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Superior completes acquisition of Clemro Western
Superior Industries completed its acquisition of Clemro Western, a company known for manufacturing jaw and cone crushers, incline and horizontal screens, and belt and grizzly feeders. The addition of Clemro’s products will allow Superior to increase its bulk handling portfolio to customers in construction aggregates and mining applications, says the company. Keep Reading
McLanahan hosts frac sand educational event
McLanahan Corp. hosted its first frac sand educational event—the Frac Sand Processing School—on March 30 in Eau Claire, Wis. Over 60 people attended the event. The one-day event included three sessions, which featured presentations on wet frac sand processing, water management, and plant and equipment maintenance. The sessions focused on equipment designed to maximize production and meet frac sand specifications. “Even though the Frac Sand Processing School was sponsored by McLanahan, it wasn’t about selling equipment,” says Rick Madara, director of sales for aggregate processing at McLanahan. “We really want to make sure that producers understand every part of the processing puzzle, and what equipment— whether ours or someone else’s—can benefit their operation.” McLanahan plans to host additional schools throughout the coming months, including one focused on water management. Keep Reading
Holcim and Lafarge announce asset divestment proposal in US
Holcim and Lafarge announced details on the assets they wish to divest in the United States as a part of their planned merger to form LafargeHolcim. According to Lafarge, the companies hope to sell Lafarge’s Davenport cement plant and seven terminals along the Mississippi River to Summit Materials. They also plan to sell three Holcim terminals in Michigan and Illinois; Holcim’s Skyway 600kt slag grinding station in Illinois; Holcim’s Camden 700kt slag grinding station in New Jersey; and a terminal in Massachusetts. The proposed divestments have been negotiated with the staff of the Federal Trade Commission, and are still subject to review and approval by the Commission, says Lafarge. The closing of the merger is expected to take place July 2015. The new LafargeHolcim company would be operating in 90 countries. Keep Reading
Luff adds Riddell as territory manager for Western US
Luff Industries added Jeff Riddell as territory manager for the Western United States. Riddell has worked as a Luff distributor for more than 15 years. In this position, he will work to grow existing distribution and work with new and existing OEMs. Keep Reading
MSHA 2014 data shows mining injuries reached all-time low
The U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) released its 2014 preliminary mine safety data, which includes information on inspections, violations, mines, and fatality and injury rates for the mining industry. The data showed that the overall 2014 operator-reported injury rate reached a historical low, while the number of deaths increased by 2 from 2013. There were a total of 44 deaths in 2014, with 16 deaths occurring at coal mines and 28 deaths occurring at metal and nonmetal mines. Overall, 121,646 citations and orders were issued in 2014, an increase compared to the 118,279 that were issued in 2013. According to MSHA, this increase correlates with the administration’s increased enforcement efforts. Some of MSHA’s efforts to improve compliance include the revised Pattern of Violations enforcement program and the Rules to Live By initiative. In 2014, the total number of mines decreased from 13,761 in 2013 to 13,588. MSHA will release the final data by the end of July. Keep Reading
SME opens research library in Colorado
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) opened a research library—the Stewart Wallace Memorial Library (SWML)—at its office in Englewood, Colo. The library aims to serve the needs of SME members, staff and the general public. The SWML was named after SME Distinguished Member Stewart R. Wallace. Upon his passing, Wallace bestowed nearly $1 million to SME, which allowed the society to move to a larger headquarters and install the library. “SME members, as well as the general public, will now have access to the large body of technical knowledge housed in the Stewart Wallace Memorial Library,” says SME Executive Director David Kanagy. “We are proud to offer the community a connection to world-class information.” The 800 sq. ft. library houses more than 1,900 publications, many of which are rare books and manuscripts related to the mining and metallurgy industries. Keep Reading
Atlas Copco names Stewart & Stevenson dealer in Atlantic area
Atlas Copco named the Atlantic division of Stewart & Stevenson as a distributor of its construction equipment. Stewart & Stevenson will now carry Atlas Copco equipment, including light towers, generators, pumps and compressors, at its locations in Lodi, N.J.; Piscataway, N.J.; Middletown, Conn.; Latham, N.Y.; and Marlborough, Mass. “We are thrilled that Stewart & Stevenson is expanding its offering of construction, mining and industrial equipment with the addition of Atlas Copco products,” says Eudes Defoe, mid-Atlantic regional channel manager at Atlas Copco. “Its 24-hour response gives it an exceptional customer service reputation, and we are proud to work with so many respectable companies, including Stewart & Stevenson.” Keep Reading
Caterpillar opens first Data Innovation Lab
Caterpillar opened its first Data Innovation Lab, located in Research Park at the University of Illinois. According to the company, the labs will provide faster, better and more efficient innovation than ever before, which will help Cat better service its customers. The labs also will allow the company to address high-risk challenges that standard practices can’t address. “This lab will foster real-world innovation at the dynamic intersection of technological and cultural change in the world, giving us the ability to turn customer and market data into valuable information for the growth of our business and our customers’ businesses,” says Gwenne Henricks, Caterpillar vice president and chief technology officer. Keep Reading
President of Philippi-Hagenbuch receives STEP Award
Danette Swank, president of Philippi-Hagenbuch, received the Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Award from The Manufacturing Institute on March 26. A total of 130 STEP Award recipients were recognized by the institute at a reception in Washington, D.C. The awards represent the honorees’ leadership and accomplishments in the manufacturing industry. "These 130 women are the faces of exciting careers in manufacturing," says Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute. "We chose to honor these women because they each made significant achievements in manufacturing through positive impact on their company and the industry as a whole.” The STEP Awards are a part of the institute’s larger STEP Ahead Initiative, which was launched to promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry. Keep Reading
