Wastequip names Bryant chairman of the board

Wastequip has appointed Marty Bryant as chairman of its board of directors. Bryant has served as the company’s CEO since 2012 and has been a member of its board since that time. His career spans all facets of industrial and automotive manufacturing, from design and development to executive management and successful distressed business turnarounds. Prior to joining Wastequip, he held positions as senior adviser at Centerbridge Partners, president of light-vehicle products at Dana, vice president of operations at Webasto Roof Systems and engineering manager at Toyota.

Halbardier joins Vacuum Truck Rentals

Vacuum Truck Rentals announced Mitch Halbardier as the newest member of its sales team. He will serve the Deer Park, Texas, region and brings more than 18 years’ experience in the vacuum truck and heavy-equipment industry. Halbardier holds certifications in several Vactor training programs, as well as Vactor 2100 mechanics training and Vactor HXX products/mechanics training. He also holds training certifications with IBAK camera systems and PipeLogix, and he has worked with many other manufacturers and equipment including Keith Huber, Galbreath, Presvac Systems, Global Vacuum Systems and GapVax.

Kaiser Premier announces management appointments

Dan Weber, president and CEO of Kaiser Premier, announced the promotion of several key employees to its executive management team. The promotions include Kofi Barkoh, executive vice president, general manager, Gulf Coast region. He joined the company in 2019 and was instrumental in launching the new Gulf Coast service center in Pasadena, Texas. Lindsey Escalante, vice president, supply chain and quality operating systems, has been with the company since 2005. In addition to her experience in administrative and financial roles, Escalante has 12 years’ experience in supply chain management. Brandon Buchleiter, now the vice president of operations, started with the company in 2000. He has served as operations manager for the company since 2017. And Marcus Thomas, vice president of engineering, joined the company in 2006. He has held various positions in maintenance, product support and production management.

GPS Insight acquires ServiceBridge 

GPS Insight announced the acquisition of Chicago-based ServiceBridge, a leading field service management software company for small businesses and franchises with tools that empower field service teams. Founded in 2010, ServiceBridge offers software solutions that enable field service teams to dispatch technicians, manage customer data, streamline workflow management and franchise operations, and analyze results.

Mueller Water Products building brass foundry facility

Mueller Water Products is building a new finished goods brass foundry in Decatur, Illinois. The facility is expected to employ 250 workers to help increase production capacity and meet growing demand within the water infrastructure industry. Mueller was founded in Decatur in 1857 by German immigrant Hieronymus Mueller.

Fink named president of Plastics Pipe Institute

The Plastics Pipe Institute named David Fink as its new president and executive director. Fink, a veteran of the plastics pipe industry, previously served as the chairman of the PPI board of directors from 2017 to 2019 and has held a number of other leadership positions within the organization. Fink earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Vacuworx promotes Raines to regional service manager

Vacuworx announced an increased presence in the Gulf Coast area with the promotion of Paul Raines to regional service manager. Factory trained and certified to inspect, service and repair all makes and models of Vacuworx lifting equipment, he has been deployed north of San Antonio, as Vacuworx anticipates current and future needs tied to growth potential in South and West Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast region. 

Vermeer enters distribution agreement with MultiOne

Vermeer announced it has entered into a distribution agreement with MultiOne, a manufacturer of compact articulated loaders. Through the agreement, MultiOne will supply Vermeer-branded loader models to be sold, serviced and supported exclusively through Vermeer dealers across North America and the Caribbean.

O.J. Watson Equipment joins Vac-Con distribution network

Vac-Con announced that O.J. Watson Equipment joined its distribution network providing coverage in Colorado and specific counties in Wyoming. Family-owned and -operated since 1988, O.J. Watson traces its roots back more than 100 years, building custom trucks from pickups to large workhorses since 1912. Headquartered in Denver, the company also operates a full-service facility in Greeley, Colorado.