What HLI Rail and Rigging does

HLI Rail and Rigging, LLC is a privately held, US-based specialty logistics company founded in 2005 that transports over-dimensional and overweight loads for enterprise clients in the power utility, heavy manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. The company operates a turnkey "factory-to-foundation" model that combines rigging engineering, route surveying, permit acquisition, and multi-modal execution across rail, truck, barge, and air freight, with a particular concentration on power transformer and large industrial equipment moves (documented projects range from 221,000 lb boiler placements to 750,000 lb transformer transports).

The company's core technological differentiator is its fleet of two proprietary 20-axle Schnabel railcars with 1,028,350 lbs gross capacity and hydraulic systems that allow 24-inch vertical and 14-inch lateral shift to negotiate curves — an asset class with very few owners globally. It complements this with a portable laser measurement system and a 400-metric ton mobile load weighing system accurate to within ±100 lbs, plus a 14-acre Laredo transloading terminal equipped with cranes up to 275 tons and rail-served storage yards in Floresville (Union Pacific and BNSF access). HLI has verticalized into adjacent services through Mars Transformers (transformer assembly, testing, maintenance, and ~30-unit inventory) and Harris Heavy Haul (heavy haul carrier operations).

Revenue is generated entirely through project-based professional services engagements with custom quotes (24-48 hour response) targeting enterprise buyers; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company serves clients across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with a European representational office opened in 2021, and has been featured in trade publications such as Heavy Lift PFI Magazine, T&D World Magazine, and US Builders Review. Ownership remains with founders Ross McLaren and Mike Scott (active in the industry since 1978), with no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds; expansion to date has been funded organically and through tuck-in acquisitions.

Name

HLI Rail and Rigging

Legal name

HLI Rail and Rigging, LLC

Website

https://hli.us.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HLI Rail and Rigging is a privately held specialty logistics company founded in 2005 that transports over-dimensional and overweight loads for enterprise power utility, manufacturing, and infrastructure clients across North America and Europe, using proprietary Schnabel railcars and multi-modal execution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy Haul Logistics and Over-Dimensional Transport Services

NAICS

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (484230), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Project Cargo & Oversized/Heavy-Lift Forwarding (TLACADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rail Heavy Haul & Dimensional Loads (Out-of-Gauge) (TLADAGAL), Heavy Machinery & Oversized Equipment (Cranes, Excavators, Presses) (TLACAIAH), Site Delivery, Installation Support & On-Site Supervision (Door-to-Site) (TLACAIAM), Heavy Haul / Oversize / Specialized Equipment TL Carriers (TLADADAI)

Keywords

• Heavy haul transport
• Over-dimensional logistics
• Rail freight services
• Rigging services
• Project cargo logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Laredo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Project-Based Transportation Services: Custom project-based fees for over-dimensional load transportation and logistics services. Revenue is generated through comprehensive logistics planning, rigging, and multi-modal transport services (rail, truck, barge, air). Services include route planning, permits, engineering studies, and on-site supervision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HLI Rail and Rigging specializes in the safe, cost-effective transportation of over-dimensional and overweight loads via a multi-modal approach combining rail, truck, barge, and air freight, supplemented by rigging, storage and transloading, and full logistics planning. Core execution assets include proprietary Schnabel railcars (HLIX 2018, 20-axle, 1,028,350 lb capacity) and a 14-acre US-Mexico border transloading facility in Laredo, Texas. Turnkey 'factory-to-foundation' project delivery is supported by portable laser measurement, 400-metric ton mobile weighing, 24/7 GPS tracking, and subsidiaries Mars Transformers and Harris Heavy Haul.

Product overview

HLI Rail & Rigging, LLC is a logistics company specializing in the transportation of over-dimensional loads by the most cost-effective and safe methods available. The company was established in 2005 and offers a comprehensive suite of services including rigging, storage and transload, planning and site services, and multi-modal transport via rail, air, barge, and truck. The core equipment portfolio includes proprietary HLIX 2018 Schnabel Railcars (1,028,350 lbs. capacity), portable laser measurement systems, and 400-metric ton mobile weighing systems. The company operates through subsidiaries Mars Transformers (transformer manufacturing and services) and Harris Heavy Haul (heavy haul carrier), with key facilities including a 14-acre Laredo transloading facility. The company also offers international freight forwarding services and handles projects from factory to foundation, including assembly in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harris Heavy Haul: Heavy haul carrier offering short/long term storage of power transformers and over-dimensional cargo, operated throughout North America
• Mars Transformers

Products and services

• Rigging Services Expert rigging services for over-dimensional loads including site surveys, heavy-haul route surveys, abnormal load permit preparation, and on-site supervision to ensure quality and safe delivery for industrial and power clients.
• Storage & Transload 14-acre secure transloading and storage facility at Laredo, Texas bridging US-Mexico regulations, with four cranes (140-275 tons), forklifts, GPS tracking, and 24/7 camera monitoring for over-dimensional cargo.
• Planning & Site Services Engineering studies, feasibility studies, route surveys, mobile laser measuring systems, and 400-metric ton mobile load weighing system for comprehensive logistics planning of over-dimensional transport projects.
• Rail Freight Transport Over-dimensional rail transport using Schnabel railcars and 12/20 axle railcars, with GPS impact recording and detailed route plans submitted to railroads for clients requiring rail as part of multi-modal heavy haul.
• Air Freight Transportation Global air cargo services including air freight forwarding, expediting, consolidation, and charter services for time-definite deliveries of over-dimensional cargo worldwide.
• Barge Transportation Waterway transport services utilizing inland and coastal waterways for over-dimensional cargo where rail access is limited, often used for press lines and other heavy industrial equipment transport.
• Truck Heavy Haul Heavy haul trucking services with expertise in state road regulations and weight restrictions for nationwide over-dimensional transport and final-mile delivery.
• HLIX 2018 Schnabel Railcar Service State-of-the-art 20-axle Schnabel railcar with 1,028,350 lbs. gross capacity, 896,600 lbs. deck insert capacity, and hydraulic system for 24-inch vertical and 14-inch lateral shift for negotiating curves, available to clients for over-dimensional rail transport.
• 400-Metric Ton Mobile Load Weighing System Wireless portable scale system with computer-based software for center of gravity calculation, all weather stainless steel construction, accurate within +/- 100 lbs, offered as part of planning and site services for heavy load clients.
• Portable Laser Measurement System State-of-the-art portable laser measurement system designed specifically for dimensional transport with automatic documentation and standardization, offered to clients as part of planning and site services.
• Mars Transformers Subsidiary offering transformer manufacturing, transport, assembly, testing, maintenance and relocation services, with inventory of nearly 30 power transformers and pre-booked production slots for urgent replacements, serving utilities and power clients.
• Harris Heavy Haul Subsidiary heavy haul carrier in Floresville, TX offering short/long term storage of power transformers and over-dimensional cargo, with 10 acres and rail spur service by Union Pacific and BNSF, operating throughout North America.

Quantifiable outcome

• Two Schnabel railcars can move two assets simultaneously, doubling oversize transport capacity
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GreenStream Sustainability ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Partnership to initiate Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Climate Strategy Program. GreenStream leads annual GHG inventory per GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, Supplier GHG Assessment, and Climate Strategy Action Plan development. Max Pinnola, Owner of GreenStream, brings over 10 years of experience conducting GHG inventories and implementing corporate climate strategies.
• WCA World (World Cargo Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHLI is a member of WCA Projects network, providing access to global freight forwarding network and project cargo handling capabilities. HLI featured in WCA Projects news for moving 310 MT transformer with their own Schnabel Rail Car.
• Dun & BradstreetminorOthersDun & Bradstreet business directory listing and credit reporting services.
• Kasgro Rail EquipmentcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for railcar fleet access. HLI uses Kasgro rail equipment including 4-axle, 8-axle, and 12-axle FD and FM railcars, plus special railcars including well cars and cabooses for heavy transport operations.
• TTX CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for TTX railcar fleet access. HLI uses TTX rail equipment including 4-axle, 8-axle, and 12-axle FD and FM railcars for heavy transport operations.
• Union Pacific RailroadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail service provider for Harris Heavy Haul location in Floresville, TX. Part of multimodal transport network.
• BNSF RailwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail service provider for Harris Heavy Haul location in Floresville, TX. Part of multimodal transport network.
• Mars Transformers, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated entity formed by HLI purchasing HV assets of a larger company. Enables HLI to transport AND assemble/test/maintain and relocate transformers of any size. Mars has inventory of nearly 30 power transformers and pre-booked production slots for urgent replacements.
• Harris Heavy HaulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated heavy haul carrier in Floresville, TX bringing over 30 years of heavy haul experience. Operates throughout North America with 10-acre rail-served storage facility.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Collett & Sons: Collett & Sons is a UK-based heavy haulage and project cargo specialist serving Europe. Comparable to HLI in heavy-lift transport and rigging but operating primarily in the UK/European market rather than North America.
• Wagenborg: Wagenborg is a Dutch heavy-lift, heavy-haul, and project logistics provider serving primarily European markets. Comparable to HLI in industrial equipment and modular transport with similar multi-modal coordination capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Barnhart Crane & Rigging: Barnhart is a large US heavy-lift and rigging company offering crane services, heavy haul, and engineered transport solutions. Comparable to HLI in rigging engineering and over-dimensional transport, but with broader service portfolio and significantly larger scale.
• BigLift Shipping: BigLift Shipping is a heavy-lift shipping specialist within the Broström/Wallenius group, focused on breakbulk and project cargo. Comparable to HLI in project cargo transport, though primarily maritime focused rather than rail/road.
• Mammoet: Mammoet is a global heavy-lift and transport incumbent offering engineered heavy lifting, transport, and rigging services across industrial sectors. Comparable to HLI in core activity but vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• A.H. International (AHI): A.H. International is a specialized heavy-haul and rigging company focused on transformer transport and industrial equipment relocation. Closely comparable to HLI in its expertise in power transformer moves, rigging engineering, and turnkey logistics.
• Global Project Logistics (GPL): GPL is a WCA-affiliated project cargo forwarder specializing in over-dimensional and heavy-lift transport worldwide. Directly comparable to HLI in its network-based multi-modal model for transformers, turbines, and industrial machinery.
• BNX Shipping: BNX Shipping is a project cargo and heavy-lift freight forwarder offering multi-modal transport for over-dimensional industrial equipment. Comparable to HLI in targeting power utilities, manufacturing, and infrastructure clients with custom-engineered transport solutions.
• Specialized Rail Service (SRS): Specialized Rail Service provides heavy-haul rail transport using Schnabel and other specialized railcars for over-dimensional cargo. Directly comparable to HLI as a competitor in heavy-lift rail with similar equipment platforms.
• TransGlobal Project Logistics: TransGlobal Project Logistics is a global project cargo forwarder specializing in heavy-lift and over-dimensional shipments via rail, road, and sea. Comparable to HLI in providing turnkey route planning, permits, and rigging for industrial equipment moves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hli_rail
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HLIRailAndRigging
• Facebookfacebook.com/hlirailrigging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hli-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/hlirailrigging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HLI Rail and Rigging