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Cummins Pacific named Cummins distributor for California, Hawaii
Cummins Cal Pacific LLC and Cummins West Inc. announced plans to merge into a single entity on Sept. 28. The new entity, Cummins Pacific LLC, will serve California and Hawaii as the exclusive distributor for Cummins Inc. According to a press release, Cummins Cal Pacific and Cummins West are merging to streamline service, sales and parts resources for the territory. All 12 Cummins West and Cummins Cal Pacific service centers will operate under the new name. Keep Reading
Metso sells conveyor belt operations
ContiTech acquired Metso's industrial conveyor belt operations based in Helsinki, Finland. The purchase price was not disclosed. The transaction includes a Finnish production plant, where ContiTech will continue to manufacture conveyor belts for use in quarries and other industries. ContiTech also acquired related sales and service locations in Finland, as well as about 130 Metso employees. Keep Reading
Frac sand conference to address inefficiencies in supply chain
The second annual Frac Sand Supply & Logistics Conference is scheduled for Sept. 5-6 at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio. According to the conference's website, Petroleum Connection is hosting the event to address the supply constraints and logistical problems that have developed because of the sudden increase in demand for silica sand. The conference is designed to bring together sand suppliers, exploration companies, rig operators, crude producers, rail companies, truckers, barges and others, with a goal being to develop a more efficient supply chain. Registration is $1,200 per attendee and ends Sept. 4. Keep Reading
Illinois congressman tours Hanson Material Service quarry
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) visited Hanson Material Service in Nokomis, Ill., during Congress' summer recess, according to the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers (IAAP). Plant manager Jerry Hepburn and area manager Rich Ellis, along with their crew, put together a quarry tour that allowed Davis and a staff member to learn about aggregates production and the economic impact Hanson Material Service has on south central Illinois. Representatives from the Southern Illinois Builders Association, Midwest Region Laborer's Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, Illinois Trucking Association, Mid-West Truckers Association, Montgomery County Highway Department and Teamsters Local No. 916, and IAAP were also present. Keep Reading
Cat dealer support continues following Oklahoma tornado
Several Caterpillar dealers lent support in the aftermath of the EF5 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., on May 20. According to a Cat press release, Warren Cat assisted first responders with rescue operations quickly following the disaster. Also, Warren, Foley and Holt Cat provided power modules, excavators, generator sets and light towers to help. Warren immediately pushed through requests for extra skid steer loaders as well, Cat says. Cat says equipment is still being used in Moore for cleanup efforts. About 90 percent of large machines being used are Cat models – primarily excavators and bulldozers, according to the company. Warren Cat is supporting customers in the area with two to three field representatives, and its four large landfill customers continue to take the bulk of the debris. Keep Reading
Ten U.S. dealers certified into Michelin repairs program
Michelin Earthmover has certified 10 U.S. dealers into the Michelin Earthmover Performance Repairs program since its inception earlier this year. The dealers went through a process of certifying their repair locations through a comprehensive audit, according to a press release. According to Michelin, the program is designed to develop validated repair shops throughout the industry. This includes training, inventory control systems, traceability methods and a quality repair process. Thus far, Michelin has certified five TCI Tire Centers locations (Mulberry, Fla.; Saginaw, Mich.; York, Pa.; Decatur, Ala.; and San Antonio); A&E Tire in Denver; Meekoff Tire in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Purcell Tire in Potosi, Mo., and Phoenix; Ziegler Tire in Massillon, Ohio. Keep Reading
July construction recedes
New construction starts in July decreased 2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $479.1 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. July statistics lowered the Dodge Index to 101, down from a revised 103 for June. The nonbuilding construction sector, comprised of public works and electric utilities, pulled back 18 percent in July after several large projects lifted the category in June. At the same time, nonresidential building strengthened by 8 percent, regaining some of the upward momentum that began to take hold in April and May. Residential building showed 3 percent growth. For the first seven months of 2013, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were reported at $281.7 billion – up 1 percent from the same period a year ago. The year-to-date amount for total construction was restrained by a steep decline for new electric utility starts. If electric utilities are excluded, total construction starts for this year’s January-through-July period would be up 11 percent. “Aside from the public works shortfall, the July statistics provided evidence that… Keep Reading
Shapiro named CalCIMA general counsel
Kerry Shapiro of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP was selected as general counsel for the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA). The association's general counsel advises the association on legislative, regulatory and judicial policies, including policy issues at the federal, state and local levels. In addition, the position provides legal advice on association management. CalCIMA's board of directors unanimously selected Shapiro after a solicitation of CalCIMA member law firms. A new general counsel was sought after Jim Good retired in March. Keep Reading
ACG Materials acquires pits in Eagle Ford shale region
ACG Materials acquired the assets of Pinnacle Materials LLC’s Eagle Ford Division in south Texas. ACG Materials will now operate five pits – located in Dilley, Pearsall, Eagle Pass and the Three Rivers area – that Pinnacle Materials previously managed. ACG Materials' headquarters will remain in Dilley, Texas. According to a press release, ACG Materials will sell screened and crushed hard stone aggregate and arrange transportation from mine to job site. ACG Materials will also provide all ancillary hardware items such as fencing, cattle guards and weir gates required for new drilling locations, as well as other bulk materials to support site work for producers and contractors in the Eagle Ford shale area. Keep Reading
