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P&Q Roundtable & Conference part two: Solution searching
Participants discussed highway funding, energy costs, Tier 4 emissions regulations and more at the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference in Cleveland. The roundtable event was divided into two sessions, with different participants in each. Following is an abbreviated transcript from one of the discussions. DARREN CONSTANTINO: One popular public-policy consultant suggests the days of massive transportation bills are over because the political environment makes it almost impossible to pass a single legislative package worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Do you believe another large multi-year highway bill is still a possibility, or are we more likely to see continued short-term extensions? Should organizations like NSSGA, AEM and others rethink their lobbying approach? Also, more states are stepping up to carry the load. Is this the new normal? Where will states get the money for highway funding? DAVE MCLAUGHLIN: Well, this is our 12th short-term bill in five years and I don’t see anything changing. With the politicians fighting, I can’t see a long-term bill in the near future.… Keep Reading
Revere opens office in Texas
Revere Control Systems, based out of Birmingham, Ala., opened a new office in Texarkana, Texas. The opening of this office marks the fourth satellite office opened by the firm in the last three years. The office will provide support for existing projects in the region and for expanded sales activity. In addition, it will house the core of the company’s electrical construction capabilities for its design-build project delivery offering. "The Texarkana office will significantly improve our ability to service customers in the Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas area, as well as expanding our expertise in power, electrical construction and design-build services,” says Bob Adams, president of Revere. “We're excited about this major growth step for the company." Keep Reading
Liebherr to open spare parts depot in California
Liebherr Construction Equipment announced that it will open a warehouse facility in Visalia, Calif., in early 2015. The facility will support Western U.S. distribution with localized parts warehousing. Along with the company’s headquarters in Newport News, Va., the new depot will help expedite part orders, improve operational efficiency and minimize transit time while increasing customer support, says the company. “We continue to invest in our operations to ensure we provide our dealer network and customers with the exceptional support they expect from Liebherr,” says Peter Mayr, president of Liebherr. Keep Reading
BKT Tires hires Leu to Americas team
BKT Tires hired Adrian Leu as senior manager of field technical services for its OTR office in the United States. Leu has more than 16 years of OTR tire experience. His responsibilities will be to “ensure BKT tires products are of the highest quality and adhere to rigorous performance standards,” says Shawn Rasey, president of BKT Tires. He will also be responsible for field-testing new products. Leu has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and recently completed his Ph.D. Keep Reading
Volvo Construction Equipment
Powered by a Tier 4 Final engine, the EC480E is a powerful production machine designed to save you time and money with a 5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and cycle times. The full electro-hydraulics are perfectly matched to the engine and controlled by the unique Volvo ECO mode, which provides on-demand flow, reduces power losses within the circuit and increases controllability for more precise performance As if that’s not enough, Volvo stands behind the quality of its excavators by offering a Lifetime Frame and Structure Warranty on the boom, arm and frame. volvoce.com Keep Reading
Caterpillar debuts 323F hydraulic excavator
Pit & Quarry attended a Caterpillar media event Oct. 28-30, where we were able to see some of Cat's new equipment. In this video, a 323F hydraulic excavator digs dirt at Caterpillar's indoor demonstration facility in Peoria, Ill. Keep Reading
MSHA, EPA reveal 2015 regulatory agendas
Both the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their 2015 regulatory agendas. Below is a breakdown of the plans: MSHA According to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), MSHA released its fall regulatory agenda Nov. 24. MSHA stated that it is on track in conducting rulemaking on reforming civil penalties. In addition, MSHA reports it will issue a rulemaking on crystalline silica October 2015, as well as work on a request for possible approaches that would improve the control of diesel particulate matter and exhaust April 2015. A request for information on the examination of workplaces to determine the adequacy of the agency’s existing standards was also added for June 2015. Finally, MSHA includes a statement that it will propose a rule concerning proximity detection systems in underground mines January 2015, according to NSSGA. EPA The EPA released its 2015 regulatory agenda Nov. 25, says NSSGA. In 2015, the EPA plans to finalize several major rules, including the Waters… Keep Reading
OAIMA awarded for public outreach efforts
The Ohio Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) received the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ 2014 Mineral Education- Public Outreach award for its efforts to raise awareness of the aggregates industry. OAIMA and the Miami County (Ohio) Park District launched a program that provided book bags and educational rock box kits to children in school areas for completing the “Family Quest Nature Program.” OIMA’s partnership with the park district eventually resulted in a weeklong “Hug the Earth” program that debuted May 2012. The “Hug the Earth” program then led the duo to create a hands-on experience for children that involved mineral digs, mineral identification projects and educational skits. “This award is a credit to OAIMA’s public relations committee and our board of directors,” says Patrick Jacomet, OAIMA executive director. “The program would not have been a success without their efforts in educating the public about the importance of our industry. We thank the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for this recognition.” Keep Reading
Nol-Tec Systems
Today’s proppant market is changing and you need a flexible proppant conveying system that keeps your cost of ownership low, but allows you to respond easily to marketplace needs. Nol-Tec Systems offers you efficient scalable growth to help you keep pace with your customers’ changing requirements. You’ll get 100 percent product containment for environmental quality and safer working conditions. We guarantee we can move your proppant without product breakage and minimal system wear. Our systems can stand up to whatever you throw at them – high temperatures, product abrasion, rapidly changing needs. nol-tec.com Keep Reading
