The Challenge
When a semiconductor manufacturer needed to install new tools at their Texas fabrication facility, they faced a complex logistical puzzle. The multi-million-dollar equipment required specialized handling from the moment it arrived at the Port of Long Beach until final positioning in their cleanroom environment.
“They’d previously used different vendors for each phase of the installation process,” explained one of Three Way’s Texas Operations Managers. “One for warehousing, another for transportation, and a third for rigging and final placement. The coordination was complicated, and when issues came up, we spent more time on disputes than solving the actual problem.”
The Turnkey Solution
The manufacturer partnered with Three Way for a door-to-door domestic solution:
- Receipt & Temporary Storage: At our Southern California facility for initial processing and consolidation for transportation.
- Domestic Transportation: Dedicated air-ride equipment with specialized high cube trailers. LTL service for some accessory and other components.
- Warehousing & Distribution: Storage in our climate-controlled warehouse in Texas. Tracking and distribution, with white glove handling, for orders to the fab.
- White Glove Installation: Cleanroom-trained riggers for uncrating, moving within the fab and helping with final positioning.
Immediate Results
The difference was immediately apparent. “Having a single point of contact throughout the process made a bigger difference.” the Ops Manger notes. “When we needed to adjust the delivery schedule due to unexpected delays from the fab, we could easily adjust everything right in our own system”
The Turnkey Advantage
For multi-part installations in the semiconductor industry, the case for turnkey logistics services is compelling:
- Single-source accountability from port to production floor
- Streamlined communication with one dedicated project manager
- Specialized knowledge that spans the entire installation process
- Flexibility to adapt when unexpected challenges arise
In an industry where a single day of delay can cost millions, the turnkey approach isn’t just a convenience—it’s a strategic necessity. The difference between coordinating multiple vendors and working with one end-to-end provider is often the difference between hoping for success and ensuring it.