A time for learning

By |  February 24, 2014

ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 offers a variety of professional education sessions.

Following is a list of select educational sessions that may appeal to aggregate producers. Click here for a full schedule of ConExpo-ConAgg 2014 learning seminars.

Tuesday, March 4
8:30 – 9:30 am
T10-You Can’t Change What You Don’t Measure – Easy Measuring Immediate Results in Quarries.
Joe Steiger, Loadrite
Your continuous improvement programs are saving money, but where and by how much? Learn about simple measurement tools and techniques that can help you track the success of your continuous improvement programs.

T14- Automated Grade Control GPS
Bruce Barnhart, LICA
Join a state-of-the-art panel discussion spotlighting the Automated Grade Control toolbox interface; including RTK GPS, large equipment and machinery, hydraulics, software, formats, maps, background data, designs and much more.

T15- Telematics—For Vehicles and Fleet Managers On The Move
OEM and telematics experts
Telematics is the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics to control vehicles on the move. Telematics solves the difficulty of gathering common data from different machines. Learn how many OEMs are working together with AEMP to develop common data points that can be gathered from a mixed fleet using one program.

10:00 – 11:30 am
T18- Performance Benchmarks: Productivity To The Max
George Fox, Luck Stone Corp.; Dan Humpal, Martin Marietta Materials; Phillip Gosnell, Rogers Group Inc.
The presentation will demonstrate how to establish plant performance benchmarks, then evaluate and improve overall productivity. Real-life plants will be reviewed showing before and after operating results. Elements include benchmarking new and existing plants, reviewing performance through field samples, evaluating process equipment performance, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies and maximizing plant productivity and profitability.

T23- Actions Speak Louder than Words…Creating a Positive Safety Culture
Christopher Goulart, RCI Safety; Vince Hundley, SMART Safety Group; Peter Furst, The Furst Group
Learn how to initiate a progressive workplace safety system focusing on employee motivation and the strength of using positive interactions. We will demonstrate how to take the idea that safety is “job one” to Safety Excellence. This methodology helps facilitate leadership commitment, management involvement, and supervisor ownership of workplace safety.

T24- The Aging Workforce: How to Retain Employees of All Generations
Mike Sherwood, FMI Corp.
From baby boomers to the millennials, every generation is motivated and frustrated by different things. Our current generation of leadership within the A/E/C industry is aging forcing us to think about succession and next generation development. Research shows there are characteristics and events in history that helped shape each generation, making each of them unique. Figuring out how to lead the four generations in today’s workforce is extremely challenging and overwhelming.

1:00 – 2:30 pm
T26- The Cloud: Changing the Dynamic of Field-to-Office Communication
Oscar Cantu, Topcon
Streamlining your workflow process to create efficiencies is critical to any job functionality. As the industry paradigm shifts from servers to cloud-based systems, many companies and users are realizing the efficiencies that can be achieved. SmartPhones and Tablets are quickly replacing clipboards and printed files and instant field-to-office communication is becoming ever more important in a world of increasingly demanding deadlines. Find out how cloud-solutions can help increase your ROI and streamline your overall workflow process.

T32- The Partnership Payoff: 7 Keys to Better Relationships and Greater Teamwork
Alan Zimmerman, Zimmerman Communi-Care Network
The 7 Keys to Better Relationships and Greater Teamwork Success in a world requires an extraordinary amount of raw people skills. You’ve got to know how to build relationships . . . so teamwork becomes a reality instead of a buzzword. In this program, you’ll learn the exact skills that will have people working with you instead of against you.

3:00 – 4:00 pm
T34- Health Care Reform and How Your Decision Will Affect Your Company
Henry Beceiro, Barney & Barney
Health care reform is coming in 2014 and contractors need to make sure they are in compliance or face steep penalties. There are also several misconceptions about what health care reform will actually mean to companies. Learn what contractors should do to ensure they are in compliance and, at the same time, keep employee benefit expenses at a minimum.

T39- EOBR Defined: Success, Challenges and Embracing the Change
Henry Prentice, Noregon Systems; Glen Bramer, Trimble Construction Logistics
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations seem to be constantly changing and can be confusing. Non-compliance to these regulations can have a significant impact on your organization. With current legislative pressures, this is especially true in the area of hours-of-service compliance and reporting. Set your organization up for the future by learning the latest FMCSA rule updates, and how to leverage EOBRs (electric on-board recorders) for best practice strategies in compliance, reporting, and safety programs. Learn about the benefits of system integrations and moving to eDLs (electronic data logs).

Wednesday, March 5
8:30 – 9:30 am
W46- Equipment Metrics and Benchmarking – Know What to Measure, Know What to Expect
Mike Vorster, CEMP Central Inc.
Learn about the complexities of metrics and benchmarking in the diverse and complex world of equipment management where few universal definitions, norms and standards exist. Fleet activity metrics, such as deployment and utilization are discussed in detail as are input metrics (such as labor hours per operating hour) and output metrics (such as availability and reliability). Examples of each metric are presented.

W47- LEED Credit: Stabilization of Marginal or Contaminated Soil For On-Site Reuse
Charles Wilk, ALLU Group Inc.
The basic principles of stabilization, mixing methods, and examples of successful projects will be presented. Mass Stabilization involves mixing of binding agents into soil or sediment to improve the treated materials’ properties for use in land development. Improvements may include physical properties (e.g. increased bearing strength) or environmental properties (e.g. immobilizing contaminants). Stabilization examples include: (a) in-place (insitu) soil treatment at contaminated properties alleviating the need to dig, haul, and dispose: (b) treatment of dredged sediment creating “engineered” fill for reuse in upland properties development: and (c) insitu treatment of “peaty” or other soft soils for use as pavement base.

10:00 – 11:30 am
W49- Effectively Countering Community Opposition to Your Project
Christopher Hopkins, The Saint Consulting Group; Mark Davies, Cemex USA; Mark Harrison, Harrison, Temblador, Hungerford & Johnson LLP
This interactive panel discussion will present case studies of the political hurdles involved in permitting a quarry or cement or ready-mix plant. Individuals including a land use attorney and a producer who has faced this type of opposition—and countered it with a strategic plan—will share their real-life examples. Attendees will also learn the most effective information that should be included in an extensive political due diligence prior to making your application public.

W54- Your Equipment Manager: Fireman or Leader
James Schug, FMI
This high-level discussion is intended to discuss leading trends across the industry and share the benefits of turning your Equipment Manager in to Business Managers. Hired and developed effectively, with the right tools, listening to your equipment manager can result in improved profit and morale across the company. Learn critical concepts to turn them into members of the leadership team with a personal stake in the company results and the tools necessary to succeed.

1:00 – 2:30 pm
W56- Working “In Tune” with a VSI Crusher
Neil Hise, Cemco Inc.
Learn from 44 years of experience with operation and service of VSI crushers about the history of crushing. Review different types of impact crushers (such as HSI crushers) and the relationship of product/output with associated horsepower need. See a video of internal VSI crushing and hear an in-depth discussion of the dynamics and configurations of a VSI. Four types of VSI crushing will be discussed, using actual processing photos, videos, and computer animation with information on how the real physics of VSI crushing is used. Specific material and obtaining best reduction ratios will be analyzed, and automation will be discussed.

3:00 – 4:00 pm
W67- Evolution of Tier 4 Regulations and Project Specific Requirements
Mike Buckantz, Associates Environmental
Learn how diesel engine regulations have incorporated Tier 4 engine emissions technology. Examples of project specifications requiring the use of Tier 4 equipment will be provided.

W70- Filling the Skills Gap with Technology
Brian Rabe, Advanced Technology Services Inc.
The seminar will explore how using mobile connectivity in manufacturing increases employee skills, lowers response time in, increases efficiency and provides a high sense of self-esteem to front workers.

Thursday, March 6
8:30 – 9:30 am
TH73- Driver and Job Site Safety — Something We Can All Live With
Lee Hoffman, National Safety Products; Lance Morgan, Cemex; David Conklin, Cemex
Site safety management, making sure the contractors and their employees are trained to understand what ready mixed concrete equipment can and can’t do, is a crucial part of the mixed concrete industry. What happens when there are blind corners, tight spaces, and uneven or soft ground? Learn how an accident occurred and what can be done to prevent similar accidents. Reinforcing safety procedures will help reduce overhead costs for both the producer and the contractor. Safety is something we can all live with.

TH76- The Effective Movement of Oversize/Overweight Equipment
Douglas Ball, SC&RA
Today’s challenging environment has a maze of regulatory requirements that impact your ability to operate safely, efficiently, legally and profitably. Changing regulations from state to state are impeding your business. The industry needs uniformity for effective and efficient movement of over-dimensional cargo. Learn how changes can be made, how you can impact these changes to help balance operations, compliance and enforcement.

10:00 – 11:30 am
TH80- Sustainability’s Impact On The Entire Supply Chain
Brian Barlow, Barlow Strategic Sales & Marketing
Explore the rapid rise of opportunity for materials suppliers, contractors, producers, distributors and manufacturers on a global and domestic basis and how sustainability is reversing the “low bid wins” strategy of the past 20 years. Learn how sustainability is impacting all levels of the supply chain from the investors down to the basic raw materials.

TH82- Repair/Replace/Rebuild – Planning for Effective Decision Making in Relation to Equipment
Greg Peet, Heavy Equipment Services Inc.
Equipment owners rely on specific data when making key decisions about equipment in their fleets. We will explore the components of that decision-making process including identifying the data that must be collected and defining processes to make the data work for the equipment owner. We will discuss maintenance effectiveness, condition monitoring, repair before failure as well as the benefits of partnering with equipment dealers who can provide a variety tools to assist with the decision making process. Lastly we will look at rebuild considerations and rules of thumb when it comes to making an effective repair/replace/rebuild decision.

TH84- Equipment Safety for Operators Mounting & Dismounting
Panel of heavy equipment operators
It is a fact approximately 23% of all “falls from elevation” claims within the construction industry come from machinery, equipment and motor vehicles? This vitally important safety program is essential to all heavy equipment operators and will be hands-on demonstration. Many equipment operators and truck drivers get hurt entering, exiting, mounting and dismounting equipment and trailers. Some of the injuries have resulted in severe loss. This unique seminar will discuss proper techniques for mounting and dismounting along with demonstrating the “Three Point of Contact Rule”

1:00 – 2:30 pm
TH86- Understanding and Lowering Your Facility’s Energy Costs
Erik Fenger, Rocky Mountain Energy Management
In most manufacturing and mining companies, a disconnect exists between those who utilize energy (Operations), those who procure energy (Purchasing) and those who pay the energy bill (Accounting). Learn how to understand energy costs and identify opportunities for reduction.

TH90- Fuel and Fuel System Contamination
Howard Chesneau, Fuel Quality Services Inc.
Both Fuel and Fuel Systems become contaminated by three major areas. This presentation will cover the ways in which these systems can become contaminated, the effects of various contaminates, the way to detect contamination, and various methods to prevent and remediate contaminants. Today’s equipment does not like any contaminants, and it is incumbent on the end users to learn how to recognize them by testing, correct deficiencies in system designs, and how to prevent and remediate the existence to these contaminants.

3:00 – 4:00 pm
TH93- Noise and Dust: A Sound Approach to a Cloudy Issue
Jonathan Ferdinand, Vibra-Tech Engineers Inc.
At local zoning hearings, the neighborhood will submit “excessive noise and dust conditions” as reasons to have permit applications denied, leaving zoning authorities and state agencies struggling with determining fact from fiction. The best defense in addressing these allegations is to present factual information pertaining to noise and dust conditions at the operation. Learn how gathering short term measurements at multiple locations around the operation, comparing these measured levels to standards and evaluating impacts from future and/or expanded operations is paramount to presenting a convincing defense.

TH98- Strategic Maintenance Issues – An Executive Approach to Equipment Maintenance
Mike Vorster, CEMP Central Inc.
Preventive and condition based maintenance are seen and accepted as “The right thing to do.” Few managers stop to ask “How much should I do and what should I expect?” The session seeks to answer these questions by describing preventive and condition based maintenance as two steps in a spectrum of possible actions that ranges from daily inspections, through routine maintenance, to repair and rebuild. It stresses the importance of a disciplined, systematic and thorough approach to whatever you do and presents a case study to show how the impact of different maintenance strategies can be quantified and measured.

Friday, March 7
8:30 – 9:30 am
F105- Position Your Company for Success with GPS Technology for Earthmoving Equipment
Lamar Hester, Trimble
Many successful heavy and highway construction companies have integrated positioning systems into their construction operations, both on and off the machine. Explore the broad range of operational benefits that GPS Positioning technologies offer.

F106- Making a Business Case for Telematics
Gregory Puckett, Oldcastle Materials Inc.; Dan Samford, Herzog Contracting Corp.; Tim Morgan
Fleet profitability can be summed up in one word: Utilization. Fleet managers need data quickly to appropriately manage equipment and maximize uptime. Telematics data continues to increase in content and value, yet you and/or your company’s owner are reluctant to make the investment in infrastructure and human resources.

10:00 – 11:30 am
F109 -Conveyor Design
Silvestre Gonzalez, Cemex
This presentation will introduce the audience to a systematic approach to follow when designing new conveyors or upgrading old conveyors. Discover the components that need to be considered in order to have a successful installation.

F115- Managing Electrical Diagnostics
Dan Sullivan, Sullivan Training Systems
Explore the process of diagnosing and repairing electrical systems on modern transportation systems and how this process differs from diagnosing mechanical systems. Learn about the different processes and skills that managers need to successfully manage the electrical diagnostics and repair (D&R) process.

1:00 – 2:30 pm
F117- Process Improvement— Out With The Old And In With The New
Todd Creasy, Western Carolina University
The traditions, methods, and approach the quarry industry grew up with no longer give us the results we want and need in our “New Normal” business climate. Costs are higher, safety and compliance standards are significantly more stringent, and the market volumes required to cover costs and deliver profits are coasting along at roughly half the levels we enjoyed during the boom-expansion era. This presentation will look at the technical, economic, and human functional dynamics that must be addressed to make process improvement succeed in delivering organizational safety and profit objectives in the “New Normal.”

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