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McLanahan names CEO, promotes two others
McLanahan Corp. named Sean McLanahan CEO, and the company announced it is restructuring into three main areas: corporate shared services, sales and business development, and business operations. According to a press release, three different executive vice presidents will manage these three respective areas. One of those executive vice presidents is Jay Nartatez. He was promoted to executive vice president of corporate shared services, and he will also serve as McLanahan's CFO. Also, Ken Kirsch was promoted to executive vice president of business operations. Kirsch now directly oversees technical services, product innovation, materials management, manufacturing and human resources. The company is currently recruiting for the executive vice president position that will oversee sales and business development. “This new global organization chart not only provides new positions for 2014, but also insight into where we will be in 2020,” says Sean McLanahan in a press release. “Segmenting the corporation into three main areas allows employees to focus on their areas of expertise, while supporting our customers and the global marketplace.” Keep Reading
Blasting the subject of upcoming webinar
NSSGA's AGG1 Online webinar series continues March 27 with an hour-long discussion on blasting, its effects on neighbors and solutions aggregate producers can implement into their operations. Specifically, the webinar will offer an integrated, scientific approach to identify, understand and solve blast vibration problems. Those interested can sign up at http://www.nssga.org/event/agg1-online-webinar-drilling-blasting/. Keep Reading
Sany taps Kitsap as dealer for Washington state
Sany America signed Kitsap Tractor & Equipment, Silverdale, Wash., as a dealer. Kitsap will cover the state of Washington only. The company says the move will make Sany equipment and service available to an important region, as the company continues expanding its North American dealer network. “Sany America is very pleased to welcome Kitsap Tractor & Equipment to our rapidly growing roster of excavator dealerships,” says Eric Teague, vice president of the Sany earthmoving group. “Kitsap has a well-established track record of serving the Seattle metropolitan region as well as customers throughout Washington.” Kitsap is a construction equipment dealership that offers new and used machines in nearly every major category of equipment. Sany America sells, distributes and supports crawler cranes, rough-terrain cranes, hydraulic excavators, port reach stackers and empty-container handlers. Keep Reading
British Columbia company receives production permit after six-year wait
Highbank Resources received approval to begin production of the Swamp Point North Aggregate Project north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. According to Financial Press, Highbank has an aggregate resource of more than 70 million tons. “This permit is a very big milestone for us,” says Victor Bryant, Highbank CEO, in an interview with Financial Press. “We have been working on this, getting over the hurdles, for about six years. There is now a very straightforward path to production." Bryant says the site's location is an advantage for Highbank. “We are close to the epicenter of the northern [British Columbia] construction boom, and we are on tidewater," he says. "The cost advantages are significant. Aggregate is a bulk commodity. Transportation is a major cost factor. Highbank can load directly onto barges and ships whereas many of our competitors are forced to truck in the product.” Keep Reading
Unique painting to help promote AEM manufacturing campaign
More than 1,300 people participated in Terex's I Make America finger-smear artwork at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014. According to a press release, Terex team members and show attendees dipped their fingers into paint and left their mark, as well as their signature, on a canvas that included an outline of the United States, famous infrastructure landmarks, the equipment that helps to build America’s infrastructure and the I Make America logo. After the show, FingerSmear artist Kelly Sullivan, put the finishing touches to the masterpiece, and Terex donated it to Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) representatives. AEM plans to use the donated artwork to drive interest and encourage others to support pro-manufacturing causes. The painting will be on display at various venues in the weeks and months to come, Terex says. Both AEM and Terex are currently finalizing a plan to enable as many people as possible to see the artwork, helping carry its message to a broad audience of industry influencers. Photo: Terex Keep Reading
Metso names president of services for mining, construction
Juha Silvennoinen was hired as president of Metso's services business line in mining and construction. He also will be responsible for the development of Metso’s overall services business. “Metso is the leading services provider for the global mining and construction industries," says Matti Kähkönen, president and CEO, Metso. "Services business counts for more than 50 percent of our net sales and we want to further develop and grow the business through stronger co-operation across our businesses. Juha will have a key role in this development.” According to a press release, Silvennoinen spent many years with ABB, where he held several executive positions in various business units. He was responsible for ABB's motors and generators business unit in his last position with the company. Keep Reading
Website launched to guide transportation infrastructure investment campaigns
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) launched an educational resource aimed at helping the public, legislators, organizations and businesses grow transportation infrastructure resources at the state and local levels through the legislative and ballot initiative processes. According to a press release, the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center, found online at www.transportationinvestment.org, features 39 case studies of recent transportation-funding campaigns – both successful and unsuccessful – in 28 states. The center features the television, radio and print ads, polling data, and media and coalition strategies used in the campaigns. In addition, the site features a blog, which will reportedly be updated with new developments and economic-based research and messaging ARTBA developed to help frame the political debate. An overview of funding and financing mechanisms utilized to support state and local transportation programs is also included. Keep Reading
February construction unchanged from previous month
New construction starts in February were about the same as January’s amount, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. After a strong finish to last year, the construction start statistics have shown lackluster activity during the first two months of 2014. The flat pace for total construction starts in February was due to a mixed performance by major sector – less nonresidential building, but more housing and public works. For the first two months of 2014, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were reported at $66.7 billion – down 3 percent from the same period a year ago. February’s data kept the Dodge Index at 103. That's below the full-year 2013 average for the index at 111. “While construction activity has generally trended upward over the past two years, the monthly pattern has frequently been hesitant, and early 2014 has turned out to be one of those hesitant periods,” says Robert Murray, chief economist for McGraw Hill Construction. “To some extent, the harsh winter weather… Keep Reading
SME endorses mining industry safety initiative
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration's (SME) board of directors, on the recommendation of its Health & Safety Committee, voted to endorse the National Mining Association's (NMA) CORESafety initiative. According to a press release, the initiative is an industry-wide partnership built on a foundation of leadership, culture and health and safety systems with the goal of zero fatalities and a 50 percent reduction in rate of injuries in five years. Established by NMA and used by more than 35 member companies of the association, the initiative utilizes a management system that provides organizational competencies defined in 20 modules. Each module includes performance expectations and timelines to ensure steady progress toward the goal of zero fatalities. SME says the CORESafety system is customized to mining and is based on successful plan-do-check-act safety and health management systems used in other industries. Keep Reading
