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Gorman-Rupp appoints vice president, general manager
Pump manufacturer Gorman-Rupp promoted Scott King to vice president and general manager for the company's Mansfield (Ohio) Division. King has nine years of experience with Gorman-Rupp, according to a press release. He most recently served as vice president of operations for the Mansfield Division. He previously served as a director of manufacturing and a manager of manufacturing. Keep Reading
Shuster sets tentative timeline for next transportation bill
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said last week that he wants the House to pass a new transportation-funding bill by August. Shuster did not endorse any specific funding proposals. The current bill expires in September. My hope is to get reauthorization done on time,” Shuster said, according to The Hill. “We hope to take committee action in the late spring or early summer with the goal to be on the House floor before the August recess. This way there will be time to conference our bill with the Senate’s bill.” Shuster made his comments during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing. He also stressed the importance of avoiding a repeat of the last transportation funding process, which saw the passage of seven short-term funding extensions before legislators reached a final agreement in 2012. According to The Hill, panelists at the hearing encouraged lawmakers to back up Shuster’s words with an increase in funding. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, for example, asked for a six-year bill… Keep Reading
Komatsu America starts production of Tier 4 Final engines
Komatsu America Corp. started commercial production of its EPA-certified Tier 4 Final diesel engines this month, the company announced in a press release. The Tier 4 Final technology will be integrated into Komatsu America’s mining and construction engines ranging in size from 3.3 to 46 liters. Komatsu says its Tier 4 Final range builds off its Tier 4 Interim engines. According to a press release, the Tier 4 Final technology features high-pressure common rail fuel injection, exhaust gas recirculation, a Komatsu Variable Geometry Turbocharger and a diesel particulate filter. All Komatsu Tier 4 Final construction machines come with Komatsu CARE, which provides scheduled factory maintenance for the first 2,000 hours or three years, the company says. The program includes a 50-point inspection at each service and two complimentary diesel particulate filter exchanges in the first five years. Keep Reading
Metso denied right to appeal in technology dispute with Terex
The U.S. Supreme Court denied Metso the right to appeal a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a patent infringement lawsuit between Metso and Terex Corp. that rejected Metso’s claims for damages against Terex. As a result, the original ruling remains final. The dispute between Metso and Powerscreen International Ltd. covered Metso’s claims for damages related to a patent covering conveyers used in various mobile crushing and screening equipment. Keep Reading
Transportation secretary sees signs nation ready to tackle infrastructure deficit
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in an interview with the Associated Press that he is encouraged by recent discussions in Congress to address the United States' infrastructural needs. "The more folks step up and put their ideas on the table, the more it creates the context for a solution to emerge," said Foxx, who has not endorsed one specific funding proposal. "I consider it progress that these proposals are being put out there." According to the Associated Press, the Obama administration is an advocate for overhauling corporate taxes and using the money – reportedly billions of dollars in savings – as funds for infrastructure. "The interest level is very high on corporate tax reform," Foxx said, adding that he's met with at least 70 members of Congress in his short time with the Department of Transportation. In addition to corporate tax reform, Foxx says improved construction practices and newer technologies should help shore up savings on the infrastructure front. Specifically, Foxx referenced a new asphalt that does not have to be heated… Keep Reading
2014 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame class of six announced
Pit & Quarry’s 2014 class of Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at a black-tie induction ceremony and dinner Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. The event follows the NSSGA Chairman’s Reception at the Encore Las Vegas. The six new inductees, detailed below in alphabetical order, were selected by a group of peers from a pool of nominees submitted by industry experts and you, our readers. This group joins the inaugural class in the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. J. Don Brock, Astec Industries Inc. J. Don Brock, chairman and CEO at Astec Industries Inc., founded his company in 1972. Under his leadership, Astec grew into a family of 17 companies - 13 of which are located in the United States. Astec also has companies in Australia, Brazil, Canada and South Africa. Brock presently has about 100 U.S. and foreign patents on construction machinery and drying equipment to his name. Photo: J Don Brock Bernie Grove, National Stone Association Bernie Grove, former chairman of the National Stone Association, grew… Keep Reading
Lafarge operation counting on expansion to remain viable
Lafarge North America's Redlands Quarry in Lockport, N.Y., needs to expand to stay in business, the company said Jan. 6 upon receiving the city planning board's recommendation to expand. The company says it will be able to continue business in Lockport for another three to five years if given permission to expand. According to the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, the recommendation is made conditional on a report from the city's director of engineering and public works, who will investigate whether or not quarry blasting will affect the city’s water supply line, which runs along a city road. Lafarge is seeking approval to mine 9.1 acres of a 15-acre parcel it bought several years ago. The current operation employs 40 people, the newspaper reports. “We’re desperately trying to find the good stone so we can stay in business,” said Kevin Brown, an attorney for Lafarge, to the planning board. Keep Reading
LaHood weighs in on gas tax upon joining infrastructure coalition
Building America’s Future, a bipartisan coalition of elected officials whose goal is raise awareness about the need to invest in U.S. infrastructure, named former Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as a co-chair. LaHood joins former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, both of whom are also co-chairs. According to the Building America's Future website, Bloomberg and Rendell founded the organization with former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The organization gives LaHood another platform to speak his mind on infrastructure issues. LaHood spoke his mind on the continued need for an infrastructure investment Jan. 8 during an event introducing him as a co-chair of Building America's Future. LaHood laid out how he would address the nation's pressing infrastructural need. "My recommendation is Congress should raise the gas tax 10 cents a gallon and index it," said LaHood, who's been vocal about the gas tax as a solution since leaving the Obama administration, according to the Huffington Post "I think what the Congress ought to do is… Keep Reading
NSSGA adds director to Government Affairs Division
NSSGA named a government affairs director in Ashley Amidon, who joins the association from the International Wood Products Association (IWPA), which she had been serving as manager of government and public affairs since 2011. “Ashley brings outstanding skills and experience to NSSGA and will play a leadership role in winning passage of a long-term highway bill, finding a sustainable funding solution for the Highway Trust Fund and working for responsible regulatory policy,” says Mike Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO, in a press release. According to the press release, Amidon was a registered lobbyist at IWPA and handled PAC fundraising. She also ran an active coalition of 20 trade associations. Before joining IWPA, Amidon was a fundraising associate at Hammond & Associates, a firm responsible for Republican members of Congress. Prior to that, she was a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. Keep Reading
