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Is an impact inspection coming your way?
Be prepared for impact inspections from the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), even if you don't believe one is coming your way as an aggregate producer. That's one of the messages Max Corley, an attorney at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, imparted on producers during an AGG1 Academy educational session in Nashville, Tenn. Producers must be prepared for impact inspections, and producer preparation must start now if it hasn't already. "I recommend you have a plan in place for when inspectors arrive," says Corley, whose firm is located in Charleston, W.Va. "What do you do if eight inspectors show up? You need to be thinking further than the typical inspection." So, what factors do MSHA representatives consider when determining which companies get impact inspections and which do not? Corley says MSHA examines a few areas, including the Rules to Live By. "If you're seeing repeated violations in your history of Rules to Live By, then you might be a potential candidate for an impact inspection," Corley says. As a solution,… Keep Reading
Feltes, James and Zelnak enshrined into Hall of Fame
Aggregates industry leaders gathered Sunday night for the fourth annual Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner in Nashville, Tenn., where Rick Feltes (Feltes Sand & Gravel), Don James (Vulcan Materials) and Steve Zelnak (Martin Marietta) were enshrined as the 2016 class. More than 100 people were in attendance at the black-tie event. Feltes, James and Zelnak all attended the ceremony at the Omni Nashville Hotel and reflected on their storied careers upon being inducted. The new inductees will be represented in the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville, Colo., along with other Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame members. Feltes, who grew up in the aggregates industry, was a key figure in the development of the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, which launched in 2009 alongside World of Asphalt. Well regarded for his dedication to National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) initiatives, Feltes has served the association in various capacities and as a chairman. Yet, his investment in NSSGA continued at a… Keep Reading
New construction starts climb 10 percent
New construction starts in February advanced 10 percent compared to the previous month, according to Dodge Data & Analytics, producing a reading of 141 for the Dodge Index. The index was 129 in January. Much of the lift in February came from the nonbuilding construction sector, as its electric power and gas plant category included a $3 billion segment of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Texas, as well as the start of six power plant projects valued each in excess of $200 million. Nonresidential building also helped out in February with a moderate gain, resuming its hesitant upward track after the lackluster activity reported at the outset of 2016, Dodge Data reports. However, residential building settled back in February following its improved January performance. For the first two months of 2016, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $87.1 billion, down 16 percent from the same period one year ago. That period featured the start of several massive LNG terminal projects. “The month-to-month pattern of construction starts… Keep Reading
Report: Global demand for aggregates to rise
A study from The Freedonia Group offers new perspective on global demand for construction aggregates. According to the study, titled "World Construction Aggregates," the worldwide market for construction aggregates is projected to advance to more than 51 billion metric tons in 2019, recording growth comparable to that of the 2009-2014 period. Upturns in the housing markets of developed countries and heightened personal incomes in developing countries will drive gains in residential-building applications for aggregates, stimulating demand for more modern housing. The firm also reports that higher personal incomes will create requirements for additional commercial, industrial and retail space, stimulating construction of nonresidential buildings and boosting aggregates sales. Infrastructure investment across the globe will bolster nonbuilding construction-related aggregates sales, as well. Crushed stone and alternative aggregates such as recycled concrete, fly ash and slag will expand at twice the pace of sand and gravel in the near term, the firm adds. Sand-and-gravel reserves are shrinking across much of the world, and illegal sand mining plagues a number of developing markets that… Keep Reading
Superior adds Bramco-MPS to dealer network
Superior Industries Inc. appointed Bramco-Mineral Processing Solutions (MPS) as a new equipment dealer in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Bramco-MPS will market, sell and service Superior-brand crushing and screening equipment in Indiana, plus washing and conveying equipment in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. “We are very impressed and excited to start working with Bramco’s veteran, industry-experienced sales and service teams,” says Bill Humphrey, Superior’s equipment sales territory manager in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. “Their team is equipped with individuals who possess dozens of years of industry experience building aggregate- and coal-focused mineral-processing systems for their customers.” Bramco-MPS, which is headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a construction, mining, material handling, processing and earthmoving equipment distributor with 13 branches throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Mississippi. Keep Reading
Thunder Creek names sales leader
Thunder Creek Equipment named Tim Worman national sales leader. Worman will develop comprehensive sales strategies across all markets for the company. He's also tasked with increasing sales, growing the company’s sales team, and further expanding Thunder Creek’s reach into the heavy construction and oil and gas markets. Worman joins Thunder Creek after spending more than 25 years with Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc., where he most recently served as business development manager and product manager for commercial vehicles. “There are few people who understand field maintenance and repair operations, and the equipment and tooling that goes into it, more than Tim Worman,” says Luke Van Wyk, general manager of Thunder Creek Equipment. “His knowledge of the heavy equipment market, both in construction and agriculture, will help match our sales staff, dealers and customers with the right solutions for each operation.” Adds Worman: “Thunder Creek has developed a line of products that meet many of the new demands of equipment MRO (maintenance, repairs and operations) brought on by engine regulations, specifically… Keep Reading
Program streamlines warranty transactions
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and M-ize Inc., a provider of customer engagement solutions, launched Equip Connect, a program to help AEM member companies manage the warranty, support and service needs of their distributors, dealers and customers. “Currently, each dealership that carries equipment from multiple manufacturers must learn each manufacturer’s interface for submitting warranty claims,” says John Somers, AEM's director of product management for construction, mining and utility. “AEM selected M-ize as our software partner to provide a common interface that will drive greater efficiency at the dealer level.” Equip Connect provides a shared hub for manufacturers, distributors, dealers and customers to exchange transaction information such as product registrations, warranty claims, returns, pre-approvals, payments and supporting data. AEM’s Short-Line Leadership Group initiated the program and has been the association’s liaison, AEM says, but the Equip Connect program is open to all AEM manufacturers. “Dealers and customers will now have an easier way to do business with AEM members,” says Ashok Kartham, M-ize CEO. "M-ize is excited to partner with… Keep Reading
4 techniques for job interviewers
This is part one of a two-part series on interviews. This part of this series covers conducting an interview, while the second part covers being interviewed – for both a job and an article. Interviewing sources is a regular part of my job as a journalist and a magazine editor at Pit & Quarry. Occasionally, the job requires interviewing candidates for job openings, too. Conducting an interview may seem simple on the surface. You ask questions and receive answers. But the gig honestly isn't as simple as it sounds. Getting the answers you seek often requires a thoughtful strategy, whether you're interviewing a source for a news article or a job prospect. Below are four considerations I keep in mind related to all interviews I conduct. Perhaps you or someone at your operation can put these tactics to use the next time a job opens up. 1. Do your homework Whether you're interviewing a potential plant manager, a haul truck driver or the Queen of England, preparation is a must.… Keep Reading
Terex Materials Processing unveils parts facility
Terex Materials Processing opened a global parts facility in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. According to Terex Corp., the company invested more than $7.2 million in the facility. The facility property consists of a main office block of 10,300 sq. ft. The facility has a warehouse capacity of 58,800 sq. ft. and the addition of an external canopy featuring 7,000 sq. ft. Three dock levelers provide easy access for deliveries and container shipments of large-scale parts inventory, Terex adds. With more than 86,000 live inventory parts, an automated Oracle Warehouse Management system supports the facility. According to Terex, the facility also features 168 bays of high-bay racking; three Hanel Lean-Lifts; and an automated storage and retrieval system. Linde electric material handling equipment supports these technologies. Keep Reading
