"We need to first determine if the equipment is shock sensitive," says Steve Hoium, operations specialist for the company. "If it's a piece of lab equipment or something that has been calibrated, we need to know if it's really super sensitive to jolts so we can take extra precautions if it is. We leave it up to the customer to tell us that whenever we package medical."

Since a great deal of this equipment is sent by ship, it is not uncommon for moisture to build up inside the top of the container that holds the equipment, and that can cause rust and damage the equipment.


"Because it goes on ships in containers that rock 45 degrees, and aren't water proof, you don't want salt water on your product and have it corrode, so it's necessary to take precautions," Gutierrez says. "Anytime equipment is going overseas, we vacuum bag it, clean it up and keep moisture from getting inside it."

Craters also need to be mindful of the wood that is being used in crafting the crates. Different countries have different requirements concerning wood, mostly due to possible insect infestation.

"Having the right lumber is important. When you go overseas, they have limitations on the type of lumber you can bring in," says BT&S's Lewis. "You can't use the everyday piece of wood. It has to be heat or pressure treated or they can stop you at customs and turn it around."

Most craters know all the requirements and should be ISPM (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures) 15 certified and authorized to build and export wood crates in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention.

Business on the Rise

Examining those involved in all three areas of the moving process, we found that business has been good of late.

Knowles says that 2009 has been the best year the company has ever experienced, and attributes that to OEMs outsourcing more of their work.

Many DOTmed users have also seen an upswing in business, as used equipment sales have been on the rise.

"Used or pre-owned equipment is moving at a rapid pace because new equipment sales have slowed tremendously-for obvious reasons-so with the quick pace of the used market, units have to get pulled and shipped and sent to the new customer," says William Dixon, senior field service at Ala.-based Advantage Medical Electronics. "At this point in time, I feel that most are still holding on pretty good. We have not seen a steep slowdown."

As long as companies continue to buy used equipment and hospitals get rid of older models as they upgrade to new, the need for de-installers, riggers and craters will always be vital to the medical industry.

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