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July 16 2011 Vol. VII • No. 15
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215/885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215/885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Technology Speeds Up Spaceport Runway Work…26
Rogers Brothers Ear ns U.S. Export Award…32
Calif. Outsources Bay Bridge Work to Chinese Firm By Elaine Kurtenbach AP BUSINESS WRITER
SHANGHAI (AP) China’s biggest heavy machinery maker wrapped up work on the new, tougher east span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge on July 11, hoping success with the $6.3 billion project will help it clinch more overseas contracts. California’s Department of Transportation chose Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. to fabricate the steel girders and tower meant to improve the earthquake resistance of the bridge linking San Francisco and Oakland after the 1989 Loma Prieta quake collapsed part of the bridge. see BRIDGE page 31
AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
A worker walks past the sections of the new east span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge awaiting shipment to San Francisco at the main plant of Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., on Changxing Island in Shanghai, China, July 11. Working around the clock, China's biggest heavy machinery maker put the final touches on sections of the new east span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge, the biggest project so far for the state-run giant expanding in the global construction market.
NCCCO Prevails in Legal Caterpillar Dispute With Crane School Equipment Hi-Way Equipment Holds Triple Threat Rodeos…40
Table of Contents ................4 Attachment Section ....11-12 Crushing, Screening & Recycling Section ........15-22 Parts Section ....................36 Truck & Trailer Section32-35 Business Calendar ............44 Auction Section ..........39-45 Advertisers Index ..............46
In a landmark case that has major implications for certification organizations nationwide, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) recently prevailed in a lawsuit brought against it in California Superior Court by California Crane School (CCS) and its owner, John Nypl. After deliberating for less than one day, a 12-member jury returned a complete defense verdict for NCCCO, awarding CCS and Nypl nothing. In the suit, Nypl claimed that NCCCO and its testing services provider, International Assessment Institute (IAI), intentionally interfered with certain business relationships of CCS and Nypl, with the intention of causing them harm. Nypl sought more than $5 million in damages. “NCCCO vigorously defended this action in the firm knowledge and belief that its treatment of CCS and Mr. Nypl has been fair and appropriate,” said NCCCO President John M. Kennedy. “The decision of the jury in favor of NCCCO is a vindication of the steps NCCCO
was obliged to take to prevent damage to the quality and integrity that has become a hallmark of CCO certification over the past fifteen years.” CCS and Nypl originally demanded more than $30 million from NCCCO. The plaintiffs filed their initial complaints in Oakland and Nevada City, Calif., but NCCCO filed successful motions to transfer the litigation to Sonora. The original case also asserted claims for alleged violations of California’s antitrust and unfair competition laws, but those claims were thrown out before trial. Eventually, the case went to trial only on two surviving claims for alleged business interference. “Whenever there is evidence of inappropriate conduct by firms or individuals who desire to participate in CCO certification programs, NCCCO has an obligation to ensure they comply with all prevailing policies and procedures,” said NCCCO Executive Director Graham Brent. “To do otherwise could undermine the integrity of CCO certification and put at risk those who see DISPUTE page 10
Sales Grow PEORIA, Ill. (AP) Caterpillar reported another strong month of global sales growth in May when sales improved 52 percent over last year, but the results were slightly weaker than the recent months. Sales in May were strongest in the region of Europe, Africa and the Middle East where sales grew 65 percent. Caterpillar’s Asian region posted the weakest results, but sales there were still up 38 percent. Caterpillar’s sales figures are considered an indicator of the health of the economy, so they are watched closely. Before May, Caterpillar reported annual sales growth of 66 percent in April, 61 percent in March and 59 percent in February.