Equipment report

Barford Equipment expands to US market

Barford Equipment, a mobile screener, trailer, screen box and conveyor manufacturer in Dromore, Ireland, plans to enter the U.S. market in 2018 with the launch of the SR124 and the S104—two new track mounted screeners.

Barford Equipment is using Yoder & Frey Auctioneers, Holland, Ohio, to introduce the mobile screeners to the U.S. market at its upcoming 2018 Spring Sale in Kissimmee, Florida, Feb. 13-17. Both models will then be sold at the auction.

“The world’s construction machinery, aggregate, quarry and mining markets will all be focusing on the Kissimmee auction, so this is a great opportunity for us to meet potential distributors and probable buyers and then gauge the appeal of both our new machines,” Stephen Murphy, distribution manager for Barford, says. “Barford is a well-known brand in the U.K. and across Europe, having built an enviable reputation and possessing a long and illustrious history, but it is currently relatively unknown in the U.S. market, but that’s about to change. Yoder & Frey is well-known for organizing prestigious equipment auctions that draw the attention of the types of buyers we are looking for and are the ideal match for us entering this sector.”

The SR124 is a tracked three-way split screener with a 12-by-4 screen box that fits into a 40-foot high cube (HC) container. The S104 is a tracked three-way split screener with a 10-by-4 screen box that also fits into a 40-foot HC container.

“We are delighted to include both these new Barford screener models at our upcoming Kissimmee auction and are confident that the U.S. market will embrace this excellent value for money machines,” Peter Clark, founder and CEO of Yoder & Frey, says. “Our auctions always attract significant interest and we are working closely with consignors to ensure the upcoming sale is a success on all counts.”

The SR124 is built around a power unit by Caterpillar, Peoria, Illinois, and the engine on the S104 is produced by JCB, a Rochester, U.K.-based manufacturer. The S104 is also available with an engine by Deutz, Norcross, Georgia.

Barford also manufactures a range of straight and radial tracked and wheeled stockpile conveyors. Other products include: the D16, a 16-ton, twin-axle dump trailer; the R15, a 15-ton twin-axle rock trailer; and the L22, a 19-ton, 22-foot-long chassis twin-axle low loader. There is also a range of screen boxes, with the US40, a 40-square-foot total screening area, being the most popular, according to Barford.

Morbark acquires Rayco Manufacturing

Morbark LLC, Winn, Michigan, announced it has acquired Rayco Manufacturing Inc., Wooster, Ohio. This transaction represents the company’s first addition since affiliates of the private equity firm Stellex Capital Management LP, New York City, acquired Morbark in 2016. The purchase of Rayco represents a move toward the company’s goal of broadening the range of tree care and industrial equipment, aftermarket parts and service offered to its customers, Morbark says.

Rayco was founded in 1978 by John M. Bowling. Today, the company is dedicated to the design and production of environmental equipment. The current range of Rayco products includes stump cutters, crawler trucks, forestry mulchers, multitool carriers and attachments, brush chippers and the new AT71 aerial trimmer.

Transaction highlights include:

• Rayco founder John Bowling will continue his work with the team to develop new products and help improve the company’s existing product lines. He will continue to have an economic interest in the combined business and will be a member of Morbark’s board of directors.
• Morbark will operate Rayco as a new division, maintaining its brand identity. Rayco’s experienced management team will continue to manage their operations. Teams from each company will work together.

Bandit celebrates 35^th anniversary in 2018

Bandit Industries, Remus, Michigan, will spend 2018 celebrating its 35^th anniversary at its mid-Michigan facility.

“Thirty-five years is a long time to be in business,” Jerry Morey, Bandit president and co-owner, says. “That’s why we’re going to take some time in 2018 to appreciate where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished and how we want to keep innovating and evolving for our employees, for our customers and for our industry.”

Bandit started out as Foremost Fabrications in a one-room shop led by Mike Morey Sr. and Diane Morey. The first chipper was a Model 100 Brush Bandit. The chipper caught on in the industry and most people knew Foremost Fabrications as Bandit, the company says. In 1986, the company officially took the name Bandit Industries.

Bandit has continually refined its machines by adding new models, new product lines and growing its dealer network and customer base, the company says. Today, more than 60,000 Bandit machines are in use, and more than 200 dealer locations serve customers in six continents.

“Bandit is a company dedicated to producing the highest-quality equipment for the hardest-working men and women,” Morey says. “For the last 35 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to build the best equipment, and in 2018, we reaffirm our commitment to them and to our industry.”

Volvo and Allied Construction strike dealer arrangement

Volvo Construction Equipment, with North American headquarters in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland-based Allied Construction Products LLC have entered into an agreement for the sale and support of Allied hydraulic breakers at Volvo dealer locations.

Volvo, in a news release, says the partnership has been created “to offer customers more options in breakers and other aftermarket attachments in North America, and results in the addition of 40 models to Volvo’s dealer product offerings, including the Allied flagship Rammer and Hy-Ram hydraulic breakers and the Ho-Pac and Skid-Pac compactor/drivers.”

The company adds that “comparable Volvo-branded products in North America will be discontinued with this new partnership.”

“We understand that the availability of a broad range of high-quality breakers is important to our customers,” says Mark Mohn, director of attachments for Volvo in the Americas Sales Region. “Instead of competing with industry leaders like Allied, who exclusively sell breakers, we can work together to better serve our customers. This partnership will help our dealers strengthen their ability to serve customers with an expanded range of products and best-in-class support from the breaker specialists at Allied.”

Allied’s product line includes 33 boom-mounted hydraulic hammer models and seven boom-mounted vibratory compactors/drivers.

Volvo dealers will order and receive breakers and relevant parts directly from Allied. The company also will provide service and parts in addition to warranty support for the existing population of Volvo-branded hammers in the field.

Motion Industries makes acquisition in Iowa

Birmingham, Alabama-based Motion Industries Inc. has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Apache Inc., headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Apache, founded in 1963, has grown to be one of the largest belting companies in North America by offering numerous hose, belting, custom fabrication and on-site belting services, according to Motion Industries. Apache serves both the industrial and agricultural markets from seven sales and production locations in the U.S.

Motion Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Co. The company describes itself as a leading industrial parts distributor of bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical and industrial automation, hydraulic and industrial hose and hydraulic and pneumatic components. They also specialize in industrial and safety products and material handling. Motion Industries serves more than 300,000 customers from the pulp and paper, iron and steel, chemical, mining and aggregate, petrochemical, automotive, wood and lumber, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries.

Terex MPS hires regional sales manager

Terex MPS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently announced the addition of Jeffrey High as the new regional sales manager of Terex MPS’s Cedarapids brand. The move became effective Nov. 27.

High has 20-plus years of experience in aggregates and mining equipment sales. High is also experienced in the dealer and product development sectors of the industry.

High previously worked as a global product manager for crushing and screening equipment at McLanahan Corp. in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Previous positions include regional sales manager at Telsmith, Mequon, Wisconsin, and sales manager for crushing and screening equipment at Interstate Equipment Co. in South Carolina.

Terex MPS provides a range of crushing and screening equipment to customers in the mining, aggregates, demolition and recycling, and industrial minerals markets. Terex MPS provides modular, portable and static plants and components, plus full parts, service and maintenance solutions.