats

From Misuse to Mastery, Resolving Composite Matting Issues Through On-Site Expertise Customer Concern: A customer contacted the SC Sales Team because their System7™ composite ground protection mats weren’t working properly. These mats had been in use for over a year without problems, so this sudden issue needed urgent attention. SC’s Immediate Response: Following SC’s process, a Field Technical Assistance (FTA) Specialist was quickly sent to the site to investigate the problem, find the cause, and fix it if needed. What the FTA Specialist Did: Upon arrival, the specialist conducted a full inspection: Checked the mats for damage and wear. Compared how the mats were set up against SC’s official guidelines. Looked at ground conditions to ensure they matched the mats’ requirements. Watched how the crew was installing the mats. What Was the Real Problem? There were no defects in the mats themselves. The issue was caused by incorrect installation by new crew members who hadn’t been properly trained. They weren’t following SC’s instructions for how to install the mats and connect them correctly, which led to poor performance (reference: Installation Manual). How SC Fixed It: On-Site Training: The FTA Specialist trained the crew on: How to handle and position the mats. Proper alignment and connection methods. How to evenly distribute loads. How to avoid common installation mistakes. Hands-On Practice: Each crew member got practical, guided experience during a real installation, with the specialist confirming they understood the process. Certification: After training, the crew was evaluated to ensure they followed SC’s standards. Results: Installation mistakes were corrected. The mats performed correctly again. The project got back on track. The customer was very satisfied with the quick and effective help. Follow-Up and Ongoing Support: The FTA Specialist maintained regular communication with the crew supervisor over several weeks to ensure continued adherence to best practices and sustained system performance. The supervisor reported consistent success in the field, with no recurrence of issues. Continued Customer Support: SC reaffirmed its commitment to customer success by emphasizing that complimentary, on-site technical support is always available should any future issues arise. This proactive service offering reflects SC’s dedication to delivering reliable, long-term operational support. Customer Feedback: The site supervisor conveyed strong appreciation for the rapid, complimentary technical support, emphasizing that the responsiveness and expertise demonstrated by SC significantly reinforced the company’s value as a trusted solutions partner. Leadership Perspective: SC President Jeff Juergens said: “It’s very rare that a customer has to call us twice.” This shows how effective SC’s field support is—not just in fixing problems, but in preventing them from happening again.

Project Overview In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a project was undertaken to replace timber mats with composite mats to support a large crane used to unload 48” pipes from trucks. The crane, which weighs approximately 500 tons, had previously been resting on 12 x 12 wood mats (crane mats). The goal of this project was to improve support and functionality by replacing the existing timber mats with System7XT™ mats, providing better stability and support for the crane. Scope of the Job The project’s scope was multi-faceted and included: Preparation of the Area for Crane Support: The first step was to prepare the area where the crane would be positioned. The crane, which was unloading large 48” pipes from trucks, had previously relied on timber mats. The new setup involved placing the crane on System7XT™ mats, which were designed to handle the substantial weight and pressure from the 500-ton crane. Installation of System7XT™ Mats: Spartan’s Field Technician planned the layout of the composite mats. 60 of System7XT™ composite mats were placed in the necessary configuration to provide a stable foundation for the crane. These mats were specifically chosen for their superior durability and ability to support such heavy equipment, offering better performance and less environmental impact than traditional timber mats. Training and Guidance on Mat Handling: As part of the project, Spartan’s Field Technician provided training for the crew on how to properly handle and install the composite mats. The team was shown the best practices for maneuvering and flipping the mats. This hands-on training ensured that the mats were installed correctly and efficiently, avoiding potential delays and minimizing any safety risks during the installation process. Mat Installation Procedure: To ensure maximum stability, 4 x 4 wooden boards were placed between the System7XT™ mats and the crane mats. This helped distribute the crane’s weight evenly across the mats, providing enhanced support and preventing the mats from shifting under the crane’s load. Crane Movement onto the New Mats: The crane was slowly and cautiously moved from the original 12 x 12 crane mats to the new System7XT™ mats. The operator navigated the crane at a slow pace to ensure the crane’s weight was properly distributed on the composite mats. Once the crane was fully positioned on the System7XT™ mats, the operator turned the crane 90 degrees and moved it toward the dock area where the pipes would be stacked. Long-Term Use of Mats on Dock: The mats were planned to remain on the dock for six months, providing a solid and stable foundation as the crane continued unloading 48” pipes. Over this extended period, the composite mats would support the crane and withstand the weight and pressure of the repeated lifting and movement of the heavy pipes. By replacing timber crane mats with System7XT™ composite mats, the project team successfully provided a stable and reliable foundation for the 500-ton crane. The careful planning, proper mat installation, and training ensured the project was completed smoothly and safely.