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HomeAbout DLANewsNews Article View

# Ohio RTCH reuse saves over $1 million 

By Jeff LandenbergerDLA Disposition Services

                BATTLE CREEK, Mich.  –              
The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services team in Columbus, Ohio, knew they could put a Rough Terrain Container Handler to good use.

A RTCH would enhance their capabilities, but with a price tag of over $1 million for a new one, it was just out of reach.

                A student operates a a Rough Terrain Container Handler in a class held at DLA Disposition Services site in Columbus, Ohio. The RTCH was acquired by the Ohio based team through the Reutilization, Transfer and Donation process that they normally assist their customers with to procure property but used it themselves to add the RTCH to their own fleet of equipment.                            230420-D-DO441-123                            A student operates a a Rough Terrain Container Handler in a class held at DLA Disposition Services site in Columbus, Ohio. The RTCH was acquired by the Ohio based team through the Reutilization, Transfer and Donation process that they normally assist their customers with to procure property but used it themselves to add the RTCH to their own fleet of equipment.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: File photoVIRIN: 230420-D-DO441-123Then they discovered that two used RTCHs had been turned in to the DLA property disposal site in Richmond, Virginia.

Acting fast, and using the same Reutilization, Transfer and Donation process that all the agency’s customers use to requestion property, the Columbus crew requested one.

Megan Hughes, a Columbus-based equipment operator, said having the RTCH will allow large or awkward property lifts with more control and precision. This will help minimize potential to damage to items, making them more marketable for RTD or sales.

Hughes and fellow Equipment Operator Donald Richards are both qualified to train people to operate material handling equipment.

“Megan and I foster the director’s ‘Slow is smooth; Smooth is fast’ initiative,” Richards said. “We are of the mindset that we enhance the ‘Smooth’ by building confidence in our trainees. Confidence and best practices are key to a safe work environment.”

The two trainers have licensed seven operators on the RTCH since its arrival in the Buckeye state.   

“We pride ourselves in ensuring each individual we license has the confidence to operate,” Richards said.

Both Richards and Hughes have lengthy resumes of training people to operate equipment. Both are Army veterans who trained soldiers to operate equipment while they were serving.

Richards said he has a secret weapon when it comes to training his students: his wife Beth. He said she has more than 25 years experience in primary and secondary school education.

“She often provides me with innovative insights, which ultimately benefits my students,” Richards said.

He added that all of the agency’s MHE trainers see training and safety as a primary function of their position, and he said you will find quality training throughout DLA’s property disposal sites. 

“Although it is just a small part or our duties, it is quite possibly the most important,” he said.

Richards said that the RTCH is valuable to daily operations, and that is why they primarily wanted one for their site. But having it in Columbus also allows them to keep Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members fully trained for any deployment they may be called upon for.

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RTD DSNorth East DSTraining DSSafety DSWhole of Government DS