Tag Archive for 'AED'

Industry-Wide Initiative Creates First-Ever AWP Equipment Document On General Training And Model-Specific Familiarization

Published on February 11, 2010 in Industry Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

The American Rental Association (ARA), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and the Scaffold Industry Association (SIA) have joined forces for a first-of-its-kind industry initiative to develop an educational document to clarify what is required for general training and model-specific familiarization of aerial work platform (AWP) equipment.

The result of this joint initiative is the Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment, the first such document that is applicable for use by everyone in the industry.  The content addresses:

  • Educating the industry on the industry-recognized-and-supported standards, including the American National Standards Institute/Scaffold Industry Association (ANSI/SIA) A92 Standards and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
  • Presenting best practices and minimum general training guidelines for AWP operators.
  • Emphasizing the differences between general training and familiarization to all parties responsible.
  • Clarifying minimum qualifications of the trainer.

The purpose of this joint initiative and document is the increased safe use of AWP equipment and expanded risk management knowledge for use of these machines throughout the country.

The Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment document was unveiled during The Rental Show, the ARA’s convention and trade show, Feb. 7-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

San Antonio Equipment Distributors Tell Congress:Get to Work on the Highway Bill So WE Can Get Back to Work!

Published on January 19, 2010 in Industry Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Congress’ failure to renew the federal highway program has real economic consequences for Texas and the rest of the country, construction equipment industry leaders said at a rally today at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The event was part of a national grassroots campaign called Start Us Up USA! by Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the nation’s two leading equipment industry trade groups.

Following the rally, a caravan of trucks carrying large pieces of construction equipment idled by the industry depression and draped with banners made its way through the streets of downtown San Antonio.

AED and AEM are seeking to draw attention to the economic crisis facing construction equipment distributors and manufacturers, as well as the consequences of Congress’ failure to reauthorize federal highway and transit programs.  According to a recent study by IHS Global Insight, since 2006 the U.S. equipment industry has lost 37 percent of its workforce and 40 percent of its economic output.  All indications are that construction industry business conditions are getting worse and what is happening – or is not happening – in Washington, D.C., is only adding to the misery.

SAFETEA-LU, the most recent federal surface transportation law, expired at the end of September.  Distracted by health care reform and climate change legislation, neither the U.S. House of Representatives nor the Senate has made headway on a reauthorization bill.  As a consequence, the highway program is operating under a series of short-term extensions that have added to historic volatility in the construction markets.

“States can’t plan and contractors don’t know how much work will be coming down the pike,” AED President & CEO Toby Mack said.  “As a result, they’re sitting on their hands and not investing in new equipment.  That’s killing our industry.”

“We’re not asking for a handout like the ones Congress gave the auto industry or the financial services sector,” AEM President Dennis Slater said.  “We’re just asking Congress to do its job and make highway reauthorization a priority.”

Bennett Closner, president and CEO of Closner Equipment Co., Inc., a San Antonio dealer, provided a local perspective on the national crisis.  Closner, who is the 2009 national chairman of AED, said that since 2006 Texas has lost more than $11 billion in economic activity because of the equipment industry downturn, the biggest loss of any state.  And Texas is second only to California in equipment industry-related job losses, with more than 53,000 layoffs in three years.

“I’ve listened to friends and colleagues agonize over the difficult decisions they’ve had to make about their businesses.  Almost all have had to lay off valued workers, many have closed one or more of their facilities, and some companies have shut their doors altogether after several generations in business,” Closner said.

Peter M. Holt, CEO of San Antonio-based Holt CAT, told rally attendees that local equipment dealers have experienced a 70 percent drop in new machine sales from 2008 levels.  He said that the most debilitating impact of the downturn for his company has been a 25 percent reduction in employment.

“Our remaining employees have made sacrifices in pay and benefits to enable us to stay profitable, and plans for several new store locations were canceled,” Holt said.

According to Holt, the economic crisis and uncertainty surrounding the highway bill are also taking a massive toll on local contractors.  “Our customers who do highway construction have laid off thousands of employees.  Many contractors are still reducing their workforces and their equipment fleets. The rapid drop in value of used equipment has also had a drastic affect on the equity of most contractors, resulting in a reduction of both borrowing and bonding capacity,” he said.

Other speakers at the rally included Texas State Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-District 25); Dean Word, III of Dean Word Company (New Braunfels); and Craig Paylor, president of JLG Industries, a manufacturer of mobile aerial work platforms based in Maryland.  They pointed to the broad social and economic consequences of infrastructure investment, or rather Congress’ failure to invest enough.

According to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), traffic congestion costs the country $87 billion per year in wasted time and fuel.  TTI reports that, on average, San Antonio commuters waste 27 gallons of fuel and 38 hours per year sitting in traffic.  A study last year by the Transportation Construction Coalition found that road conditions are a contributing factor in more than half – 52.7 percent – of the nearly 42,000 American deaths resulting from motor vehicle crashes each year.  Accidents in which road conditions were a factor cost Texas more than $13 billion in 2006.

More information about highway reauthorization and the AED-AEM campaign is available at http://www.startusupusa.com.

More Job Losses Ahead, Say AED & AEM

Published on November 11, 2009 in Daily Dirt. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Equipment Industry Orange Flags Warn Congress Of Job Losses Ahead

orange flagsEditor’s note: The following statement is not a figment of the industry’s collective imagination. It’s a fact. Delaying the enactment of a new highway bill is not doing this country any favors; in fact, it’s doing us more damage. The deteriorated condition of our transportation infrastructure will not only continue, it will accelerate. Today’s poor conditions will continue to get progressively worse. We need a new highway bill now. Oberstar and his committee have studied the problems; submitted two detailed reports and recommendations and drafted a new bill. If more time is spent studying the situation, we’ll find that these recommendations have become inadequate, not because of proper due diligence in conducting the studies, because of our collective failure to act. GS

aedlogo-1In the wake of last week’s dismal government unemployment data, two leading construction equipment industry trade groups are warning Congress that that the economy will shed more jobs in theAEM_logo_wo_cmyk coming months unless lawmakers swiftly enact a new multi-year highway law.

The warning came in the form of orange flags sent to every member of Congress by Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The flags were accompanied by details of a recent IHS Global Insight economic report that found the equipment industry had lost 37 percent of its workforce in the last three years, the equipment industry downturn had cost 550,000 jobs nationwide, and equipment sales had declined 50 percent since 2006.

The orange flag has become a symbol of Start Us Up USA!, a grassroots campaign launched in September by AED and AEM to draw attention to the equipment industry economic crisis. In conjunction with a recent Washington, D.C., rally and idle construction equipment caravan through the streets of the nation’s capital, the associations planted 5,500 orange flags in the National Mall – one for each 100 jobs lost since 2006 as a result of the downturn in the equipment industry.

AED and AEM are urging Congress to swiftly reauthorize the federal highway program and increase investment in roads and bridges to stop the job bleed and put the construction industry back to work. SAFETEA-LU, the most recent blueprint for federal highway spending, expired on Sept. 30 and neither chamber of Congress has yet voted on a new transportation bill. The uncertainty surrounding reauthorization and future highway funding levels has led many contractors to put off equipment purchases, which has contributed to historic volatility in equipment markets.

“These orange flags are a warning to Congress,” AED President & CEO Toby Mack said. “The highway bill is overdue and the construction industry is in a state of crisis. If Congress doesn’t do its job, more Americans are going to lose theirs in the months ahead.”

“A robust, multi-year highway bill won’t just create jobs and put people back to work, it will also build a solid foundation for America’s future economic growth, help create a cleaner environment, and make our roads safer,” AEM President Dennis Slater said.

More information about the AED-AEM Start Us Up USA! campaign (including video highlights of rallies and idle equipment caravans in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and the results of the IHS Global Insight study on industry economic conditions) is available, click here, or on Site-K Construction Zone.

DOZERS DESCEND ON CAPITOL HILL – 3rd Start USA Up Rally

Published on October 30, 2009 in Industry Activities and National. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Idled by Recession, Bulldozers Caravan to Washington Urging Congress to Act Now on a Highway Bill.A large caravan of bulldozers and other construction equipment displaying huge banners paraded through the streets of Washington today to send a

The lead vehicle in the DC Idle Equipment Caravan this Link-Belt HTC-8660 Series II Telescopic Truck...

The lead vehicle in the DC Idle Equipment Caravan this Link-Belt HTC-8660 Series II Telescopic Truck.

message to lawmakers that they must act now to stop the job bleeding in the construction equipment industry. Start Us Up USA! Campaign organizers, joined by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D‐MN) and other allies, also staged a rally on the National Mall against a backdrop of idle construction equipment and a sea of orange flags to emphasize the 550,000 jobs lost in this industry and encourage the federal government not to delay enactment of multi‐year highway legislation.

Provided by James River Equipment, this John Deere 410J Backhoe Loader also participated in the DC Idle Equipment Caravan. The Caravan looped the National Mall twice, including a trip down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Provided by James River Equipment, this John Deere 410J Backhoe Loader also participated in the DC Idle Equipment Caravan. The Caravan looped the National Mall twice, including a trip down Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Across the country, time is running out for the men and women of this industry as job losses continue to mount and prevent a broader economic recovery,” said Toby Mack, president and CEO of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED). “New transportation funding is a critical component to spurring a recovery of the construction equipment industry nationwide and improving our nation’s infrastructure,” added Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), who along with AED, is co‐sponsoring the Start Us UP USA! Campaign.

This JLG Boom Lift served as one of the background pieces of equipment, staged just behind the speakers, at the DC Rally on the National Mall. JLG also supplied equipment and drove in the Idle Equipment Caravan.

This JLG Boom Lift served as one of the background pieces of equipment, staged just behind the speakers, at the DC Rally on the National Mall. JLG also supplied equipment and drove in the Idle Equipment Caravan.

While recession abates for some sectors of the U.S. economy, the construction equipment industry remains stalled in a deep depression, according to Mack and Slater. In fact, eight percent of all jobs lost during the recession – or two out of every 25 – can be traced to this ailing industry, according to an economic report released just last month by IHS Global Insight. AEM and AED largely blame the downturn in their sector, in part, on the uncertainty surrounding the future of the highway program and a scarcity of new federal investment in needed transportation improvements that would benefit the public and strengthen our nation’s competitiveness.

A sea of 5,500 orange flags, each one representing 100 jobs already lost in the construction equipment industry.

A sea of 5,500 orange flags, each one representing 100 jobs already lost in the construction equipment industry.

The current law – SAFETEA‐LU – that funds the majority of our nation’s transportation investments is just days from expiring on October 31, and Congress and the administration have yet to move on a new multi‐year reauthorization bill. Leaders in the Start Us Up USA! campaign are calling for enactment of a new transportation bill before the spring construction season begins in early 2010. “It’s time for government leaders to act now on smart solutions, not apply a temporary band‐aid,” noted Slater. Chairman Oberstar spoke at today’s rally and urged his congressional colleagues to take immediate action on the highway bill rather than seek lengthy delays that would have severe consequences for our nation’s already congested and failing transportation network. Ray Pourpore, who leads the National Construction Alliance, an affiliation of labor unions, and Bill Cox, president of Corman Construction in Maryland representing the Transportation Construction Coalition, also lent their support during today’s rally.

Ditch Witch of Maryland was one of many supporters of the DC Rally on the National Mall, providing this RT115 Concrete Saw as part of the staged rally equipment. Ditch Witch of Maryland also supplied equipment and drove in the Idle Equipment Caravan.

Ditch Witch of Maryland was one of many supporters of the DC Rally on the National Mall, providing this RT115 Concrete Saw as part of the staged rally equipment. Ditch Witch of Maryland also supplied equipment and drove in the Idle Equipment Caravan.

The recent IHS Global Insight report revealed that the current recession has placed a severe drag on the construction equipment industry nationwide, which is consequently holding back the broader economy from recovery. Other key findings include:

  • The construction equipment industry – which includes manufacturing, distribution and equipment service facilities – has shed 37 percent of its workforce. By comparison, auto manufacturing and dealership jobs are down by 16 percent, while job losses in the finance and insurance industry amount to 6 percent of their workforce.
  • Spending on construction equipment has fallen by more than 50 percent compared to its peak in 2006.
  • The economic output of this industry has contracted by nearly 40 percent and resulted in the loss of approximately 550,000 jobs. That’s eight percent of all jobs lost since the start of the recession.
Joining Congressman Oberstar (center) on stage, from left to right: Toby Mack, President and CEO, Associated Equipment Distributors; Dennis Slater, President, Association of Equipment Manufacturers; Bill Cox, President, Corman Contractors, Inc.; Monty Boyd, President & CEO, Whayne Supply Company; and Ray Pourpore, Executive Vice President, National Construction Alliance. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Joining Congressman Oberstar (center) on stage, from left to right: Toby Mack, President and CEO, Associated Equipment Distributors; Dennis Slater, President, Association of Equipment Manufacturers; Bill Cox, President, Corman Contractors, Inc.; Monty Boyd, President & CEO, Whayne Supply Company; and Ray Pourpore, Executive Vice President, National Construction Alliance. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

IHS Global Insight also analyzed the impact of the construction equipment depression on individual states. From “peak‐to‐trough” – roughly 2006 to 2009 – the states suffering the greatest losses are California, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, as seen below.

Monty Boyd, president and CEO of Whayne Supply Company in Louisville, Kentucky, is among those who came to Washington today to participate in the rally. Boyd runs one of the nation’s oldest and largest Caterpillar dealerships, and he knows all too well the dire situation the industry is facing right now. “In this economy, each day is a challenge to keep our workers employed,” said Boyd. “Passing this highway bill will make a huge difference for our roads and infrastructure, and it’s the best way to put people back to work.”

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) speaks during a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Congressman Oberstar and other transportation leaders urged swift congressional action to create jobs against a backdrop of idle construction equipment symbolizing the 550,000 jobs lost in that industry. The Start Us Up USA! campaign is calling for a new transportation investment bill before the sprinig construction season begins in early 2010. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) speaks during a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Congressman Oberstar and other transportation leaders urged swift congressional action to create jobs against a backdrop of idle construction equipment symbolizing the 550,000 jobs lost in that industry. The Start Us Up USA! campaign is calling for a new transportation investment bill before the sprinig construction season begins in early 2010. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Wednesday’s (October 28) rally in Washington marks the third in a series of Start Us Up USA! grassroots campaign stops, with previous events taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada and Chicago, Illinois. More information on Start Us Up USA!, including detailed state‐by‐state economic data, photos and video of previous campaign events, and testimonials from some of those most affected by this industry depression, can be found at www.StartUsUpUSA.com.

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Dozers Descend On Capitol Hill

Published on October 26, 2009 in Industry Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

A Sea of Orange Flags to Drape the National Mall Symbolizing Massive Job Losses in the Construction Equipment Industry

WHAT:

A huge caravan of bulldozers and other pieces of construction equipment will descend on Washington this Wednesday to send a message to lawmakers that they must act now to stop the job bleeding for men and women in the construction equipment industry. To make their point, equipment dealers, manufacturing representatives, labor leaders and others will stage a rally of the Start Us Up USA! Campaign on the National Mall against a backdrop of idle construction equipment and surrounded by a sea of 5,500 orange flags — each one representing 100 jobs already lost in this industry. The equipment caravan, displaying Start Us Up USA! banners and waving orange flags, will parade the major streets surrounding the National Mall and Capitol Hill throughout mid-day after cruising past the campaign rally in progress.

WHY:

Scarcity of new federal funding for transportation improvements is contributing to a deep depression and significant job loss in the construction equipment industry. In fact, eight percent – or two out of every 25 jobs lost since the start of the recession – can be traced to this ailing industry. The current law that funds the majority of our nation’s transportation investments is just days from expiring on October 31, and Congress and the administration have yet to move on a new multi-year reauthorization bill.  Leaders in the Start Us Up USA! Campaign are calling for enactment of a new transportation bill before the spring construction season begins in early 2010.

WHEN:

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2009

WHERE:

The National Mall at 7th Street, NW (near the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden)

For more information on Start Us Up USA!, including state-by-state economic data, photos and video of previous campaign events in Las Vegas and Chicago, and testimonials from some of those most affected by this industry depression, visit  www.StartUsUpUSA.com.