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Kevin Yanik

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

Q&A with NSSGA’s Gus Edwards (Part 1 of 2)

Gus Edwards steadily climbed the ranks over 16 years between the National Stone Association (NSA) and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), starting as NSA's vice president of public affairs upon joining in 1997 and continuing in roles as vice president for communications and community relations, and executive vice president after NSA and the National Aggregates Association merged in 2000. Now, in part one of a two-part interview, Edwards shares his thoughts on recent legislative developments and the future of surface transportation funding. P&Q: How have your first few months as NSSGA president and CEO been? What was your reaction when the position suddenly became open, and later when you were approached about filling it? GE: I was, of course, highly honored and humbled to be asked to succeed Joy Pinniger. This is a great industry filled with remarkable people and some of the best-managed companies in this country, so it’s a privilege to serve them. I like to think there’s been a fairly seamless transition between my… Keep Reading

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

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