What to Expect from Mobile Assembly Crews

Photo courtesy PolyJohn

Expanding your inventory fast isn’t just about managing logistics. You need people in place to unpack, assemble, and prep the units. Ideally, portable restroom operators can handle these tasks in-house. However, short timelines or labor shortages don’t always result in ideal circumstances. Hiring mobile assembly crews is one option for building restrooms quickly. Learn how outsourced assembly services work and what to consider before choosing this solution.

What are Mobile Assembly Crews?

Traveling assembly companies are outsourced teams who come to your location and build portable restrooms, handwash stations, and other accessories. They typically bring their own tools and coordinate with PROs regarding delivery or storage plans.

Depending on the company, services may include the following:

• Complete on-site assembly and takedown of portable restrooms
• Loading or unloading units into delivery trailers
• Equipment checks and inspections
• Light restroom repairs or retrofits
• Other miscellaneous services, such as maintenance or trailer repair

Benefits of Hiring a Traveling Assembly Team

The flexibility of hiring on a per-project basis is appealing to PROs looking to scale without adding permanent employees. Mobile assembly crews can help you get contracts during emergencies or get through temporary labor issues.

Check out these pros of mobile assembly services:

• Fast turnaround for large orders: If you need to ramp up fast for disaster deployments, expansions, or seasonal demand, assembly teams can build units quickly.
• On-site convenience: When receiving flat-packed or bulk units, mobile crews can build them on-site, reducing transportation and labor costs, especially for remote or new territories.
• Lighten team demands: By outsourcing the assembly process, your drivers can focus on servicing routes or deliveries.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

Like most decisions, for every PRO, there are cons to consider. In the case of mobile assembly crews, it’s akin to subcontracting or using a temp service for employees. Most vendors are highly professional and do an excellent job. However, there is a trade-off when you don’t have control over the team and process.

Here are a few things to think about before working with mobile assembly crews:

• Assembly quality and post-job accountability: Trained mobile crews adhere to OEM specs and quality standards. However, if a unit leaks days or months later, it can be tough to tell if it’s a shipping, assembly, or component issue.
• Site preparation: Many mobile teams arrive with everything they need to assemble units. Still, PROs might need to prep the site, as cluttered or poorly lit spaces can increase assembly time and your costs.
• Cost: Traveling assembly companies typically charge by the unit, hour, or project. For large jobs, mobile crew services can pay off. However, the return on investment may not pan out when factoring in the lack of factory quality assurance or if unexpected issues arise.

A Flexible Option for PROs

Traveling teams can boost your capacity in a pinch. They build units on-site fast. With convenience, speed, and flexibility come extra costs and less control. Customers see their brand, not yours, during the installation process, and when the job ends, if there’s a problem with the units, it’s hard to pinpoint who’s accountable. That said, mobile assembly crews get the work done and are a viable option for PROs needing to set up infrastructure quickly and safely.

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