No two jobs are alike for J.E. Oswalt & Sons as they continue to successfully move oversized cargo throughout the Southeastern United States on behalf of both American and foreign multi-nationals companies typically in-and-out of the Ports of Charleston and Savannah. "Using our stationary 800-ton Model 48A Lift System gantry we are able to successfully facilitate multi-ton lifts with ease," explains David Oswalt, owner of the American business.

He adds: "Positioned at the Columbus Street Terminal at the Port of Charleston, our gantry system and 28 lines of hydraulic platforms allow us to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients to move their specialized cargo safely and economically."

If there is such as thing as a typical move, J.E. Oswalt & Sons mobilizes equipment ranging from 80 tons to 400 tons via its custom gantry system, rail cars and specialized 16-24 axle configuration trailers.

By making its gantry system work, last year J.E. Oswalt & Sons transloaded more than 100 turbines and generators from the Port of Charleston.

He explains: "Our gantry system stands proud at the Port of Charleston and can be moved around the Port as needed. "We utilize the system day in and day out to lift anything from multi-ton turbines, industrial presses, vessels and transformers."

Oswalt’s sophisticated gantry system is positioned over a rail spur allowing the trans-loading of various oversized cargo to and from railcars and trucks.

The gantry can be relocated if a project dictates, in addition to the firm’s transloading operation that offers inland transportation for arriving and departing Port cargo.

"Not only do we assist our clients in getting their cargo in and out of the Port but we find ourselves in unique situations where our longtime expertise comes into play," says Oswalt.

He adds: "This could mean moving a piece of cargo from vessel to railcar, road truck to barge and then back to a road truck. No two moves are alike." Oswalt’s team remains logistics experts as they communicate and plan such complicated scenarios in and out of the Southeast’s cities and infrastructure.

For the American company, economic growth in the local area has also been a boon for business.

"We’ve had three giant tire manufacturers actively set up shop in South Carolina. The State of South Carolina Department of Commerce aggressively pursued these tire manufacturing plants and in the last eight years they have built three giant tire manufacturing plants in our state," says Oswalt.

He adds: "These three manufacturing plants have produced over 130 big press components for us to move."

"We are a small family business which allows us to serve our clients better by actually doing the job ourselves. "Our clients have about a 90 percent chance of having the president of the company, myself, overseeing their job."

And for a family business that has diversified greatly in recent decades, the next steps are likely to be just as interesting.