Renowned Foundation Equipment Company Pileco Inc. Instrumental in Houston Ship Channel Repair Following Hurricane Ike

Pileco Pile Driving Equipment Helps Coast Guard and Port of Houston Restore Ship Channel Markers Destroyed by One of the Worst Storms to Hit the Texas Coast in Decades

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) November 19, 2008 -- Miles of devastation both on land and water were left in the wake of Hurricane Ike early September, which was reported as one of the most damaging storms to hit the Texas coast in decades. Despite the crippling blow to Houston and Galveston communities, local businesses wasted no time in beginning work towards restoration - including Houston-based foundation equipment company Pileco Inc.

Among the damage assessed following the storm, the Houston Ship Channel was reported to be "90 percent wiped out." The channel, which runs between the continental interior and the Gulf of Mexico for both petrochemical products and Midwestern grain, lost more than half of the important navigation markers on which ship pilots rely.

A key part of restoring the channel markers and reopening the ship channel to traffic were Pileco pile drivers, used to drive the piles upon which large green, white and red panels with flashing lights sit visible to ship pilots.

According to an NPR report, just hours after the storm the coast guard set up temporary foam buoys with lights and began planning for the platform required for the pile driving rigs. The Hatchet, a 75 foot boat, became the headquarters for the marker rebuilding effort in the Houston Ship Channel.

The Houston Ship Channel runs "The storm was a real blow to the community. While the coast took a direct hit, the effects were felt much more broadly as offshore oil platforms were destroyed and important cargo ship traffic was halted," said Pileco COO Don Mangum.

"It is great to be a part of the restoration effort and see our equipment in demand to meet critical needs," said Mangum, who just weeks after the storm accepted on behalf of Pileco the Fastest 100 Award from the Houston Business Journal.

While Pileco Inc. has become an international company representing an extensive line of foundation equipment, it is their innovative work in pile driving technology that formed its foundation. And a new manufacturing facility in Conroe with partner and parent company BAUER Maschinen GmbH will ensure more rapid availability of essential foundation equipment and custom design fabrication when needed.

This past year Pileco announced expansion within its lines of diesel and vibratory hammers, as well as the addition of a new air hammer and BG-12H BAUER drilling rig. The exclusive distributor of BAUER products in the western hemisphere, the company is also the distributor of IHC, RTG, MAT, PRAKLA, EURODRILL and BETEK products throughout the northeastern United States and Mexico. They now have offices in Texas, California, Florida and Panama.

To learn more about the growth of Pileco and its products and services, log onto www.pileco.com. Or, call 1-800-474-5326. Look for a new website design in the coming months.

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