September 2024 Vol. 79 No. 9
Business
Business News
PipeSense
Proving its credentials to enhance pipeline performance and protect operations, PipeSense is reflecting on a successful six-month period of expanding the mileage guarded by its advanced pipeline monitoring and leak detection technologies. This includes several high-consequence areas (HCA’s).
Since the start of the year, the team behind the US-based pipeline integrity and monitoring specialist has deployed its PipeGuard leak detection system and its PipeTest services – developed for clients performing hydrotests – to several essential sites throughout the Permian Basin.
Hailed as a significant milestone in its first full year in operation, the assets guarded and services performed emphasize a successful period for PipeSense and will facilitate its targets for further expansion regionally and internationally.
With state-of-the-art testing and development facilities in Houston and Minnesota, PipeSense's growth trajectory has been underpinned by several new contract wins that strengthen the company's capacity to support pipeline projects and improve performance across the US.
Easily fitted to any section of the pipeline, PipeSense’s portfolio of AI-backed technologies enables pipeline operators to improve operational efficiency through continuous pipeline monitoring. By adopting the latest proven AI analysis techniques, PipeSense provides tailored solutions that deliver peace of mind to pipeline operators by addressing operational challenges and enhancing pipeline performance.
"Covering an extensive mileage of pipeline across the US is an incredibly significant milestone in our journey, made possible by our disruptive technologies and the brilliant team behind them.,” said Stuart Mitchell, PipeSense president and CTO. “Innovation is non-negotiable at PipeSense, so our recent successes will allow us to keep striving to develop new solutions that the industry can proudly adopt.
“We look forward to building on these successes for the remainder of the year as we target new markets and regions that will accentuate our capabilities."
Established in 2023, PipeSense is the product of an experienced team that boasts over a century of vital industry experience. Developed to utilize the latest technological advancements, PipeSense aims to maximize the operational efficiency and service life of a pipeline asset, providing a fully integrated service with ground-breaking monitoring and leak detection.
Cemen Tech
Cemen Tech, the world’s largest volumetric concrete mixer manufacturer, entered into a new agreement to be the exclusive dealer of Dobbs Equipment’s full line of concrete production solutions in South Carolina. This update expands the pair’s existing partnership in the central and south Florida markets.
Dobbs Equipment serves the needs of customers in the residential, commercial construction, site development, road building, underground and aggregate and mining industries. Its goal is to support customers from end to end with services that include sales of new and used equipment, parts, service and rental. Headquartered in Riverview, Fla., Dobbs Equipment has 29 locations serving customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
“Having Cemen Tech in the Dobbs Equipment product lineup supports our commitment to best serve the needs of our customers with cutting-edge technology and top-quality equipment so they can build successful and profitable businesses,” said Matt Murphy, Dobbs Equipment president of South Carolina.
Streamlining the complexity of concrete projects in the construction industry, volumetric concrete mixers ensure precision in measuring, mixing and dispensing concrete from a single unit. Each ingredient – sand, stone, cement powder, water, additives – is stored in separate compartments and mixed at the job site for fresh concrete every time. The flexibility and efficiency of this technology not only reduces downtime and material waste but empowers business owners to build their bottom line by producing their own concrete.
With over 55 years of manufacturing and engineering expertise in the volumetric mixing industry, Cemen Tech Inc. stands as a global leader, dedicated to delivering the highest quality concrete mixers to its customers.
Platinum Contracting of Nevada
Platinum Contracting of Nevada has been recognized among the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, Inc. magazine’s prestigious ranking of America’s fastest-growing companies. In its second consecutive year on the list, the general contractor ranked #1703 with a 306-percent, three-year growth rate.
The company is the only Nevada-based general contractor to be recognized on the list for the second year in a row, earning a national industry ranking of #97, a state ranking of #19 and a metro ranking of #14. This year’s Inc. 5000 list represents the nation’s most successful independent companies that have demonstrated rapid revenue growth from 2020 to 2023.
“This company was built on hard work, grit and dedication,” said Dean Gettman, CEO and co-founder of Platinum Contracting. “We have come so far over the course of eight years, from starting out with no financial backing and five employees, to being named an Inc. 5000 company with 65 employees. All of this is possible because of our team members. Grateful is an understatement.”
Platinum has reported substantial growth in the last year alone, doubling in size and being granted unlimited bidding capabilities by the Nevada State Contractors Board. The company was also named a Top Southwest Contractor this year, among both public and privately held companies throughout the Western U.S.
Platinum Contracting of Nevada is a full-service general contractor serving the Southern Nevada market. Founded in 2017, the firm specializes in dredging, grading, excavation and a vast range of underground utility installations, including water, sewer, storm drain, power, phone, cable TV, street lighting and more.
PPI
Another free library of instructional videos is now available on the Plastics Pipe Institute’s (PPI) website and YouTube channel.
Called “Training Shorts,” the teaching modules focus on piping materials such as CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, PP. Topics include joining, installation, fusion, trenching, design, testing, sustainability, plus other subjects important to those involved in drainage, natural gas, heating, plumbing, water, and sewer systems plus conduit projects.
In addition to being an educational tool, the information contained in the videos can also be used for bid documents, according to the association.
“The PPI Training Shorts series of videos deliver quick and clear instruction,” said David M. Fink, president of PPI. “Currently, we have nearly 30 video courses, with most running under three minutes. We’ve been able to create videos that get right to the heart of the matter because of our members, who have contributed their time and knowledge. Viewers hear first-hand what is important and what is not, as well as where to find additional information on these subjects.”
Episodes include Life Cycle Analysis Results & Benefits, Fitting for PEX and PE-RT Tubing, Basics of Butt Fusion, How HDPE Conduit Materials are Specified, and Composite Pipe Introduction. Other subjects will be added periodically.
Training Shorts couples with the association’s eLearn educational channel that contains a catalog of plastic pipe programs, which are self-paced and built on a module platform. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end of each course.
PPI also published a new document for small- and large-diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) PE4710 pressure water piping systems using horizontal directional drilling (HDD): MAB Model Specification for the Installation of PE4710 Water Service, Distribution, and Transmission Pipes by Horizontal Directional Drilling (MAB-11-2024).
Developed by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB), and published with the help of PPI, it covers Maxi-HDD and Mini-HDD operations with sections devoted to Subsurface Investigation, Equipment and Supporting Systems, Regulations, Safety, Environmental Practices plus other steps required for the successful HDD installation of HDPE PE4710 pipe. It also contains verbiage that can be directly used in bid documents and includes guidance on submittals and closeout/payments.
“This model specification is intended as a guide,” said Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., F. ASCE, co-chair, MAB, and senior director of engineering for the PPI’s Municipal & Industrial Division. “It is ideal for engineers, users, contractors, and other interested parties to use in the design, construction, and installation of HDPE pressure water piping systems. The local utility or engineer may want to modify this model specification to adapt the document to local conditions, operations, and practices.”
The MAB Task Group was led by industry consultant, Larry Slavin, Ph.D., president, Outside Consulting Services, Inc. (Rockaway, NJ). The new model specification was prepared by MAB members and associates as a service to the water industry. Groups included academics, contractors, installers, and utility engineers.
The MAB serves as an independent, non-commercial adviser to the Municipal & Industrial (M&I) Division of the PPI, the major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry.
“We broke the document down into two parallel sections; one for large-diameter and another for small-diameter,” Slavin explained. “Both Maxi-HDD and Mini-HDD columns address the same topics with information specific to each.”
Additional information including Model Specification (MAB-7) for Midi-Horizontal Directional Drilling can be found at the MAB publications website.
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Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI) is a major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry and is dedicated to promoting plastic as the materials of choice for pipe and conduit applications.
HEI
HEI Civil’s equipment and support department earned a remarkable FMCSA SAFER Rating of 5.2. This impressive score places HEI Civil in the top 5 percent of all similarly sized companies in the United States, marking a substantial achievement in maintaining the highest safety and compliance standards.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) governs and regulates all commercial motor vehicles on the road. The SAFER Rating is a crucial indicator of a company's safety performance. Like golf, a lower score signifies better performance, reflecting the quality and safety of interactions with the Department of Transportation (DOT).
HEI Civil’s equipment and support department's commitment to excellence is embodied in its oversight of all 28 commercial motor vehicles governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Special recognition is extended to Mandy Taylor, light-duty fleet manager, and Jerry Murphy, dispatcher, for their exceptional efforts in coordinating training with the Colorado State Patrol, ensuring that DOT drivers are well-versed in conducting proper daily vehicle inspections.
HEI Civil's commitment to safety and compliance continues to set a benchmark within the industry, showcasing the importance of rigorous training, meticulous management, and unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest safety standards.
McElroy
McElroy was recognized for its commitment to workplace safety and its participation in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn presented the company with a proclamation commending leadership and employees at two McElroy campuses, located at 833 N Fulton Ave. and 5305 E. Admiral Place, in Tulsa. She and OSHA Consultation Director Jason Hudson also presented company leadership with a flag commemorating McElroy’s SHARP-certified status.
SHARP is an on-site consultation program that offers confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses in the U.S., free of charge. Consultants from local agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs.
To become SHARP certified, companies must first reach out to their local OSHA representatives for a consultation visit. During the visit, representatives study the company’s entire workplace, doing walk-throughs of facilities, examining existing safety programs, interviewing employees, and going through the company’s training records. The process is time- and labor-intensive, and once completed OSHA representatives provide a report of their findings.
The company has a long history of dedication to workplace safety. In 1964, McElroy founder Art McElroy asked for OSHA to visit and help assure compliance with OSHA standards. This predated federal OSHA requirements and is a testament to McElroy’s culture of safety.
McElroy has been SHARP certified since 1999, and its three campuses are part of 14 SHARP-certified workplaces in Oklahoma. This certification extends from 2024 to 2026.
McElroy is a leading manufacturer and innovator in the science of joining thermoplastic pipe. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company offers the industry's most complete line of butt, saddle and socket fusion equipment for 1/2" CTS to 2000mm OD pipe as well as quality assurance accessories that increase productivity and efficiency on the jobsite.
Condux International
Condux International, Inc., a manufacturer of cable installation tools and equipment, recently launched a new, updated, comprehensive website. The site aligns the product menu system with a newly updated catalog and product line card to make it easy for users to find the products they need.
The new site is designed to maximize the interactive experience for end users, distributors and internal sales personnel. Many flagship products feature rollover callouts and 360-degree photo viewers. The refined navigation system provides easy access to information on Condux’s complete line of cable installation equipment.
The new Condux catalog, along with various product manuals and brochures, is available online by page or full download, in PDF format. Users can also find information on Condux University, new products and more. The website has the most up-to-date information about the Condux line of power, telecom and fiber optic cable installation equipment.
Hyundai
HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America and National Equipment Dealers (NED) established a five-year distribution agreement to accelerate Hyundai’s North American market coverage and growth initiatives, while expanding NED’s dealership territory coverage.
The agreement establishes multiple Hyundai “flagship stores” to expand NED’s dealer footprint. The new NED branches will be Hyundai-branded stores. These strategic locations in high-growth-potential markets include a recently opened branch in Jacksonville, Fla., and future locations in Fort Myers, Fla. and Austin and Dallas, Texas.
The new branches will stock Hyundai inventory ranging from compact excavators and skid steer loaders to larger crawler excavators, wheel loaders, and off-road haul trucks. They also will be well-equipped with state-of-the-art service facilities and tooling to provide first-class service to Hyundai customers.
HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America offers a full line of crawler excavators, ranging from compact models to heavy excavators; wheeled excavators; wheel loaders; articulated dump trucks; skid steer and compact track loaders, a crawler dozer, and hydraulic breakers.
Tenemec
Tnemec Company, a leader in industrial coatings, announced a new agreement with Cloverdale Paint for distribution of Tnemec products in the western provinces of Canada. Cloverdale’s expansive network of locations and broad range of customer service will extend the availability of Tnemec’s line of heavy-duty and high-performance coatings.
Cloverdale Paint is the largest family-owned coatings company in North America. Directly and through a US-based subsidiary in Portland, Oregon (Rodda Paint Company), Cloverdale Paint operates manufacturing plants in Surrey, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, Oakville, Mississauga, Montréal, and Portland.
Cloverdale Paint will have exclusive distribution rights to Tnemec coatings in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and Northwest Territories.
ITpipes
ITpipes, the established leader in pipeline inspection software, secured $20 million in equity financing from Trilogy Search Partners and Miramar Equity Partners.
Known for its trusted and user-friendly platform, ITpipes streamlines infrastructure management, making sewer and storm system compliance and oversight more efficient, accurate and cost-effective. This results in safer, cleaner communities.
With this investment, ITpipes will accelerate innovation for municipalities, ensuring continued growth and enhanced client offerings. Specifically, the funding will allow ITpipes to scale its operations, elevate customer service and develop new products, such as advanced AI-driven condition assessment technology for managing underground infrastructure.
Trilogy Search Partners and Miramar Equity Partners co-led this funding, recognizing the need for advanced technology to empower cities to take a proactive stance with underground assets.
Through proper planning and a focus on assessing the condition of underground assets, agencies can avoid catastrophic problems that often impact above-ground assets such as streets, utilities, new construction and more. ITpipes helps them do this by leveraging AI and machine learning for automated condition assessment and providing quality inspection records for decision-making. ITpipes offers powerful cloud-based tools housed in a single, authoritative inspection repository. By leveraging Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) mapping for visualization, these tools help cities transition from reactive to proactive pipeline planning.
ITpipes is a leader in advanced pipe inspection technology, dedicated to revolutionizing how municipalities manage their waste and stormwater pipe systems.
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