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Mac Process, Schenck AccuRate integrate
Mac Process, a pneumatic conveying and air filtration systems supplier, and Schenck AccuRate, a manufacturer and supplier of dry material feeders and weighing technologies, are joining forces. Both companies are part of the global Schenck Process Group and have integrated their operations in North America under the name Schenck Process LLC. Manufacturing for Schenck Process LLC will continue in Whitewater, Wis., and Sabetha, Kan., and the company headquarters will be located in Kansas City, Mo. According to a press release, integration efforts began in 2012. Keep Reading
Surge in fourth-quarter accidents increases mining fatality rate
Forty-two miners died in work-related accidents at U.S. mines in 2013, according to preliminary data from MSHA. The 42 represent an increase of six compared with the 36 miners who died in 2012. Twenty-two of the 42 fatalities were in metal/nonmetal mining, MSHA reports. Sixteen metal/nonmetal miners died in 2012. Mining fatalities occurred at a record-low rate for the first three quarters of 2013, according to a press release, but nine metal/nonmetal mining deaths and six coal mining deaths significantly increased the annual total. According to MSHA, two metal/nonmetal miners and four coal miners died during the fourth quarter of the previous year. The most common causes of mining accidents in 2013 involved machinery and powered haulage equipment. Kentucky had the most metal/nonmetal mining deaths, with four. West Virginia had the most coal mining deaths, with six. “While we have made a number of improvements and have been moving mine safety in the right direction, the increased number of metal/nonmetal deaths makes clear we need to do more to protect… Keep Reading
New-look NSSGA website structured to enhance industry’s messages
NSSGA recently redesigned its website in an effort to better share information with the public, policymakers and its members. According to Mike Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO, an association member survey revealed that NSSGA needed to improve how it communicated messages to those various channels. "Before, our site content was often unengaging because content was created after the fact," says Chris Cruz, NSSGA's social media coordinator, in a video press release. "This time around we wanted to make sure our content was fresh, up to date and on the pulse of the industry. What we did was decentralize the content creation process and empower our content experts to publish and create their own content." Cruz says NSSGA's experts will now be able to share information on issues such as legislation, the environment, and safety and health in real time. In addition, NSSGA members can log in to the website to gain access to member-only content. Keep Reading
Aggregates sales forecast to rise nearly 6 percent annually
Worldwide sales of construction aggregates are forecast to expand 5.8 percent per year to 53.2 billion metric tons, according to The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Aggregates demand is expected to specifically rebound in North America and Western Europe following declines between 2007 and 2012, the firm reports in its "World Construction Aggregates" study. “The global market will continue to be driven by above-average growth in the large Asia/Pacific and Africa/Mideast regions," says Gleb Mytko, a Freedonia Group analyst. "The nonbuilding market for construction aggregates is expected to outperform the building segment through 2017, as many countries will invest heavily in their public infrastructures. Crushed stone is expected to account for more than half of all new product demand generated between 2012 and 2017, Mytko adds. Between 2012 and 2017, The Freedonia Group forecasts more than 50 percent of all additional construction aggregates demand to be attributable to China, where massive gains in building and nonbuilding construction activity will stimulate sales. As the Chinese market matures, growth… Keep Reading
Macdonald takes over as JCB’s CEO
Graeme Macdonald took over as CEO at JCB on Jan. 1 following the retirement of former CEO Alan Blake. According to a press release, Blake joined JCB in 1989 and became CEO in 2010 after holding a number of senior positions with the company. Blake remains a senior advisor and board member of the company. Macdonald, meanwhile, held a variety of roles during his 16 years with JCB before taking over as CEO. He was previously the company's COO. Keep Reading
LiuGong general manager announces retirement
Fred Ridenour, general manager of business operations for LiuGong North America, retired after 40 years in the construction industry. According to the Association of Leaders in Equipment Distribution (AED), Ridenour had a range of experiences and roles in the industry, including ones in construction equipment sales and marketing, and distribution and credit at the manufacturer level. Ridenour represented multiple manufacturers before LiuGong North America, according to AED. His product experience includes conventional and hydraulic cranes mounted on crawler tracks, hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders. Before joining LiuGong full-time in 2010, Ridenour worked for LiuGong on a consulting basis for three years. Keep Reading
Metso constructing services center in Southwest
Metso plans to build a service and repair facility in Mesa, Ariz., and make the facility operational sometime during the fourth quarter this year. According to a press release, the 31,000-sq.-ft. facility will offer service and repairs to large-scale grinding mills, crushers and screens. Design features of the new building include a service area that will house two 60-ton bridge cranes, welding and machining bays, and offices for Metso employees. When complete, the center will join a list of Metso service centers around the world. Metso says local authorities recently approved plans for the Arizona service center. In addition, Metso is leasing a service and repair center in the area, allowing service to continue until the new location is complete. Keep Reading
IRock adds dealer in southern U.S.
IRock Crushers added Mustang Cat to its dealer network. According to a press release, Mustang Cat serves 35 counties in southeast Texas through 17 branch locations. It sells construction machinery, power systems and vocational trucks; services machines and industrial engines; and offers rental service. Now, Mustang Cat will sell IRock screeners and crushers. Keep Reading
Montabert to replace Tramac brand in North America
Montabert plans to further extend its brand into North America and replace the Tramac brand name on select products. The rebranded products will include hydraulic breakers, plate compactors, drilling attachments and pneumatic equipment – all most recently branded "Tramac by Montabert," which the French attachment manufacturer has been using to establish a North American Montabert brand presence. According to a press release, Montabert officials believe the joint branding effort has provided a strong foundation for the North American brand launch. The transition will take place this winter and into 2014, culminating with a heightened promotion of rebranded products at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 in March. Keep Reading
