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Atlas Copco names Coetzer business development manager
Victor Coetzer has been named business development manager for Atlas Copco CMT USA’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique Service division. Coetzer will be based in Commerce City, Colo. Coetzer has held various positions within Atlas Copco since joining the company in 2003 as a solutions developer for Atlas Copco in South Africa. Since joining Atlas Copco CMT USA in 2010, Coetzer has worked as a financial analyst and assistant business controller. Keep Reading
Atlas Copco acquisition to expand underground product range
Atlas Copco is in the process of acquiring Switzerland-based Meyco from BASF Construction Chemicals Europe. When finalized, Atlas Copco will add mobile equipment for applying sprayed concrete in underground mining and tunneling operations to the product line. The acquisition will include offices and an assembly facility in Switzerland with about 40 employees. Product lines include carrier-mounted concrete spraying equipment, concrete spraying arms and accelerator dosing systems. The majority of sales currently are for underground construction projects. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. Keep Reading
NSSGA paying tribute to Parker with safety and health award
Abel Parker, risk and regulatory affairs manager at Luck Companies, Richmond, Va., has been named NSSGA's 2012 James M. Christie Safety & Health Professional of the Year. The award recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to their company's and the industry's efforts toward safe and healthful operating practices. Parker will receive his award March 18 at NSSGA's Annual Convention in San Antonio. According to NSSGA, Luck Companies has helped forge efforts under Parker's guidance to boost compliance and adherence to principles of worker safety and health. The company has an injury incidence rate of 1.32 for every 200,000 hours worked. In addition, Parker has helped set up a visible emissions workshop for the Virginia Transportation Construction Association, and he has supported and hosted noise and dust workshops for NSSGA. Keep Reading
Mine safety and health conference debuts this spring
The inaugural Northeast Mine Safety and Health Conference is taking place April 1-3 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College, Pa. The goal of the conference's executive committee, which is made up of 35 representatives from industry and government agencies and four elected officers, is to make mines safer and healthier workplaces. The conference contains up to 16 hours of technical contact time and may be eligible for ABIH CM credit in Category 4. Conference attendees can also qualify for BCSP recertification points for up to two days in Category 6 credit. Keep Reading
Lafarge sells six quarries, reportedly two to Vulcan
Lafarge North America Inc. has sold six Georgia quarries, four of which Bluegrass Materials is purchasing. There are unconfirmed reports that Vulcan Materials Co. is purchasing the other two. The six quarries were sold for a combined $160 million. According to Lafarge, they represent less than 1 percent of its North American sales. Joelle Lipski-Rockwood, Lafarge's director of communications, said through the Gainesville Times that the transactions would likely be completed within the next 90 days. Lipski-Rockwood also said she expects most Lafarge employees to remain with their respective quarries. The sites Vulcan is expected to acquire within Georgia are Flowery Branch and a Jackson County site. Four other locations – Cumming, Ball Ground, Douglasville and Clayton County – are being sold to Bluegrass. Keep Reading
Vulcan makes series of moves to boost liquidity
Vulcan Materials Co. recently completed a set of transactions that generated $149 million, including the sales of reclaimed and excess land in California, one small quarry in Virginia and a percentage of future production at four South Carolina quarries. The South Carolina transaction is with Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc., a large, publicly traded landowner and a manager of timberlands and other natural resources. According to Vulcan, the sale enables it to unlock long-term value in the four quarries tax efficiently while maintaining full ownership and operational and marketing control. With the transaction, Vulcan receives $75 million in exchange for an estimated 10.5 percent royalty interest in the sale of about 144 million tons of production over 25 years. In addition, Vulcan expects to strengthen its aggregates businesses in Texas and Georgia with the acquisition of two active quarries and additional reserves adjacent to two existing quarries. Keep Reading
Infrastructure investment necessary to avoid economic harm
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released a report that states that unless the United States invests an additional $1.57 billion per year in infrastructure between now and 2020, the nation will lose $3.1 trillion in gross national product, $2.4 trillion in lost consumer spending and more than 3.1 million jobs. "The Impact of Current Infrastructure Investment on America's Economic Future," the fifth and final report in ASCE's Failure to Act series, concludes that there will be an estimated investment gap between now and 2020 of $846 billion in surface transportation. The report states that the deterioration of the nation’s infrastructure undermines the economy, jeopardizes public safety, threatens the quality of life and harms the U.S. economy. “Each of our proceeding [Failure to Act] reports on various infrastructure sectors demonstrated a common theme: deteriorating infrastructure has a cascading impact on the nation’s economy, negatively affecting business productivity, gross domestic product, employment, personal income and international competitiveness,” says Gregory DiLoreto, ASCE president. “The message is clear: if we do… Keep Reading
Mack launches overhaul program for legacy engines
Mack Trucks is now offering an engine overhaul program for its E7 engine owners. The program includes four packages – Basic, Plus, Premium and ReMack – that cover a range of parts and offer special extended warranties. The Basic overhaul package contains all Mack Genuine parts, filters and fluids needed for an in-frame engine overhaul. The Plus package includes all the benefits of the Basic package and adds ReMack cylinder heads. The Premium package includes all the benefits of the Plus package and adds a Mack Genuine turbo and injector set and a special extended warranty at no cost. The ReMack package combines a remanufactured three-quarter engine, Mack Genuine turbo and a set of six injectors, filters and fluids. The ReMack package also includes a special extended warranty at no cost. Keep Reading
Case equipment dealers under new ownership in West
Sonsray Machinery LLC is acquiring 11 Case Construction Equipment dealership branch office locations in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Sonsray Machinery will provide cmprehensive sales, as well as parts and service support for Case customers through branch offices in El Cajon, Fontana, Santa Fe Springs, Sacramento, Stockton and Redding, Calif.; Sparks, Nev.; Portland and Salem, Ore., and Auburn and Marysville, Wash. The entire line of Case, including loaders, excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders, vibratory compaction rollers, crawler dozers, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, loader tool carriers and rough-terrain forklifts, is available at all 11 locations. Keep Reading
