• Metso Minerals expands operations in Ohio: Metso Minerals Industries Inc. has announced plans for a major new expansion of its manufacturing operations in Northeast Ohio. The new fabrication facility will be located in Northeast Ohio near the company’s existing engineering and manufacturing facility in Brunswick. The company expects the new facility to be online in the spring of 2008. It will have a total crane capacity of 80 tons and is expected to double the fabrication capacity of Metso Minerals Industries’ Ohio operations. The expansion is part of the company’s ongoing effort to be the preferred supplier of precision-engineered equipment and turnkey-systems for North America’s bulk material-handling industry. The Brunswick operation (formerly BEST Inc.) was acquired by Metso in March 2007 and, since the beginning of 2008, has increased its fabrication capacity by 100 percent.
• Casagrande, Atlas Copco form alliance: Atlas Copco Construction Mining Technique USA LLC signed an agreement with Casagrande USA Inc. to become the exclusive distributor of Casagrande’s complete line of geotechnical and foundation drilling products for the Midwestern United States. These products will be supported from Atlas Copco’s Milwaukee company store, which already offers a range of ground engineering products. The agreement was formalized in a meeting in Casagrande’s booth while top management from the Sweden-based Atlas Copco and Italian-based Casagrande were in the United States for ConExpo-Con/Agg 2008. The agreement is effective immediately.
• Case grows fund for Habitat for Humanity: Case Construction Equipment raised more than $6,500 for Habitat for Humanity during the North American Case Rodeo Championship held in Las Vegas in conjunction with ConExpo-Con/Agg 2008. This brings the total dollars raised for Habitat for Humanity affiliates to more than $140,000 since Case Construction Equipment kicked off its fundraising campaign in January 2007. Dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. Nick Market of Windsor, Ontario, beat four other finalists to win the title of Case Rodeo Series North American Champion.
• Winners announced for Construction Challenge: An Oklahoma team won the first ever Construction Challenge held at the recently concluded ConExpo-Con/Agg 2008 in Las Vegas. Teams from Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas also took home top honors in the teen competition, which was initiated by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. More than 50 student teams competed at the event, held March 11-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The teams built pieces of construction equipment, debated other teams on infrastructure issues and created interactive educational products to help spread the word about construction careers and equipment. First place went to a team from Perry High School in Perry, Okla. Each team member won a $2,000 scholarship and a computer. A total of seven teams won titles and prizes. For results and photos, visit www.ConstructionChallenge.org.
• FMSHRC members confirmed: The U.S. Senate has confirmed Michael Duffy and Robert Cohen as members of the Federal Mine Safety Health and Review Commission for terms expiring on Aug. 30, 2012. Arlene Holen’s name was not reported out of committee. The commission now has a quorum and can decide cases. The White House has announced that it intends to designate Duffy as chairman.
