May 2020 Vol. 75 No. 5
Business
Latest Industry News
Volvo CE
volvoce.com
Alta Equipment Group, a leading provider of premium industrial and construction equipment and related services, and a top-performing Volvo Construction Equipment dealer in the United States, has expanded its territory into Florida.
The Detroit, Mich.-based company has purchased the assets of Flagler Construction Equipment and now offers Volvo CE products and services from seven locations: Tampa, Orlando, Fort Meyers, Jacksonville, Lake City, Miami and Davie.
As Alta takes over the distribution of Volvo CE products in all of Florida east of the Apalachicola River and in 12 counties in southern Georgia, it ensures customers have access to a diverse portfolio of premium equipment, while increasing the fleets of new, used and rental equipment in the state. The move also improves the management of the spare parts inventory and enhances the quality of customer support in the region.
An award-winning dealer with a reputation for innovation and a capacity to provide solutions, Alta has been a member of the Volvo CE network since 2009.
PPI
plasticpipe.org
Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) published two new documents, which are both available for free download at its website: plasticpipe.org.
“21st Century Drainage Solutions: Corrugated Plastic Pipe Drainage Handbook” provides valuable content for those designing, installing and using corrugated plastic pipe for stormwater drainage. Its 11 chapters of extensive technical information and guidance were developed from leading experts in industry, academia and consulting engineering, the Handbook provides
“What we’ve brought together is a first for the corrugated plastic pipe industry, and it’s a remarkable resource for Departments of Transportation, design engineers, contractors and users wanting sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective drainage solutions,” said Daniel Currence, P.E., director of engineering for PPI’s Drainage Division.
The Handbook includes the PPI Design Guide – a step-by-step path for design engineers based on the complex LRFD Bridge Design process established by AASHTO for corrugated plastic pipe.
Another new publication, Technical Note (TN)-61 “Coilable HDPE Conduit Ovality and Coil-set,” offers details about situations that can cause ovality and coil-set in HDPE conduit products, and the measures that can correct or reduce ovality during installation.
The amount of ovality in conduit that results from coiling varies, primarily depending on the diameter of the conduit, and secondarily on the bend radius of the coiled conduit. Other determining factors, which influence the percentage and permanence of the ovality, include time stored in the coiled configuration, and ambient temperature and temperature cycles while in storage.
“It is important for users and installers to be aware that a certain amount of ovality is normal in a flexible product like HDPE conduit,” explained Patrick Vibien, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI's Power & Communications Division (PCD).
“In fact, this flexibility is one of the major advantages of HDPE conduit, allowing nominal sizes from one-half to 6 inches to be coiled onto reels or supplied as coils. Continuous lengths of HDPE conduit minimize joining, and are ideally suited for installation underground, either laid into an open trench and backfilled, or using trenchless installation techniques.”
TN-61, with illustrations, includes numerous technical definitions related to HDPE conduit and its properties, such as creep, stress relaxation, and viscoelasticity. It also describes how industry standards, such as ASTM F2160 and NEMA TC 7, allow a certain degree of ovality in these conduit products.
Doosan Infracore
doosanequipment.com
Doosan Infracore North America, LLC, has expanded heavy equipment owners’ and operators’ access to its innovative parts, machines and service across the Southeast, with 10 new Synergy Equipment dealer locations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.
Since 2012, Synergy Equipment has become a true equipment provider for customers throughout its 20-location footprint in the Southeast United States. Seamlessly blending dealership sales and services with full-line equipment rental equals total equipment care for the construction, industrial and related markets.
“I can tell you firsthand they are very efficient and reliable machines because of the large position of Doosan machines we have in our rental fleet,” said Jeff Karter, CEO of Synergy Equipment. “Having the kind of experience, we have, with this equipment, has given me the confidence to know our customers are making the right choice when they decide to purchase Doosan.”
As part of efforts to devote more attention to improving its service for dealers and customers, in late 2018, Doosan opened a new parts distribution center at its Suwanee, Ga. (greater Atlanta area), North American headquarters. The proximity of Synergy Equipment’s locations to the center has enabled an efficient response time that has enhanced the partnership between the two companies.
“Speed is everything when you need a part for a customer that is down, and Doosan has proven their commitment to providing fast parts over the years,” Karter said. “Their new parts distribution center couldn’t have been put in a better location to support all of our new stores.”
TRUVAC
truvac.com
TRUVAC, premium vacuum excavation equipment manufactured by Vactor Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation, has added two new dealers to its network, bringing the total number of locations to more than 87 across the United States and Canada.
Ditch Witch of the Rockies (Colorado) and Ditch Witch of Oklahoma now offer the full line of TRUVAC vacuum excavators to utility providers, construction companies, and other customers, at four locations.
"We're excited to bring these Ditch Witch dealers into our family,” said Tony Fuller, vice president, of ESG Global Sales at Federal Signal. “They are already well-established and dialed into the utility and construction markets. This makes them a perfect match for our excavators and our mission to promote smart and safe digging through better technology and more-dependable excavation,"
Based in Streator, Ill., Vactor Manufacturing produces a branded sewer and catch basin cleanser, and the Guzzler brand of industrial vacuum loaders, in addition to TRUVAC vacuum excavators, through authorized dealers and service centers across North America.
In other news, Federal Signal launched a website in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: fedsigresponse.com.
With content and information that include sanitizing tips, protocol recommendations, additional equipment demonstrations, and relevant industry news, the website focuses on company products that can be used to clean and sanitize outdoor public areas, such as recreational spaces, parks and museums; other vehicles, like buses or railcars; and bridges, train stations and any other outdoor area.
Madewell
madewell.net
Madewell Products Corporation completed the acquisition of multiple buildings totaling 8,400 square feet and associated acreage, as its new fabrication facility, in Winchester, Ind.
Increased demand for Madewell’s high-performance trailer rigs and conveyance equipment was the main driver to relocating fabrication operations, and Indiana was a natural choice due to the location of key personnel. Coupled with the essential need to dedicate more production and warehousing space at its Alpharetta, Ga., headquarters, the company continues to scale-up for increased production capacity of its Mainstay-branded materials.
“Our three- and 10-year projections for growth enable this real estate investment and other investments in people, production equipment, and warehousing capabilities,” said Jonathan Steele, president. “Madewell Products is fortunate to compete in a high-growth industry – the restoration and protection of concrete structures.”
Beyond the fabrication of trucks, trailers, and equipment, the Indiana Service Center will also feature a classroom and demo-work areas for education and training of contracting partners.
Core & Main
coreandmain.com
Core & Main LP, a leading U.S. distributor of water, sewer, storm drain and fire protection products, closed on its previously announced agreement to acquire R&B Co. This marks the 10th acquisition since Core & Main became an independent company in August 2017. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Based in San Jose, Calif., R&B Co. has 12 locations, offering industrial and municipal customers a broad waterworks product offering and fabrication services.
“With the acquisition of R&B, we grow our presence in the California market, where Core & Main has been underrepresented, and we do it with the great team at R&B,” said Jack Schaller, president of Core & Main Waterworks. “We value their excellent reputation and commitment to customers. We want to build on their longstanding customer relationships and enhance the business with complementary products and services,”
Komatsu
komatsuna.com
To better support customers, and grow and strengthen its wholly owned network, Komatsu has created a new structure in North America. A corporate unit was created to oversee all company-owned distributor locations, which are now branded “Komatsu” to reflect their inclusion in the company’s global footprint.
With the alignment of these larger groups of premiere distributors, customers will have access to additional equipment and parts inventory, as well as greater service and support resources. Trade territory for the renamed branches remains the same, as do all equipment lines sold, and services provided.
Grant Adams, former president of Komatsu Southwest, was appointed to lead the new unit as vice president and general manager.” •
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