Online course now offered in Spanish
Chevron’s Lubricants University, an online training resource that offers information on relevant technologies and trends in the lubrication and maintenance industry, has begun offering its “Fundamentals of Lubrication” training course in Spanish. ”We have seen the number of Spanish speaking maintenance professionals grow with the increasing Hispanic population in the United States,” said Virginia Moser, training coordinator. “To reach this developing market, it made sense to offer our most popular course in Spanish.” The course targets Spanish speaking industrial maintenance professionals and maintenance departments with Spanish speaking employees interested in gaining an understanding of lubrication and its role in preventing wear and friction in mechanical equipment. All Lubricants University courses offer a certificate of completion once a student has successfully completed the training.

Bosch Rexroth announces industrial and mobile hydraulics training courses
Bosch Rexroth has announced plans to offer a series of courses designed to meet the needs of hydraulic systems maintenance personnel, engineers designing new systems, or those upgrading existing systems with new technology. Courses offered will include principles of hydraulics, hydraulic system design considerations, electronic controls for hydraulic systems, and a variety of maintenance and troubleshooting classes for various hardware configurations. Taught by Bosch Rexroth experts, the courses will use practical, hands-on teaching methods and range from basic troubleshooting to advanced engineering design. Training material includes CD documentation, simulation programs, and other visual aids and will be provided at U.S. locations in Bethlehem, PA, and Spokane, WA, and at Canadian locations in Burlington, ON, Burnaby, BC, and Edmonton, AB.

Youth job safety campaign focuses on construction
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., has launched the agency's 2007 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign at Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring, MD. Now in the second year of a five-year campaign, OSHA is striving to reduce work-related injuries among teenagers by teaching them on-the-job safety early in their careers. The multi-year project focuses on industries in which young people are likely to work during their high school and college years. This year's campaign focuses on construction. OSHA debuted its “Construction: Build a Safe Work Foundation” Web site featuring resources to educate young employees, parents, employers and educators about workplace safety. Video samples of construction safety tips, featuring demonstrations performed by high school students, are also available online.

Construction zone safety measures pay off
Michigan's highway construction zones are safer today than they've been in the last 10 years, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. According to Kirk Steudle, MDOT director, “We've reduced fatalities by 20 percent with a simple sign.” The Michigan “give 'em a break” safety coalition said that the number of crashes, injuries and deaths in highway work zones went down by 20 percent last year, which is 1,300 fewer accidents. State police say the addition of three simple words, “where workers present,” to work zone speed limit signs, has made the difference and increased public awareness to make it a safer work zone.

Employers encouraged to participate in OSHA challenge program
OSHA has invited companies looking for an effective tool to improve their safety and health management systems (SHMS) to consider OSHA's Challenge Program. The program is a three-stage roadmap to achieving recognition in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), the agency's premier recognition program for outstanding safety and health performance. Participants are provided with an online, easy-to-use gap analysis tool to compare the current status of their SHMS with the VPP requirements. On average, companies reduced their total recordable case incidence rate by 37 percent, and their days away, restricted, or transfer case incident rate by 31 percent after spending one year or more in the program. Twelve participants have graduated and four have achieved VPP “star” status.

Genie Industries makes waves with awards, announcements
Genie Industries has been named 2006 Vendor of the Year by Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc. Genie supplies Volvo Rents locally owned franchises with its aerial work platform and telehandler products. According to Mike Crouch, Volvo Rents vice president of global operations, the award was based on the feedback of franchises in areas including local sales and service support, parts pricing and availability and availability and lead times. “The entire Genie organization is extremely proud to receive the Vendor of the Year recognition from Volvo Rents,” said Steve Headden, Genie regional sales manager. In addition to being named top vendor, the Genie organization also reports the personnel appointments of Matt Fearon and Melinda Zimmerman-Smith. Fearon, formerly vice president of manufacturing and engineering operations for Genie Industries’ facilities in Washington State, will assume the newly created post of ice president and managing director for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Russia for the Terex Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Business which includes Genie, Terex Lift, Terex light construction products and Terex Load King. Zimmerman-Smith has joined the company as marketing communications manager and will be responsible for directing Genie’s marketing communications efforts.

Belden acquires Hirchmann Automation and Control
Belden, manufacturer of signal transmission products, has completed the acquisition of Hirschmann Automation and Control GmBh from HgCapital, for a cash price of nearly $260 million. Acquiring HAC, a supplier of industrial ethernet solutions and industrial connectivity, is consistent with Belden’s goal of expanding business beyond cable, to signal transmission solutions. In addition Hirchmann brings a portfolio of connectors for the industrial market, and wide-ranging competence in digital communication and connectivity for industrial automation and large-scale public infrastructure. “Hirschmann has leveraged its knowledge of industrial automation into a leading position in digital communication for manufacturing and large-scale infrastructure projects,” said John Stroup, president and chief executive officer of Belden. HAC, headquartered in Neckartenzlingen, Germany is led by Reinhard Sitzmann, CEO, who will continue in that role. In addition to its Industrial Ethernet and connectivity product lines, HAC has a leading position in electronic control and safety systems for cranes and other load-bearing equipment. “HAC and Belden have highly complementary products and market positions,” Sitzmann said. “Belden will be able to strengthen HAC's market presence in North America and Asia. We welcome this combination with Belden and look forward to a creative and dynamic future.”

JLG appoints new dealer
JLG Industries, Inc. has appointed Aerial Service and Parts, Inc. (ASAP), which provides sales and service for Franklin and Fulton countries in Pennsylvania, as a dealer for JLG telehandlers. Pleased with the partnership, Craig Paylor, senior vice president of marketing at JLG said, “Aerial Service and Parts delivers the total package by providing new machine sales plus aftermarket service and parts support to their customers. The JLG telehandlers will be represented by a knowledgeable and experienced staff, and we look forward to the success of the new relationship.” ASAP will represent six JLG telehandler models with capacities ranging from 5,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds and maximum lift heights from 19 to 55 feet.

Plug Power announces acquisition of General Hydrogen
Riding the coattails of last month’s Cellex Power acquisition, Plug Power announced May 7 the acquisition of General Hydrogen Corp., a provider of development and commercialization of fuel cell power units that provide power for electric lift trucks and other industrial equipment. Plug Power paid about $10 million for General Hydrogen, including $7 million cash and $3 million in senior secured loans previously made by Plug Power to General Hydrogen for all the outstanding capital stock of General Hydrogen. Plug Power plans to integrate both Cellex Power and General Hydrogen into one operation managed by Chris Reid, Cellex Power’s current president.

“By acquiring both General Hydrogen and Cellex Power, clear leaders in their industry, we expect to realize significant technology and operational synergies as we pursue high-value applications in the material handling market,” said Dr. Roger Saillant, Plug Power’s president and CEO, in a written statement. “Further, we anticipate that higher volume commercial product manufacturing activities will be established in Plug Power’s Latham, N.Y. facility.”

General Hydrogen’s initial product focus has been on the larger class 1 sit-down lift trucks that are typically used in manufacturing settings. Cellex Power has focused its initial product initiatives on class 3 rider pallet trucks primarily used to transport and select goods within large distribution centers before delivery to retail stores.

According to Plug Power, both companies are developing fuel cell power units for class 2 stand-up reach trucks, which provide flexibility and maximum floor space utilization for large distribution centers. General Hydrogen and Cellex Power are targeting the estimated $1.5 billion motive power market in which lead-acid batteries are the incumbent technology. Fuel cell power units allow users to increase productivity and reduce operating costs through a quick hydrogen refueling process that eliminates the need to change batteries repeatedly throughout the day. They also eliminate the environmental and safety issues traditionally associated with lead-acid batteries.

Large lift truck fleet users typically operate at least two of the three electric lift truck classes in their warehouses and therefore require a battery handling storage system and associated maintenance labor to meet their throughput requirements. Having all three electric lift truck classes in its product portfolio would enable Plug Power to create a much more compelling value proposition by allowing customers to convert the motive power requirements for their entire fleets to proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology. For more on this story, please see Milo Media’s June issue of Lift Applications & Equipment.

Richie Bros. reports growth
While the construction industry as a whole has experienced declining activity in the first quarter of 2007, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers reports strong sales growth in all its geographic markets, with particular strength in the United States, Canada and Europe. The company recently posted a 33-percent jump in earnings and also held the largest auction in its history during the quarter in Orlando, selling almost 6,500 truck, equipment and real estate items for a gross auction sales in excess of $172 million. “Change is good for us. We like uncertainty in the marketplace because it stimulates the need to buy and sell equipment,” said Rob Mackay, president of the company's U.S., Asia and Australia operations. “As long as there is change, either good or bad, we are happy and there is equipment for us to sell.” The Richmond-based company earned $17.6 million, or 50 cents a share, for the quarter ended March 31, compared to the same period of 2006 when it earned $13.2 million. Employment also increased over 2006 by 23 per cent. Ritchie bros. now employs 871 people worldwide.

Caterpillar reaps the benefits of going green
Business is growing for Caterpillar's Cat Reman unit as the company increases its focus on sustainable development. The unit sells remanufactured equipment and parts that meet performance standards at prices far below new products. “Reman is really a recycling business,” Caterpillar vice president Steve Fisher says. “Instead of wood, paper and plastic, we're recycling engines and components.” The environmental benefits are significant - recycling industrial equipment saves raw materials and energy and reduces waste. The company has long been a leader on environmental policy and was one of the original members of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of 10 companies and four big environmental groups that have called on the federal government to enact strong legislation to regulate greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, Caterpillar has established targets for its own operations, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use and workplace injuries.

Sunbelt appoints new national director of safety
Sunbelt Rentals has announced that Jeff Stachowiak will fill the newly created position of national director of safety. In his new role, Stachowiak will assume the lead for the Sunbelt’s safety program and oversee initiatives to reduce safety hazards. Responsibilities include the creation and enforcement of Sunbelt safety policy and procedures as well as training and managing 24 safety managers. “This is a highly visible and critical role in our company,” said Catherine Whitney, vice president of safety and risk management. “Sunbelt has always been focused on safety and Jeff will further our safety culture.”

President Bush signed Executive Order 13423, which mandates green building targets for all executive branch agencies. Topping a long list of goals, it calls for a 3 percent annual reduction in energy intensity, defined as energy consumption per square foot of building space, and increased use of on-site renewable energy.
- www.construction.com

The construction market in Western New York is slumping, compared to last year, according to March figures from McGraw-Hill Inc. Contracts for future construction in Erie and Niagara counties were worth $48.37 million, down 61 percent from the same month a year ago.
- Buffalo Business First

House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a $124.3-billion spending package, which includes $99.5 billion for the U.S. military to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also several billion dollars for military and civil construction. The measure faces a veto from President Bush.
- www.construction.com

The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending on all items was up 0.3 percent in March, the slowest increase since a similar rise in October. This was despite the fact that incomes rose 0.7 percent, the fourth straight solid month of income growth.
- USA Today

During March, construction spending rose 0.2 percent from an upwardly revised figure in February and total construction spending was $1.188 trillion. Private residential building fell 1 percent to $568.8 billion while private non-residential construction rose 2.4 percent to an all-time high of $331.5 billion.
- USA Today

Americans aged 55 and older are filing for bankruptcy at a faster rate than the general population, a recent study revealed. Researchers at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts conclude that rising healthcare costs and mortgage debt are key factors.
- CNN Money

A weak housing market will likely hurt new vehicle sales in the U.S. auto industry through the rest of the year, according to Mike Jackson, chief executive at AutoNation Inc. He added that higher interest rates on home mortgages and a crisis in the subprime loan market have contributed to “severe economic distress.”
- CNN Money

It has been found that a green roof has the potential to lower storm water runoff from 65 to 94 percent. In cities with combined sewer systems, that translates to a significant reduction in the demand placed on wastewater treatment plants during storms.
- www.construction.com

As gasoline inventories continue to fall and demand continues to soar, gasoline prices, already above $3 a gallon in some states, could charge higher this summer and hit $4 a gallon in some locations.
- CNN Money

Employers added fewer jobs in April than at anytime in more than two years. There was a net gain of 88,000 jobs in April, down from the revised gain of 177,000 in March.
- CNN Money

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