Underground Infrastructure - March 2023 - 36

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platform that includes a certificate of completion
at the end of the course.
The other three programs are: Drainage Installation
Training, Introduction to Polyethylene
Piping for Oil and Gas, and the PPI Mini-HDD
Conduit Design Calculator tutorial.
Visit the PPI eLearn channel at https://elearn.
plasticpipe.org
Victaulic
victaulic.com
Victaulic, the world's leading manufacturer of
mechanical pipe joining, fire protection and flow
control solutions, acquired the business assets
of Tennessee Metal Fabricating Corporation
(TMF), including three buildings totaling 125,000
square feet and over 36 acres of land.
The acquisition supports Victaulic's growth
in the infrastructure market and its capacity for
large-diameter piping solutions and is consistent
with its strategy to manufacture products in
close proximity to customers.
Since 1919, Victaulic's innovative solutions
and design services continue to increase construction
productivity and reduce risk, ensuring
projects are completed safely, on time and
within budget. With more than 4,500 global employees
and 40 international facilities, Victaulic
helps customers in 120 countries succeed in the
global construction industry.
Tennessee Metal Fabricating Corporation has
been fabricating large-diameter steel pipe and
fittings, up to 144-inch diameter, since 1962. It
supports transmission lines for potable water
supply; water treatment plant interior and yard
process piping; wastewater treatment plant
interior and yard process piping; power plant
coal fired/circulating water systems and hydroelectric/penstocks;
pumping stations suction/
discharge/by-pass; and dam outlet works piping.
Oatey
oatey.com
Oatey Co.'s Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship
Program represents a continuing commitment
to supporting, advancing and retaining
SAK Construction Renames Underground Division Affholder, LLC
SAK Construction, LLC, a leading pipeline rehabilitation and
tunneling solutions provider, announced its Underground
Division will now be known as Affholder, LLC.
The rebranding is part of SAK's growth plan to separate
its businesses so each can focus on its core competencies.
In addition, it provided the opportunity to honor Robert
" Bob " Affholder, SAK's vice-chairman and co-founder, with
the return of his name to the letterhead of a tunneling company
after an absence of more than a decade and a half.
Also a pioneering figure in the underground industry, Affholder is a familiar and respected
name by many, with roots that go back to the 1968 founding of the original Affholder, Inc.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of SAK, the company will continue to serve customers in the
municipal, energy, and industrial sectors, providing a range of solutions for water, sanitary,
and stormwater pipelines. These include soft-ground, soft-rock, hard-rock, and hand-mined
large-diameter tunneling solutions, as well as shaft excavation, shotcrete, and sliplining.
The renamed company will continue to be led by Boyd Hirtz, a seasoned tunneling expert
with over 30 years of industry experience.
" I am honored to lead Affholder and continue building on our momentum, " he said " Our
team is dedicated to the principles Bob brought to the original Affholder company 55 years
ago - delivering the highest quality services and products to our customers with honesty
and integrity. We are confident in our ability to continue succeeding in this endeavor. "
SAK Construction and Affholder are based in O'Fallon, Mo., with project spanning the
United States. UI
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Affholder, (636) 385-1000, affholder.com
SAK Construction (636) 385-1000, sakcon.com
36 MARCH 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
its operations associates through world-class,
on-the-job training.
First launched in 2016, the program is
designed to promote associates' advancement
into higher-skilled positions that are more
aligned with their long-term career goals. It
also leverages additional career-development
opportunities for the company's more-experienced
associates, allowing them to hone their
leadership, training and mentoring skills, while
working with a diverse group of apprentices.
The registered apprenticeship program,
based at Oatey's Cleveland manufacturing
facility, is sponsored by Manufacturing Works
and regulated through the State of Ohio. Manufacturing
Works' sponsorship helps manage the
program and provides Oatey with continuous
expert guidance about how to offer the most
cutting-edge resources for associates.
To date, the program has included three groups
(or cohorts), including a total of six registered
apprentices, and continues to maintain 100-percent
retention of those who participate. Oatey's
commitment to small cohorts ensures personal
attention to the apprentices' development.
Currently, two active cohorts, with four
apprentices - all from underrepresented groups -
are making their way through the program. Oatey
also recently welcomed its first female apprentice,
who will graduate as part of the third cohort.
When the need for new apprentices is
determined, positions are opened and the
program welcomes applications from any
active operations associate in good standing,
including those at Cleveland Manufacturing
and Distribution facilities.
However, the selection process for admission
is rigorous. Applicants must display a strong work
ethic, reliable attendance record, commitment
to Oatey, and passion for skilled technical work.
Prior to acceptance, new candidates must
provide evidence of earning their high school
diploma or GED and complete a Mechanical Apti

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Underground Infrastructure - March 2023

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