Equipment Report

ZenRobotics launches fourth-generation waste sorting robots

ZenRobotics, a Terex brand, has introduced ZenRobotics 4.0, its fourth generation of waste sorting robots with new features and upgraded artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize and improve the efficiency of material sorting operations.

“Our commitment has always been to work with forward-thinking recycling companies to automate their waste management processes and make outdated, inefficient and unsafe manual sorting a thing of the past,” ZenRobotics General Manager Jarmo Ruohonen says. “Our AI-powered robots enable companies to take in new, high-quality recyclables to meet modern recycling requirements and sell high-purity materials in the aftermarkets.”

ZenRobotics 4.0 is available on the Heavy Picker 4.0, a multipurpose waste sorting robot for bulky material, as well as the Fast Picker 4.0, a high-speed robot ideal for lightweight material. The Heavy Picker 4.0 robot has a compact individual recognition system, ZenBrain, to enhance precision and increase efficiency by 60 percent to 100 percent compared with ZenRobotics’ previous system. It also benefits from upgraded AI technology with an advanced global recognition database that allows the robots to identify over 500 waste categories.

ZenRobotics’ Fast Picker robot couples AI software with high-speed picking, with a rate of up to 80 picks per minute. The upgraded AI on the Fast Picker 4.0 robot leverages higher rates of purity, accuracy and recovery and, like the Heavy Picker 4.0, can recognize more than 500 material categories.

Buffalo Wire Works acquires Bison Steel

Buffalo Wire Works Co. Inc., based in Buffalo, New York, has acquired Bison Steel Inc. The acquisition deepens Buffalo Wire Works’ core product solutions portfolio.

Depew, New York-based Bison Steel bills itself as the only known manufacturer of high-abrasion-resistant welded wire screens used in the aggregate and mining industries. Bison Steel screens are designed to reduce maintenance and increase production by up to 15 percent and, according to the company, are proven to last at least three times longer than traditional woven wire screens.

“Buffalo Wire Works is excited to launch this product as part of our ever-growing product suite,” the company says in a news release.

Buffalo Wire Works manufactures highly engineered screening media and wear solutions for the aggregate, mining and industrial markets. The company’s range of products includes woven wire and self-cleaning screens, such as its patented PFX-HT screen technology, urethane and rubber screening systems and a full line of wear protection.

SAS Forks restructures to accommodate growth

Responding to what it says is “record and future growth,” Luxemburg, Wisconsin-based SAS Forks, a division of Tenamec Inc., has restructured under parent company SAS Group, which includes the SAS Rail and DRKhorse Tools divisions.

According to a news release, SAS Forks will “continue to be the market leader” in automotive recycling and auto reclamation centers, as well as other severe-duty applications, like quarry, scrap metal and railroad applications, while SAS Rail will specialize in supplying railroad couplers, railcar movers and other rail-affiliated attachment needs.

The DRKhorse Tools division will be focused on supplying heavy-duty attachments for demolition, scrap processing, construction and material handling, offering tools such as mobile shears, concrete demolition crackers and pulverizers, demolition grapples, hydraulic hammers, hydraulically powered magnets and more.

“Our approach is unique,” SAS Forks President Bruce Bacon says. “In years of traveling the globe, I recognized that there are innovative, advanced attachment manufacturers who do not have a presence in North America. It is extremely difficult to enter a continent without local knowledge of distribution, end users’ needs and name recognition. It takes years and millions of investment dollars to gain traction. DRKhorse provides an innovative solution to these manufacturers.”

The company says DRKhorse already has entered into agreements with some European manufacturing companies.

Midwest Crushing & Screening adds ProStack to its product lines

The ProStack conveyors and bulk material handling brand of Terex Corp. has added Crestwood, Illinois-based Midwest Crushing & Screening to its global distributor network.

“This collaboration further expands ProStack’s coverage within North America and empowers Midwest Crushing & Screening to provide comprehensive service and support throughout their region, covering Illinois and Wisconsin,” ProStack says.

Midwest Crushing & Screening carries several other brands that are part of the United Kingdom-based Terex Materials Processing (Terex MP) business unit of Connecticut-based Terex. Midwest Crushing carries Powerscreen, Terex Washing Systems, Evoquip and CBI, with the latter having been added in 2022.

As a member of the ProStack distributor network, Midwest Crushing “will enjoy access to the complete range of ProStack products, including tracked conveyors, port hoppers, telescopic conveyors and bulk reception feeders,” Terex MP says.

“The addition of Midwest Crushing & Screening [aligns] seamlessly with our strategic goals of expanding our distributor network, allowing us to bring ProStack products to a broader customer base,” adds Lee Nesbitt, global sales manager for ProStack.

Midwest Crushing has served its region since 2008, and Terex says it has a “deep understanding” of the Illinois and Wisconsin markets.

Titan Machinery acquires Scott Supply Co. assets

Titan Machinery Inc., a West Fargo, North Dakota-based operator of a global equipment dealership network, has acquired the assets of Scott Supply Co., consisting primarily of a combined Case IH and New Holland Agriculture dealership located in Mitchell, South Dakota. The acquisition closed Jan. 10.

According to Titan, in the trailing 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2023, Scott Supply generated revenue of approximately $40 million.

Publicly traded Titan operates a global network of more than 100 agricultural and construction equipment sales and rental sites in the United States and around the world.

“This acquisition is a perfect complement to our existing footprint in this highly productive region of eastern South Dakota,” Titan Machinery CEO David Meyer says. “Scott Supply has been serving Mitchell, South Dakota, and the surrounding area since 1915 with a talented and experienced team of employees and a total commitment to excellence in customer service. As we join together, we aim to build upon that legacy and look forward to a bright future in this excellent market.”

The company’s locations represent one or more of the CNH (formerly Case-New Holland) industrial brands, including Case IH, New Holland Agriculture, Case Construction, New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial Capital.

Titan Machinery, founded in 1980, has U.S. locations in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming; European stores in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania and Ukraine; and stores located in three different Australian states.

Eriez announces European region promotion

Erie, Pennsylvania-based magnetic equipment maker Eriez has promoted John Klinge to director of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) operations and strategy.

Klinge was promoted effective Feb. 1 and will spearhead the company’s strategic management initiatives in the EMEA region.

“John’s exceptional management acumen, deep industry expertise and strategic sales skills uniquely prepare him for this leadership role,” says Eric Nelson, vice president of global operations at Eriez. “Under his guidance, Eriez will accelerate its commitment to providing innovative solutions that exceed customer expectations in the EMEA region.”

Klinge served as a captain in the U.S. Army and earned bachelor’s degrees in political science, business and military science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in business administration from Penn State University at Erie. He joined Eriez in 2008 and has served roles in regional market and product management, aftermarket department leadership and most recently as global product manager for metal detection.

According to Eriez, in his new role, Klinge will manage and collaborate extensively with Eriez’s EMEA leadership teams to drive profitable growth and implement enhancements in products, systems and capacity. His overarching goal is to further elevate Eriez’s presence in the diverse EMEA markets, solidifying the company’s position as an industry leader in the region.

Established in 1942, Eriez offers products in magnetic separation, flotation, metal detection and material handling equipment applications to the recycling, aggregates, mining, food processing and packaging sectors. The company has more 900 employees working from six continents and through 12 wholly owned international subsidiaries.