Industry News, trenchless people
In his five years with Primus Line, John Moody has been instrumental in establishing Primus Line trenchless technology in the U.S. marketplace. He has been able to build strong customer relationships, attract new partners, and focus operators and utilities on the benefits of the product.
For John Moody, the biggest challenge facing the Canadian and U.S. markets is the shift from gravity lines to pressure pipes: “The failure rate in the pressure pipe segment with ductile iron and cast iron along with the challenges associated with asbestos cement pipe is increasing exponentially. Expertise and awareness is growing, but the transition from gravity piping to pressure piping is significant. This is where the 20 years of experience we have with Primus Line is critical.” That is why he sees it as his job to educate pipe owners about the real advantages and disadvantages of the various rehabilitation methods in each individual case. “Not just making a sale but building trust with the owner is the ultimate goal.”
Among other projects, John Moody was involved in the Fort Lauderdale drinking water emergency bypass kit and the rehabilitation of 18,000 feet of a 6 inch wastewater line at the Houston Oil Refinery. The latter project involved Primus Line’s longest pull-in in one piece in the U.S. to date (4,500 feet).
John Moody has been a salesman or project manager in the construction industry for over 25 years in areas including highway, water, stormwater and sewer. He has now spent the last ten years heavily involved in sales of pipe lining, spiral pipe and CIPP for pressure pipe.
In his new role, he will guide the market growth efforts and client sales of the Primus Line Inc. in the U.S. and Canada. Together with his team of four Area Sales Managers, he will continue to promote the trenchless technology and provide excellent technical solutions using the Primus Line® system. John Moody is sure: “2021 is going to be our best year yet!”
Contact
John Moody
Director of Sales
Mobile: +1 704-569-4460
john.moody@primusline.com
Industry News, trenchless people
Robbins Brand to continue under Global TBM Company
[SOLON, OH, February 8, 2021] Global TBM Company, newly established by industry veteran Lok Home, is proud to announce the recent purchase of substantially all the assets of The Robbins Company. The company will operate as Robbins and with Mr. Home as the President and CEO. The acquisition will result in a seamless transition for a number of ongoing projects throughout the world, as Robbins renews its commitment to service, quality underground equipment, and top-notch support that its customers have come to expect. For a brief message from Lok Home, view the video here.
Home said the company has a bright future as a result of the transaction. We are starting off the new year with a respectable backlog of orders,” he noted. “In 2021 and beyond, our clients can depend on Robbins to deliver high quality machines, and technically superior machines for very difficult projects,” said Home. “That’s where Robbins really stands out.”
Home went on to say that Robbins is starting 2021 with no significant bank or institutional debt. “We have many projects to look forward to,” he continued. “Robbins is currently delivering Crossover machines and TBMs equipped for challenging geological conditions in many countries including the U.S., Norway, India, China and Canada.” The company’s conveyor and small boring machine divisions will also continue to deliver equipment worldwide.
Home emphasized that Robbins has always been focused on building the best and strongest machines. He pledged that they will continue to do that. “We still have our strong engineering team and we plan to continue our many industry involvements including the International Tunneling Association (ITA) and its associate member organizations. We’re glad to be a part of this community and this industry,” Home added.
The company expects to continue with exciting new developments as well, including a soon-to-be-unveiled non-circular rock boring machine. Robbins remains focused on creativity and innovation to solve the industry’s greatest challenges.
About Robbins
Robbins is one of the world’s foremost developers and manufacturers of advanced, underground construction machinery. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, USA, Robbins is a total supply firm offering customized Tunnel Boring Machines, conveyors, cutters, and more, as well as knowledgeable field service personnel and technical support. The company has been an active industry participant and innovator for nearly 70 years.
From the first modern Tunnel Boring Machine built in 1952 to recent innovations such as the Crossover TBM for varied ground conditions, Robbins engineering and innovations have made a success of the world’s most difficult tunneling projects.
View a message from Robbins President Lok Home: https://youtu.be/2ZO9X2gZ5Mg
Learn More: https://www.robbinstbm.com
Industry News, trenchless products
Program emphasizes safe rental operations for the COVID-19 pandemic and the future
FORT MILL, S.C. – Sunbelt Rentals, North America’s premier equipment rental company, announced it is participating in the American Rental Association’s (ARA) Clean. Safe. Essential. program. The program is aimed at raising awareness of the rental industry’s commitment to safety best practices related to COVID-19.
“Sunbelt Rentals is committed to the safety of our customers and employees and, from the outset of the pandemic, proactively introduced new safety and operational protocols,” says Katy Lovering, vice president of operational excellence at Sunbelt Rentals. “There is so much uncertainty right now and we want to help provide peace of mind in any way we can. Safeguarding our people and our customers is our number one priority.”
“We are pleased that Sunbelt Rentals has committed to the Clean. Safe. Essential. program and will be displaying the logo in each branch location,” says Tom Doyle, ARA vice president, program development. “There are over 3,500-member rental locations participating in this program. Through its participation, Sunbelt Rentals is demonstrating to employees and customers their priority and commitment to safety.”
By joining this program, Sunbelt Rentals branch locations receive a completion certificate as Clean. Safe. Essential. compliant and will have established uniform guidelines along with other rental companies in the industry. ARA previously reviewed Sunbelt’s extensive COVID-19 related safety and operational protocols and trainings and deemed them as compliant with the ARA’s Clean. Safe. Essential. program requirements.
Sunbelt Rentals will continue to work with ARA to advance the program through industry awareness and sharing of best practices.
To date, Sunbelt Rentals has already established curbside pickup of rental equipment, which will be a permanent offering, and can be requested via an online reservation or by phone. In addition, the company is following stringent sanitizing, cleaning and handling guidelines, per the CDC, and observing social distancing and the wearing of face coverings at its branches.
Customers are encouraged to reserve equipment online at sunbeltrentals.com.
Industry News, trenchless products
PELLA, Iowa – Vermeer Corporation announced today it has acquired electric-powered horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and fluid systems technology from Normag. Through this acquisition, Vermeer assumes the rights to develop, manufacture and distribute the proven fully electric HDD rigs, generator sets and fluid management systems, which are currently operating across Europe under the Normag brand.
As a world leader in the HDD and fluid management industry, this acquisition is a key part of the Vermeer strategy to meet growing demand for electric-powered worksite solutions.
The Normag electric HDD technology offers a unique integrated electric power system that optimizes efficiency across the generator set, drill rig and fluid management systems during operations. When connected to the electric grid, the system can operate as a fuel-free system. All systems have also been designed to match standard international shipping container dimensions to reduce the machine footprint, jobsite set-up time, complexity and cost.
“With this technology already proven in operations across Europe, our Vermeer team can now fast-track an electric HDD offering that helps operators better control their cost of operations and worksite impacts through reduced fuel use, near-zero emissions, limited noise and an overall smaller rig footprint,” said Vermeer President and CEO Jason Andringa. “This investment critically supports our innovation and product development focus to continually help customers optimize their worksite efficiency, while limiting environmental impact.”
The Normag HDD system technology has been in development for more than eight years in the Netherlands. It was purpose-built to help companies comply with European transportation and worksite regulations and meet their goals to lower their environmental and worksite impacts. Drill rig and fluid packages have been piloted with customers across Europe for the last several years. Because they are European-market ready and tested, Vermeer will focus first on introducing the products to the European customer base to support large-diameter underground infrastructure projects. Products will be sold under the Vermeer brand in partnership with Vermeer dealers.
All product development, engineering, marketing and production for the technology will immediately move to the Vermeer EMEA headquarters in Goes, Netherlands. Vermeer expects that its first rigs and fluid systems will be in production and ready for distribution in Europe by late 2021. That will likely include a system built around a 120-metric ton HDD rig, a 2,500-liter reclaimer and high-pressure pump. The company also plans to offer additional fluid systems in the first year to establish a range of reclaimers ranging from 750 to 3,000 liters per minute of cleaning capacity.
As the products get established in Europe, the company will look to introduce them in key global markets where electric systems are desired, including North America and Australia. The intent is to bring the products to those markets within the next 24-36 months.
Learn more about this acquisition at vermeer.com.
About Vermeer
Vermeer delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality underground construction, agricultural, surface mining, tree care and environmental equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn more about Vermeer, products, the dealer network and financing options, visit vermeer.com.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.
Industry News, trenchless people
It is with regret, but much fondness, that we remember the life and contribution of ISTT Chairman Emeritus Ted Flaxman who died December 8, 2020, aged 92.
Ted (EW) Flaxman, Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, had a distinguished career with Binnie and Partners (now Black and Veatch). As Past President of the Institution of Public Health Engineers (IPHE), he chaired the organizing committee of the IPHE Conference “Trenchless Construction for Utilities,’’ the 1st No-Dig Event in 1985. In his concluding address, he proposed a series of international trenchless events, the formation of the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT), an industry journal, and an annual prize for innovation.
With customary vigor, he made all of these promises happen, and ISTT was established in 1986. Ted served as its Chairman from 1986-2003 and as a Guarantor until 2016. In 1988 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers. He received the Kurose Award in 1993 and the UKSTT’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Ted was Master of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators in 1996 and with Ted Jackson he published a “Sweet and Wholesome Water-five centuries of the history of water bearers in London.”
A much accomplished leader, visionary and friend who did much to encourage generations of trenchless technologists, he had a keen wit and joked that his epitaph should be ‘Ted Flaxman fled taxman’!
Respectfully,
Dec Downey
Image caption: Ted Flaxman (right) with (from left) Rolf Bielecki, Dec Downey and Dr. Tohyama. Photo courtesy of Dec Downey.
In his five years with Primus Line, John Moody has been instrumental in establishing Primus Line trenchless technology in the U.S. marketplace. He has been able to build strong customer relationships, attract new partners, and focus operators and utilities on the benefits of the product.
