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Expansion at Superior leads to increased production
Superior Industries has completed an expansion project at its conveyor components factory in Morris, Minn. The 10-month expansion project involved three stages of demolition, construction and machine installation. Crews demolished 30,000 sq. ft. of old space and added 60,000 new sq. ft. Superior reports a 60 percent increase in component production capacity with the debut of new idler, pulley and conveyor accessory production. Superior says the additional space is allowing it to improve production floor design, which ultimately speeds idlers and pulleys through the factory and improves lead times. "The new space allows double-digit capacity increases for both our conveyor idler and pulley production processes," says Paul Schmidgall, Superior's vice president of manufacturing. Keep Reading
Phil water tanks now available through Trinity Mining
Trinity Mining & Construction Equipment Inc. has entered a licensing agreement with Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc. that allows Trinity to manufacture and sell Trinity-branded water tanks based on Philippi-Hagenbuch designs and technology. Phil will continue to design and engineer its water tanks yet offer them through Trinity, which will sell and manufacture Trinity branded water tanks tailored to its customers' requests. Philippi-Hagenbuch will continue to manufacture and sell HiVol-branded water tanks. Keep Reading
Bosch Rexroth opens hydraulics manufacturing campus
Bosch Rexroth formally marked the start of production at its newly expanded hydraulics manufacturing campus March 20 in Fountain Inn, S.C., with a special event that included Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.). Haley joined Bosch Rexroth Americas President Berend Bracht and executives from Robert Bosch LLC for the grand opening. Bosch Rexroth is investing $80 million over five years to expand production in the new campus and convert an existing 260,000-sq.-ft. industrial warehouse into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will initially produce the Rexroth A10VO hydraulic pump. With the addition of the new building, Bosch Rexroth has doubled its production capabilities at the location, making the Fountain Inn campus its largest hydraulics-manufacturing site in the Americas. To date, five assembly lines and multiple state-of-the-art machining centers have been installed for the production of the A10VO, along with one line for vane motor assembly. Keep Reading
Nye elected NSSGA chairman
Ward Nye, president and CEO of Martin Marietta Materials, has officially been elected the 2013-14 chairman of the board for NSSGA. Nye's election came during the NSSGA board of directors meeting at the association’s annual convention in San Antonio on March 19. Nye began his term at that time. “Ward Nye’s chairmanship comes at a critical time for the association and the aggregates industry," says Gus Edwards, NSSGA president and CEO. "This year will be fraught with challenges, but if anyone has the wherewithal to convert them to opportunities, it’s Ward." Nye made a few remarks March 19 during the board meeting. “We must build new bridges to our constituencies in order to carry out the mission of the association to advance the interests of the aggregates industry before the federal government, to achieve a safer and more healthful workplace, and to support sustainable communities," he said. Nye emphasized building bridges on policy issues with like-minded groups, coalitions, state associations and state governors in pressing for a long-term highway bill and dismissing… Keep Reading
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
