Using a hand-guided scanner with color display, move the scanner horizontally and vertically across a measured template grid and analyze the scans immediately on the X-Scan display. With the aid of the PSA 100 field-rugged monitor, you can show objects in 3D images for on-the-spot interpretation, making it easy to find and mark potential drilling locations, limiting damage caused by hitting rebars, pipes or post-tension cables. Hilti says the device helps contractors do their own field scans, decreasing the need to hire specialists.

A continuous-flow feature for auxiliary hydraulics, which maintains selected flow without operator intervention, is also available through COMPASS.

Additional refinements for the five E Series models include a standard high-ambient cooling package, electronic fuel-pump-priming system, a four-post canopy (3.5- to 5.5-ton machines), new ergonomic joysticks, and relocation of a number of controls such as the two-speed travel switch to the blade lever, secondary auxiliary hydraulic engagement to the left joystick, and manual pattern changer from the floor to the COMPASS monitor.

All new E Series machines use an end-damping system in both the boom and stick cylinders to reduce shock loads and to reduce material spillage. E Series sticks are thumb-ready, with brackets welded in place and relief valves already built into the main valve. The 308E CR SB will be available only in a swing boom configuration.

Upgrades to Case N Series loader/backhoes include the application of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) emissions-control technology to achieve Tier 4 Interim certification, as well as important improvements in performance, productivity and maintainability

Case Construction rolled out at World of Concrete 2012 in Las Vegas upgrades to its Case N Series loader/backhoes including the application of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) emissions-control technology to achieve Tier 4 Interim certification, as well as improvements in performance, productivity and maintainability.

Although a costly but required venture, the move to Tier 4 presents an opportunity for success with Case Construction, Hasler points out. The company is owned by Italian parent company, Fiat, which already has the technology and has invested in on-road trucks, he says.

“Make no mistake,” said Jim Hasler, vice president of Case-New Holland, at a press conference attended by Aggregates Manager, Better Roads and Equipment World, during World of Concrete 2012. “We are only ones going down the path of SCR and EGR, [but] we believe SCR will prevail.”

The Case 580N, 580 Super N, 580 Super N Wide Track and 590 Super N loader/backhoes now feature 3.4-liter, turbocharged engines, ranging from 78 horsepower in the 580N to 108 horsepower in the 590SN. The Tier 4 Interim-certified engine — with CEGR technology — burns cleaner while delivering superior horsepower, faster response and up to 4-percent better fuel efficiency under load.

Automatic Ride Control is now standard on Case N Series four-wheel-drive models. Ride Control, a technology Case says it pioneered for loader/backhoes, now automatically engages at “roading” speeds to help reduce bucket spillage. New optional features include a block heater for cold-weather starting, and a remote jump start with master disconnect switch.

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Darin Wiebe of Extreme Concrete Inc. in Linden, Alberta, Canada, wins Wacker Neuson's Trowel Challenge at the 2012 World of Concrete

Darin Wiebe of Extreme Concrete Inc. in Linden, Alberta, Canada won Wacker Neuson’s fourth annual Trowel Challenge competition held at the 2012 World of Concrete in Las Vegas.

Wiebe took a customized CRT 48-35VX ride-on trowel powered by a special Vanguard Big Block V-twin engine and an all-expense paid trip for two to the Caribbean.

His combined winning time was 67.428 seconds. Wiebe came into the finals in second place with a qualifying time of 34.312. His final run time was 33.116 seconds. It was a friendly competition between Wiebe and his partner at Extreme Concrete, Jon Baerg.

Baerg came into the finals in first place with a qualifying time of 34.084 and with his final run time of 33.553 he was just a mere .209 seconds behind Wiebe with a finishing time 67.637 seconds.  For his efforts Baerg went home with a Wacker Neuson CT 36, 36-inch walk behind trowel.  The third place finisher was Bruce Gesick, from Slater and Son Concrete, Chico, Calif. Gesick finished with a combined time of 70.220 and went home with a BTS 635s portable cut-off saw.

More than 150 trowel operators took this year’s challenge held in Wacker Neuson’s outdoor exhibit at World of Concrete. The challenge tested the participants’ entire range of skills as they maneuvered around an obstacle course on the 2,400 square foot slab. This year’s course was run on Wacker Neuson’s World of Concrete 30-foot by 80-foot slab that measured at a floor flatness of FF-152.

Preliminary competitions were held Jan. 24-26 during the show. The contestants with the top 10 fastest times from the preliminaries advanced to the finals held on Jan. 26. The top 10 finalists each had one run through the course and that time was added to the preliminary time.

The next Wacker Neuson Trowel Challenge will take place at Feb. 5-8, 2013 at The World of Concrete 2013 in Las Vegas. For more information about the complete Trowel Challenge, go to www.trowelchallenge.com.

The Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, Special Service and Outstanding Leadership Awards will be presented during Lunch With ARA on Feb. 5, while the Regional Persons of the Year and President’s Image Awards are presented during the regional receptions on Feb. 6.

Distinguished Service Award

Next to the Rental Hall of Fame, this is the most prestigious award ARA presents. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership with long-term service to the association at the national, state and local levels.

Jeffery Wearing, president Ready Rent-All in Decatur, Ga., receives this year’s Distinguished Service Award. Wearing has been a mentor to many in the rental industry since he joined the American Rental Association in 1978. He’s been actively involved at the state and national levels.

He served on the ARA board of directors from 2000-2003 as Construction/Industrial Services Special Interest Group chairman and was very involved with Construction U workshops at The Rental Show. During his board service, Wearing was on the executive committee in 2002 and a member of the ARA Strategic Planning Committee. He also served on the ARA Foundation board in 2000 and as a member of the General Tool Special Interest Group in 1994-1995.

For many years Wearing served as ARA of Georgia president and on its board. His dedication kept the state association members involved through many years. He attended ARA Leadership Conferences and was a frequent participant at the National Legislative Caucus each year, plus he donates to and supports both ARAPAC and the ARA Foundation.

During the economic recession beginning in 2008, Wearing created a presentation called “How to Manage Through Tough Times” for an ARA of Georgia meeting. This provided valuable information to members and, subsequently, he was asked to present on this topic at state meetings for ARA of Alabama, ARA of Florida and ARA of Tennessee. He’s also been a speaker for several state association meetings and RenTechs.

Wearing continually reaches out to members to build business relationships and support, and is always available to help members when asked.

Meritorious Service Award

The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in a defined area of association service, such as through a committee, special project or service activity.

This year’s honoree, Jeff Stachowiak, is director of safety training with Sunbelt Rentals in Saint Johns, Fla. His passion for a safer rental industry is always evident, as is his hard work and dedication in the training and safe use of aerial work platform equipment for the equipment rental industry.

Stachowiak has provided valuable expertise, leadership and guidance to ARA for improved safety and readily volunteers for programs that will benefit the entire rental industry. His time, energy and passion for safe use of AWP equipment have been extraordinary.

He participated in the initial September 2009 AWP Industry Initiatives meeting in Chicago coordinated by ARA, which brought together general and associate members on aerial work platform equipment.  This meeting evolved into two industry best practice documents, Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment (released February 2010) and Statement of Best Practices of Personal Fall Protection Systems for Aerial Work Platform Equipment (released March 2011). Stachowiak contributed to both documents and was a valued member of both working groups.

He’s also provided articles for ARA publications, service on a panel of experts, attended meetings and provided one-on-one information to staff and ARA members and been a proactive, technical expert who is all-inclusive in his approach.

Stachowiak also provides volunteer service to the American National Standards Institute on behalf of the rental industry, serves on the board of the Scaffold and Access Industry Association and is a speaker at numerous industry-related events.

Special Service Award

This honor recognizes an industry supplier who has made an outstanding contribution to the association.

Michael Tharpe receives this year’s Special Service Award. Tharpe is director of sales for

TopTec Products in Moore, S. C. He’s worked in the rental industry and been a member of ARA since 1989. During that time he has been a great supporter and ambassador for the association.

Tharpe served as an associate member director on the ARA board of directors from 2009-2011. He’s participated in many ARA committees including The Rental Show Task Force, Exhibitor Advisory Committee, ARA Insurance Risk Management Committee and is a frequent speaker at The Rental Show.  TopTec Products has exhibited for more than 25 years and is a longtime sponsor. Tharpe also has supported the Events & Tents program at The Rental Show as a sponsor, attendee and presenter.

In addition, Tharpe has completed numerous presentations on tent training and staking at many ARA events at the local, state and national levels and works to build ARA relationships with those in the industry. He has a passion for people and a passion for the rental industry, with a willingness to assist when asked and go above and beyond in his efforts to advance the industry.

Tharpe also is a strong ARA Foundation and ARAPAC supporter. He has attended several National Legislative Caucus events on behalf of the industry and lobbied on many issues with members and state association leaders.

Outstanding Leadership Award

Recipients of this award have demonstrated superlative leadership at the grassroots level – state, local or provincial. This year’s recipient, Robert Nally, is president of Apache Equipment Corp. in Phoenix, which has been a member of ARA since 2004.

Nally has served on the board of ARA of Arizona since its inception in 2010 and is currently president. He was instrumental in the activation of the state association, working on the initial revitalization meeting, the grassroots efforts to obtain a board of directors, completing the state association by-laws and scheduling member meetings.

Member meetings for ARA of Arizona have been successful to draw members from throughout the state and to attract members and non-members due to the program content. The association began with 44 members and is now at 47 members and growing. It fully participates in all ARA programs and activities.

Nally will continue to serve as president of ARA of Arizona in 2012 and will provide his leadership to the board and membership for an active and engaged association to benefit members.

In addition, Nally has been involved with ARA on the national level as a member of the Construction U task force in 2006. He’s also attended the Leadership Conference, the National Legislative Caucus in Washington, D.C., and supports ARAPAC. He is a longtime attendee of The Rental Show.

Regional Persons of the Year

These awards honor members who have made outstanding contributions to the association and the rental industry on the regional, state, provincial or local levels.

Region 1 – Steve Reitter, Robinsons Hardware, Hudson, Mass.

Region 2 – Michael Yamrock, Drake’s Rental, Phillipsburg, N.J.

Region 3 – Tony Long, Mint Hill Tool Rental, Charlotte, N.C.

Region 4 – Frederick Dupy, American Party Rental, Austin, Texas

Region 5 – Chris Wright, House of Rental, Skokie, Ill.

Region 6 – Willy Hay, Oak Grove Rental, Oak Grove, Mo.

Region 7 –Robert Nally, Apache Equipment Corp., Phoenix

Region 8 – Brett Richter, Double R Rental & Sales, Langley, Wash.

Region 9 – Becky Wittmer, Lewis Rents, San Lorenzo, Calif.

Region 9 – Nancy Quintel, Lewis Rents, San Lorenzo, Calif.

Region 10 – Angie Venekamp, Rental Network, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada

President’s Image Award

This is a business facility or store award celebrating a commitment to improving the rental industry image through a remodeling, rebuilding or renovation project.

Region 2 – Melani Kodikian, CERP, A to Z Party Rental, Montgomery, Pa.

Region 7 – Rob Robben, CERP, Robin Event Rental, Loveland, Colo.

Region 10 – Andrew Paquette, CERP, Bravo Party Rental, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

It may be accessed at http://www.worldofconcrete.com/assets/brochures/woc_events_broch/WOC_EVENTS_BROCH.html.

“The World of Concrete Show App is a great tool that will really make your trip to the show even more productive,” said Rick McConnell, president of Hanley Wood Exhibitions for World of Concrete, in a written statement. “The map feature to navigate the show floor, the calendar option, show alerts and detailed seminar information updates are just a couple of the cool features that will enhance your show experience. Be sure and download as soon as you can!”

The World of Concrete App provides easy-to-use interactive capabilities:

• Dashboard with real-time info.
• Interactive floor map
• Alerts from the show organizer
• Networking tools to stay connected to colleagues and friends
• Twitter and Facebook integration

iPhone (plus, iPod Touch & iPad) and Android users: visit your App Store or Android Market on your phone and search for WOC 2012. Blackberry and all other web browser-enabled phone users: point your mobile browser to http://m.core-apps.com/woc2012 to be directed to download the proper version of the app for your particular device, or on some phones, bookmark this page for future reference.

GOMACO Corp.’s new 4400 barrier machine

The new machine, built specifically for barrier applications, features a U-shaped operator’s platform features vibration isolation and a high-capacity cooling package on the engine. The manufacturer’s proprietary G+ control system makes the machine capable of operating in multiple languages.

The 4400’s design concept was built around a left-side and right-side slipforming capable machine with symmetrical steering and minimal set-up changes for switching profiles from side-to-side. Its unique GOMACO U-shaped operator’s platform, with vibration isolation, puts the operator comfortably on top of the action. The U-shaped platform and side-to-side sliding control console accommodate right-side and left-side pour and provide a 360 degree view of the entire paving operation.

Berry spent his entire life in the equipment rental industry. As a young boy, he tagged along with his father, who owned Berry Equipment Rentals in Modesto, Calif. At age 21, Berry was managing his own branch and, by 24, he was general manager of five branch locations. U. S. Rentals purchased his father’s company a short time later and kept Berry on in a management position. In 1982, he was regional manager for Northern California before becoming vice president. In 1986, he became president and CEO. Then, in 1998, he played a major role in the merger of U.S. Rentals with United Rentals and became president and a board director.

Under Berry’s leadership, U.S. Rentals grew from 39 locations and $45 million in annual revenue to 131 locations and about $600 million in revenue. He was an outstanding role model for people in the industry and understood that a business can succeed only when its employees are treated with respect and dignity. Berry invested not just in operation models, but also in people.

Safety was a big concern for Berry. In the early 1990s he implemented the use of ratchet binders on delivery trucks. In the late 1990s aerial manufacturers introduced fall restraints on some of their equipment. Berry demanded that U.S. Rental employees use them instead of waiting for government regulations.

Berry also encouraged women to join the equipment industry by promotion and recruitment. He believed that talent trumped tenure and he was among the first to advocate that the rental industry could benefit from more diversity at all levels. He led his organization into an era of systemization and helped it grow into one of the industry’s largest rental companies until it was acquired by United Rentals.

Berry helped change the rental industry for the better from the inside out through diversity, equal opportunity and the balancing of the human element on both sides of the equations: customers and company. He used his passion to affect industry-wide change.

Bill Berry passed away at age 48 in September 2000 after a two year battle with cancer.

Gunnar Glifberg

Gunnar Glifberg was recruited to join Cramo in 1994 as CEO. At the time, the company consisted of six different companies without a common business model or culture and had been taken as collateral by a state-owned bank in Sweden.

Glifberg’s first priority was to position Cramo as a leader in developing the rental business into an independent, professional industry and be an attractive partner to major construction companies.  The second priority was to “sell” the vision to the organization and get everyone on board. The launch of a new brand in 1995 was a start for the new organization.

Glifberg formed a new management team that included people from other industries and academic backgrounds. The introduction of the Cramo School for all employees was an important tool for the company’s success. The school covered a wide variety of subjects ranging from Cramo’s mission, vision and strategy to basic accounting and presentation techniques plus training in safety regulations and operations.

At the time, equipment rental in Sweden and throughout Europe was far behind other service industries and was generally a side business for manufacturers or construction companies. It was Glifberg’s conviction that the professionalization of the industry required capacity and local presence to serve an international customer base and economies of scale to provide top services at competitive prices. He also was careful not to lose the entrepreneurship that characterizes smaller companies.

The introduction of a separate, outdoor sales organization and active marketing were key elements of a proactive customer relationship. Long-term commitments and outsourcing had a stabilizing effect in Cramo’s relationship to the cyclical construction industry. During Glifberg’s CEO term the company grew rapidly and reduced its dependence on the construction sector for revenues by introducing its services into the public sector and manufacturing industries.

Under Glifberg’s leadership, Cramo expanded operations into eight European countries. Today Cramo is one of Europe’s largest equipment rental companies with close to 400 rental depots in 15 countries, each employing three to eight employees. The concept and thinking behind the Cramo model has been followed and often explicitly referred to by other major general equipment rental companies in Europe.

Glifberg was awarded the European Rental Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award this year.

The American Rental Association created the Rental Hall of Fame in 2000 to foster an appreciation of the historical development of the rental industry and the leaders who have made the industry what it is today. Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize individuals who have made a substantial impact on the industry at the national or international level. The induction ceremony is held during the keynote session at The Rental Show.