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Robbins and NHI Agree to a Three-Phase Merger Plan
An agreement between The Robbins Company and Northern Heavy Industries (NHI) Group was finalized on June 28, 2016 in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province.
This initial agreement is the first step of a three-phase merger process and gives NHI minority interest in The Robbins Company. In the next phase, anticipated to occur in July 2016, NHI will assume 61% ownership of The Robbins Company. Lok Home, President of The Robbins Company, will remain vested in the company and continue in his leadership role. In the final phase, The Robbins Company, NFM and NHI will be merged, combining their collective resources and expertise. It is anticipated that Lok Home will assume the role of President of the newly formed company. Operations of The Robbins Company are expected to remain the same.
“This merger puts Robbins in an excellent position to expand our presence in the global TBM market,” said Mr. Home. “It will enable us to provide better global service and support to our customers, and will open the door to new opportunities, especially in China. NHI has very impressive capabilities. Joining forces with them gives us expanded resources to go after more projects and strengthens our reputation as a world leader in the tunnel boring industry.”
“By laying out developing plans in Asia, America and Europe, and making a concerted effort together, we will strengthen our competitiveness in the market,” said Yang Tao, General Manager of the Tunneling Machine Company, a subsidiary of NHI.
Based in Shenyang, NHI employs 10,000 people and is among China’s top three heavy machinery manufacturers. Its products are sold to more than 30 countries worldwide. In 2007 NHI merged with NFM Technologies of France, making it a transnational company.
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HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., July 11, 2016 – ULC Robotics, Inc., a leading robotics, energy services, and research and development company focused on the energy and utility industries, recently appointed Mr. Graeme Cleeton to Vice President of United Kingdom Operations.
With more than 30 years of experience in the UK utility industry, Cleeton has an outstanding track record of developing, implementing and delivering first-class strategy and planning for efficiently driving growth and improving company profitability.
“The UK utility networks are constantly searching for innovative solutions that will enhance their asset’s operations, increase safety and minimize impact to the public,” said Gregory Penza, President, and CEO of ULC Robotics, Inc. “With Graeme in place as the VP of Operations, ULC’s UK business efforts will continue to address those needs while developing beneficial, strategic partnerships that will allow our innovative solutions to be successfully deployed for our clients.”
Cleeton’s role as Vice President of UK Operations will include managing ULC’s well-established CISBOT field operations, client relations, and developing new markets and driving business growth across the UK. Cleeton’s extensive background will be paramount in successfully implementing the groundbreaking CIRRIS XI™ Inspection Robot and CIRRIS XR™ Repair Robot into business-as-usual operation for UK gas networks.
“With my experience working in the UK utility industry, progressing from working in the field to leading businesses for nationally recognized clients and reputable contractors, I am extremely excited to come to such a fantastic company with endless opportunities to change the way our sector operates,” said Cleeton. “My initial focus will be to ensure ULC Robotics’ products and services are deployed with the highest degree of success.”
Cleeton has also held executive positions with Northern Gas Networks and Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions. Cleeton will be based out of ULC’s UK headquarters in Dartford, Kent.
About ULC Robotics, Inc.
ULC Robotics, Inc. is a leader in developing and deploying innovative technology and processes that help pipeline operators and energy companies repair, inspect and assess their infrastructure. The deployment of ULC Robotics’ range of products and services helps to eliminate costly and disruptive excavation while eliminating gas leaks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency.
Both ULC Robotics and their clients have shared accolades for developing some of the most innovative products in the energy industry. Recognition includes a 2016 and 2014 Top 50 Global Robotics Companies by Robotics Business Review, Robotics Business Review 2015 Game Changer Award in Construction, Mining, and Energy, and the 2016 and 2014 Energy Innovation Award for enabling gas utilities to deliver a safe and reliable supply of energy to customers. For more information on ULC Robotics, Inc. and its products and services, please visit www.ulcrobotics.com
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Mortimer is staying busy on the job with Midwest Mole!
Mortimer the Sewer Rat was adopted earlier this year during NASTT’s 15th Annual Educational Fund Auction by the generous folks at Midwest Mole!
Check out some of the project sites he’s visited recently:
Tapp Road, Bloomington, IN
As the I-69 project in Bloomington, Indiana continues, Mortimer finds himself in the midst of a reline project. Due to the new interchange, existing culverts need to be rehabilitated. The existing elliptical line shown in the picture is corrugated metal pipe that measures 56”x72” and is being relined with a 42” steel casing. The crossing ends with a 28’ deep manhole on the west end. No evidence of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so far.
Hobart, IN
This project in Hobart, Indiana involves replacing more than 2,500’ of old and deteriorating cast iron water main installed in the 1940’s and 1950’s. The work is being done with the use of a horizontal directional drill (HDD) machine. The old water main is being replaced with 8” HDPE. In the picture you can see the HDPE pipe being readied to fuse, which allows them to connect two sections of the pipe together.
Peru, IN
Along US 31, near Peru, Indiana, this project involves the rehabilitation of 5 different culverts. The job consists of 4 CIPP relines and a Milliken geo-polymer geo-spray liner. These technologies coat the inside of the existing corrugated metal culvert, which avoids having to have it replaced or slip-lined altogether. Sizes range from 48-78”.
Stay tuned for more updates on Mortimer during his year with Midwest Mole!
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Company hires Jake Jeffords as regional sales representative
GREENVILLE, S.C.— McLaughlin is proud to welcome underground industry–veteran Jake Jeffords to their team as a regional sales representative. Jeffords is responsible for meeting the needs of McLaughlin customers in the Southeast, Mid-South and Eastern Canada regions.
Jeffords began his career in the construction equipment industry in 2003 at Vermeer Southeast, where he served as a territory manager for six years. He eventually moved into a product manager role working at Yanmar America and, most recently, as an attachments manager at JCB North America. He was responsible for developing and executing sales and marketing strategies as well as advancing the capture, revenue and profitably of company products.
“Jake brings impressive sales and industry knowledge to the McLaughlin team,” said Jeff Wage, vice president of McLaughlin. “Jake’s prior experience with Vermeer, his sales expertise, and his deep understanding of customer needs within the construction industry make him a valuable addition.”
McLaughlin is a leading manufacturer of trenchless construction equipment including auger boring machines, Vermeer-branded vacuum excavators and pneumatic piercing tools, as well as locators, directional drills and various attachments. Jeffords’ role will be to support the full line of McLaughlin products to dealers and customers.
Jeffords is replacing John Archambeault, a territory manager who is retiring after 28 years at McLaughlin. Archambeault came to the company in 1988 after serving in the U.S. military. McLaughlin is grateful to Archambeault for the dedication and expertise he provided throughout the years.
For more information on McLaughlin products and services, visit the company’s website at www.mclaughlinunderground.com or email McLaughlin at mmole@mightymole.com.
For over 85 years, McLaughlin has been actively involved in the drilling tool industry. During that time McLaughlin has developed a reputation for designing and building dependable, low maintenance trenchless construction equipment. McLaughlin takes pride in providing solutions for OEMs and the underground industry.
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GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, announces the release of the UtilityScan Pro, the latest addition to the company’s popular UtilityScan GPR product line. UtilityScan systems are the industry standard for efficiently identifying and marking the location and depth of subsurface utilities, including gas, sewer, and communication lines. Featuring the SIR 4000 control unit, the UtilityScan Pro delivers the configurability and flexibility to address a wide range of utility applications.
This advanced GPR system is ideal for locating gas, communications, sewer lines, and other metallic and nonmetallic targets, including underground storage tanks and PVC pipes. The UtilityScan Pro also allows for real-time data collection, with a back-up cursor and cross-hair cursor that allow the user to accurately locate targets. Additionally, the new GPR system allows users to utilize multiple different techniques to calculate the depth of targets, for added flexibility. It effortlessly integrates with GPS and has the ability to store and replay data easily.
In addition to utility detection, the UtilityScan family of GPR solutions is configurable to the needs of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and environmental applications, including bridge deck assessment and concrete scanning. With a number of different cart and antenna configurations, the UtilityScan Pro can be tailored to meet a wide range of needs. All UtilityScan Pro configurations deliver exceptionally high-quality data and are rugged enough to withstand years of field usage, and include a two-year warranty.
About GSSI
Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. is the world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, primarily for the concrete inspection, utility mapping and locating, road and bridge deck evaluation, geophysics, and archaeology markets. Our equipment is used all over the world to explore the subsurface of the earth and to inspect infrastructure systems non-destructively. GSSI created the first commercial GPR system nearly 45 years ago and continues to provide the widest range and highest quality GPR equipment available today.
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Lechner brings industry experience and extensive knowledge
The Robbins Company announced the appointment of Joe Lechner to the role of Small Boring
Unit (SBU) Sales Manager. With over 18 years of industry experience, the role is a natural career progression for Lechner. It brings him back to his early roots of working with SBUs, while more recently he worked with TBMs. Lechner can continue his success with the company in this new capacity with the trenchless division.
In his new position, Lechner will handle SBU sales and rentals for Robbins, assist customers in equipment specifications for projects, and provide full-spectrum customer support. In addition, Lechner will be responsible for many other tasks such as generating quotes for cutters and spare parts, shop scheduling, forecasting, internal operations for Robbins, and field service support, as needed.
“I want customers to know they can come to me with any issues. I have a good understanding of the industry and our business,” said Lechner. “I want to provide an all-around good experience. Robbins wants your project to be successful, with our equipment and support.”
Lechner began working with SBUs in 1998, starting in field service. When he wasn’t out in the field, he was building SBUs and cutters. He started up and commissioned SBU-As in the field, and transitioned over to working with TBMs worldwide in the mid 2000’s. With his diverse worldwide field experience, Lechner’s knowledge will continue to benefit Robbins and its customers.
Lechner said his goals as Sales Manager for the SBU product line for the next two years include increasing stocking levels and providing fast deliveries to customers. He noted the division is streamlining inspection quoting and repair processes to ultimately provide the most efficient services possible. With a few hundred machines in service, some of which are working around the clock, he anticipates product sales, rentals and repairs all will remain consistent moving forward.
“We’re lucky to have Joe working with Robbins,” said Tom Fuerst, Utility Tunneling Sales Manager. “With his background and extensive knowledge, he’ll easily implement the best solutions for our customers.”
