Little Giant celebrating 80th anniversary in 2021
Franklin Electric brand Little Giant is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. The company is marking the occasion with a series of initiatives planned throughout the year, including a revitalized brand look.
Vortex acquires Germany-based Fleer-Tech GmbH
As part of its European expansion strategy, Vortex Cos. completed the acquisition of Germany’s Fleer-Tech GmbH, a trenchless sewer rehabilitation contractor. Founded in 2001 and based in Lehrte, Germany, Fleer-Tech has steadily increased its services, while remaining focused on delivering cost-effective no-dig solutions.
McElroy University unveils new courses and webpage
McElroy University’s online homepage has a revised look and is also offering new courses. The website provides an overview of each course, details about topics and equipment covered, and available dates and locations for any in-person training. In addition, an option was added to further customize operator qualification training through à la carte options. For many classes, in-person hands-on training accompanies the online training so students receive practical experience on equipment. Other classes are offered 100% online for students to learn on their own time from almost anywhere in the world.
Utilis rebrands to ASTERRA, receives AWWA award
Utilis unveiled its new brand, ASTERRA, and hosted a reception where the company was presented with the inaugural Innovation Award from the American Water Works Association. The San Diego Chamber of Commerce joined ASTERRA leaders from both the United States and Israel and former Mayor and chamber President Jerry Sanders for a ribbon cutting on Aug. 5.
VMAC makes 2021 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing list
VMAC earned its position within Canada’s Great Place To Work’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing list for the third consecutive year. Great Place To Work determines the Best Workplaces list by reviewing confidential coworker responses to their Trust Index Survey, which requires coworkers to agree over a variety of criteria that their workplace is a ‘great place to work.’
PPI announces new board chair
The Plastics Pipe Institute announced that Douglas Keller, technical lead — Americas for Equistar Chemical’s Pipe Resins, is the chair of its board of directors, a two-year appointment. Keller, who has been a member of PPI for 12 years, moves to the chair position after serving as the vice chair for the past two years. He has also been on the association’s board as treasurer.
Total Equipment expands Vermeer industrial representation, rebrands
Total Equipment, a full-line Vermeer industrial dealer headquartered in Puerto Rico, announced it acquired the rights from Vermeer Southeast to represent the Vermeer industrial product line in over 20 islands south of Cuba. The area includes islands from Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago, and also includes the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao). With this acquisition, Vermeer Total Equipment’s name will be discontinued, and the new entity will conduct business under the brand name of Vermeer Caribbean under the leadership of Total Equipment. Vermeer Southeast will keep ownership and continue to serve the territories of Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
Trenchless Equipment announces new team members
Trenchless Equipment, based in Turlock, California, announced four new members to its team, Michael Lien, Miriam Brenner, David Huff and Bill Seals. Lien, with over 20 years’ experience at TRIC Tools managing all aspects of the business, has taken the position of managing director with Trenchless. Brenner comes to Trenchless Equipment with over two decades of experience. She has taken the position as international sales specialist with the company. Huff comes to Trenchless Equipment with four years’ experience and was the national sales manager with TRIC Tools. He joins the company as director of sales. Seals comes to Trenchless with four decades of working with service professionals at both Spartan Tool and TRIC Tools.
