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Training, technology key to overcoming operator shortage
As part of its Asia Pacific Quarry Days last month, Caterpillar hosted a trade press roundtable with some of its key representatives in Tokyo, Japan. Among those participating from Cat for the June 3 event were Felice Stocco, product application manager, global construction and infrastructure; Phillip Pollock, general manager, marketing, global construction and infrastructure for Asia Pacific; and John Fallows, general manager, construction and infrastructure for Greater China and Korea. The two addressed the company's response to experienced operator shortages in the United States and around the world, as well as the prospect of the company's hybrid technology in its 336E H excavator. P&Q: Caterpillar has described there being shortages in experienced operators in a number of countries, including the United States. Can you explain the breadth and depth of this shortage and how, if at all, Cat is addressing it through the research and development of new technology? Stocco: Back home in Australia, people head into mining. But by the time you train that inexperienced miner, you're losing productivity… Keep Reading
Index shows continued promise for nonresidential building
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, rose 3.6 percent in May from the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction. The index has risen for six consecutive months, marking the longest period of increases since 2006. The index now rests at 117.4 and is up 36 percent since May 2012. The uncertainty surrounding new development appears, for now, to have dissipated, and the climate for nonresidential building projects is gaining strength as the planning pipeline grows more active, McGraw Hill Construction says. In contrast to prior months, the May advance was largely the result of a strong upturn by the institutional segment. New plans for institutional buildings rose 10.2 percent in May, bolstered by plans for several college and hospital-related projects. Among the larger healthcare developments to enter planning in May were the $135 million University Hospital Patient Tower in West Chester, Ohio, and the $120 million INOVA Comprehensive Cancer and Research Institute in Fairfax, Va. Keep Reading
Lafarge still active in enriching former quarry site
Lafarge donated $23,000 to support and grow a volunteer program that is currently active making one of its former quarries in Winnipeg, Canada, a recreational center. A presentation was made as part of a breakfast in celebration of National Volunteer Week. The event recognized the contribution of FortWhyte's Alive program and its core volunteers, acknowledging those who have contributed more than 100 hours of their time in the past year. “There is a great story for industry here and one we are happy and proud to share," says Bill Elliot, CEO of FortWhyte Alive. More than 380 volunteers contribute close to 22,500 hours of work each year to the Fort Whyte Centre. They are greeters, education leaders, guides, farmers, naturalists, cheerleaders and more. Keep Reading
First-quarter crushed-stone production down
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), an estimated 211 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the first quarter of 2013 – a decrease of 4 percent compared with the same period of 2012. The estimated annual output produced for consumption in 2012 was 1.16 billion metric tons (Gt). Furthermore, the estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the first quarter of 2013 increased in three of nine geographic divisions compared with the crushed stone sold or used in the first quarter of 2012. The largest increases were recorded in the Pacific and West South Central divisions. Production-for-consumption decreased in 29 of the 46 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 85.6 Mt and represented an increase of 4 percent compared with the first quarter of 2012. USGS estimates U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in… Keep Reading
Cat finds partner to deliver fatigue-monitoring technology
Caterpillar Global Mining has entered into an agreement with Seeing Machines Ltd. to deliver and support operator fatigue-monitoring technology through Cat dealers. Seeing Machines, headquartered in Canberra, Australia, has developed fatigue-monitoring systems using eye- and head-tracking technology to detect operator fatigue and distraction, as well as to alert mine controllers and machine operators. According to Cat, its dealers will be brought onboard in the coming months as the exclusive distribution channel to miners for Seeing Machines' technology. Seeing Machines’ Driver Safety System is currently at more than 20 mine sites and on 1,500 vehicles. The system continuously measures operator eye and eyelid behavior to determine the onset of fatigue and micro sleeps, delivering real-time detection and alerts. Operators are not required to wear any special equipment. Keep Reading
Roland now an exclusive Kleemann distributor
Kleemann named Roland Machinery of Springfield, Ill., a distributor. Roland will serve Illinois, Wisconsin, eastern Missouri, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northwest Indiana. Roland had sold the Kleemann brand in limited areas of its market. Now, Kleemann is the only aggregates and recycling materials processing brand Roland is selling in its market area. Roland currently operates 15 stores. Keep Reading
Kirby-Smith now a Major Wire dealer
Major Wire Industries Ltd. named Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc. its new dealer for aggregate, asphalt and recycling operations in eastern Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas. The dealership, which has nine locations, is offering all of Major Wire’s screen media solutions. Keep Reading
ASCO opens eight new locations in Texas
Associated Supply Co. Inc. (ASCO) has acquired Hi-Way Equipment Co., a Houston-based heavy equipment dealer. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. The deal expands ASCO to eight new Case Construction Equipment locations throughout Texas. New ASCO locations include Dallas/Fort Worth, North Houston, South Houston, Tyler, Bryan, Brenham, Beaumont and Sherman. These locations complement ASCO’s previous footprint, which stretched from Amarillo, Texas, through the Lubbock, Texas, headquarters and south to San Antonio. ASCO is currently reviewing three additional Hi-Way Equipment locations – Alvin, Gainesville and Longview, Texas – for the future. Keep Reading
Proposed bill leans on corporations for infrastructure funds
A unique form of infrastructure funding was introduced last week when Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md.) crafted The Partnership to Build America Act, which would create a $50 billion fund that makes bonds available for purchase to global corporations based in the United States. According to The Gazette of Gaithersburg, Md., for every $1 corporations invest in bonds, they would be allowed to repatriate a certain dollar amount in their overseas earnings tax-free. Subsequently, the fund would provide loans to local governments for infrastructure projects built through public-private partnerships. No taxpayer money would be involved, and the government would not guarantee bonds. The bill is being co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 13 Republicans and 13 Democrats. “Folks in Washington love to talk big on transportation issues, but this bill represents a truly outside-the-box solution that will generate results and address our nation’s crumbling infrastructure,” Rep. Rodney Flach (R-Ill.) told The Gazette. Furthermore, the bill would establish the American Infrastructure Fund, a non-government entity that would have its own board… Keep Reading
