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Hobart campaign focuses on filler solutions
Hobart Brothers Co., maker of filler metals, launched a new brand campaign called “It’s the tie that binds” that is designed to help customers find the correct filler metal solutions and celebrates the tie that binds science and people. Filler metal customers visiting the new Hobart brand campaign website can: request a free Hobart filler metal sample to experience firsthand ways to achieve faster, more productive welding; ask to speak with a Hobart welding specialist, who can provide valuable feedback and product recommendations based on individual applications; or request free product literature to help evaluate product specifications and more. The website also features videos of other customers’ success stories, including Bad Boy Mowers. Customers can also find out about the newest Hobart filler metals to address their welding needs. “Having a connection to our customers is at the heart of the partnerships we create, and at the heart of our collaborative approach to welding,” says Rich Thompson, the company’s vice president of marketing. “Hobart is proud to be a part… Keep Reading
Superior Industries buys GreyStone
Superior Industries Inc., maker of conveyor systems and their related components, bought GreyStone Inc., a washing, classifying and dewatering solutions manufacturer. According to Superior, GreyStone is now Superior Industries. GreyStone makes a full line of washing/screening plants, sand classification tanks and systems, dewatering screws, coarse material washers, log washers, computer control systems, water clarifiers, rotary and vibrating screens, blade mills, dewatering screens, twin jets and cutter heads. It has operations in Columbus, Neb., and it will continue production at its factory there. The company sells its equipment through a network of dealers in North America, Europe, Africa and Australia. in Columbus, Neb. GreyStone traces its beginnings back to 1956. James Holmberg III, son of owners James and Mary Lou Holmberg, served as GreyStone's president for the past four years. Keep Reading
US aggregates production up during first quarter
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says U.S. production of crushed stone and construction sand and gravel rose during the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year. In 2014, an estimated 222 million metric tons of crushed stone was produced and shipped, versus 211 million metric tons in the first quarter of 2013, a 5 percent increase. In 2013, the estimated annual output produced for consumption was 1.19 billion metric tons, a slight increase compared with the reported annual output for 2012. In 2014, the estimated U.S. output of construction aggregates produced and shipped in the first quarter was 370 million metric tons, up 7 percent compared with the first quarter of 2013. In 2013, the estimated annual output produced for consumption was 2.03 billion metric tons, up slightly from the reported annual output in 2012. In 2014, the estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped in the first quarter was 149 million metric tons, an increase of 10 percent compared with… Keep Reading
Blasting, explosives safety seminar set for September
RAM Inc. will hold its annual two-and-a-half day fall Blasting and Explosives Safety Training (BEST) Seminar at the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, S.D., Sept. 3-5. The continuing education course will include in-class training as well as instructional tours of the Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood and Mount Rushmore. Seminar attendees staying an extra day are invited take part in a VIP reception and night blast held at the Crazy Horse Memorial on Sept. 6. The training seminar will include: comprehensive safety instructions for commercial explosives and blasting; updates on electronic blasting systems and supporting technologies; 3-D, non-contact face profiling; and regulatory updates by specialists from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; MSHA and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The BEST Seminar is designed specifically for explosives engineers, drillers, field crews, safety personnel, D&B engineers and other industry professionals working with explosives. It will help attendees comply with state and federal regulations. Attendees who complete the seminar will receive a course certificate, manual with valuable information… Keep Reading
Palfinger Liftgates appoints sales, marketing executive VP
Palfinger Liftgates appointed Gene Ayres executive vice president of Sales and Marketing. He was employed at Morgan Corp. for 36 years, serving as VP of Sales and Marketing for the past eight, during which time he was also responsible for technical sales and new product development. Ayres developed a strong career and gained valuable experience in all aspects of the transportation chain that is advantageous to both his new position and to Palfinger Liftgates, the company says. He will report to Palfinger President Hakan Peterson. "We look forward to leveraging Gene's experience and background as we continue developing liftgate sales in North America," Peterson says. " This opportunity will permit Gene and his team to offer the best value solutions for our many customers." Keep Reading
Head of Cat’s GIS division resigns
Caterpillar Inc. says Randy Krotowski, vice president with responsibility for the Global Information Services (GIS) Division and the company's Chief Information Officer, has resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities. "Randy has more than 25 years of experience in the information technology field, and we wish him well as he pursues future endeavors," says Brad Halverson, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for the Corporate Services Division. The company says it will conduct a global search to find a replacement. Keep Reading
MSHA issues 147 citations in April impact inspections
MSHA says federal inspectors issued 147 citations and 15 orders in April during special impact inspections of 12 coal mines and four metal and nonmetal mines. Mines subject to monthly inspections merit increased attention and enforcement because of poor compliance history or specific compliance concerns, according to the agency. Alcoa World Alumina LLC’s Bayer Alumina Plant in Calhoun County, Texas, was one of the mines inspected in April. MSHA began an impact inspection on April 7 and says inspectors issued 27 citations and seven orders to the mine operator. Among the hazardous conditions cited were the operator’s failure to provide safety chains or other suitable locking devices connecting high-pressure hose lines, which created a potential hazard for flying material; and maintain guards on various pumps, which exposed miners to potentially disabling injuries from moving machine parts. In addition, inspectors found large pieces of metal slag dropping from an overhead structure, creating a falling material hazard. They also noted the absence of warning signs to alert miners about high-voltage areas. The… Keep Reading
Water management topic for June AGG1 webinar
Water management is the subject of NSSGA’s June AGG1 webinar, which will take place at 1:00 p.m. EST June 19. “Water Management Solutions for Aggregates Producers" will examine solutions available to create drier sand products—resulting in less water loss—in addition to newer technologies available for closed-loop water recovery systems. These systems can provide potential cost savings versus other alternative technologies, which require higher water usage. Presenters Cory Jenson and Scott O’Brien, McLanahan Corp., will discuss the technologies available for better water management, as well as examine one or two case studies using these technologies for water management from recent installations. This one-hour webinar is designed to help aggregates producers who are looking to reduce water lost through production and eliminate wastewater going to settling ponds, now that obtaining permits for tailings dams, as well as increasing environmental pressures, has become increasingly difficult. All registrants will receive a free copy of the recorded webinar that can be viewed later. Anyone who registers for the event, but cannot attend live, can watch… Keep Reading
Congress hears testimony on EPA water rule
Memphis Stone & Gravel Co. Vice President Alan Parks testified before a Congressional hearing on the small business impacts of a rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would broaden the scope of waters subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The hearing, which was held by the House Committee on Small Business and entitled "Will EPA‘s 'Waters of the United States' Rule Drown Small Businesses?," focused on the jurisdictional overreach of the EPA's proposed rule and its effect on small businesses. Parks, a Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference participant, testified on behalf of NSSGA, sharing his company’s experiences with water permitting regulations. He discussed the difficulties a small aggregate operator faces under the current system and how this regulatory burden will become even more onerous under this proposed rule. “Under the proposed rule, the aggregates industry will need more permits," Parks testified. "The delay caused by multiple surveys, reports and additional authorizations will add significant new costs during the permitting process, which could lead to… Keep Reading
