by Jon M. Casey

For recyclers and contractors looking for new ways to improve their businesses and to process material more efficiently, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014 offered a wide variety of new products and services to satisfy those needs. With more than 2000 vendors exhibiting equipment and services to support just about every area of construction and heavy equipment application, attendees like Don and Melinda Nelson’s group from Nelson & Sons Construction, Woodinsville, WA (see cover photo) were able to connect with equipment manufacturers of all kinds at the Las Vegas Convention Center, March 4-8. With everything from new grinders and shredders to trommels and star screeners and just about everything in between, this was the place to spend time with exhibitors from around the world.

Nelson told Waste Handling Equipment News that this is the third or fourth time he has brought some of his company’s team members to CONEXPO-CON/AGG. He said they enjoy bringing them because it gives everyone an opportunity to learn more about the latest technology available. Nelson’s company primarily deals with site prep work and property development contracting, so it is important for Nelson & Sons Construction to be familiar with the latest in equipment, software and other services. Don said that the time that he and his team spend at this show is valuable because it not only gives them an opportunity to spend time with suppliers, but they can meet other equipment users from around the world where they can share ideas and come away with new ways to be more profitable and effective back in Washington State.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is co-sponsored by The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, The National Ready Mix Concrete Association, the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, and The Associated General Contractors of America, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is known as the premiere triennial event for contractors from the recycling, and C&D waste handling, general construction and other similar industries.

Announcements

Overall enthusiasm this year seemed to be upbeat with an air of excitement that we haven’t seen in the construction industry for some time. For many attendees (especially me), there were not enough days on the schedule, to see everything.

One of the more interesting events of note at this year’s show was the re-introduction of Kobelco Construction Machinery as the sole sales and marketing entity for Kobelco equipment in North America, Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa and the CIS countries. This is in addition to Asia, the Pacific area including Australia, the region that Kobelco was selling to under a previous agreement with CNH Global N.V. It was previously announced January 1, 2013, that Kobleco would re-establish itself as the sole supplier of Kobelco equipment in North America, particularly in the US. Accordingly, the US company will be headquartered in Katy, TX.

Mr. Pete Morita, President and CEO of KOBELCO Construction Machinery USA, said that their company is looking to future possibilities of establishing a manufacturing plant in the US in the coming years.

As part of KOBELCO’s promotional efforts for 2014, the company built five, limited edition SK350LC crawler excavators wrapped in a patriotic/military design. This was done as part of a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). KOBELCO recently announced it will donate $100,000 to this non-profit that supports a full range of programs and services for this generation of injured veterans and their families.

The proud purchasers of the machines saluting our troops are Abele Tractor & Equipment Co., Inc. (Albany, NY), Baschmann Services Inc., (Elma, NY), Mid Country Machinery (Fort Dodge, IA), Scott-Gallaher Inc. (Roanoke, VA) and Southeastern Equipment Co., Inc.  (Cambridge, OH). Southeastern sold its unit to Shelly & Sands, Inc., headquartered in Zanesville, OH, a company specializing in infrastructure and highway construction in the Midwest.

Meanwhile, Hammel-New York was busy announcing the addition of a new Western US dealer, Bejac Corporation, headquartered in Placentia, CA. Bejac serves the southwestern US from seven locations in California and Arizona, other companies took the opportunity to unveil new products and services.

New Products

While there were a myriad of new products introduced at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014, one of particular note was from Allu®, makers of crushing and screening buckets. Allu® introduced its new M-Series crushing and screening bucket at the show. This new bucket is available in several sizes, one with ratings up to 600 tons per hour. The M-Series makes short work of recycled concrete and aggregates with one pass. Currently in use outside the US in coal and soft aggregate applications, this bucket can convert a base excavator or wheel loader into a mobile processing plant.

Vermeer, unveiled a prototype of their new Vermeer® TR620 trommel screener at this year’s show. Having acquired the Wildcat line of screening and composting equipment in the recent past, Vermeer is advancing upon Wildcat’s proven screening technologies, with this new prototype trommel. According to Vermeer, the new trommel is designed for the compost, topsoil and aggregates industries. It features the highly reliable Vermeer remote control system which allows for more effective use of the equipment operator’s time. The new trommel is designed to be a 3-product trommel, giving users more flexibility when it comes to product screening.

Sandvik, known for their aggregates crushing and screening equipment, unveiled new crusher lines in both tracked, gyratory and impactor designs. According to Stu Gamble, Sandvik Product Manager, the new tracked crushers are designed for high production rates with greater fuel economy. With “Next Generation” technology, these new crushers are able to produce more material, more reliably and more economically.

Morbark, unveiled their new Barracuda® slow speed shredder at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG as well. This prototype unit caught the attention of a number of recyclers, who made it a point to examine the interior of the new unit. The new, simple design, allows for quick and easy changes to the shredder’s configuration, giving added versatility to the shredder’s output. “Adding the Barracuda shredder to our industrial product line allows our customers to easily expand their capabilities in C&D and industrial waste reduction,” said John Foote, Morbark VP of Sales and Marketing. “We are looking to have this available in full production by mid-year.

While these are but a few of the new items on display at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG, rest assured there were plenty more where those came from! I would tend to agree with show organizers who are already suggesting that we plan for the next CONEXPO-CON/AGG event in 2017. It’s time to start planning now. If your business timeline shows that you will need to purchase new equipment in the not-too-distant future, this would be the place to do your shopping.