New News information at OCH magazine

Konecranes wins $50 million contract from Port of Houston

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:29:38 GMT

The Port Commission also amended a contract with Konecranes for eight diesel electric container yard cranes for Barbours Cut to include three additional diesel electric container yard cranes for the Bayport Terminal at a cost of $5.9 million. A planned $700 million project to modernize the port will include new cranes, lights and dock improvements to continue to provide customers efficient cargo handling.

The growth in containers is a leading indicator for the need for expanded facilities at Bayport to provide present and future customers with consistent, efficient service, as well as improvements in the truck gate technology at Bayport.

In his monthly report, Executive Director Len Waterworth said that total tonnage at Port Authority facilities for the month of April was flat to the prior year but with "good growth of 6 percent" in containers, which increased by 92,000 tons while year-to-date total tonnage of 11.4 million tons is up slightly by 1 percent.

Year to date, the Port Authority has realized $18 million in net income, with operations generating income of more than $9 million and the remainder from nonoperating contributions and grant funds.

Power plant $540 million extra costs is ‘long-term investment’

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:25:25 GMT

Southern Co. has absorbed the unexpected charges of building Plant Ratcliffe in Mississippi's Kemper County, a showcase facility designed to capture much of the carbon dioxide produced while burning local coal to make electricity. The carbon dioxide will then be sold to companies that use it to extract oil. If successful, supporters say the plant would prove the United States can still rely on coal as a fuel even if it moves to trim carbon dioxide emissions, a gas blamed for global warming.

Losses from the plant, a project of Southern Co. subsidiary Mississippi Power, proved a drain on the parent company's net income, which fell 78 percent to $81 million during the first three months of the year compared to $368 million during the same period last year. Mississippi Power said it will not pass the extra costs on to its customers.

"That was a bitter pill for us to swallow," CEO Thomas Fanning said, responding to a question during an annual meeting of shareholders in Georgia. "But it was appropriate. It shows, I think, appropriate corporate responsibility in this issue."

The cost of the plant has increased sharply. To ease the pressure, Mississippi Power is issuing up to $1 billion in bonds to help pay for project overruns.

Columbus McKinnon operating margin rises to 10 per cent of sales

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:09:32 GMT

Commenting on the results, Timothy T. Tevens, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We believe our focus on productivity and operational excellence is demonstrated in our financial performance for the quarter and year. As we grow our market share around the world and further penetrate emerging economies as well as improve our productivity, we expect to continue to strengthen our earnings power."

He also noted, "Our operating leverage was significant in the year as we recognized the productivity benefits of our Lean Business System and the value of our prior-year's restructuring efforts."

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $144.6 million, down $15.0 million, or 9.4%, from the prior-year period. U.S. sales, which comprised 59% of total sales, were down by $5.3 million, or 5.8%, to $85.3 million compared with $90.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The decline in sales reflected a $5.6 million impact of a business divested in August 2012 and three fewer shipping days. Sales outside of the U.S. were down $9.7 million, or 14.1%, to $59.3 million, reflecting lower sales volume primarily in Western Europe and Canada as well as fewer shipping days. Foreign currency translation had a negative impact of $0.7 million on sales during the quarter. Excluding the effects of foreign currency translation and the divestiture, sales declined by 5.4% in the quarter.

Gross profit remained unchanged from the prior year at $44.2 million for the quarter. However, as a percent of sales, gross margin expanded 290 basis points to 30.6% compared with 27.7% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Gross margin expanded as pricing and productivity improvements offset the impact of lower volume and inflation.

Abengoa to build $110 million power plant in Glendale

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:42:00 GMT

The process is called pyrolytic gasification.

Abengoa said it will build and run the plant for Vieste LLC, a Chicago company that has been negotiating with the city to build the facility at the landfill west of Loop 101 between Northern and Glendale avenues.

Abengoa also is building the large solar power plant west of Gila Bend, the Solana Generating Station, which will sell its electricity to Arizona Public Service Co.

The Glendale project would sort about 180,000 tons of trash a year, turning as much as possible into gas for electricity, according to the company announcement.

If built, the power plant will have a capacity of 15 megawatts. That would be enough electricity to supply about 3,750 homes at once, while the power plant is running. Abengoa said the project will create about 50 jobs.

Vieste still is searching for someone to buy the power from the facility. Power-purchase agreements usually are required before power plants are built.

"While the renewable power generated would most likely be attractive to a buyer both in and out of California, there are no current plans to do such a transaction," said Mark Branaman, an executive vice president with Vieste. "What I am able to share is that we are in negotiations with multiple potential entities for the disposition of the power at this point in time."

Konecranes delivers RTG cranes to Meridian Port Services

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:39:26 GMT

The cranes are part of an order placed late last year. MPS already operates four Konecranes RTGs, which were delivered fully-erect in March 2013.

MPS's RTGs are all-electric, 16-wheel cranes with a lifting capacity of 40 tons stacking 1-over-5 containers high and 7 plus truck lane wide.

They are equipped with Konecranes' Smarter Cabin offering improved ergonomics and visibility. They are also equipped with advanced Konecranes technology such as Autosteering, a driver aid that keeps the crane on a pre-programmed, straight path, and Diesel Fuel Saver, which cuts fuel consumption dramatically without compromising performance.

The RTG container positioning systems are connected to the Terminal Operating System (TOS) ensuring correct, real-time container positioning and an accurate container inventory. The cranes are also equipped with remote access technology that allows Konecranes experts to connect to the machines remotely in order to diagnose problems.

Konecranes STS cranes heading for Georgia

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:31:00 GMT

The cranes are part of an order that Konecranes received in 2011. In addition to the four STS cranes, the order included 20 Konecranes Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes that have already been delivered to the customer.

The Port of Savannah is the fastest growing container port in the US and the second-largest port on the American East Coast. Exports are driving growth at the port, which boasts a uniquely balanced export/import ratio. It handled 12% of all US containerized exports in 2012, a total of 1.6 million TEU.

The Super Post Panamax STS cranes currently en route have a lifting capacity of 66 tons and an outreach of 61 meters. Their design is identical to the STS cranes that Konecranes delivered to the GPA a few years ago; these have turned out to be among the most productive cranes in the US.

Aloysius Rauen steps down as CEO of Demag Cranes

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:27:31 GMT

In a statement issued this week, Dr Michael W. Ernestus, Chairman of the Supervisory Board said: "We thank Mr Rauen for his outstanding dedication during his time as Chief Executive Officer. He successfully led the company throughout a period of many changes. He played a key role in the integration of Demag Cranes AG into Terex Corporation with the Company and its staff, products and brands now being an important part of Terex. We wish Mr Rauen all the very best for his future."

Mr Rauen is succeeded as CEO by Steve Filipov, who, since January, has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) on the Management Board of Demag Cranes AG and, at the same time, President of the Material Handling & Port Solutions segment, which also manages Demag Cranes business within Terex Corporation. Steve Filipov has worked for Terex and held various management positions there since 1994. Among other positions, Steve Filipov was also President Terex Cranes from 2004 to 2008 and President Developing Markets from 2008 to January 2013.

Larry Lockwood remains unchanged in his role as Chief Financial Officer on the Management Board of Demag Cranes AG.

GE has interest in Ghana power plant

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:13:00 GMT

If it comes to fruition, this will boost power generation in Ghana as the country currently battles with frequent power shortages.

A statement issued by Ghana's Energy Ministry said plans to build the plant had been discussed during a meeting between Jay Ireland, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Africa and Ghana's Energy and Petroleum Minister, Emmanuel Kofi Buah

Ireland who led a team of senior GE executives to meet the Minister, indicated his company's excitement about the opportunities in Ghana's power sector which he describes as a growing industry.

He observed that a lot of opportunities exist in the power sector for independent power producers in Ghana, adding that besides the company entering the market itself, it has the capability to bring in other investors in an effort to lead the public-private-partnership (PPP) in the energy sector.

Cranes boost Manitowoc sales to $898 million

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:09:49 GMT

The company said the sales increase was primarily driven by a 7.8-percent increase in crane segment sales.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported net earnings of $10.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the first quarter versus a net loss of $0.3 million, in the first quarter of 2012. Both periods included special items. Excluding special items in both quarters, the adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $12.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2013, versus adjusted earnings of $0.6 million, in the first quarter of 2012.

"Fueled by our diverse product offerings, leading technologies, and geographic reach across the entire Manitowoc enterprise, we are pleased with our first-quarter performance as we generated another quarter of year-over-year revenue growth in both segments," said Glen Tellock, Manitowoc's chairman and CEO.

He added: "In spite of some pockets of macro-economic weakness, we are encouraged by the increasing level of customer engagement at both the Bauma and NAFEM industry trade shows, underscoring our excellent products and best-in-class support as a key differentiator for us. As both businesses continue to benefit from the significant investments we have made to upgrade our global manufacturing network, improve operating efficiencies, and drive product innovation, we are confident in our capabilities to enhance our positions across the globe."

First-quarter 2013 net sales in the Crane segment were $547.4 million, up 7.8 percent from $507.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, driven primarily by continued growth in the Americas region, as well as sustained demand in certain emerging markets muted by continuing weakness in Europe.

Crane segment operating earnings for the first quarter of 2013 were $31.3 million, compared to $21.4 million in the same period last year. This resulted in an operating margin of 5.7 percent for the first quarter of 2013, up from 4.2 percent in the same period in 2012. First-quarter 2013 earnings were driven by higher sales volume and operational efficiencies.

Bailey Cranes rolls out hybrid-powered carry-deck cranes

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:05:25 GMT

Bailey Cranes is a two-year-old company headed by Jeff Bailey,former owner of Man Lift Engineering, Cudahy, Wis. It operates a 23,000-sq.-ft. factory in Milwaukee, where the firm designs, fabricates,and assembles its products. Key features of its carry-deck crane line are its environmentally friendly, quiet, and continuous operation.

"Heavy lifting, structural analysis, and implementing the latest in control technology has always been a passion for me," says Bailey, president and CEO. "The crane industry is ripe for fresh ideas with a20th-century upgrade to provide clean, quiet and safe lifting solutions."

Bailey Cranes are primarily used indoors, where exhaust emissions and carbon monoxide poisoning are concerns. Bailey says the company'sbattery-powered products are ideal for applications requiring exhaust-free operation, such as in clean rooms, refineries, aircraft or aerospace plants, industrial plants, mining, congested work areas, and the food industry. Bailey says the hybrid option allows for continuousoperation and is ideal for machinery movers, rental companies, industrial plants, construction companies, and similar applications.