North American Special - Trenchless International

Pipes & People
Prime Horizontal
pipes & people
April 2009 - Trenchless International
8
Vale Gary Vermeer
Founder and Chairman Emeritus of
Vermeer Corporation Gary Vermeer passed
away on 2 February 2009 at 90 years of
age.
Mr Vermeer and a cousin started the business
in 1948, after inventing a wagon hoist
five years earlier, which made it easier to
unload corn. Demand for the labour-saving
device from his neighbours prompted him
to open Vermeer Manufacturing Company.
From that small operation, the company
has grown over the past 60 years to an
international organisation that manufactures
agricultural, construction, environmental,
and industrial equipment. Today, Vermeer
Corporation has industrial dealerships in
over 60 countries and on every continent
except Antarctica.
Moles Awards Herrenknecht
US heavy construction industry association
The Moles has presented the Schwanau
entrepreneur Martin Herrenknecht with the
Moles Award 2009.
Dr Herrenknecht is the first European
and non-US citizen to be honoured with this
prize. Dr Herrenknecht was presented with
the Award in New York on 28 January, in the
presence of some 2,000 decision-makers
and representatives of the US heavy construction
industry, as well as the Governor
of New Jersey, Jon S Corzine.
In addition, Dr. Herrenknecht was awarded
honourary Moles membership. The former
US President Herbert C Hoover is also
among those who have been honoured with
the Moles Award in the past.
During the ceremony the presenter
of the Moles Award Committee James
M Marquardt said that the entrepreneur
embodies precisely what Americans highly
respect, “a competitive spirit, willingness to
tackle difficult projects and the perseverance
to see them through to a successful
conclusion”.
Mr Marquardt went on to say that Dr
Herrenknecht was receiving the award for
his extraordinary service to the heavy construction
industry, and in particular for his
efforts in the development and innovation of
Trenchless Technology and for the establishment
and development of a world-renowned
mechanical engineering enterprise.
Paul Nicholas joins Akkerman Inc.
Paul Nicholas will hold the position of International Marketing Manager for Akkerman
Inc, increasing Akkerman sales overseas for all lines of equipment with a focus on microtunnelling
systems.
Mr Nicolas has a 22 year career in
Trenchless Technology and international
sales and marketing experience. Prior
to joining Akkerman he held the position
of General Manager of The Robbins
Company SBU division.
Akkerman Vice President of Sales and
Marketing, Rob Tumbleson said “We are
excited about the potential opportunities
in store for Akkerman with Paul coming on
board. Having an international presence
has been a long-time goal for our team.”
He is survived by his wife, Matilda, and
three children and their spouses, Stanley and
Alma Vermeer, Robert and Lois Vermeer,
and Mary and Dale Andringa, eight grandchildren,
and nine great grandchildren.
Performing for Permaform
APM Permaform President Bill Shook
has announced the appointment of
Steve Henning as Manager – Technical
Development of its Eastern Region.
APM is a provider of technology, equipment
and material for trenchless repairing,
rebuilding and replacing of underground
sanitary and storm water structures. Mr
Henning has been in the trenchless rehabilitation
industry for over ten years, is a
past director of NASSCO and has served
on the board of directors of the Gulf Coast
Trenchless Association.
Mr Shook said “He brings experience,
knowledge and energy to APM. He is a
proven contributor to our industry and a
tireless crusader for higher standards."
Drain Doctor to treat Portugal
Drain Doctor Plumbing, the UK’s largest
plumbing and drain repair service,
has appointed Francisco José Ferreira
São Vicente as Operations Manager for
Portugal to help build its first business
venture in mainland Europe.
Drain Doctor Director Jan Mitman said
“Once the structure is in place Francisco
will employ a group of technicians to
cover all aspects of Drain Doctor’s service
to deal with plumbing, drainage, relining
and CCTV. He will initially cover the whole
of the Algarve region. When the operation
is as successful as we are sure it is going
to be he will start franchising the system in
the rest of Portugal.”
Mr Vicente said “The plumbing and
drainage systems in Portugal are very
similar to those in the UK, but we do not
have CCTV and no dig drainage technology
in Portugal so this will give us a
great competitive advantage. For example,
drain lining will allow us to complete
repairs without having to dig up our customers’
drains.”
Unexcelled Accuracy
HDD Guidance services for
Intersects and Drilled Crossings
using ParaTrack
Please see our paper #F-1-04
ProData Rig Data Display & Transmission System
1 April, 2009, in the HDD & Challenging Conditions Track.
NAS T T
2009 International No-Dig Show
29 March - 3 April 2009
Sheraton Centre, Toronto, Canada
Prime Horizontal Companies
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