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GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND CAC PARTNER TO ADVANCE LOWCARBON CONCRETE PRODUCTION
Science, research and innovation are playing a key role in Canada’s move toward a cleaner and stronger economy and in the fight against climate change. Working with industry – including the cement and concrete sector – is critical to creating economic opportunities for Canadians and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; Marie Glenn, Chair of the Cement Association of Canada (CAC), and Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the CAC, have issued a joint statement by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cement sector to support a road map to net-zero carbon concrete.
The road map will provide Canadian industry with guidance on technologies, tools and policies needed to reach net-zero carbon concrete by 2050, including:
Supporting the development of a low-carbon emissions supply chain in Canada and beyond through a data strategy, industrial standards, procurement and promotion;
Coordinating across the sector and government on high-potential research and investments to develop new technologies, products and processes that reduce the amount of carbon released in the production of cement and concrete;
Engaging with federal, provincial and territorial partners, manufacturers, providers of cleantech solutions, and other stakeholders to fulfill the vision of global leadership in low-carbon cement manufacturing toward the goal of net-zero carbon concrete. This will be supported by tools and policies, such as Canada’s strengthened climate plan, the Clean Technology Data Strategy and new measures proposed in the 2021 budget.
JOHN DEERE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BACKHOE LOADERS
John Deere is celebrating 50 years of backhoe loaders, a history of innovation that first started with the introduction of the JD310 model in 1971. Since the 50-hp JD310 entered the market, John Deere has continued to evolve its backhoe lineup, and has begun joint-testing its first-ever battery electric backhoe loader with National Grid, an electricity, natural gas and clean energy delivery company. To commemorate the anniversary, John Deere has created a replica toy model of the original JD310 backhoe loader to help customers celebrate the 50th anniversary at home.
Caterpillar has launched a web-based training course that helps construction business owners and fleet managers reduce equipment costs, extend and optimize machine life, and improve profitability through data-driven principles.
An eight-part online program offered by Caterpillar University, “The Fundamentals of Equipment Economics” is designed for a wide range of businesses, from large contractors that manage diverse fleets with hundreds of machines to small construction and landscaping firms using a single piece of equipment.
It uses a pragmatic, step-by-step approach to teach essential skills and best practices for: • Predicting and managing owning and operating costs; • Determining when to repair, rebuild or replace a machine; • Measuring the value of reliability and utilization, and mastering quantitative tools and advanced economic concepts.
The curriculum has been endorsed by the Association for Equipment Management Professionals.
KOMATSU AND HONDA PARTNER TO ELECTRIFY KOMATSU’S MICRO EXCAVATORS
Komatsu and Honda Motor Company have reached a basic joint-development agreement to electrify Komatsu’s micro excavators.
They will use the swappable Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) and establish a battery-sharing system, which uses the
Honda MPP and enables mutual use of MPPs among different construction equipment and other equipment for the civil engineering and construction industries.
Under the agreement, the two parties will electrify Komatsu’s
PC01 micro excavator by equipping it with Honda MPPs and an electrified power unit. The swappable Honda MPP allows for continuous use of electric machines without recharging the battery.
In the future, Honda and Komatsu will undertake the joint electrification of other micro and mini excavators of up to the 1-ton class, as well as engage in joint studies of MPP-based electrification for a variety of equipment used on civil engineering and construction sites.
LIGHTNING STRIKES
Ford recently revealed its long-awaited all-electric F-150 pickup truck. Turn to page 44 for the details of the truck which, according to Ford’s president, “hauls ass and tows like a beast.”
MACK USES AR TO DISPLAY GRANITE MODELS AT WORLD OF CONCRETE
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BRANDT TO CREATE OVER 1,000 NEW JOBS IN 2021
The Brandt Group of Companies is making a major investment in staffing and will hire more than 1,000 new employees by the end of 2021. The new positions will span the company’s 100+ locations worldwide, focusing on roles in Canada and the United States.
Mack Trucks displayed its range of Mack Granite models through an in-booth augmented reality (AR) experience at World of Concrete 2021.
Through the Mack AR Truck Builder app loaded on tablets in the Mack booth, show attendees could quickly build customized
Granite models to their fleet specs. Attendees chose from core
Mack powertrain specs and other features, including the ability to select from a number of colours, add their company logo and select between a standard mixer, bridge mixer or dump body. It also allowed them to view their trucks in real-time 3D on large screens in the booth for an in-depth review from any angle, providing a new way to see a detailed preview of their truck.
ARA FORECAST SHOWS EQUIPMENT RENTAL SEGMENT MOVING FROM RELIEF TO RECOVERY
Equipment rental revenue, including the construction/industrial and general tool segments, is expected to exceed its peak totals in 2022, according to the latest forecast released by the American Rental Association (ARA).
The updated forecast calls for equipment rental revenue to reach just under $47.7 billion in 2021, up 3.1 percent after a decline of 9.1 percent in 2020. However, the forecast calls for a 12 percent increase in construction/industrial rental revenue in 2022, taking the combined total for the two segments up to nearly $52.3 billion. The growth rate is expected to be consistent at between two and five percent for the next three years with combined equipment rental revenues reaching $57.5 billion in 2025. The forecast calls for construction/industrial rental revenue to grow three percent in 2021 to nearly $34.5 billion and then jump 12 percent to $38.5 billion in 2022. In 2023, the segment is forecast to grow another five percent to nearly $40.3 billion, followed by growth of two percent in 2024 to $41.5 billion and three percent in 2025 to $42.5 billion.
CAT COMMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION WINS GOLD AT 2021 EDISON AWARDS
Caterpillar received gold for its Cat Command for Construction system during this year’s Edison Awards program. It was recognized as being the best of the Smart Productivity Tools – Living & Working Environment category. Named after Thomas Edison, the Edison Awards have recognized innovative products, services and business leaders since 1987.
Manitou Group is launching “Manitou Group Attachments,” a new brand dedicated to its attachments offerings. Intended to simplify, streamline and harmonize attachments offerings for users, Manitou Group has decided to rename its global attachment line two months after achieving a similar harmonization with its spare parts.
