Underground Infrastructure - September 2023 - 46

BUSINESS
LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS
Volvo CE to Establish
New Compact Business Unit
led to the expansion of the construction sector
throughout the globe, with a particularly strong
increase in the demand for compact equipment.
The segment now represents 50 percent of the
total market, compared to 35 percent a decade
ago, with the growth trend likely to continue.
This new global business unit is the latest
As part of its ambition to lead the
transformation journey through electrification
and sustainable power, Volvo CE has set up a
dedicated business unit for its range of
compact equipment machines and solutions.
The aim is driving growth and profitability in
this important product segment.
An increase in population and urbanization has
step forward in the company's ambitions to
lead the transformation of the industry and
provide dedicated productivity-boosting
solutions built to fit customers' evolving needs.
Thomas Bitter, Volvo CE's Head of Technology,
will take on the role as Head of the Compact
Business Unit, from September 2023.
" Our pioneering work in electrification and
digitalization has positioned us as an innovator
in compact equipment, " said Thomas Bitter,
Volvo CE's head of technology, who assumes
Vermeer Looks to the Future After 75 Years in Business
Built on Founder Gary
Vermeer's legacy of finding
a better way, Vermeer
Corporation has centered
around impacting people and
the world for the better, over
the last 75 years. As the
company looks to the future,
third-generation family
member, President and CEO
Jason Andringa said the next 75 years will continue to aim for the same purpose.
" What started as a small machine shop to meet the needs of local farmers in and around our
hometown of Pella, Iowa, soon became the ground floor for my grandfather (Gary) to open
Vermeer Manufacturing in 1948, " said Andringa.
" With the guiding principle of treating other people how you'd want to be treated yourself, we've
created a culture over the last 75 years of making a real impact on the way work gets done that
continues to drive our company forward. Ultimately, it's a commitment that is part of every interaction
we have among ourselves, suppliers, dealers, customers and the communities we live and work in. "
Today, Vermeer is an organization of more than 4,000 team members worldwide that was recently
recognized by Forbes magazine as one of America's Best Midsize Employers. Operating eight facilities
on six continents and offering service and support in more than 60 countries, the iconic yellow iron
equipment is distributed through a global network of more than 600 industrial and forage dealers.
From Gary Vermeer's first invention of the wagon hoist, more innovative equipment followed:
the hydraulic horizontal directional drill, large round baler and stump cutter. In this way, Vermeer
has shown its commitment to developing high-quality equipment that addresses the challenges
its customers face.
Helping connect people to the necessities of life, manage natural resources, and feed and fuel
communities, new innovations Vermeer plans to bring to market will include expanding digital
product offerings, developing next-generation machines and introducing new equipment. UI
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vermeer Corporation, (641) 628-3141, vermeer.com
46 SEPTEMBER 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
NAXSA's desire to establish an alliance with
OSHA was fulfilled recently as it joined OSHA
leaders and six other prominent industry groups
for a signing ceremony at the U.S. Bureau of
Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation
Operations Alliance includes a formal
Agreement among the organizations to " forge
innovative, creative, and effective ways to fill the
gap in trench and shoring safety communication
and education between industry, government,
and small-to medium-sized contractors. "
The signing was preceded by several
months of input into a work plan detailing
each organization's role and responsibilities.
Specific events and actions, such as NAXSA's
annual Shore Up for Safety Week and multiple
upcoming Trench Safety Summits, are included
as deliverables in the work plan, along with
sharing of information between the Alliance
partners and support for specific OSHA
activities, communications, and goals.
Gathering around the signing table, partners
discussed the challenges the Alliance seeks to
address and offered insights from their organizations'
perspectives. Stephen Sandherr, CEO of
the Associated General Contractors of America
(AGC), cited unambiguous standards and
practices as a priority of his organization. Sarah
Magruder, president and CEO of the Common
Ground Alliance (CGA), called for more use of
811 and a change in risk assessment borne by
consequences that drive safety practices.
the top position of the Compact Business Unit
in September.
" And now, because of compact equipment's
ever-growing influence on the market, we are
focusing our attention on our compact machine
portfolio to provide customers with productive
and sustainable products and services. "
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Volvo Construction Equipment,
(717) 532-9181, volvoce.com
NAXSA, Industry Groups Sign
Formal Alliance with OSHA
http://www.volvoce.com http://www.vermeer.com http://www.UndergroundInfrastructure.com
Underground Infrastructure - September 2023

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