Western Builder articles from December 2007

Western Builder archives from December 2007

Manitowoc Undertakes $25-Million Plant Expansion.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Staff Manitowoc Crane Group is constructing a new, 50,000-square-foot addition at its crawler crane assembly facility in Manitowoc, Wis. The addition is part of a $25-million renovation and modernization investment that the company is...

FABCO Holds Grand Re-Opening Of Milwaukee Facility.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Staff FABCO Equipment, Inc., Caterpillar dealer for Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, recently held a grand re-opening of its newly renovated headquarters in Milwaukee. The two-day event included displays of equipment, facility tours,...

Newcomb Among Tilt-Up Safety Award Winners.(Newcomb Construction Co.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Staff Newcomb Construction Co., of Madison, Wis., was among the safety award winners recognized recently by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) during its recent national convention. This year's awards were renamed the Alphonse...

Directory Lists Civil Engineers For Disaster Response.(Directory)
December 3, 2007... Staff When disasters such as Sept. 11, Hurricane Katrina or the I-35W bridge collapse occur, members of the civil engineering community often respond by offering their time and talents to assist in response and recovery efforts. In...

Komatsu Opens Eighth Parts Depot.
December 3, 2007... Staff Komatsu America Corp. has opened eight Regional Parts Depots throughout the United States and Canada as part of their ongoing commitment to better serve their customers. These eight depots, in addition to Komatsu's Master Parts...

Experts Say Heavy-Duty Truck Sales To Grow Faster Than Medium-Duty Sales.
December 3, 2007... Staff Commercial truck sales will experience a slow recovery after the first quarter of 2008, while heavy-duty sales are likely to grow faster in 2008 than will medium-duty trucks, according to Stephen Latin-Kasper, National Truck...

Updating UW's West End Utilities.(University of Wisconsin - Madison campus.)(Editorial)
December 3, 2007... By Mike Larson, Editor Terra Engineering tackles $20-million project. Terra Engineering & Construction Co., Madison, Wis., is building a new $20-million utility system to support the growth of more than a dozen buildings on the west...

FABTECH Education Center Dedicated.
December 3, 2007... Story by Mike Larson, Editor Unique technician-education program officially opens home In October, FABCO/Caterpillar and Fox Valley Technical College dedicated the newly constructed FABTECH Service Technician Education Center located...

Level Year Likely Followed By Another.
December 3, 2007... Staff Rental business held no real surprises in 2007. A survey of some of the state's larger rental companies shows that 2007 has been a generally steady year, similar to 2006, and that the year will coast to a close with the usual...

Wisconsin Fertility Institute Building Earns Green Globes.
December 10, 2007... Staff The Green Building Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering sustainability in construction, formally recognized the Wisconsin Fertility Institute building's achievement of a Green Globes rating. Green Globes is an...

Wastlund Earns LEED Accreditation.
December 10, 2007... Staff Carolyn Wastlund, P.E., of MSA Professional Services, Baraboo, Wis., has earned LEED accreditation. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction...

Larson Elected PEI's 2008 President.(Bruce F. Larson)(Petroleum Equipment Institute )(Brief article)
December 10, 2007... Staff Bruce F. Larson, president of the Oscar W. Larson Co., Clarkston, Mich., has been elected to serve as the 58th president of the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI). Larson, who has been a PEI board member for two terms, vice...

MMD Will Distribute Komatsu Utility Products In Wisconsin.
December 10, 2007... Staff Komatsu America Corp. has appointed Mitsui Machinery Distribution, Inc. (MMD) as a distributor of Komatsu Utility Division equipment in Wisconsin. The appointment enables MMD to sell, market and service Komatsu compact excavators,...

Leopold Center Is One Of USGBC's "Most Influential" Of 2007.
December 10, 2007... Staff Wisconsin's Aldo Leopold Legacy Center near Baraboo was one of the projects and people the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently recognized as being the country's most influential green building leaders of 2007. The USGBC...

ACEC WI Supports Best-Value Procurement System.(American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin)(Brief article)
December 10, 2007... Staff The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin (ACEC WI) has come out in support of using the Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process for selecting providers of engineering design because the organization believes...

Cappucci Named President Of Commercial Grounds Care, Schiller-Pfeiffer.
December 10, 2007... Staff Commercial Grounds Care, Johnson Creek, Wis., manufacturer of BOB-CAT, Bunton, Ryan, and Steiner brand power equipment and Schiller-Pfeiffer, Southampton, Pa., manufacturer of Classen, Little Wonder and Mantis brand power equipment,...

New ISO Standard Encourages Sustainability In Building Construction.
December 17, 2007... Staff A new ISO standard will help to ensure that urbanization, which is a global trend, develops in an environmentally friendly manner. "ISO 21930:2007, Sustainability in building construction - Environmental declaration of building...

Hay Dies.(Richard N. Hay)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Richard N. Hay died Nov. 17, 2007, at age 80. During his long career, he had been Oak Creek's first city engineer, and later became a senior partner in the consulting engineering firm Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates. His other...

Linatex Acquires Durex.
December 17, 2007... Staff Linatex Corp. of America has agreed to purchase Durex Products, Inc. Together, Linatex and Durex will offer customers a comprehensive range of products, services and solutions for processing materials in hard-rock mining, sand...

OSHA Requires Employers To Pay For Employees' Safety Equipment.
December 17, 2007... Staff The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published a new rule requiring employers to pay for all personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by their employees. It goes into effect Feb. 13, 2008, with full compliance...

WTBA Unveils New Website.(Website overview)
December 17, 2007... Staff The Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA) recently went live with a new website featuring the transportation construction industry and information about system needs and funding solutions. The site,...

Demand For Landscape Architecture Services Remains Strong.
December 17, 2007... Staff Despite a housing slowdown, most landscape architecture firms report they are just as busy, or even more busy than before, according to a third-quarter survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). More than...

Bonsal Names Schmidt Sakrete Product Manager.(Bonsal American Inc.)(Bob Schmidt)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Bonsal American, Inc. has named Bob Schmidt as product manager for its Sakrete brand dry-bagged cement. Schmidt has served Bonsal in various managerial capacities for more than 26 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy...

New Credentialing Organization For Green-Building Professionals.
December 17, 2007... Staff The newly incorporated Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has been established with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop and administer credentialing programs aimed at improving green building...

Free Webcast Tells How To Maximize Air-Compressor Efficiency.
December 17, 2007... Staff Onset Computer Corporation, the "HOBOA[R]" data logger company, announced a free, on-demand webcast entitled "Maximizing Air Compressor Efficiency with Data Loggers." This video webcast shows how motor on/off data loggers can...

Ramuta Dies.(Joseph J. Ramuta)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Joseph J. Ramuta, a long-time member of the Milwaukee construction industry, died Nov. 13, 2007, at the age of 81. He had worked for Tomaro Construction of Cudahy, Wis., and also for Michels Corp. In addition, he had served...

Editor's Report.(Editorial)
December 17, 2007... By Mike Larson Hard to believe I'm already writing my last editor's report for 2007. You'll read it in the Dec. 17, 2007, edition. The next editor's report will appear Jan. 21, 2008, just a little more than a week before the Conex...

ABC Honors Projects Of Distinction.
December 17, 2007... Staff Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin presents its 2007 awards. In November, the Associated Builders & Constructors of Wisconsin (ABC) bestowed its 2007 "Projects of Distinction" awards for outstanding projects at a...

Roland Machinery Co. Has New Regional Headquarters In De Pere.
December 17, 2007... Story by Mike Larson, Editor Equipment dealer's regional group also includes offices in Escanaba, Schofield, Franksville, DeForest, and Eau Claire. Equipment dealer Roland Machinery Co. has established its new Northern Region...

Using Equipment Leasing To Strategic Advantage.
December 17, 2007... By Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr. Most companies can easily adopt strategies and programs for efficient asset management. With lease financing being used by eight out of 10 businesses in the United States today, and accounting for about...

Training Is Important Throughout The Construction Industry.
December 17, 2007... By Mike Larson, Editor Training from many sources helps the industry advance. In an industry like construction, where techniques, materials, equipment, and regulations are constantly changing, continuous training is vital to maximizing...

WUCA Raises $20,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation.(Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association)(Brief article)
December 24, 2007... Staff The Wisconsin Underground Contractors' Association's (WUCA) Octoberfest-themed fundraiser in mid November raised more than $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. The event, which drew a crowd of 150, was held at...

Deere Engines Through Tier 3/Stage III A Can Use B20 Biodiesel Blends.
December 24, 2007... Staff John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) has clarified its position on the use of biodiesel in its diesel engines. While 5-percent blends (B5) are preferred, biodiesel concentrations up to a 20-percent blend (B20) in petroleum diesel fuel...

Doosan Completes Bobcat Acquisition.
December 24, 2007... Staff Doosan Infracore has completed its acquisition of the Bobcat, Utility Equipment and Attachments businesses from Ingersoll Rand Company, Ltd. Doosan said the three entities will operate as individual businesses of Doosan...

Ahern Names Wudi HVAC Project Manager.
December 24, 2007... Staff J. F. Ahern Co., Fond du Lac, Wis., a full-service mechanical and fire protection contractor, has appointed Russell Wudi as HVAC project manager at the company's Milwaukee office. In his new position, Wudi will be responsible for...

Tyink Joins Miron As VP of Business Innovation.
December 24, 2007... Staff Miron Construction Co., Inc., Neenah, Wis., has named Steve Tyink as its vice president of business innovation. Widely recognized for creating and executing the ultimate customer and employee experience, Tyink brings more than 20...

AEM Honors Member Companies For Service Milestones.
December 24, 2007... Staff The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has presented "milestone member" awards to five companies for their long service in the association: Astec Industries Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn., 75 years. LeTourneau Inc.,...

Giuffre Bros. Offers End-Of-Run Terex Boom Trucks.(Brief article)
December 24, 2007... Staff Giuffre Bros. Cranes Inc., Milwaukee, has committed to purchasing 90 end-of-run Terex Model 3470 and 3670 boom trucks as Terex's Iowa operation tools up for new models. The purchase commitment, says Giuffre Bros., puts the company in...

Central Wisconsin Engineers and Architects Changes Name to CWE, Inc.
December 24, 2007... Staff Central Wisconsin Engineers and Architects, Inc. has changed its name to CWE, Inc. The name change reflects the company's expansion beyond its central Wisconsin roots to serve clients across the upper Midwest. One of the larger...

ABC Of Wisconsin Bestows Highest Individual Award For 2007.
December 31, 2007... Staff Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin recently presented its highest individual honor of the year, the Wes Meilahn award, to Roger Thimm of Wondra Excavating, Inc. Iron Ridge, Wis. Established in 1984, the Meilahn award...

"ConstructMyFuture" Offers Construction-Education Scholarships.
December 31, 2007... Staff Applications are now available for construction education scholarships funded by the ConstructMyFuture.com website, an industry initiative that promotes construction as a rewarding career choice. The ConstructMyFuture.com annual...

ABC Of Wisconsin Elects New Board Members.
December 31, 2007... Staff Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC of WI) recently elected new members to join its board of directors. The new directors were recognized at the ABC of Wisconsin annual awards banquet in November. They include: Bob...

ACPA Publishes Concrete Pavement Guide.
December 31, 2007... Staff The American Concrete Pavement Association has published a field reference manual help contractors, consultants and agency personnel with concrete pavement preservation and repairs. "Concrete Pavement Field Reference:...

Lynch New GM of Miron's Southern Wisconsin Operations.(Miron Construction Co. hired Dennis Lynch as general manager)(Brief article)
December 31, 2007... Staff Miron Construction Co., Inc., Neenah, Wis., has hired Dennis Lynch as general manager of southern Wisconsin operations and vice president, Healthcare Services. Lynch will be responsible for managing Miron's southern Wisconsin...

Foth Opens Milwaukee-Area Office.(Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC)(Brief article)
December 31, 2007... Staff Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC, a Wisconsin consulting engineering firm headquartered in De Pere, Wis., has established a new Milwaukee-area office in Lincoln Center II, 2514 South 102nd St., Suite 278, West Allis. ...

MSA's Stuczynski Earns LEED Accreditation.
December 31, 2007... Staff Brad Stuczynski, of MSA Professional Services, Baraboo, Wis., has earned LEED Accredited Professional certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for...