December 2020 Vol. 75 No. 12
Companies in the News
Business
Felling Trailers’ Drop-Deck Industrial Tilt Equipment Named Top Product
Two industry publications selected the Felling Trailer (FT) -16 IT-I drop deck industrial tilt equipment trailer as a favored product of 2020.
Equipment Today listed it in the “Contractors’ Top 50 New Products” feature. In addition, Rental magazine named the trailer as a “2020 Editor’s Choice Award” winners.
Featuring a 5-foot stationary deck and an 18-foot tilt deck, FT-16 is equipped with a removable attachment rack mounted on the front stationary deck, sitting inside the stake pockets on the trailer's exterior, and bolted in place. Paired with the IT-I tilt trailer, the rack provides ample room to transport a skid steer on the 18-foot tilt deck, along with multiple attachments, and various job-site tools like shovels and brooms, in one trip, safely, and efficiently. As a result, it saves time and miles for the operator and crew.
Functional and flexible, the attachment rack has a 54-inch deck height allowing ample room to transport larger attachments such as grapple forks, trenchers, stump grinders, etc. on the stationary deck below the rack. The top rack provides a generous amount of space – 5 feet by 81 inches – to transport dirt/snow buckets, tillers, or rollers.
Keeping the load secure, the attachment rack has an angle lip on the front, and each side has a rub rail and stake pockets. Additional storage for shovels/brooms is located on the attachment rack's roadside with three bolt-on tubes. Strong enough to carry the load, the removable attachment rack offers a capacity of 2,500 pounds.
In other news, the company conducted its eighth annual “Trailer for a Cause” online auction of an FT-3 drop-deck utility trailer, this year benefitting the Lymphoma Research Foundation. The winning bid of $4,650 was submitted by Seifert Transport, of Springfield, Minn., a contact hauler that transports completed trailers to Felling Trailers dealers throughout the United States.
Felling Trailers is a family-owned and -operated full-line manufacturer located in Central Minnesota that has provided innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for over 45 years.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Felling Trailers Inc., (800) 245-2809, felling.com
Barbco Strengthens Business, Customer Service Commitment
Barbco, Inc. was one of seven local companies honored with 2020 Business Excellence Awards from the Canton [Ohio] Regional Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of its significant presence and contribution to the region’s citizens and economy.
To be considered for the award, businesses must be for-profit and demonstrate several of the following attributes:
- Growth in sales or employees
- Stability and longevity through viability to the industry
- Capital investment or expansion of operations and/or efficiencies
- Innovation
- Outstanding customer service
- Entrepreneurship
- Consistent involvement in the community
In other news, Barbco leveraged the expertise within its engineering and service departments to create Omneity Innovations, Incorporated. As this new spin-off company, the same talented team of professionals provide customers with a wide array of services, such as engineering, training, technical support, consultation, repair and rebuild for all underground trenchless technologies.
Based in East Canton, Ohio, Barbco is an international manufacturer of auger boring machines, directional drills and advanced tunneling equipment to fit project needs across a variety of industries, from oil and gas companies to public utility contractors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Barbco Inc, (800) 448-8934, barbco.com
Omneity Innovations, (330) 821-1950, omneity.us
National Trench Safety Relocates Conroe, Texas, Operation
National Trench Safety completed the relocation of its Conroe, Texas, operation – the fourth relocation in 60 days, between August and October – as part of continued focus on expanding product and service offerings.
The new, larger facility improves office, warehouse and outside storage space “that will be critical for our team to continue to grow and strengthen our presence in Conroe and the surrounding markets,” said Ron Chilton, president.
Headquartered in Houston, National Trench Safety specializes in sales and rental of high-quality, diverse trench and safety equipment, cutting-edge engineered solutions to the construction industry’s most difficult and complex project needs, and OSHA-compliant training classes. It delivers these products and services through a fully integrated, national network of 34 branches and two international locations in England.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
National Trench Safety, LLC, (832) 200-0988, ntsafety.com
CASE Supports Hurricane Cleanup in Southwest LA
CASE Construction Equipment supported Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization, by providing equipment and service in Louisiana, after hurricanes struck the southwest area of the state in August and October.
Supplied by local CASE dealer Progressive Tractor, equipment included skid steers and compact track loaders outfitted with grapple buckets to perform route clearance and debris removal, and work in conjunction with Team Rubicon to clear thousands of trees that fell on properties.
While cleanup operations from Hurricane Laura were still in full swing, Hurricane Delta slammed the same area six weeks later.
“Team Rubicon is well equipped for this situation – they evacuated teams and equipment to Houston while the second hurricane hit,” said Debbie Townsley, director of marketing, CASE Construction Equipment. “As soon as it was safe, they moved teams back in.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CASE Construction Equipment, (262) 636-6011, casece.com
McKim & Creed Acquires Water-Loss Recovery, Control Firm
McKim & Creed, Inc., one of the largest engineering, geomatics/surveying and planning firms in the U.S., acquired Matchpoint Water Asset Management, the nation’s largest water loss/recovery/leak detection company.
Established in 2005, in Wilmington, N.C., Matchpoint uses smart technology to recover water that is lost through infrastructure defects or aging. The company provides network monitoring, data analytics, leak detection, GIS planning and mapping, equipment service and calibration, training and UAV-based infrared assessment.
Matchpoint CEO Barry Hales now leads the water asset management services that became an operating group within McKim & Creed. “By joining forces with McKim & Creed, we can expand our service offerings by not only detecting leaks, but also engineering design solutions, overseeing construction and implementing controls,” said Hales.
McKim & Creed is a Raleigh, N.C., employee-owned engineering, geomatics and planning firm. It specializes in civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineering; landscape architecture and land planning; design-build; and surveying services for various markets.
“Combining Matchpoint’s water asset management strengths with McKim & Creed’s engineering, modeling, GIS and instrumentation and controls expertise enables us to offer turnkey infrastructure solutions to clients throughout our geographic footprint,” said John T. Lucey, P.E., CEO of McKim & Creed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
McKim & Creed Inc., (910) 343-1048, mckimcreed.com
John Deere 944K Hybrid Wheel Loader Achieves Milestone
John Deere’s 944K hybrid wheel loader has logged 1 million operating hours in the field.
Launched in 2015, 944K features a 536-horsepower, Final Tier 4 engine, which delivers impressive torque and responsiveness, while maintaining good boom and bucket speed.
By replacing a competitive, size-class larger wheel loader with 944K, Cornejo & Sons (Summit Materials), discovered what an efficient, cost-effective solution it is.
“The 944K meets our production requirements as well as our previous piece of equipment, and at a lower cost,” said Adam Ware, site manager for Cornejo & Sons. “The other machine burned about 24 gallons of fuel an hour, where the 944K burns around 9 gallons per hour, while doing the same work.”
In addition to its fuel-saving capabilities, 944K Hybrid delivers reliable, long-term performance, especially in large loadout applications. Notable features include the brushless AC generators and motors, water-cooled brake resistors and solid-state power electronics.
The 944K’s electric drive system significantly reduces operating costs for customers compared to conventional drivetrains by eliminating torque converter and transmission rebuilds at mid-life.
Standard traction control, which automatically limits torque to any wheel when slippage occurs, increases traction in poor underfoot conditions, and enhances rim-pull control to virtually eliminate tire spin and slicing.
“By reaching the 1 million-hour mark on our 944K loaders, we are affirming that electrically driven machines offer proven durability and performance advantages for our customers,” said Grant Van Tine, solutions marketing manager, John Deere.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
John Deere, (844) 809-1508, johndeere.com
Vacuworx Continues Strategic Growth, Diversification
The Oklahoma district of the U.S. Small Business Administration named Vacuworx the 2020 Manufacturer of the Year, which recognizes the contributions and successes of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
A global leader in vacuum lifting technology, Vacuworx has been engaged in manufacturing and exporting heavy-duty material handling systems – with the simple goal of engineering a better, safer way to handle pipe in the field for the oil & gas sector – since its founding in 1999.
Its current lineup consists of seven different product series, each with applications in various markets such as oil and gas, water and sewer, concrete demolition and highway and heavy construction. With standard lifting capacities ranging from 1,700 pounds to 55,000 pounds, Vacuworx systems can handle a wide variety of materials including pipe, precast and plate.
Over the past 21 years, Vacuworx has invested heavily in laying the groundwork for continued strategic growth and diversification into emerging markets and geographies. Most recently, it expanded with a newly renovated machine shop inside its Tulsa headquarters.
The upgraded facility allows Vacuworx to extend its exacting standards used to machine and fabricate many of the parts for its own products, turning excess capacity into a new revenue stream by taking on contract work for outside companies.
Vacuworx offers comprehensive design, CAM programming and machining services on an array of raw materials. The shop can accommodate short to large production runs and specializes in prototype development and finish treatments
to suit individual needs.
The new venture reflects the company’s overall dedication to safety, focus on efficiency and investment in proven technologies. Machine Shop Manager Josh Carpio, who leads an eight-person team credited with helping improve machine cycle times at Vacuworx by up to 70 percent, reports significant progress has been made.
“We have a safe, bright and super clean facility designed to promote smooth workflows, the utmost efficiency and a high level of accountability,” Carpio said. “And we’ve made a lot of headway with running ‘lights out,’ the way these machines were intended, to work continuously without sacrificing quality.”
Available for purchase or rental, Vacuworx’ vacuum and hydraulic lifting systems can be customized for many applications and lift capacities. Parts, service and technical support are available 24/7/365 for installation, training, repairs and troubleshooting.
Standard models lift a variety of materials, including steel pipe (including most types of coating), plastic pipe (PVC, fiberglass, long flexible pipe), ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe, precast concrete slabs, precast concrete culverts, concrete road barriers, saw cut concrete (demolition or rehabilitation), landscape pavers, steel plate and piling and road plate.
Lifters can be attached to hydraulic excavators and backhoes, wheel or track type loaders, cranes, pipe layers, skid steers, forklifts and knuckle booms and can also be mounted for a variety of in-plant applications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vacuworx, (918) 259-3050, vacuworx.com
December UC/Business News/busbox8.doc
Hobas
HOBAS Pipe USA Inc., is nearing the completion of a major capital project at its Houston-based facility. The existing HOBAS site was increased to just under 30 acres of land, and a 32,000-square-foot building was added for production of its fully structural, fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) non-circular pipe product line.
The new product line has been used both nationally and internationally, for rehabilitation of non-circular shapes designed to carry sewer or stormwater. When the facility is fully operational in 2021, HOBAS will be the only U.S.-based company producing this product.
HOBAS FRP is manufactured to the highest quality standards and can meet a wide range of applications. A computer-controlled manufacturing process produces consistent, high-quality pipes, that can be custom-shaped in both circular and non-circular sizes, and in different shapes and wall thicknesses, to meet site-specific design requirements.
HOBAS brings 35 years of water and wastewater industry experience to address new and ageing critical infrastructure across North America with cost-effective products and innovative solutions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Hobas Pipe USA, Inc., (800) 856-7473, hobaspipe.com
Doosan Infracore
doosanequipment.com
Doosan Infracore North America, authorized dealership Equipment East, opened its third location, in Brockton, Mass., offering sales and rental of articulated dump trucks; crawler, wheel and mini excavators; log loaders; and wheel loaders; as well as selling genuine Doosan parts.
The new store is ideally suited, physically, to serve customers, in the south shore of Massachusetts and nearby areas, including Cape Cod and the surrounding islands. An extensive renovation – inside and outside – also well-positions it, with more than 26,000 square feet; five overhead, drive-in service bays; two loading docks and a wash bay; and as the base for a dedicated service technician and truck.
Equipment East was founded in 2009 and has been a Doosan dealership since 201, being named a top performing Doosan dealer in five different years.
SANY America
sanyamerica.com
The focus of an equipment auction held by SANY America, two SY215C excavators were auctioned in September, and their combined sales helped raise over $55,000 for charity.
Exclusively wrapped for display at the 2020 ConExpo trade show in Las Vegas, one eye-catching excavator featured an American flag wrap, and the other was an all-black model complete with chrome accents,
The two charities included: Promise Place, which exists to prevent domestic violence through awareness programs and educational training and provides safe environments for victims and their families by utilizing legal advocacy, emergency shelters and transitional housing; and Travis Mills Foundation supports and works with U.S. veterans and their families through adaptive activities and sponsored retreats.
Both excavators were purchased by one of the company's newest dealers, SANY New York.
GTI (Gas Technology Institute)
gti.energy
GTI, a leading research, development, and training organization that offers technology-based solutions to global energy and environmental challenges for consumers, industry, and government, was named one of Chicago Tribune’s 2020 Top Workplaces – for the second year in a row.
The annual list of the best places to work in Chicagoland, recognizes the most dynamic and supportive local employers, after conducting anonymous surveys on issues such as leadership, alignment, execution, and connection. GTI employee responses articulated that the organization operates with strong values, the business is headed in the right direction, and leadership encourages innovation, open-mindedness, and different points of view.
“This ‘Top Places to Work’ distinction is meaningful because it reflects the extraordinary efforts taken by each member of the GTI team to ensure the continuity and strength of our business,” said David Carroll, president and CEO. “The team’s commitment to our mission, clients, and community creates such an incredible environment at GTI.”
LAN
Lisa Lattu, P.E., joined planning, engineering and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) as a senior project manager. In this role, she is responsible for providing project management and growing the firm’s water resources and planning services.
With 24 years of water management experience, her expertise includes strategic planning, emergency planning, water purification systems, groundwater reduction, supply/demand analysis, wastewater modeling and project management. Most recently, she was a managing engineer at Houston Public Works for 15 years
Christopher Clark, P.E., also joined LAN as a project manager, responsible for designing and managing wastewater treatment, collection and distribution projects in central Texas. He has more than 20 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry, and expertise in wastewater system and facility design, water treatment system design, regulatory permitting, funding agency applications, site, stormwater and grading design, as well as project and construction management.
Kleinfelder
Chris King was promoted to the role of senior vice president, revenue synergy leader at Kleinfelder Group, Inc., an engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm.
In this capacity, he drives growth nationally through identification and execution of revenue synergies resulting from the firm’s recent and future acquisitions.
Since joining Kleinfelder in 2015, King has held several leadership positions, including market manager of the West Division, the company’s largest.
Brown & Caldwell
Andrea Hall joined environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell as senior director of diversity and inclusion. In this new role, she is responsible for identifying and implementing programs to maintain and promote the firm’s culture of belonging, diversity and inclusion, and for enhancing such initiatives as the foundation of its recruitment, retention, and professional advancement practices.
She brings a 17-year track record of creating and leading company-wide diversity and inclusion strategy, as well as strengthening balanced perspectives and equitable processes for global organizations. This includes improving diverse talent hiring, launching employee empowerment platforms, heightening career progression policies, developing solutions to interrupt process and procedural bias, and driving diversity and inclusion education and awareness.
INGAA
Christopher “C.J.” Osman was appointed vice president of Government Affairs for the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA). He leads the association’s government and political affairs efforts to advance its key policy priorities, which include conveying the critical role natural gas infrastructure plays in our nation’s energy economy; encouraging enhanced infrastructure permitting predictability; and advocating for pipeline safety and environmental rules that embrace modern technologies and innovation.
Previously, he served as INGAA’s vice president of Operations, Safety and Integrity, directing efforts to promote sound federal safety policy for the operations of interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities. Before joining INGAA in 2016, he managed engineering and construction of onshore natural gas production and processing facilities for a large integrated energy company. •
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