Based in East Tennessee, Utility Inspection Services (UIS) is a family-owned business with a legacy dating back to the 1960s. With a team of approximately 20 employees, UIS has built a reputation for treating staff like family and delivering exceptional quality to their clients.
While their core business focuses on sewer cleaning and CCTV inspections, covering over one million linear feet of sewer annually, UIS recognized the need to expand their capabilities. To stay competitive in municipal bidding and offer comprehensive infrastructure solutions, they needed to upgrade their approach to manhole inspections.
600
ROCKWOOD MANHOLES
Completed ahead of schedule
1M+
LINEAR FEET INSPECTED
Annual sewer assessment rate
1
OPERATOR CREW SIZE
Needed per inspection truck
60+
YEARS OF SERVICE
Serving East Tennessee region
Before partnering with TREKK, UIS relied on a "rigged together" DIY pole camera setup for manhole inspections. While this method allowed them to perform basic checks, it came with significant operational headaches that hindered growth and efficiency.
As UIS prepared to bid on a major project in Rockwood, Tennessee, involving approximately 600 manholes, they knew their current equipment wouldn't cut it. They needed a solution that was professional, efficient, and capable of handling the volume required to make the project a success.
BEFORE SYSTEM
DIY POLE CAMERA
• Unstable Footage: Shaky, inconsistent video made professional assessments difficult.
• High Labor Demands: Required 2-3 operators to manage rigging and safety.
• Slow Field Speed: Cumbersome setups ate away valuable operational hours.
• Reduced Profitability: Multi-person crew costs cut directly into municipal margins.
"The video quality just isn't as consistent or professional."
- Josh Stallard, VP, Utility Inspection Services
AFTER TREKK360
PROFESSIONAL SYSTEM
✓ Consistent Stability: Motorized descent eliminates camera shake.
✓ One-Person Unit: Fully operable by a single technician on site.
✓ Adaptable Deployments: Handles rough terrain and easement zones rapidly.
✓ Strong Bidding Power: Easily secure and execute large-volume contracts.
"Being able to run inspections as a one-person unit has helped us reduce job costs and stay efficient in the field."
- Josh Stallard, VP, Utility Inspection Services
UIS identified the TREKK360 system as the ideal upgrade. Impressed by the technology and competitive price point, they purchased the system to tackle the Rockwood project, transforming their inspection workflow immediately.
01 / CAPTURE
Self-leveling reel provides a smooth controlled descent for stable footage from the first frame.
02 / CAPTURE
Tripod and adjustable components support wooded easements, uneven terrain, and hard access.
03 / CAPTURE
One operator can conduct full inspections from setup through final capture.
How a single operator executes a highly rigorous municipal manhole evaluation from setup to formal compliance report.
01
ARRIVE ON SITE
Fast setup on any terrain with a tripod-based configuration that adapts to the location.
02
DEPLOY
Lower with the motorized reel, no hand-held pole or second stabilizing operator required.
03
CAPTURE
Record stable professional footage clients and engineers can trust for assessment.
04
RETRIEVE
Pull up, break down fast, and move on to the next inspection site without delay.
05
PROCESS
Generate clear video inspection reports meeting municipal standards and compliance needs.
06
DELIVER
Provide clean consistent inspection data supporting infrastructure decisions and follow-up work.
PROJECT COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
RESULT: 600-MANHOLE ROCKWOOD PROJECT COMPLETED BY A SINGLE OPERATOR.
Implementing the TREKK360 delivered immediate, measurable improvements to UIS's core business model and bottom line.
The stability provided by the tripod and motorized reel meant clients received clear, professional video data, a dramatic improvement over the shaky pole camera footage.
"The video looks cleaner and more professional - especially compared to a pole camera."
- Josh Stallard, VP, UIS
One operator now runs what used to require a full crew. Daily production rates increased, keeping the 600-manhole Rockwood project ahead of schedule and under budget.
"Being able to run inspections as a one-person unit has helped us reduce job costs and stay efficient."
- Josh Stallard, VP, UIS
UIS can now confidently bid on contracts that include manhole inspections, positioning them as a well-rounded provider for municipalities that lack internal infrastructure manpower.
"With TREKK360, we're consistently getting higher-quality, more stable footage."
- Josh Stallard, VP, UIS
INSPECTION METRIC
DIY POLE CAMERA METHOD
TREKK360 PLATFORM
Footage Stability
Shaky, hand-lowered pole camera video
Superb motorized reel & tripod self-leveling stability
Crew Requirements
2-3 crew members needed for handling/safety
Single operator runs inspection start to finish
Setup/Breakdown Speed
Slow, complex rigging causes daily drag
Fast components optimize site transition
All-Terrain Adjustability
Struggled on heavily wooded easements
Tripod configuration thrives on uneven soil
Contract Profit Margins
High labor overhead drains contract returns
Minimal active crew keeps margin optimized
Municipal Bid Eligibility
Limited scope prevents competing for large jobs
Confidently bid and delivered a major 600-manhole contract
From DIY pole cameras to a professional inspection platform, UIS transformed operational bottlenecks into competitive advantages.
BEFORE
2-3 operators per inspection
AFTER
1 operator running full inspections
BEFORE
Shaky, inconsistent video
AFTER
Stable professional deliverables
BEFORE
Slow and complicated in hard terrain
AFTER
Fast setup and breakdown anywhere
BEFORE
Avoided large manhole contracts
AFTER
Confidently bids and wins at scale
600
MANHOLES COMPLETED
On first major contract
2→1
CREW MEMBERS NEEDED
Per inspection
1M+
LINEAR FEET INSPECTED
Annually
For Utility Inspection Services, the TREKK360 was more than just a new camera; it was a strategic investment that unlocked new levels of efficiency and professionalism. By moving away from DIY methods, they reduced labor costs and elevated the quality of their deliverables, ensuring their family-owned business remains a leader in the industry.
