February 2025 Vol. 80 No. 2
Business
Business News February 2025
Vermeer
Vermeer Corporation has taken an ownership interest in Vac Truck Industries (VTI), a manufacturer based in Arundel, Queensland, Australia.
Vermeer Corporation and VTI will partner together with current in-country manufacturing, branding, sales and support of innovative vacuum trucks, jetter systems, suction trucks and customized solutions.
VTI serves the markets of civil construction, oil and gas, electrical, infrastructure, mining and drilling. Its purpose-built vacuum trucks include hydro-excavation vacuum systems (vac trucks), high-pressure hydro-drain cleaning jetter systems and liquid waste collection systems (sucker trucks), all available in a broad range of volume sizes and power capacities.
Since its founding in 2017, VTI has grown to approximately 45 employees focused on sales, design, fabrication and assembly, along with aftermarket support for the broader vacuum excavation industry.
“What we love most about this partnership is that Vac Truck Industries and Vermeer share key core values,” said Matt Clough, a founder of VTI and the company’s CEO. “We are excited to continue working in the business to serve and support our valued customers while also being able to focus on long-term planning and growth.”
“This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team focused on the unique solutions needed in the Australian and New Zealand markets with products that meet the most trusted and recognized accreditation in the region,” said Doug Hundt, president of Industrial Solutions at Vermeer Corporation.
Barbco
After careful consideration and in response to the changing demands of the market, Barbco Inc. has streamlined its sales operations, transitioning from inside sales to a dealer-only sales model.
This change means Barbco will no longer handle direct sales. Instead, its trusted dealers Trenchless Rental Solutions and U.S. Shoring and Equipment Co. will be the primary points of contact for any sales inquiries, rental or support.
Both these dealers are highly knowledgeable and well-equipped with inventory to provide the same exceptional service and expertise customers have come to expect from Barbco. The company is confident this change will improve the overall experience for customers and enable better support of customer needs moving forward.
NORS/Volvo
Nors Construction Equipment GW Ltd., a subsidiary of Portuguese-based private company Nors Group (Nors) and a Volvo CE dealer in Canada, has acquired certain Volvo CE-related assets of Westcon Equipment and is appointed the exclusive Volvo CE dealer in the province of Manitoba. The deal closed on Jan. 1, 2025.
Westcon has sold and serviced Volvo CE equipment since 2004 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A new Nors location in Winnipeg will offer the full Volvo CE product range, including compact, electric, general production, compaction, and rigid hauler products.
“I want to thank the employees at Westcon for their dedication over the past two decades,” said Scott Young, head of Region North America, Volvo CE. “Their commitment ensures that we will continue to deliver quality products and responsive service to our customers across Manitoba as this new chapter begins with Nors.”
Nors companies sell and service construction, infrastructure, mining, forestry and agricultural equipment, trucks, buses, and marine and industrial engines in a total of 17 countries on four continents. Nors acquired Strongco Corporation in March of 2020 for its first entry into the Canadian market. Nors continued its growth in the Canadian market through its acquisition of Great West Equipment in March 2024.
HEI Civil
HEI Civil, a leading heavy civil construction company, has rebranded Peabody General Contractors and Horsepower Site Services to HEI Civil. Peabody General Contractors was acquired by HEI Civil in 2018, and Horsepower Site Services joined the company in 2019. This rebranding solidifies HEI Civil's position as a national leader in the industry by uniting these entities under a single, strong brand.
This strategic alignment will enhance HEI Civil’s ability to serve clients better by strengthening the brand, expanding reach, and increasing operational efficiency. By unifying operations under the HEI Civil name, the enterprise will invest in new technologies and strengthen the company’s workforce competencies to expand service offerings in the future.
"This rebranding marks a significant milestone in our journey to become the nation’s premier heavy civil contractor," said Leo Denslow, CEO of HEI Civil. "By operating under a single, powerful brand, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to deliver greater efficiency and value to our clients nationwide.”
Founded in 1973, HEI Civil is a privately owned, heavy civil construction general contractor headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado. The company currently operates in Colorado, Texas and North Carolina. The enterprise's current portfolio includes daily work on over 70 projects, over 800 team members and 500 pieces of equipment.
Volvo
Volvo Construction Equipment and Herc Rentals are celebrating a multi-year agreement that adds several hundred Volvo EC37 compact excavators to the rental giant’s fleet across North America.
The 3.7-ton EC37 fits into one of the most popular compact excavator class sizes for rental, and the two companies partnered to develop the model in a way that would best serve rental customers. Herc Rentals is a full-service equipment rental company with 439 company-operated branches in the U.S. and Canada.
“This is the culmination of a cooperative effort to build a machine spec that renters will appreciate, and we’re excited for Herc Rentals customers to have such great access to the EC37,” said Kent Somerville, head of National Rental Accounts at Volvo CE. “It’s an incredibly comfortable and versatile machine.”
Volvo CE sought feedback on the EC37 excavator from Herc Rentals technicians, salespeople and other staff that directly influenced the final version of the model.
“Collaborating with Volvo on the EC37 allowed us to incorporate essential features that significantly impact our customers’ success,” said Matt Gavin, vice president-Product Support and Fleet Operations at Herc Rentals. “Our partnership with Volvo is invaluable – they resonate with our core values and prioritize what truly matters to us, demonstrating their commitment to creating an exceptional customer experience.”
The Volvo EC37 excavator offers 10-percent better fuel efficiency, increased operator comfort, more stability and easier maintenance than the model it replaces in the OEM’s lineup.
The cab is considered one of the best on the market due to outstanding visibility, an adjusted center of gravity that reduces the “rocking chair effect,” and features that prioritize the operator experience. Customizable hydraulics flow settings and work modes accommodate a wide range of attachments and make them easier to set up.
Unified Energy
Unified Energy Services LLC finalized an agreement with to serve as Nebraska-based EN Solutions Network LLC’s exclusive sales and business development partner for electricity and natural gas solutions for customers worldwide. This agreement enables the two companies to streamline electricity and natural gas strategies, procurement for small, medium and large commercial, manufacturing and industrial companies across competitive and regulated markets worldwide.
“We are living through a historically volatile energy market, while also enjoying a surge in renewable energy products,” said Michael Harris, CEO of Unified Energy. “These market conditions are driving businesses to consider how they can meet their sustainability goals, as well as take advantage of lower prices for a longer amount of time.”
Energy Network is an independent sales force that supports lead generation, continuing education and new business opportunities. It is led by an executive management team, Advisory Council, Field Leadership, and Advisory Board and comprised of seasoned professionals with deep connections and relationships with business leaders at companies around the world.
Based in Houston, Texas and with offices in Greenville, SC, Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico, Unified Energy was founded in 2008 and is a full-service energy and utility consulting and procurement company. The company’s experienced advisors work closely with commercial, industrial, and residential clients across the country to reduce their electricity and natural gas costs and mitigate their energy price risk.
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