Construction Equipment

Shale Energy "Economic Game Changer": AED Board Member

rsutton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:54:13 +0000

“Equipment distributors in Ohio and Pennsylvania overwhelmingly believe that the shale energy sector has the potential to be an economic game-changer,” Dennis Heller, president and CEO of Stephenson Equipment in Harrisburg, Pa., told a congressional committee today. Heller was testifying at a U.S.

February 27, 2012

Illinois Mulls New Interstate Leg

rsutton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:29:23 +0000

Illinois and Indiana transportation planners and municipalities are considering plans to build a 47-mile interstate highway connecting I-55 near Wilmington, Ill., to I-65 near Lowell, Ind.

The east-west road would connect a growing intermodal business area with the two existing north-south interstates, according to a report in The Chicago Tribune.

The project is years from approval, but initial public hearings have begun.

Illinois and Indiana transportation planners and municipalities are considering plans to build a 47-mile interstate highway connecting I-55 near Wilmington, Ill., to I-65 near Lowell, Ind.

February 27, 2012

House Republicans Tweaking Transportation Bill

fraczon — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:56:18 +0000

The $260 billion transportation bill pushed by House Republicans may undergo several revisions due to intense opposition from business and transit groups, and some lawmakers. The changes could shorten the bill's five-year duration, reduce its total dollar value, and reinstate secure funding for mass-transit projects.

February 24, 2012

AEM: U.S. Construction Equipment Exports Up

fraczon — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:06:02 +0000

U.S. construction equipment exports increased 43 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year for a total $23.5 billion of machinery shipped to other nations, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). This follows growth of 28 percent in 2010 after a 2009 decline of 38 percent in the depths of the recession.

February 24, 2012

EPA Reverses Stormwater Runoff Rules

rsutton — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:13:00 +0000

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has been heard loud and clear by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it comes to the issue of stormwater permitting.

The federal agency February 16 issued new general permits for stormwater runoff from construction sites which did not include controversial "one size fits all" requirements long opposed by ARTBA. It's a long sought after result for the transportation construction industry.

The federal agency February 16 issued new general permits for stormwater runoff from construction sites which did not include controversial "one size fits all" requirements long opposed by ARTBA.

February 23, 2012

Construction Job Growth to Go "Nuclear?"

fraczon — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:34:26 +0000

The Commerce Department predicts that nuclear energy will develop into a $740 billion global market in the next 10 years, creating many thousands of construction jobs, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.

February 23, 2012

Louisiana Governor Proposes $325 Million Road Repair Plan

rsutton — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:47:52 +0000

Governor Bobby Jindal announced a legislative proposal today to bond out half of the State Highway Improvement Fund, which will generate $325 million to repair nearly 1,000 miles of roads across Louisiana, in nearly every parish.

February 23, 2012

United Rentals Acquires Coble Trench Safety

rsutton — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:18:39 +0000

United Rentals has acquired the assets of Coble Trench Safety, a market leader in specialty rentals, with 11 locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast region.

February 23, 2012

Keystone XL Pipeline Serves National Interest: Senator

rsutton — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:18:17 +0000

U.S Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) made the case for the Keystone XL Pipeline in Construction Bulletin. Following are his comments.

This 1,700-mile, transcontinental pipeline is a shovel-ready project that would reduce our dependence on Middle East oil, help hold down the cost of fuel at the pump for consumers, and create thousands of jobs for American workers at a time when our nation badly needs them.

U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)

February 20, 2012

URS Expands Oil, Gas Business

rsutton — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:36:36 +0000

URS Corp. will acquire Flint Energy Services Ltd., which will significantly expand URS’ opportunities to serve clients in the oil and gas industry. Flint, a leading provider of construction services for the oil and gas industry, currently supports many of the largest companies operating in the oil, oil sands and gas producing regions of Western Canada and in the Southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States.

URS Corp. will acquire Flint Energy Services Ltd., which will significantly expand URS’ opportunities to serve clients in the oil and gas industry.

February 21, 2012

Wyoming Faces $3.3 Billion Transportation Gap: TRIP

rsutton — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:37:41 +0000

Wyoming road and bridge conditions will worsen unless the state closes its $3.3 billion transportation funding backlog, according to a new TRIP report on the state’s needs.

February 20, 2012

Cat Picks Georgia Over Illinois for New Plant

fraczon — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:50:07 +0000

After rejecting its home state, Illinois, for a new manufacturing plant that promises 1,400 new jobs, Caterpillar has chosen Athens, Ga.

Georgia officials are expected to hold a press conference today to announce the project, according to the Chicago Tribune. Compact excavators will be among the products Cat expects to produce at the plant.

Source: Chicago Tribune

After rejecting its home state, Illinois, for a new manufacturing plant that promises 1,400 new jobs, Caterpillar has chosen Athens, Ga.

February 17, 2012

Komatsu Plans Peoria Expansion

rsutton — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:34:43 +0000

Komatsu America plans to expand its Peoria operations, a move that could bring 100 new jobs to the city, reports the Peoria Journal Star. Komatsu plans to break ground in April.

The city council approved a flood plain ordinance change that cleared the way for the expansion along the Illinois River.

Source: Peoria Journal Star

Komatsu America plans to expand its Peoria operations, a move that could bring 100 new jobs to the city.

February 16, 2012

Bridgestone Forms Mining Tire Unit

rsutton — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:27:43 +0000

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) announced the formation of an integrated mining tire business unit and the reorganization of the Bridgestone Commercial Group.

The new business unit, Bridgestone Mining Solutions, combines all mining tire sales, service and sales engineering, as well as a select group of U.S. and Canadian stores, into one integrated structure. Shawn Rasey will lead the new organization as Vice President, Bridgestone Mining Solutions.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) announced the formation of an integrated mining tire business unit and the reorganization of the Bridgestone Commercial Group.

February 16, 2012

PERC Water to Expand Wastewater Treatment Facility

rsutton — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:51:03 +0000

PERC Water was unanimously selected by the Adelanto City Council to take over the operation and maintenance of their wastewater treatment facility and immediately begin designing an expansion of that facility.

February 15, 2012

SANY Nabs Dealerships

rsutton — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:18:49 +0000

SANY America has aligned with two dealerships in its continuing effort to build a North American distribution network. Equipco in New Orleans and DC Bates Equipment in Hopedale, Mass., have signed dealer agreements.

SANY says the Equipco deal marks its entry into the distributor segment of the American excavator market and will serve as a launching point for other product categories.

DC Bates gives SANY an outlet for its rough-terrain and crawler cranes and will expand the company's footprint in New England's bridge, power and general contracting sectors.

February 15, 2012

AEM Calls for Highway Bill Passage

rsutton — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:58:23 +0000

"AEM's I Make America national grassroots campaign, launched in 2010 in support of manufacturing policies that create jobs, foster economic growth and promote American competitiveness, has grown to nearly 20,000 supporters nationwide. Starting today, AEM will be calling upon these supporters, together with our more than 850 member companies, to contact legislators, sign petitions and engage across social media to urge the House and Senate to pass their bills and quickly reach a bipartisan agreement in conference," said AEM president Dennis Slater today.

Starting today, AEM will be calling upon these supporters, together with our more than 850 member companies, to contact legislators, sign petitions and engage across social media to urge the House and Senate to pass their bills and quickly reach a bipartisan agreement in conference

February 15, 2012

Deere 1Q Construction Sales Up 22 Percent

rsutton — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:28:45 +0000

Deere's Construction & Forestry group posted a 22-percent gain in sales for the first quarter, with operating profit of $124 million, compared to $88 million last year. Overall net income for the company was $532.9 million, up from $513.7 for 1Q 2011.

February 15, 2012

Does the House Have Enough Votes for Highway Bill?

fraczon — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:05:51 +0000

House Republican leaders are searching everywhere this week for votes in an effort to pass their $260 billion transportation bill.

With both the political right and left finding significant flaws in the legislation, even House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) won't predict if he has the 218 votes needed to pass the bill, according to The Hill.

Source: AASHTO

House Republican leaders are searching everywhere this week for votes in an effort to pass their $260 billion transportation bill.

February 13, 2012

Shell Groups Lube Products Under 3 Names

rsutton — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:09:29 +0000

Shell Lubricants has simplified its products lineup for trucks and construction equipment, grouping them under three trade names to make selecting the proper level of protection easier.

The company also announced a transmission oil specifically for Volvo and Mack automated mechanical transmissions.

The name change for lubes affects transmission fluids, gearbox oils, mobile hydraulic oils, gear and axle oils, and greases for on- and off-highway vehicles and equipment.

Shell Lubricants has simplified its products lineup for trucks and construction equipment, grouping them under three trade names to make selecting the proper level of protection easier.

February 13, 2012

State Department Review of Keystone Said Fair

fraczon — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:37:54 +0000

The State Department's review of the Keystone XL pipeline was conducted fairly, according to a report from the department's inspector general. The report found no proof that parent TransCanada influenced the department's selection of an independent firm to perform the environmental review for the project.

February 10, 2012

Time Limit Invoked on Transportation Bill, Filibuster Off Table

fraczon — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:24:24 +0000

In a show of bipartisanship, the Senate voted 85-11 to invoke cloture on its two-year, $109 billion surface transportation legislation, meaning there's a time limit on consideration of the bill and precluding a filibuster.

February 10, 2012

Toro Acquires Astec HDDs, Trenchers, Plows

rsutton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:27:52 +0000

The Toro Co. has acquired Astec Underground's line of vibratory plows, trenchers and horizontal directional drills.

"This acquisition helps further grow Toro's product presence in the landscape and ground engaging markets, along with providing access to a new category close to our core businesses," said Rick Rodier, general manager of Toro's Sitework Systems Business. "The underground utilities space represents a market in which we don't compete today, but one we believe provides great opportunity to drive global share growth in these new categories."

The Toro Co. has acquired Astec Underground's line of vibratory plows, trenchers and horizontal directional drills.

February 10, 2012

Volvo Rents Expands Arizona Foothold

rsutton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:05:53 +0000

Anticipating the construction industry in Arizona to gain footing in 2012 and beyond, Volvo Rents continues to expand its statewide footprint with the acquisition of Arizona Rentals, a four location construction equipment rental company with stores in Eloy, Miami, Thatcher and Tucson.

The move comes on the heels of the company’s October 2011 acquisition of Papé Rents, another construction equipment rental company with a single location in Phoenix.

Anticipating the construction industry in Arizona to gain footing in 2012 and beyond, Volvo Rents continues to expand its statewide footprint with the acquisition of Arizona Rentals

February 9, 2012

DOT Official Calls for GPS Standards

rsutton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:14:40 +0000

Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari told a House Aviation Subcommittee that the government should set up interference standards for GPS, according to a report in Computerworld. The move would effectively eliminate conflicts with companies, such as LightSquared, that might offer cellular services.

Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari told a House Aviation Subcommittee that the government should set up interference standards for GPS

February 9, 2012