Bemidji, MN - May 24, 2012 - LaValley Industries, manufacturer of the DECKHAND® Pipe Handling System, hosted an open house recently at their new facility in Bemidji, MN. LaValley Industries showcased the new DECKHAND “DHL in live demonstrations handling 20”, 24”, 30”, and 36” diameter pipes up to 80’ long. The DECKHAND “DHXL” was also on display, complete with 42” pipe arms and the standard DECKHAND “DH” that started it all, which handles 3” to 24” diameter pipe. Guests from around the country attended the open house and took part in live DECKHAND demonstrations throughout the afternoon. The DECKHAND worktool can safely and efficiently load and unload pipe from trailers, railcars, pipe stacks, and drill rigs. To demonstrate the ease of operation and DECKHAND’s total pipe control system, guests were encouraged to operate the DECKHAND and see the benefits first hand.  

One guest, Shad Clisby, an operator for Premay Equipment L.P., spent last winter working on a 36” pipeline project in Alberta, Canada. Over the course of the project, Clisby personally moved over 5,000 joints of 36” pipe using the DECKHAND Pipe Handling System. “Using the DECKHAND to move pipe makes my job easier and more enjoyable,” said Clisby. “I wouldn’t dream of using anything else. The DECKHAND is the future.”

LaValley Industries was founded in 2006 when Owner and CEO, Jason LaValley thought of the concept for the DECKHAND while working on pipeline projects. Over the years, the DECKHAND product line has grown to include three different head attachments, including the DH, DHL and DHXL; and numerous arm combinations , including the 8-12” Interchangeable Pipe Arms, 24” Utility Arm, 20-42” Pipe Arms, and the Directional Drilling Arm.

The DECKHAND Pipe Handling System is distributed exclusively to the pipeline industry by PipeLine Machinery International (PLM-Cat). The DECKHAND system is one of the solutions provided by PLM-Cat to address the specific challenges facing the pipeline construction industry worldwide. PLM-Cat was established in 2005 and is the first Caterpillar dealership to focus on a particular industry on a global basis.

The company provides purpose-built and traditional construction equipment to the mainline pipeline construction industry on projects around the world. PLM-Cat works closely with pipeline owners, contractors and local Caterpillar dealers to provide solutions tailored to the unique product and service needs of this industry. PLM-Cat’s worldwide activities are currently supported through the corporate offices in: Cypress, Texas, USA; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; The Hague, Netherlands; Beijing, China; Melbourne, Australia; and Singapore.