July 2023 Vol. 78 No. 7
Business
Business News
Vermeer Opens New Global Parts Distribution Center
Vermeer opened its new, 312,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Global Parts Distribution Center, on the grounds of its Pella, Iowa, corporate headquarters, to support the important work customers and dealers are performing around the world. Built on a legacy of customer support, it’s specifically located at the end of the old runway where company founder Gary Vermeer once delivered parts to Vermeer customers by plane.
“Vermeer is focused on optimizing this facility so we can most efficiently deliver the right part at the right time to our customers,” said Tony Briggs, vice president of the Vermeer Lifecycle product group. “This facility allows customer support, engineering, procurement and logistics to be co-located. They work in conjunction with our operational team members to make sure we fulfill customer and dealer expectations daily.”
The location of the Global Parts Distribution Center leverages the manufacturing capabilities of the “Vermeer mile,” where most Vermeer products are assembled.
“Almost 1/3 of the warehouse is filled with parts made by different manufacturing plants on the Vermeer mile. It is very convenient for us to be located near the manufacturing facilities that supply those parts. Ultimately, we bundle the Vermeer-manufactured parts with other parts and ship the orders around the world to take care of our customers,” said Briggs.
With three times more space than the previous building, the new Global Parts Distribution Center includes 23 dock doors, a warehouse management system and improved warehouse technology. This investment will help drive efficiency by centralizing parts storage.
“With people at the center of everything we do, this new facility helps our team members equip dealers and support customers, and that ultimately makes a real impact on their ability to get important work done,” said Jason Andringa, Vermeer president and CEO.
The Global Parts Distribution Center is the second facility Vermeer has opened in 2023. Earlier this year, the company expanded its parts manufacturing footprint in Des Moines, Iowa. That facility manufactures horizontal directional drill tooling and utility tractor attachments.
As the number of products and markets Vermeer supports expands, the company continues to invest in its aftermarket efforts to meet the needs of a global economy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vermeer Corporation, (641) 628-3141, vermeer.com
Vermeer MidSouth Relocates
Vermeer MidSouth, previously in Jackson, Miss., moved its team into an all-new 28,000-square-foot building in Richland, Miss. Supporting the growing needs of customers, it has 10 service bays that also create opportunities for team members and the surrounding community.
“The purpose-built facility is state-of-the-art and includes more space for growth for our products and services, setting Vermeer MidSouth up to best take care of the needs of our customers for years to come,” said Dennis Vander Molen, president and CEO of Vermeer MidSouth, said.
Vermeer MidSouth has been establishing working partnerships with customers since opening its doors in 1987. Built on the belief that high-quality equipment, hard work, reliable service and friendly attitudes were the best way to earn customers’ trust, Vermeer MidSouth now has five different locations serving customers with problem-solving solutions.
The company specializes in selling, leasing, training and servicing Vermeer horizontal directional drilling machines, rock trenchers, rubber-tire trenchers, trench compactors, brush chippers, stump cutters, tub grinders, vibratory plows and piercing tools, covering Mississippi, Arkansas, Western Tennessee, and Northern Louisiana.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vermeer MidSouth, (800) 264-4123, vermeermidsouth.com
Vacuworx Supports, Promotes ‘Folds of Honor’
Vacuworx, the global leader in vacuum lifting technology, announced a new endeavor and has begun wrapping its flagship, iconic RC Series vacuum lifting systems in support of “Folds of Honor.”
The highly rated non-profit organization provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States armed forces. In 2022, Folds of Honor expanded its mission to include first responders, and to provide scholarship opportunities in support of K-12, as well as post-secondary tuition.
Founded in 1999, Vacuworx is known for its commitment to safety, efficiency and productivity in multiple industries. The company is wrapping lifting equipment in the Folds of Honor colors and brand standards – in admiration for an organization that is awarded over 44,000 educational scholarships since 2007 – with more than 40 percent of these going to minority recipients.
With a shared commitment to aiding those in need, Vacuworx’s initiative is to raise awareness, simultaneously pledging to donate a minimum of 10 percent of the proceeds from the rental or sale of these pieces of equipment to Folds of Honor. This aligns significantly with its mission to empower people from every walk of life through education.
“Folds of Honor has always been on our radar in a variety of ways,” said Bill Solomon, president of Vacuworx. “I’ve watched this organization grow over the years, and I’ve seen the impact it has made, not only for folks here in Oklahoma, but also around the United States.
“We’ve had the privilege to visit with the founders of Folds of Honor at different venues, including The Patriot Golf Club in Tulsa, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can help.”
In 2009, Solomon founded the Eagle Gift Foundation and has been involved with various organizations through donations, partnerships and grassroots events.
One objective has always been building more synergy between the commercial sectors and non-profit world by creating better alignment that helps businesses realize the significant, direct impacts of their giving on local families, local lives. With Folds of Honor, he is expanding the company’s philanthropic efforts and encouraging peers to jump onboard.
“Families often find themselves in situations they never thought they’d be, through no fault of their own,” Solomon continued. “They didn’t ask to be where they are, but they want to get out. We’re trying to provide the resources to help them escape, help them get out. Here’s an opportunity to help. Working together, they can be lifted.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vacuworx, (918) 259-3050, vaucworx.com
BAMI-I
bami-i.com
The Buried Asset Management Institute-International (BAMI-I) will hold its first-ever Global Buried Asset Management Congress (GBAMC).
Scheduled to take place September 28–30 in Tinley Park Convention Center, located in the southern region of Chicago, this congress aims to advance the science and practice of asset management in the underground infrastructure industry, with a main focus on the water and wastewater sector and other utilities.
GBAMC brings together subject matter experts from around the world to identify state-of-practice and present strategic future directions in buried asset management. The congress aims to establish a comprehensive set of global directions for the industry, addressing the challenges of managing buried assets and ensuring their longevity and efficiency.
Buried infrastructure serves as the lifeline of societies worldwide, requiring effective management to ensure its health, remaining service life, and timely maintenance. GBAMC focuses on the theme: “Buried assets: Out of sight but not out of mind through advancing the science and practice of asset management.”
Key areas of emphasis include implementing best business practices for asset protection, advancing technology and management methods to enhance asset value, ensuring the longevity of buried assets through comprehensive health assessment and management, and ensuring compliance with current and future regulatory requirements.
The program will cover a wide range of topics of asset management, including inventory and mapping, pipeline condition assessment, trenchless technologies, level of service, involvement, risk analysis, life cycle costing, long-term funding plans, research and education, and regulation compliance.
Tom Iseley, Ph.D, P.E., president of BAMI-I, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming congress.
“Our congress is unique, as it is the only asset management congress focused on underground infrastructure,” he said. “The Congress is proudly co-sponsored by BAMI-I and Purdue University.
“Under the leadership of Wei Liao, our passionate team is fully committed to providing an outstanding experience that surpasses all expectations. We have curated an impressive lineup of world-class speakers who will guide us into the future of buried asset management.”
GBAMC offers attendees the opportunity to engage with asset management leaders, exchange knowledge and best practices, and gain insights into the latest trends and technologies. Stakeholders in the water and wastewater sector and other utility sectors that have buried assets from around the world will participate in this groundbreaking event.
GBAMC is an opportunity for companies to demonstrate their commitment to Asset Management and establish themselves as leaders in the field. As an exhibitor or sponsor, companies not only have a platform to showcase their cutting-edge technologies and services, and network with industry representatives, but also to receive ongoing support from BAMI-I and Purdue University. This will enable companies to achieve maximum industry influence and stay at the forefront of asset management practices.
Shawcor
mattr.com
Shawcor Ltd. has rebranded to Mattr Infrastructure Technology, reflecting its transformation from an energy services organization into a materials technology company, providing differentiated, high-performance products to critical infrastructure markets around the world.
The Composite Systems reporting segment of the company will now be known as Composite Technologies. Its business continues to include the Flexpipe brand, which manufactures premium flexible fiberglass reinforced composite pipe used for oil and gas gathering and water disposal lines, carbon dioxide injection lines and other applications requiring corrosion resistance and high-pressure capabilities.
Also in the segment is the Xerxes brand, which manufactures market-leading fiberglass reinforced plastic underground storage tanks, primarily used within the retail fuel, stormwater and wastewater markets, and other composite-material-based stormwater management products.
The name of the Pipeline and Pipe Services reporting segment, for which a strategic review process is ongoing, will remain the same. The Shawcor name will continue to be used as a brand name for the pipe coating business within this segment.
“As we look to the future, we will leverage our new image, our differentiated offerings and our underlying core competencies in materials technology to deliver high-value, reliable, environmentally responsible products into critical infrastructure markets around the world; to attract and inspire extraordinary talent; and to propel our operating businesses to even greater heights,” said Mike Reeves, President and CEO of Mattr.
United Rentals
unitedrentals.com
United Rentals Inc., the world’s largest equipment rental company, has earned the designation of “5 Star Employer” in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards, in recognition of the organization’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community. Nearly 10 percent of United Rentals employees are military veterans.
In a highly competitive environment, a record number of 239 organizations participated in this year’s VETS Indexes Employer Awards – more than double the 118 participants in 2022.
Participating organizations included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities.
Of those, VETS Indexes recognized 200 organizations across the following award levels: 5 Star Employer, 4 Star Employer, 3 Star Employer, and Recognized Employer.
“United Rentals, Inc. stands out from the pack as one of the best employers nationwide for veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses,” said George Altman, managing director of VETS Indexes.
As the most objective and comprehensive evaluation of veteran employers, the VETS Indexes Employer Awards program has set a new standard in veteran employment data. Award results have been featured on CNBC, as well as military-specific outlets, including Military.com.
This in-depth survey and recognition program analyzes employers’ policies, practices, and outcomes in detail, across
the following 5 categories:
- Veteran job candidate recruiting and hiring
- Veteran employee development and retention
- Veteran-inclusive policies and culture
- Support for members of the National Guard and Reserves
- Military spouse/family support
“We are honored to be recognized as a VETS Indexes 5 Star Employer,” said Craig Pintoff, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, United Rentals. “We have a long-standing commitment to veteran support, and this designation speaks volumes about the team work and culture at United Rentals.”
Headquartered in Stamford, Conn., United Rentals, Inc. offers approximately 4,600 classes of equipment, through an integrated network of 1,465 rental locations in North America, 14 in Europe, 27 in Australia and
19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 25,000 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others.
Bowman
bowman.com
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. has acquired Hole Montes, Inc., an engineering services firm with an extensive portfolio of infrastructure planning services, from offices in Naples and Fort Myers, Fla.
Founded in 1966, Hole Montes has a storied history as one of the most trusted, reliable, and entrenched full-service engineering firms in Southwest Florida. Today, the firm provides comprehensive design, survey, GIS, and construction management expertise to customers focused on environmental engineering, transportation infrastructure, airport facilities, storm water and wastewater systems, land planning, landscape architecture, and more.
Hole Montes has a workforce of 65 professionals, all of whom will join Bowman in connection with the acquisition.
“They possess expertise and client relationships that complement ours and will benefit from our national platform,” said Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman. “Most importantly, their culture aligns seamlessly with ours which will enable immediate work-sharing and collaboration.”
For Bob Mulhere, CEO of Hole Montes, this is “the right, next step for our leadership, our employees and our customers. Bowman’s professional development programs and national platform provide growth and expansion opportunities for our people which makes this a very attractive opportunity for all of us at Hole Montes. We’re excited to accelerate our growth and to contribute our expertise to Bowman’s portfolio of services.”
Financed with a combination of cash, seller notes, and equity, the acquisition falls within previously discussed target multiple and operating metric ranges, and is expected to be immediately accretive. Bowman anticipates the acquisition will initially contribute approximately $7 million of annualized net service billing.
Bowman also acquired Advanced Applied Engineering, Inc., dba Infrastructure Engineers. The Brea, Calif., firm provides a breadth of professional engineering, planning, environmental, geospatial, and municipal infrastructure services to cities and counties throughout Southern and Central California.
Established in 1994, the firm has grown
to a staff of over 80 administrative and technical professionals, all of whom will become Bowman employees in connection with the acquisition.
“We are excited to be expanding our presence in California and believe this acquisition presents immediate opportunities across our platform for expanded services, revenue synergies, and work sharing efficiencies,” said Bowman
According to Sid Mousavi, president of Infrastructure Engineers, “Bowman is a natural fit for our firm … We have a depth of experience with public sector infrastructure that will provide Bowman a solid foundation from which to grow that market nationally.
“We believe strongly that both our clients and our employees will benefit greatly from the extensive network of resources and professional development programs Bowman has access to across the country. We are looking forward to being a contributor to the next chapter of the Bowman story.”
The Company anticipates the acquisition will initially contribute approximately $10 million of annualized net service billing.
Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Bowman is an engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop, and maintain the built environment. With over 1,700 employees and more than 75 offices throughout the United States, Bowman provides a variety of planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets.
GZA GeoEnvironmental
Todd Roberts was named vice president/associate principal in the Contractor Services Division of Norwood, Mass., GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
He is based in Boulder, Colo, further expanding GZA’s services in the western U.S.In his new role, Roberts supports GZA professionals in offices throughout the country in delivering end-to-end monitoring and IoT solutions for clients in transportation, water, environmental, mining, energy, and geostructural applications.
A registered professional geologist in Wyoming, Roberts has more than 20 years of experience in instrumentation, geotechnical engineering, geological modeling and hazard mitigation, and packaging of digital solutions. During his career, he has developed a wide variety of instrumentation solutions to support the successful completion of hundreds of projects in the infrastructure, utility, mining, dam, energy, geohazards, and structural health monitoring sectors across the world.
Stephen Chiavaroli was named senior geographic information systems (GIS) manager, responsible for advancing existing core services and helping develop new approaches to meet the growing needs of GTZA’s clients.
A certified GIS Professional (GISP), Chiavaroli has almost a decade of experience integrating geographic information systems analysis capabilities with several disciplines, including environmental consulting and engineering, aquatic control technologies, water conservation, golf course management, wildlife conservation, vegetation monitoring, and satellite imagery.
Previously, he was a GIS manager at the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Mass., where he undertook strategic analyses that created revenue growth and maximized use of available and suitable grounds for operations and services at the 192-year-old cemetery.
GZA is a multi-disciplinary, employee-owned firm providing geotechnical, environmental, ecological, water, and construction management services. Its more than 700 professionals are based in 32 offices across the United States.
GTI
GTI Energy’s Board of Directors has elected Tina Faraca to serve a three-year term on the Board as an independent director.
Serving as president of U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines for TC Energy, Faraca brings more than two decades of leadership in natural gas and crude systems, along with deep commercial and operational understanding of natural gas transmission, transportation, and storage.
She also currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the United Way Greater Houston and has served on the boards of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the Texas Pipeline Association, the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma, the Northeast Gas Association, and the Engineering Leadership Board for the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors at GTI Energy, a leader in research, technology, and insights critical to our energy future,” she said. “I look forward to bringing my perspectives and experiences to the table to support the organization as it continues advancing impactful solutions to transform lives, economies, and the environment across the globe.”
GTI Energy is a leading research and training organization that works to scale impactful solutions that shape energy transitions by leveraging gases, liquids, infrastructure, and efficiency. It embraces systems thinking, open learning, and collaboration to develop, scale, and deploy the technologies needed for low-carbon, low-cost energy systems.
Brown and Caldwell
Pam Elardo, P.E., joined Brown and Caldwell as a senior advisor to help water and wastewater agencies meet challenges facing the utility of the future.
A seasoned executive, with 40 years of environmental engineering experience, Elardo has served as a public sector executive responsible for leading large-scale, complex wastewater utilities to protect public health and the environment.
She has managed organizations with annual multimillion-dollar capital and operating budgets and directed optimization efforts at utilities operating more than a dozen wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRF), creating clean water and valuable resources from billions of gallons of wastewater daily.
Earlier in her career, Elardo gained valuable operational experience from roles that included WRRF plant manager, asset management program leader, and environmental regulator implementing the Clean Water Act. She has also been involved with international non-profit organizations serving communities facing dire water and sanitation issues.
As a senior advisor within Brown and Caldwell’s utility performance practice, based in Seattle, she will leverage her experience and connections to create sustainable and equitable improvements in clients’ organizations, while boosting the firm’s reputation as a technical leader in utility optimization. She will identify and develop solutions to help utilities navigate evolving environmental regulatory and climate challenges, optimize business practices, and create strategic plans to build resilient systems ready to address and be successful in the face of present and future stressors.
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 52 offices and over 1,900 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, its creative solutions have helped municipalities, private industry, and government agencies successfully overcome their most challenging water and environmental obstacles.
PPI
Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI), the major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry, announced its Members of the Year winners for 2022.
Each year the PPI membership reviews and votes on a Member of the Year for each of the five PPI divisions–Building & Construction, Drainage, Energy Piping Systems, Municipal & Industrial, and Power & Communications.
The PPI Member of the Year Award is for an individual’s outstanding support and contributions to the association and the industry. The Building & Construction Division Member of the Year is Rich Houle, Reliance Worldwide Corporation, Atlanta, Ga. Houle has held multiple positions of PPI leadership during his 20-plus years of involvement with the association.
The Drainage Division Member of the Year is Greg Baryluk, Advanced Drainage Systems, Hilliard, Ohio. Baryluk has been instrumental in developing education strategy and content for the PPI Drainage Division.
The Energy Piping Systems Division Member of the Year is Chris Ampfer, WL Plastics, Ft. Worth, Texas. Ampfer has worked on multiple EPSD projects including EPS-2017-05-TN on Scratch Depth, EPS-2021-01-Test Pressure Calculator, EPS-2021-02–TN-54 R&R. He also wrote the new PPI Technical Note on squeeze-off, EPS-2021-03–MS-2 R&R, EPS-2022-04-TR-22 R&R, EP-2022-05–TN-4 R&R and was involved in the H2 Presentation to Wisconsin Pipeline Safety.
The Municipal & Industrial Division Member of the Year is Gerry Groen, P.Eng., Infra Pipe Solutions, Ontario, Canada. Groen’s latest contributions were on documents MAB-8 (cold weather fusion), MAB-9 (seismic/earthquake), anchor blocks, and fabricated fittings.
The Power & Communications Division Member of the Year is Christian Herrild, Teel Plastics, Baraboo, Wisc. Herrild is very active as Communications & Marketing Chair and on the PCD Management Committee. He leads the PCD R&D project to establish requirements for using recycled HDPE in conduit and is active in many other of the division’s projects.
Primoris
Primoris Services Corporation welcomed two industry experts to its power delivery line of business within its Utilities segment, as it continues to transform into a premier provider.
Both bring decades of industry experience, skill, and best practices to the business.
James Pratt, president of power delivery, began his career in the field as an apprentice/journeyman lineman for Pacific Gas and Electric. His broad, 25 years of expertise spans all aspects of the electric utility, engineering consulting, business development, construction, and energy industries.
Most recently, he was senior vice president of operations with MasTec. He has also held management and technical roles at Quanta, RES, HDR, and SMUD.
Pratt holds a bachelor’s from San Diego State University and an MBA from Sacramento State University. He is a certified project management professional and a licensed general contractor and master electrician.
Michael Luckey, P.E., senior vice president of major projects, has industry experience that encompasses motivating large teams, building programs, and spearheading operational excellence to drive cost and schedule results in business development, strategic positioning, operations, and new market expansion.
His results-oriented leadership and proficiency implementing budget and financial controls will drive the company’s ability to perform large-scale, multi-discipline projects.
Prior to joining Primoris, he served as a vice president with Quanta, and has held management roles at HDR, Pike Energy Solutions, and Duke Energy.
Luckey earned a Bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Primoris Services Corporation is a premier specialty contractor providing critical infrastructure services to the utility, energy, and renewables markets throughout the United States and Canada. Built on a foundation of trust, we deliver a range of engineering, construction, and maintenance services on projects spanning utility-scale solar, renewables, power delivery, communications, and transportation infrastructure.
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