Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/221076
Industry Beat James A. Loftus Dies IN THE NEWS Terex Corporation initiated a capital improvement plan to upgrade and repurpose its Oklahoma City manufacturing facility. The plan follows the sale of several road building equipment product lines that were, up until now, manufactured 50-Year AED Memberships Recognized Binder Machinery, based in South Plainfield, N.J. recently commemorated 50 years as an AED member. Pictured from left to right: Bob Henderson, AED executive vice president and COO; Tim Watters, AED vice chairman and president of Hoffman Equipment; Bob Binder, chairman and CEO; Alan Binder, executive vice president; Brendan Binder, president and COO. at the facility. Since 2008, Terex has sought to gain efficiencies by manufacturing multiple product lines in one location where possible based on geographic locations and the ability to flex production among multiple product categories over the course of an economic cycle. The transformation of the 700,000-square-foot facility on more than 100 acres will make it compatible with the Terex Business System (TBS) – the company's approach to lean manufacturing and business practices, which it employs across its many business segments, product lines and manufacturing facilities across the globe. Yanmar announced it acquired 6.26 percent of the capital and voting rights of Manitou BF. The shares were acquired from the French bank Société Générale. This shareholding investment comes as the two groups enhance their strategic alliance, expanding cross distribution into Mexico and Latin America. Runnion Opens New Wisconsin Location Drobach Equipment, based in Union, N.J., also celebrated its 50th year as an AED member. Neil Anderson, general manager, Drobach Equipment; Bob Henderson, Tim Watters, John Drobach, president; JB (John) Drobach, vice president; John Morton, controller. Runnion Equipment, the National Crane dealer headquartered in Illinois, recently hosted an open house to introduce businesses to their new location in Caledonia, Wis., and to demonstrate the capabilities of the new National Crane NBT55 boom truck. Customers were invited to enjoy some hands-on time with the machine and meet the Runnion team. James A. Loftus, of Villanova, Pa., died on Oct. 13. He had a long history in the heavy equipment industry. A graduate of Villanova University, Loftus enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of first captain. He began his career with Caterpillar dealer Giles and Ransom, where he eventually directed the rental company, Ransome Rentals. He and his close friend Bob Brandon later started Basic Equipment Co., specializing in rental equipment and also purchased Service Supply. Loftus is a past president of the Delaware Valley Associated Equipment Distributors. Leonard Hoeft Dies Leonard Hoeft, 91, passed away on Oct. 30. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, first enrolling in the College of William and Mary, where he mastered accelerated courses in engineering, then pausing his college studies as his 95th Infantry Division fought in Europe. Hoeft finished his college studies at the University of Illinois with a degree in Commerce and began his career at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Peoria, Ill. in 1946; in 1954, he joined the Wm. H. Ziegler Company in Minneapolis as corporate controller. He held several management positions at Ziegler, and was elected president and CEO in 1969, a position he held until 1988. Leonard was a respected leader in the construction industry and loved Ziegler, its employees and the many customers with whom he worked. December 2013 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 17