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Eriez appoints director of Flotation Division-USA
Mike Mankosa, Eriez vice president of operations, announced the promotion of Jaisen Kohmuench to the newly created position of deputy managing director, Eriez Flotation Division-USA. Kohmuench joined Eriez more than 10 years ago as a research engineer and most recently served as manager of the R&D Process Group. In his new role, Kohmuench's responsibilities will include management of all aspects of the daily operations for Eriez Flotation Division-USA. Kohmuench will report directly to Eric Wasmund, managing director of global operations, Eriez Flotation Division. Keep Reading
Michelin to build new Earthmover tire plant
Michelin North America will again expand its operations in South Carolina, it was announced today by Michelin North America’s Chairman and President Pete Selleck. Michelin, the largest manufacturing employer in the state, is breaking ground next week on a new Earthmover tire manufacturing plant in Anderson County, S.C. The company is also expanding its existing Earthmover tire facility in Lexington, S.C. The two projects represent a $750 million investment and will create up to 500 new jobs. This announcement is in addition to Michelin’s 2011 commitment to add an estimated 270 jobs and invest $200 million in its existing Lexington passenger and light truck tire manufacturing facility. This expanded operation at Lexington will begin production in October. “Michelin intends to maintain and strengthen its leadership in all its specialty businesses, especially Earthmover radial tires,” said Jean-Dominique Senard, managing general partner of Michelin. “The market for Earthmover tires grew by more than 20 percent between 2009 and 2011. This new facility will help us meet sustained demand while also attaining our… Keep Reading
Martin Marietta-Vulcan ruling may not come soon
Reuters reports that the judge presiding over the case of Martin Marietta Materials' hostile bid for Vulcan Materials called the fight a "hall of mirrors." He also said he is unlikely to rule immediately on whether the hostile bid can proceed, and Reuters adds that the judge suggested it would not be before next week. The two sides made their closing arguments yesterday to Chief Judge Leo Strine, who also must decide if a proxy contest for four seats on the Vulcan Materials board can proceed. Reuters says the judge spent much of the six-hour hearing prodding Martin Marietta Materials' lawyer over the way his client disclosed nonpublic information, such as history of the merger talks. "Your briefs don't come close to justifying the blow-by-blow disclosures," the judge reportedly said. "We're not going to get where you want by acting like I'm a fool," he added, after the lawyer suggested the disclosures were required by regulators. Keep Reading
Vulcan Materials’ lawyer says Martin Marietta bid not valid
The Martin Marietta Materials bid for Vulcan Materials Co. shouldn’t be permitted, because it violated contractual confidentiality obligations, a Vulcan Materials lawyer told a judge, according to a report by Bloomberg News. The agency says that in final arguments heard today, the lawyer told Judge Leo Strine Jr. that Martin Marietta officials wrongly used Vulcan Materials’ non-public information in its hostile $5.5 billion bid. “[Martin Marietta] walked right past the contract and launched its own hostile offer. Martin has to be held to account.” A decision in the case as to whether the bid will be stopped may come as early as this week, according to an earlier report in the Wall Street Journal. Keep Reading
MB America signs on new dealer in Connecticut
A&D Equipment Dealer of New Haven, Conn., recently came on board as a dealer for MB America Inc. MB produces a line of jaw-crushing attachments for excavators. In 2010, the company opened U.S. offices (in Reno, Nev.) and began introducing the equipment in America. A&D Equipment Dealer is a division of Lafata & Son Inc. The LaFata name has been part of the Connecticut business world since the 1950s, with business ventures involving commercial and residential landscaping. Keep Reading
Rice Lake acquires Measurement Systems International
Rice Lake Weighing Systems announced the purchase of Measurement Systems International (MSI), a scale equipment manufacturer based in Seattle. MSI has been in business since 1977 with niche technologies such as crane scales, aircraft load monitors and more. Rice Lake plans to keep MSI manufacturing and operations at its current location, including all existing employees, and use the business’s broad customer base and product lines to supplement Rice Lake’s existing catalog and clientele. The reasoning behind Rice Lake’s purchase of MSI is strategic, to grow portions of the business that are currently underserved. According to Rice Lake Vice President Mark Johnson Jr., “We’re always looking for opportunities to fill in the gaps, to expand our product offering and serve customers that we haven’t been able to in the past. MSI was one such opportunity where all of the pieces seemed to fit together well.” Rice Lake Weighing Systems is a family-owned, ISO 9001 certified corporation based in the United States. Headquarters, metrology laboratory and main manufacturing plant are located in… Keep Reading
MSHA investigators undergo refresher training
Approximately 75 special investigators from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) are participating in refresher training that includes course work conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The two-week classroom instruction at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va., covers topics such as using proper interview techniques to conduct thorough investigations, the use of injunctive relief in federal district courts, evaluating evidence, reviewing knowing and willful violations, and processing discrimination complaints. In order that MSHA investigators understand how to appropriately control accident sites, agents from the FBI’s Evidence Response Unit are instructing them on how to approach an accident scene, photograph the scene, obtain and secure evidence, deal with false or altered records, and release the scene. Attorneys with the department’s Office of the Solicitor are presenting on civil and criminal aspects of investigations, specifically addressing evidence needed for successful prosecutions. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice are assisting MSHA presenters with lectures on subjects including how to prepare cases… Keep Reading
Two major highway projects awarded in Canada
According to a report from World Highways, contracts worth a combined US$2.5 billion have been awarded for two Canadian highway construction projects. The report says Spanish contractor ACS has been awarded a US$1.52 billion job to construct a new 27-km, eight-lane highway that includes maintenance of the road for 30 years. Another Spanish firm, Ferrovial, working in association with SNC Lavalin, has been awarded about US$1 billion to build a 20-km extension of Toronto's 407 highway. This also includes 30 years of maintenance as part of the contract, according to World Highways. Keep Reading
Chicago mayor’s plan calls for $7-billion infrastructure upgrade
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not banking on the federal government to provide needed infrastructure dollars for his city. The Chicago Tribune reports that Emanuel's proposal—"Building a New Chicago"—is a $7 billion infrastructure rebuilding plan that would set "the foundations for Chicago to be a leader in the global revolution of ideas and innovation.' The mayor called for a commitment to boost the local economy through work on roads and public buildings, and asked City Council to pass his plan for a privately funded Infrastructure Trust to finance major projects. The Chicago Tribune says the trust would "pull together private and public financing for a variety of projects, such as bus rapid-transit service or expanded high-speed Internet access." The mayor also called for adding a fourth new runway at O'Hare International Airport. The Chicago Tribune says, "Emanuel emphasized that no new taxes will be used to pay for his infrastructure plan. Among the means to finance his building plan will be cuts in the city's bureaucracy and the imposition of user fees." Keep Reading
