Masonry Magazine September 2006 Page. 60
News
Palmetto Brick Introduces New Colors
Palmetto Brick has announced the addition of new colors to its product line. These new colors are available in regular-size products, particularly with larger commercial projects. Ranging from Red Smooth to Chocolate Wirecut to 2.0 Greystone, these new products run the gamut in both color and texture. They were designed to not only offer color variety, but also complement each other to allow for blending within a project. Each brick also contains "through-the-body" color and Palmetto's 150-year guarantee.
Simpson Strong-Tie® Announces Terry Kingsfather as New President
In August, Philip "Terry" Kingsfather took the position of president and COO for Simpson Strong-Tie. Kingsfather will succeed Steve Lamson, who announced his plans to retire in 2007. Lamson will stay on until then and assist with the transition of responsibilities. Terry Kingsfather is currently the vice president of Simpson Strong-Tie's Anchor Systems product line and has been with the company for 27 years. His Simpson career started in 1979 as an outside sales representative in the Pacific Northwest. Six years later, he moved into the position of regional sales manager. He joined the anchor systems sales team in 1997, and was instrumental in the roll-out of this product line. Prior to being appointed vice president in 2004, he had focused on national account sales for Anchor Systems.
Production of Cat-branded Telehandlers on Schedule at JLG
Plans for JLG Industries Inc. to provide a full line-up of Cat-branded telehandlers continue to move forward. The Caterpillar Alliance Group team, consisting of JLG and Cat staff in sales, marketing, product support and engineering, has been formed to specifically support the requirements of the Cat-branded telehandlers and the global Caterpillar® dealer network. In preparation, JLG is reorganizing its manufacturing facilities for production start of the Cat-branded telehandler products.
JLG will be manufacturing six Cat models that will be offered to the North and South American markets by the fall of 2006. Two Cat TH models, B-Series machines, the TH220B and TH330B, will be sourced at JLG's manufacturing facility in Maasmechelen, Belgium in August 2006. Four new TL-Series models, the TL642, TL943, TL1055, and TL1255, will be manufactured at JLG's manufacturing facility in McConnellsburg, Pa., beginning in October 2006. Under the terms of the 20-year strategic alliance agreement, JLG will provide exclusively to Caterpillar dealers a full line-up of Cat-branded telehandler products. The company will support the North and South American markets from its McConnellsburg, Pa.-facility, and the markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as the rest of the world, from its Maasmechelen, Belgium-facility.
Gehl Company Names New Director
The board of directors for Gehl Company, a manufacturer and distributor of compact equipment for construction and agricultural markets, elected Bruce D. Hertzke to a position on the Board at the July 21, 2006, board of directors meeting. Hertzke is the chairman and CEO of Winnebago Industries Inc. of Forest City, Iowa. He has held various positions with the company since joining them in 1971.
Owens Corning To Acquire Modulo/ParMur Group
Owens Corning announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire The Modulo™/ParMur Group, a market-leading producer and distributor of manufactured stone veneer in Europe.
Pence Immigration Plan Receives Attention
Jessica Johnson Bennett
Director of Government Affairs, Mason Contractors Association of America
Recently, Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) has put forth a plan that is receiving a great deal of attention. Pence is a leading proponent of the House's bill, H.R. 4437, which seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen enforcement of the immigration laws, to enhance border security, and for other purposes. In realizing that there were drastic differences between the House and Senate bill and what President Bush envisions, Pence designed his own immigration reform proposal.
One of the pillars of Pence's program is the requirement that all illegals depart the U.S. briefly and then re-enter. This is similar to the "touch base" proposal that has surfaced before. Another cornerstone of the proposal is that private employment agencies would be established overseas to process the applications of those applying to return to the United States through the guest worker program. As noted by Pence, "I believe it's amnesty if you can get right with the law by paying a fine, but never have to go home."
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), along with other construction trade associations, met with Pence's staff to discuss his plan and its impact on employers. His staff has asked for our input, and will be sending any new language to us for review. In addition, the Senate Judiciary Committee began holding hearings around the country regarding immigration and its impact on the United States and its economy. The House Education and Workforce Committee will hold its first hearing on the issue since passage of the Senate bill. MCAA, along with the other construction trade associations, will be sending a letter to Committee members and the House leadership, thanking them for holding the hearing and expressing our support for comprehensive immigration reform.