P&Q Editors Blog
The rise of manufacturing
February 21, 2012
By: Pit & Quarry Staff
One particular manufacturer in the aggregates industry is telling its success story to the nation. McLanahan Corp., maker of aggregate-processing equipment, is coming off one of its best years ever, according to Michael McLanahan, its fifth-generation chairman and CEO. Find out why in this McClatchy Newspapers article. – Brian Richesson
Sharing time with Terex
May 24, 2010
By: Pit & Quarry Staff
Pit & Quarry Publisher Rob Fulop and I had the opportunity to sit down with Terex Corp. President and COO Thomas Riordan earlier this month at a Terex Minerals Processing Systems event in Oklahoma City. The company has been in a state of transition, and the down-to-earth Riordan took some time to explain its progress and address other notable topics surrounding the construction equipment manufacturer.
"It's been an interesting couple of years," Riordan said. "In these three years we've seen this [motioning upward] and we've seen this [motioning downward]. It's more fun on the way up. It's been a very challenging 18 to 21 months."
Riordan said Terex has been positioning itself for the future by spending a lot of time and energy on raising cash. This will allow the company to continue investing in its businesses and product development.
"There has been a lot of speculation about what Terex has been up to in the last couple of years," Riordan said. "In reality, we've been getting our act together. In some respects, we're sticking to our knitting. We're well positioned going forward."
Terex has spent the last year melding its Cedarapids, Simplicity, Canica and Jaques equipment brands into the Terex Minerals Processing Systems line. That transition, which provides a single point of contact for end users, also coincides with a geographical change. The company has been moving its crusher and wheeled-plant manufacturing operations from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to an already-established 675,000-sq.-ft. facility in Oklahoma City. Riordan said the Oklahoma City facility was underutilized, and it will allow the company added flexibility with space, overall costs and growing its workforce.
Of the aggregates industry, Riordan said, "The aggregates business in general continues to be challenging. Over time, we know we have to provide the best value from a life-cycle standpoint. Moving down to Oklahoma City will help us in that regard."
With all of the changes and challenges, Riordan offered hope when he said, "It is in times like these when Terex has shined." -- Brian Richesson
