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Minerals Education Coalition launches website
The Minerals Education Coalition (MEC), the K-12 education and public awareness and outreach program of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, has launched a new website at www.MineralsEducationCoalition.org. MEC envisions the website helping to create an enlightened and supportive public that appreciates the importance of mining and minerals to their lives and their lifestyles. According to MEC, the website structure is audience-based so resources can be easily found. For example, a teacher can click on “K-12 Education” to find lessons and activities grouped by grade levels K-5, 6-8 or 9-12 for their instructional needs. All of MEC’s online resources are available at no cost to all visitors. There is also an online store where visitors can purchase materials such as posters, CDs, DVDs, gold panning kits and other items. Keep Reading
Work Truck Show nearly sets attendance record
The Work Truck Show that took place March 5-6 in Indianapolis drew 10,351 attendees – the second-highest mark in the show's history. The 10,351 fell 51 attendees short of the record set in 2012. According to NTEA (the Association for the Work Truck Industry), more than 120 products debuted at the event. Dozens of companies featured green technology, including alternative fuels and technologies to improve commercial vehicle fuel efficiency. The Work Truck Show returns to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis next March 5-7. Keep Reading
Powerscreen names Bison Iron a Canadian distributor
Bison Iron Corp. is now offering Powerscreen crushers and screens in Alberta, Canada. In addition to sales and rental opportunities, Bison Iron will provide parts, service and warranty support for Powerscreen equipment by factory-trained technicians, as well as financing options to qualified customers. Keep Reading
Volvo CE establishes new headquarters
Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) cut the ribbon on its $100 million expansion program at its facility in Shippensburg, Pa., officially opening a new headquarters building for the Americas. The ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the start of wheel loader production in Shippensburg. Joining Volvo CE President Pat Olney at the ceremony were United States Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Alan Walker and Swedish Ambassador to the United States Jonas Hafström. One thousand employees and guests also joined. As part of the same investment, Volvo CE will open a customer center in the area in the first quarter of 2014. Keep Reading
Roads score poorly in ASCE’s infrastructure report card
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave U.S. bridges a C+ and roads around the country a D in its "Report Card for America's Infrastructure." ASCE releases the report once every four years using an A to F school report card format. The society gave the country's overall infrastructure a D+. According to ASCE, one in nine bridges are rated as structurally deficient. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that to eliminate the nation’s bridge backlog by 2028, the U.S. would need to invest $20.5 billion annually. Only $12.8 billion is being spent currently. The challenge for federal, state, and local governments, ASCE says, is to increase bridge investments by $8 billion annually to address the identified $76 billion in needs for deficient bridges across the United States. But with the overall number of structurally deficient bridges continuing to trend downward, ASCE's grade on bridges is a C+. Regarding roads, targeted efforts to improve conditions and significant reductions in highway fatalities resulted in a slight improvement in the grade to… Keep Reading
NSSGA names North Carolina director Executive of the Year
Jay Stem Jr., executive director of the North Carolina Aggregates Association, was recently named NSSGA's State Aggregates Association Executive of the Year. "NSSGA values what Jay is doing in the state of North Carolina and nationally by contributing to the development of industry positions with valuable insights from the North Carolina aggregates producers," says Gus Edwards, NSSGA president and CEO. "We have long been impressed with Jay as a partner in grassroots activism by his support of NSSGA's government affairs in helping to advocate worker safety issues, transportation priorities and regulatory concerns, in addition to his active participation on NSSGA's Environmental Committee. According to Edwards, Stem was particularly helpful this past year in recognizing a problem with a pavement design software program that dramatically underestimated the structural value of aggregates. Stem's foresight resulted in alerts being sent to state Department of Transportation secretaries. Edwards also points to Stem's leadership on state highway issues in North Carolina, noting that he works successfully with a national transportation research group to provide important information… Keep Reading
Timken acquires Interlube Systems
Interlube Systems Ltd., which makes automated lubrication delivery systems and related components for use in commercial vehicles, has been acquired by The Timken Co. The purchase includes MSP Distributors Ltd., which Interlube acquired in 2007. “Their expertise and quality product line, coupled with our global reach and market access, will allow us to grow market share for Interlube products,” says Michael J. Connors, Timken vice president of distribution. Keep Reading
Truck QR codes to improve uptime
All new Mack trucks will feature a unique QR code to speed service response times and improve customer uptime, the company says. Starting in April, Mack will install QR codes on vehicle doorframes during the manufacturing process. When a vehicle arrives at a dealership, service advisors scan the vehicle's unique code, allowing the service advisor to rapidly access the truck's VIN, owner information and dealer service history. This automatically launches Mack's service management system. According to Mack, the electronic process eliminates the potential for errors that can occur with paper-based service write-ups. Keep Reading
Vortex planning major expansion
Vortex is planning to increase its plant size by about 50 percent this year. The expansion, which will be about 64,000 sq. ft., will make the company's headquarters in Salina, Kan., about 185,000 total sq. ft. Salina President and CEO Jeff Thompson says he expects construction to begin in April and to be completed by the end of the year. The expansion will add about 48,000 sq. ft. of production space and 16,000 sq. ft. for offices and conference rooms. Vortex built and occupied its existing headquarters at the end of 2006. Keep Reading
