May 2009 Vol. 64 No. 5
Business
Business Updates for May 2009: Akkerman; Caterpillar; Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam; McElroy
Akkerman
Caterpillar
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam
McElroy Mfg.
Dow Chemical
Envista Corp.
GE Oil & Gas
Garney Construction
Krylon Products Group
CertainTeed
Liebherr Construction Equipment
GE Oil & Gas awarded PetroChina bid
Akkerman
Paul Nicholas has joined the sales and marketing team at Akkerman. Nicholas will hold the position of international marketing manager, increasing Akkerman sales overseas for all lines of equipment with a focus on microtunneling systems.
Nicholas brings 22-years of trenchless technology and international sales and marketing experience to the position. Prior to joining Akkerman, he was the president of Soltau Microtunneling Inc. and made Soltau the market leader in U.S. in the 90s. Nicholas also held the position of general manager of The Robbins Company SBU division and he spent 11 years in international sales in the oil services industry. He holds a bachelor of science degree in geology. Paul currently resides in New Delhi, India. 800.533.0386, www.akkerman.com
Caterpillar
Bill Pierce, owner of Pierce & Associates Builders, based in Helena, MT, received the first Caterpillar Safety Award at a recent industry event in Las Vegas, NV. Caterpillar’s Customer Safety Services Manager Tara Cox, said that Pierce & Associates exemplifies the four key measurements of an effective safety program—accountability, engagement, support and reinforcement.
“Building homes in the steep, mountainous terrain around Helena taught this contractor early on the benefits of safe jobsites,” said Cox.
Pierce & Associates had no reportable injuries in 2008 and had a 20 percent better-than-average Experience Modification Rate, which compares a firm’s workers’ compensation claims with those of similar employers. In addition, the company was instrumental in passage of the Montana Safety Culture Act and worked to establish the Group Rewards Insurance Program, which reduces workers’ compensation costs for the state’s safety-conscious contractors.
The company employs a full-time safety staff, holds frequent employee-safety meetings and pays quarterly bonuses to accident-free crews. An integral aspect of the program is regular machine inspection to assure job-ready equipment.
In more company safety news, Caterpillar’s commitment to reducing jobsite risk through safety, health and environmental solutions, SAFETY.CAT.COM has expanded its services to include online safety training. SAFETY.CAT.COM has partnered with PureSafety, a provider of training, safety, medical and risk management software solutions, to expand its services to include online safety training in support of the mission: Safely home. Everyone. Every day. The new safety training website, SAFETY.CAT.COM/TRAINING, offers classes related to general safety awareness issues common at most jobsites. Courses available include Aerial Lifts, Environmental Awareness, Fall Protection, OSHA 10-Hour for Construction and General Industry, OSHA 300 Recordkeeping, Hazard Communication, HazMat Transportation, Trenching Safety, Scaffolding, Electrical Safety and many more.
Customer Safety Services provides customers with an easy and cost-effective avenue to enhance safety awareness, develop a competent and engaged workforce, reduce the risk of accidents and create a positive culture where risk avoidance and safety become second nature. Courses are designed to be user-friendly, highly interactive and self-paced. Because the training is web-based, Caterpillar customers can access their training via the Internet, including easy access to administrative reports and printable employee diplomas. Caterpillar’s new online safety training solution also offers customers the opportunity to control costs in today’s challenging economic conditions. Prices start at $19.95 per employee/per assignment. 866.963.3551, CatSafety@cat.com
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam
Robert J. Card, P.E., has joined Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam (LAN) as its chief pipe engineer.
In this role, Card will oversee all pipe design tasks, be responsible for project, standard pipe specifications and assist with project design reviews. In addition, Card will lead the firm’s pipeline business development, train the firm’s engineers in pipeline design, and represent the firm on technical committees and national and regional conferences.
Card has more than 30 years of experience in a wide variety of civil engineering fields. He has worked for several high-profile firms such as Victaulic, Thompson Pipe & Steel Co. and Northwest Pipe Co. in a number of senior leadership roles, including general manager, vice president of engineering and chief engineer. Prior to joining LAN, he served as the general manager of Victaulic Depend-O-Lok Facility.
Card also is involved in a number of distinguished professional and technical societies and has played an active role in promoting national pipe standards. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from University of Connecticut. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of California. 713.266.6900, www.lan-inc.com
McElroy Mfg.
A crate of 40 McElroy’s Low Profile Rollers were won with a bid by Brotherton Pipeline Inc. at the 19th Annual DCA/RB Auction. The auction was part of the 48th Annual Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) Convention at the Sheraton Maui Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii.
McElroy donated the Low Profile Rollers as part of the DCA/RB Auction, which raises funds to develop DCA educational programs and scholarships. The DCA consists of general contractors specializing in utility construction of natural gas distribution systems, directional drilling, cable, air duct and fiber optic installation.
Brotherton Pipeline, based in Gold Hill, OR, realized that the Low Profile Rollers could be of great value when installing pipe for gas distribution in the western United States.
“I saw an immediate benefit for these rollers,” said Jim Brotherton, CEO and president of Brotherton Pipeline. “We have been using heavy steel rollers that do not pack well. The gas company will not allow the pipe we install to touch the ground, regardless of the ground conditions.”
McElroy’s Low Profile Rollers were designed for pipe sized 4 to 20 inches in diameter. The modular units are strong and sturdy, with a sealed ball-bearing design. Shipped in a “nested” crate of 40 roller assemblies, the Low Profile Rollers allow lengths of pipe to be pulled over considerable distance and will even accommodate curved pulls. When set up at proper distances, the Low Profile Rollers keep pipe clean and off the ground, which is perfect for the specifications of some jobsites.
Brotherton plans on using the Low Profile Rollers in the future for 4- and 6-inch plastic pipe installations. 918.836.8611, www.mcelroy.com
Dow Chemical
The Dow Chemical Company announced that AmerenUE’s Callaway Nuclear Power Plant located near Fulton, MO, has chosen DOW CONTINUUM DGDA-2492 BK Bimodal Polyethylene Resin to replace carbon steel in its buried essential service water (ESW) pipe system.
The Dow resin was specified as an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) PE 4710 material for use in 36-inch diameter pipe at the Callaway power plant. This is the first use of polyethylene in a nuclear safety related application. Callaway submitted an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) relief request to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to allow the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for buried portions of the Callaway ESW system and received a safety evaluation from the NRC authorizing the use of HDPE at Callaway for the ESW system.
“AmerenUE is continuously looking for opportunities to take advantage of material and technological advances that will reduce operational costs and increase the safety and reliability of our systems,” said Matthew Brandes, mechanical design engineer for AmerenUE at the Callaway Plant. “The selection of CONTINUUM bimodal resin for our ESW pipe system enables a long-term, cost-effective solution to a challenge now facing all nuclear power utilities, namely the high costs associated with repair or replacement of buried piping systems. Compared to steel piping systems, which are prone to internal corrosion, pitting and the formation of pin-hole leaks well before the end of their expected life span, high density polyethylene pipe does not corrode and provides an equal or greater level of performance and safety. With NRC approval of HDPE in buried portions of Callaway’s ESW system, the HDPE has the potential to become the standard for buried ASME Class 3 and other nuclear power pipe systems.”
Callaway found it well suited for power plant applications such as ESW pipe systems, which require long-term hydrostatic strength, resistance to slow crack growth and performance at elevated temperatures such as 176° F.
CONTINUUM DGDA-2492 NT Bimodal Polyethylene Resin was developed using UNIPOL II process technology and designed for pipe applications. Applications for CONTINUUM Bimodal Polyethylene Resins include natural gas distribution pipes, sewage pipes, municipal water service lines, industrial piping and mining. www.dowcontinuum.com
Envista Corp.
Envista Corporation, a provider of web-based software for infrastructure project coordination, announced that both Columbia Gas of Ohio (COH) and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania will implement their map-driven technology for projects in 2009 and beyond. Both companies are subsidiaries of NiSource Inc. COH is executing a modernization program for safe delivery of natural gas and will invest more than $2 billion in the next 25 years replacing 4,000 miles of natural gas infrastructure. The renewal project will replace aging pipeline infrastructure, and deliver benefits of fewer repairs, lower maintenance costs and reduce in-service interruptions.
David Roy, COH manager, Field Engineering states, “Underground infrastructure is clearly a challenge to maintain, and replacing 4,000 miles of pipeline is a huge and important undertaking. The Envista solution is very timely as we are at the beginning of this effort. We can leverage this sophisticated technology to effectively manage projects in the short term and the long term. This software not only gives us capital planning capabilities but enables us to share our plans with other infrastructure players executing renewal programs in the same work zones. Our Ohio customers and commuters will realize the benefits of effective collaboration… from less digging to better scheduling of projects to relieve the impact on traffic and neighborhoods.”
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania launched a 20-year natural gas infrastructure replacement program in 2007.
The infrastructure replacement program is an ongoing, long-term endeavor to upgrade gas lines and facilities throughout Columbia’s delivery system. Envista’s technology enables Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania to manage renewal projects internally while introducing a new method to share projects and schedules with municipalities, the Department of Transportation and other utilities working in the same road “right of way.” This capability translates into less digging in neighborhoods and streets, and minimizes the impact of work on local communities. 978.232.6300, www.envista.com
GE Oil & Gas
GE Oil & Gas has appointed Shaun Kelly as the Canadian regional sales leader for PII Pipeline Solutions, the company’s pipeline services group. In his new role, the 15-year GE veteran is overseeing the expansion of GE’s Calgary engineering services operation to help Canada’s pipeline operators meet their challenging technology and regulatory requirements while enhancing the region’s energy security.
Kelly is based at the Calgary pipeline engineering solutions and services center, one of several GE service facilities in Canada that can quickly respond to the unique service needs of local oil and gas companies by leveraging GE’s global energy technology expertise.
Kelly previously served as product line manager for PII Pipeline Solutions’ geometry, mapping and magnetic inspection team.
Kelly joined GE’s PII Pipeline Solutions in January 2005 as an analysis manager for the Calgary facility. In 2006, he was promoted to Global Analysis Manager of Ultrasonics, leading an 80-member team of analysts to produce high quality, in-line inspection reports on schedule for pipeline operators around the world. Prior to joining GE, Kelly held a number of leadership positions in the technology, field services, quality assurance and customer service organizations of GE Energy’s electrical transmission and distribution division.
Kelly received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Calgary and also holds a professional engineering designation in Alberta. www.ge.com/oilandgas
Garney Construction
Garney Construction announced that five employee owners have been promoted to the position of vice president — Matt Foster, Tony Kempf, Scott Parrish, Steve Ford and Jeff Lacy. Foster, Kempf and Parrish, all located in the company’s headquarters in Kansas City, oversee Garney’s operations in Colorado, the Midwest and Texas, respectively. Ford oversees Garney’s operations in Nashville, TN. Lacy serves as vice president-Finance in the Kansas City headquarters. These advancements will fill the roles of several senior officers planning to retire over the next few years.
Krylon Products Group
Krylon Products Group is partnering with the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to help protect underground utility lines.
Krylon and CGA are working together to inform the public about 811, the national number for homeowners and professional excavators to call before digging. The depth of utility lines varies, and multiple utility lines are often located in a common area. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood and potentially result in fines and repair costs.
“Krylon is the first and only coatings company to add the national 811 number to its marking paint labels,” said Bill Deckard, account manager-locators, Krylon Industrial. “We hope to help spread the word about the 811 number and the importance of safe digging.”
The Krylon Industrial brand inverted marking paints meet American Public Works Association (APWA) recommended marking guidelines. The brand includes water-based and fluorescent paints for marking gas, petro, oil, roads, water, electrical, sewers/drains, phone and conduit lines, proposed excavation, and temporary survey marking. Krylon’s marking paints have unique features such as UV resistance and bold, single-pass marking to ensure maximum coverage. 800.777.2966, go.kpgind.info/pr
CertainTeed
CertainTeed Corporation and its parent company, Saint-Gobain, are honored to be selected as a 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Energy Management by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This award recognizes Saint-Gobain and all of its North American businesses, including CertainTeed, for their accomplishments and leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. CertainTeed, a leading North American manufacturer of building products, is the first-ever manufacturer of fiberglass insulation to win the award.
“This award is proof that CertainTeed is proactive in its approach to sustainability through our commitment to energy efficiency and our partnership with ENERGY STAR,” says Peter Dachowski, president/CEO for CertainTeed Corporation. 800.233.8990, www.certainteed.com.
Liebherr Construction Equipment
Liebherr Construction Equipment welcomes two new employees to the sales team. Todd Dohnal will assume the responsibility of product manager, Industrial Handlers. Dohnal will focus primarily on port and material handling opportunities for Liebherr’s line of both wheeled and crawler excavators.
Dohnal brings extensive experience in creating growth opportunities within the construction industry, having spent time at both the dealership and OEM level. He recently held the position of International Sales Manager for Gehl Company.
Simone Wojan-Coleman will assume the responsibility of sales control manager. As a recent IS Professional, Wojan-Coleman brings the necessary software, data collection and analysis skills required to this position. She will be responsible for the day-to-day ordering, positioning and tracking of all machine orders placed with four Liebherr European factories. 757.245.5251, www.liebherr.us.com
GE Oil & Gas awarded PetroChina bid
GE Oil & Gas technology has again been selected for one of the largest gas transmission projects in the world. GE will be the primary supplier of compression equipment for the western section of China’s second West-to-East Gas Pipeline. Since 2005, GE has been awarded bids by PetroChina worth over $600 million.
The second West-to-East pipeline, will be part of the ongoing natural gas pipeline infrastructure in China that, when completed over the next five to six years, will total approximately 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles). This second pipeline, 8,700 kilometers (5,394 miles) in length, will be 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) longer than the Great Wall. This pipeline will travel through 13 provinces and regions, and will play a vital role in supporting the country’s energy security and economic development. Existing Chinese natural gas pipelines total 30,000 kilometers (18,600 miles) in length.
“Our latest win underscores GE’s role as a major supplier of pipeline compression technology for this vital region of the world,” said Claudi Santiago, president and CEO of GE Oil & Gas. “Inclusive of the western section of West-to-East Gas Pipeline, since 2005, we have supplied nearly 60 turbocompressor trains for pipeline infrastructure projects across Asia.”
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