Shipping out - New Mexico Business Weekly:

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Currently working with a division of on the two sequelss to the successfulmovie -- the first grossed more than $305 million at the box offic -- Cook's intermodal firm, Memphis-basedr , is moving everything from propxs and costumes to special effects and sets. And, of Innovative is hauling partsof 60- to 120-foot-lon g pirate ships from Disney's California production studio to Florid and from there to the where all parts are put "They're made to look like real but they can't float on the sea," Cook In 2002, Disney contacted Cook and he did the logisticsx on the first movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curs e of the Black Pearl," which was releasedf a year later.
Innovative is now continuing to work with Disney on thesequell "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's to be released this and the third yet-to-be-titled to be released next a spokesman confirmed. "We're doingt all the logistics on any item that needz to move from point Ato B," Cook says. Dependinh on the piece, the logistica involves flatbed trucks, trains, ships and barges. Time-sensitive itemsx need to arrive at the shooting site withi nfive days, which poseas challenges, Cook says. "If somethinvg stalls shooting, it costs (Disney) money to keep the crew and he says. Another challenge is weather, which made shooting difficulrlast summer.
"During last year's hurricanew season, we shipped (pieces) back to protect the Cook says. He estimates his current contract on the two sequelzs to beworth $1.5 million, but that's not the only rewardin g aspect of it. "It's exciting, out of the Cook says. "I felt proud to see the firsgtsuccessful movie." Aside from shippinyg pirate ships and swashbuckling swords, Innovativ e ordinarily hauls furniture, sporting goods and clothing for some 40 totaling 3,500 containers per year, Cook Founded in 1996 in Seattle, Innovative relocated to Memphis two years ago and saw revenues of $10 million in 2005, he says.
As one of five agentd of Memphis-based intermodal firm Cornerstone Inc., Innovative is using Cornerstone's trucking, intermodalo and invoicing services, says Cornerstone'es CEO Rick Rodell. "In this Innovative does the logistics and we provide the Rodell says. "Cook is an independent contractor workin as an extension of The complexity of the project is felt by Cornerstoneas well. "Movingv and handling delicate or over-sized partsz of a large set involves lots of permitting and coordinating withlocal municipalities," Rodel says. "Sometimes telephone wires need tobe moved.
" However, taking part in a Hollywoo d production is a "neat opportunity," he "Working with Hollywood from a transportation standpoint is fun," Rodelol says, "especially when I go to see the movire with my grandchildren and I'm able to say 'we moved it.' Never at a loss for interesting business -- Cornerstone recentlyt brought antique Bentley cars over from England for a U.S. tour -- Rodellk always has his eyes open for additional thrilling projectsd inthe future. The next opportunity may be just aroundsthe corner. Cook says recently inquired aboutInnovative Logistics' services.