A lot of construction companies have a need for underground shoring rental. When they look for it, they usually want the most technologically advanced tools, searching for state of the art. State of the art, however, is only available through companies with a lot of resources, and they want to see a significant return for that as well. Furthermore, these tools have to meet various governmental regulations as well. None of those issues are of concern to smugglers, however, who seem to be able to get things done without any fancy equipment.
A Smugglers’ Paradise
The border between the US and Mexico is heavily guarded. Yet, for all these efforts and even the current president’s promise to build a wall, a wealth of illegal traffic still makes its way through. Clearly, no wall would be able to stop people anyway, since most simply tunnel underneath the border.
The U.S. Customs and Border agents have noted that there has been a rise in the number of tunnels. In fact, in 2009 alone, they found 26, a rise of 60% since 2008. Then, between 2006 and 2010, there were some 51 individual tunnels uncovered between Sonora, Mexico, and the town of Nogales, AZ, a rate of around one tunnel for each month. Some of those were primitive and dug by hand, but others were technological marvels, with ventilation hoses and electric cables! Any tunnels found have been sealed, of course, but cartels seem to simply open them back up.
What Can We Learn from Smugglers?
Construction and shoring companies have seen that there are just two things needed in any tunnel, regardless of who creates it:
- A way to transport materials and people in an efficient way. This means it should be about 7 feet tall, so people don’t have to stoop. It should also have a smooth and frim floor to make moving materials easier.
- A way to prevent cave-ins through shoring. This is for the safety of those going through the tunnels and to make sure no expenses are wasted on having to re-dig an area that has collapsed. And this is what underground shoring materials are needed for.
In a legitimate tunnel project, temporary access is often required. In this case, shoring equipment can be rented, because it ensures that tunneling operations can run efficiently and smoothly. By renting, they ensure that they only use equipment as and when it is needed, rather than having to invest in anything that they only use occasionally.
Even if tunneling is a regular requirement, renting shoring equipment is usually preferred. This is because it has a number of financial advantages, including the fact that the company who rents it does not have to pay for things such as service, maintenance, repairs, and replacements. All those things are included in the price. What we can learn from smugglers, however, is that having the latest technological tools available is not so important. What matters more is that it is fit for purpose.
