North American Society for Trenchless Technology Announces Innovative Product Award Winners

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) announced the 2022 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award winners at the NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award celebrates companies with a state-of-the-art product or service making a significant impact in advancing the trenchless industry in the areas of rehabilitation or new installation.

The selected winners met the highest-level of standards for each category. Products were judged on Innovation (concept, method, development); Value (need, advantages, cost); and, Impact (sustainability, social/environmental responsibility and potential).

“Honoring those who successfully implement outstanding projects that can bring transformative change to trenchless technologies provides industry-wide recognition of their approach to address the needs and priorities of the industry and their customers,” said Matthew Izzard, NASTT Executive Director. “The Innovative Product & Services Award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity and vision of the creative teams that research, develop, design, market and operate these products.”

Winners

In the category for New Installation, the award was given to Boyd Tech, Inc. for its B-Tech Connections.  A means to mechanically connect HDPE piping for pulling, pushing and transitions, B-Tech Connections provides a pipe-to-pipe connection wherein ID & OD remain the same. Either permanently locked or temporarily installed, connections are water-tight with a broad range of applications in trenchless and non-trenchless applications. Long life span, fast assembly times, make this connection method, efficient and cost-effective for any HDPE project or application. For more information, contact  Sam Boyd, President at samboyd@boydtech.us or visit https://boydtech.us/.

In the category for Rehabilitation, the award was given to Insituform, an Aegion LLC brand, for its CIPP Carbon Filter System, a carbon filtration solution for CIPP steam-cured product that exhausts Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and accompanying odors. The innovative filtering system uses selected carbon and other filtration media in a filter canister design to capture the VOC. This device will significantly reduce or eliminate (depending on the diameter of the CIPP installation) the amount of VOCs from the emissions. Potential reduction of reportable greenhouse gas emission is greater than 90 percent.  For more information, contact Dennis Pivin, VP Environmental, Health, Safety and Security, at dpivin@aegion.com or visit aegion.com

Finalists
NASTT also honors the finalists in each category:

New Installation

Ditch Witch for AT32 All-Terrain Direction Drill | ditchwitch.com

Herrenknecht AG for AVN 800 HR – MTBM | herrenknecht.com

LaValley Industries for PITPUMP™ powered by the EMPOWER™ electric generator | lavalleyindustries.com

Primus Line for Primus Line® Overland Piping | primusline.com

Subsite Electronics for Marksman™ HDD Guidance System | subsite.com

Rehabilitation

AppliedFelts for Envirocure | appliedfelts.com

Aries Industries for Wolverine 2.0 | ariesindustries.com

Electro Scan Inc. for Electro Scan KINGFISHER | electroscan.com

HammerHead Trenchless for Next Generation Bluelight LED CIPP System | hammerheadtrenchless.com

HK Solutions Group for Monoform PLUS | hksolutionsgroup.com

Nukote Coating Systems International LLC for 360 Ringtech Robotics | nukoteindustries.com

PipeFusion CIPP for PipeFusion Xtreme | pipefusioncipp.com

Waterline Renewal Technologies – LMK Technologies for UV T-Liner Shorty | waterlinerenewal.com

Presentations about each product were made at the Innovative Products Forum at the NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show and are available online via the NASTT YouTube channel. The winners will also be featured in the summer issue of Trenchless North America, NASTT’s essential read for trenchless professionals. To learn more about NASTT awards, visit nastt.org/awards. The award is named for the late Joseph L. Abbott, Jr., an active NASTT member since its founding in 1990 and a champion of innovation.

NASTT Partners with UCA and Down for That

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Underground Construction Association (UCA), a division of the Society of Mining Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc.

The objective of this initiative it to work collaboratively toward the betterment and technical innovation of the tunneling, underground and trenchless technology industries.

NASTT will be a key supporting organization of Down For That, which is the UCA outreach initiative specifically to universities, students, and university professors. Other key supporting organizations of Down For That are the ASCE Geo-Institute, Deep Foundations Institute, The Beavers, and the Moles.

NASTT will contribute to resources included on www.undergroundcareers.org to promote scholarships, tunnel tours, industry profiles, and all other items on the Down For That website for the benefit of members as a collective outreach initiative.

If you are interested in learning more and contributing to this effort please attend the informational meeting to be held during the NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show on Tuesday, April 12 from 2:00-3:00 PM in room 101J.

For more information please visit:

https://www.smenet.org/UCAhome

www.undergroundcareers.org

NASTT Selects 2022 Ralston Young Trenchless Achievement Award Recipient

The Ralston Young Trenchless Achievement Award applauds savvy members under 36 who demonstrate excellence early in their careers by making valuable contributions to the trenchless technology industry and NASTT.

Please join NASTT in celebrating the 2022 recipient: Matthew Olson, P.E., Partner at Lithos Engineering in Denver, Colorado.

Young Trenchless Achievement Award Selection Committee Chair, Chris Sivesind, Territory Manager at Akkerman and NASTT staff made a surprise call to Matt to share the news. “His accomplishments were very impressive among a pool of excellent candidates.” Chris said.

Matt Olson lives and breathes NASTT’s mission to be the premier resource for knowledge and education in Trenchless Technology, according to Lance Heyer, Associate at Lithos Engineering, who was thrilled to nominate Matt. “Trenchless is truly in his blood,” he said, referring to Matt’s father who was a trenchless new installation contractor with Bore Masters in Pewaukee, WI. Matt’s academic career included a thesis on pilot tube jacking forces.

“Matt truly embodies the spirit in which this prestigious award was meant to represent with an astounding track record of service and dedication to the trenchless industry,” says Matthew’s former Master’s Program co-supervisor, Samuel T. Ariaratnam, Ph.D., P.E., Professor at the Ira A Fulton School of Engineering, Arizona State University.

Matt’s interest and drive for research and development leads him in educating other industry professionals about trenchless technologies. Matt is a “fantastic resource for sound engineering advice” notes Robert Meadows President, Global Underground Corporation. “His ongoing drive to understand and further advance the trenchless engineering and construction industry truly is special and will benefit the trenchless industry at large for many years to come.”

As a NASTT volunteer, Matt has served on the Rocky Mountain Chapter Board, No-Dig Show Technical Program Committee, participated as No-Dig Show track leader and has chaired the NASTT Young Professionals committee and judged the Student Poster Competition at the No-Dig Show.  He has six technical papers in the NASTT technical paper library, including “Pipe Ramming Through Challenging Subsurface Conditions in the Pacific Northwest” and  “Into the Void: Case Study of an Emergency Pipe Burst Beneath the West Seattle Bridge” which won the NASTT Outstanding Paper of the Year in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Matthew Izzard, NASTT Executive Director, thanked Matt for his NASTT involvement and his enthusiasm and for being among the cream of the crop of young trenchless professionals. Special recognition of Matt and all the 2022 NASTT award recipients will take place at the NASTT No-Dig Show in Minneapolis where Matt will present “Impacts of HDD Design Modifications After Municipal Bid Award” with Lance Heyer.

Join Matt and other trenchless professionals in their 20s and 30s at the complimentary Young Professionals Networking Night on Sunday, April 10 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM in Room 208B.

NASTT Announces Abbott Innovative Product Award Finalists

Register for the 2022 No-Dig Show here!

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award competition.  The Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award celebrates companies with a state-of-the-art product or service developed or re-launched in the last 2 years making a significant impact in advancing the trenchless industry in the areas of rehabilitation or new installation. Finalists will be judged on innovation (concept, method, development); value (need, advantages, cost); and, impact (sustainability, social/environmental responsibility and potential).

VISIT FINALISTS AT THE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FORUM AND IN THE EXHIBIT HALL

Competitors must be in attendance at the NASTT No-Dig Show as an exhibitor or sponsor and present a product overview at the Innovative Products Forum on Monday, April 11 from 9:55-11:35am. Attendees can visit exhibiting finalists in the Exhibit Hall. The winners will be announced that evening at the NASTT Annual Educational Fund Auction in the Exhibit Hall. Presentations from all the finalists will be posted online following the No-Dig Show.

NEW INSTALLATIONS

Boyd Tech, Inc. | Silver Student Sponsor

B-Tech Connections

Submitted by Sam Boyd, President

Ditch Witch | Booth 600

AT32 All-Terrain Direction Drill

     Submitted by Sean Hubbard, Marketing Communications Manager

Herrenknecht AG | Booth 700

AVN 800 HR – MTBM

     Submitted by Michael Gross, Product Manager 

LaValley Industries | Booth 406

PITPUMP™ powered by the EMPOWER™ electric generator

     Submitted by Jorge Prince, Chief Financial Officer

 Primus Line | Booth 201

Primus Line® Overland Piping

     Submitted by Ian Lancaster, Senior Vice President

 Subsite Electronics | Booth 600

Marksman™ HDD Guidance System

     Submitted by Sean Hubbard, Marketing Communications Manager

REHABILITATION

Aegion LLC | Booth 200

CIPP Carbon Filter System

     Submitted by Dennis Pivin, VP Environmental Health, Safety & Security

AppliedFelts | Booth 427

Envirocure

     Submitted by Mark Chandler, Technical Manager

Aries Industries | Booth 233

Wolverine 2.0

     Submitted by Jim Kraschinsky, Vice President – Sales

 Electro Scan Inc. | Booth 135

Electro Scan KINGFISHER

     Submitted by Chuck Hansen, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

HammerHead Trenchless | Booth 506

Next Generation Bluelight LED CIPP System

     Submitted by Lauren Carroll, Marketing Coordinator

HK Solutions Group | Booth 339

Monoform PLUS

Submitted by Mike Ingham, Chief Sales Officer

Nukote Coating Systems International LLC | Booth 645

360 Ringtech Robotics

     Submitted by Sanaz Ghalambor, VP of Specifications & Testing

 PipeFusion CIPP | Booth 341

PipeFusion XtremeTM

     Submitted by Richard Nawracaj, Vice President

 Waterline Renewal Technologies – LMK Technologies | Booth 522

Shorty and Stubby

     Submitted by Aaron Kaplan, Director of Product Development

“The Abbott Innovative Product Awards represent a fantastic opportunity to showcase ambitious developments from the trenchless industry and celebrate the companies making a difference in the profession,” praised NASTT Executive Director, Matthew Izzard.  “NASTT applauds these new opportunities and the teams furthering product innovation.” To learn more about NASTT awards, visit. nasstt.org/awards.

 

Sunbelt Rentals Named One of Nation’s Top Military Friendly® Employers

Designation based on the company’s active Veterans Program

FORT MILL, S.C.  – Sunbelt Rentals, North America’s premier equipment rental company, has been named a top 2022 Military Friendly® Employer in the nation. This is the second time in recent years they have received the distinction. Sunbelt Rentals received a Silver Designation, indicating the company meets the requirements and scored within 20% of the 10th ranking employer in this category — an achievement attained by only select companies.

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score with an assessment of the organization’s ability to meet thresholds for Applicant, New Hire Retention, Employee Turnover and Promotion and Advancement of veterans and military employees.

“Sunbelt Rentals is very proud to receive this recognition,” says Brad Lull, Executive VP of Central Operations, Sunbelt Rentals. “We value the work ethic and dedication of our military employees and are committed to growing our Veterans Program to support them. We operate our program on four foundational pillars: resources, recruitment, recognition and retention.”

Sunbelt Rentals has built a robust program aimed at recruiting and retaining veteran employees. The company focuses on aligning the skills that veterans gain during military service with a suitable position where they can thrive. Sunbelt Rentals values safety, action, teamwork and innovation — ideals shared by veterans. They help enrich the company’s culture and contribute to the “Power of Sunbelt” — the promise to offer a rental experience that’s defined by availability, reliability and ease.

Veteran ambassadors support military employees from onboarding and throughout their career at Sunbelt Rentals, serving as liaisons to the Veterans Program and its offerings. The program includes resources such as a hotline, administrative support, accommodation support and interagency coordination. Along with these resources, Sunbelt Rentals launched a uniform program, allowing military employees to show their service branch with a patch on company apparel.

“We are very intentional in our approach to recruiting and retaining those transitioning to life after service, at Sunbelt Rentals,” says Shane McKenzie, director, Veterans Program. “Every aspect of our program focuses on ways we can coach, mentor and develop veterans so they can have a thriving career in the civilian sector. We are proud of the successes we see our military employees achieve.”

“When I left the U.S. Marine Corps, I was looking for a company that had a work-life balance and would encompass my skill set from the military and my previous career. I immediately felt at home when I interviewed with Sunbelt Rentals,” says Daphne Manning, director, Customer Service Strategy and Planning.

Veterans interested in becoming Sunbelt Rentals team members can text “Sunbelt” to 51893 to see current job postings and receive alerts about opportunities in different markets.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Providing veterans with the resources needed to succeed in their careers is a top priority at Sunbelt Rentals and at the heart of the Veterans Program.

Photo 2: By operating on four foundational pillars — resources, recruitment, recognition and retention — Sunbelt Rentals is able to support its military employees in the civilian sector.

About Sunbelt Rentals: We MAKE IT HAPPEN!  With a passionate team of 15,000 rental experts, a growing network of over 1,000 locations and an extensive equipment fleet that exceeds $11 billion, Sunbelt Rentals helps professionals and do-it-yourselfers get things done.  With a highly diversified offering of equipment, solutions, and services available, we assist customers throughout North America extend their capabilities, complete projects on-time and handle times of crisis. No matter if you are in commercial, industrial, residential, or municipal industries, we are constantly advancing the idea of what an equipment company can do for its customers. Visit sunbeltrentals.com to find out what we can do for you.
About Military Friendly® Employers: Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 1,500 organizations compete annually for Military Friendly® designation. Military Friendly® ratings are owned by VIQTORY, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. VIQTORY is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/mfcguide/.
About VIQTORY: Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service disabled, veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its owned assets such as Military Spouse Magazine®, G.I. Jobs ® and Military Friendly ® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.Viqtory.com.