A business unit from where transportation, administration and storage services for materials and equipment are coordinated, managed and provided, as well as training for the projects is delivered. Logistics Manager Miguel Galera, who was on the team behind its establishment, explains in detail what it’s all about.

Techint Engineering & Construction has just launched its Logistics Center (TECLAS) after several years of planning and operational fine-tuning, aimed at improving results for the company’s projects by centralizing all logistics operations. In fact, the Logistics Center opened its doors just prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Located on the premises of the Machinery Park (TEPAM) in General Pacheco, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, TECLAS was set up as an independent business unit with specific tasks and responsibilities. It’s there that logistics services are coordinated and offered to both internal customers and other companies in the Techint Group.

Miguel Galera, Logistics Manager, is one of the brains behind the creation of TECLAS and explains: “Our task goes beyond taking care of transport logistics, as we also handle warehousing to consolidate materials before sending them to projects, in addition to collecting any surplus materials when projects finish. We also hold and coordinate training courses for different areas, on subjects such as how to manage lifting loads, or control fuel use, and provide certification for operators in theoretical and practical skills.”

After TECLAS was established in Argentina, other such centers were set up in other countries. Fabián Pelaye, Heavy Equipment Sr. Manager, took the lead when it came to organizing the TECLAS in Peru (known there as the CLP) and Chile (CLC) for the Andean Area, while Alejandro Aineseder, Logistics Sr. Manager, picked up the baton and is running it today. Antonio Frias, Logistics Sr. Manager, did the same in Mexico, where it’s known as COLMEX. “There is a great deal of interaction between different centers. We share working methodologies, find common ground when it comes to procedures and develop new ones together. This is being coordinated by Luciano Papis, Logistics Sr. Manager,” says Miguel.

With over 21 years in the company, Galera has spent much of his career focused on developing the logistics sector. “I used to work on projects where I came to realize that there was something missing that we needed. We ended up saying that what we were missing was a centralized services hub. We started working on this idea initially with Silvio Faccioni and Fabián Pelaye, until it became what we now know as TECLAS,” he recalls. Miguel is immensely proud to have been a part of this project from the beginning. “TECLAS represents a significant part of my professional life at the company. There was no logistics center before this one, and we built it from scratch over time. I had the opportunity to travel to different countries, gathering insights to help us meet diverse needs,” he states.

Adding technology

In line with innovation in the industry and what’s available on the market, TECLAS is incorporating the latest technology, evaluating software programs, assessing different applications to automate orders, and studying the use of integrated GPS capable of routing equipment in real time. “We understand that the time to move forward in this sense is now. All the upcoming innovations we can see will completely overhaul what we currently know as the logistics sector, a large package of services, which begins when the Supplies area buys the material and ends when it reaches the end user at the projects,” summarizes Galera.

Just around the corner

TECLAS currently employs more than 40 people, but this number tends to oscillate depending on the needs of the different projects underway. Although currently operating from TEPAM, the plan is to revamp the offices and build new warehouses, enabling the team to work together in the same environment, benefiting synergy and cooperation.

A wide range of services

The main services offered by TECLAS are:

· Transport of equipment, materials, prefabricated elements and pipes, with own and third-party vehicles.

· Contract management with third parties and services for those projects, including transport, routing and administrative management.

· Warehousing: this is subdivided into local requirements for materials or supplies (consolidation and distribution to the different projects), and surplus construction materials (removal of surplus supplies from the projects, classification, inventory management in SAP and subsequent auction or sale).

· Crew camp and workshops. Special modules for fuel storage services. Wastewater treatment facilities. Breastfeeding Room.

· Training, advisory, and support services (fuel management, lifting operations, operator certification).

· General Services: the control center where requests and orders are coordinated with all the project area heads.

In addition, TECLAS will shortly be offering the following services:

· Warehousing for special electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) (instruments, tools).

· Scaffolding rental and transportation services to the site.

· Warehouse regularization/normalization service for closure.

· Preventive project warehouse service (SOLP base according to project type). For works in the initial stages.

· Services to auction off surplus project materials. On behalf of and at the request of the project team.

· Planning and analysis of request order for lifting elements. Requests from CM, QM certificate control. Inspection reception. Identification of engravings.