May 2025 Vol. 80 No. 5
Business
Business news
McElroy
McElroy, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of thermoplastic pipe fusion equipment, now offers German as a language option for its website.
Earlier this year, Volker Köhler was tapped to assist the company in growing its business in Europe and around the world. Köhler provides support and service to channel partners and end users in the region, working alongside McElroy UK operations to promote the benefits of both plastic pipe fusion and McElroy’s rugged and reliable equipment line. Köhler’s expertise also allows McElroy to broaden its training horizons for German speakers.
“This new language option is another move we are excited to make in expanding our presence in Europe,” said McElroy President and CEO Chip McElroy. “By providing our website in German, we know that we are helping to educate individuals and companies on the many ways that McElroy machinery can benefit their operations.”
In addition to this new website option, McElroy plans to provide more video content in German in the coming months.
“Our company is known for its strong commitment to customer service,” said McElroy. “Providing multiple language options is a great step to improving international accessibility for our equipment line.”
Aries Industries
Aries Industries, celebrating 40 years as the industry leader in state-of-the-art equipment for inspection and maintenance of underground infrastructure, has earned a USA Today Top Workplaces 2025 award based on polling from its highly skilled workforce.
The honor recognizes the company for creating an outstanding workforce culture by putting employees first, making it a great place to work. The awards were based on surveys of more than 54,000 employees at organizations across southeastern Wisconsin. Winners are determined using a proprietary approach combining data and industry-leading benchmarks.
“Our group is a unique mix of personalities and talents, from engineers designing the next great product to technicians assembling fully outfitted vehicles. Our success comes from our people, our partners and our culture,” said Larry Brown, president & CEO of Aries Industries.
Key elements of the company’s culture include clear career paths and internal growth opportunities, and cross-functional teamwork across departments. Employees enjoy wellness initiatives and highly competitive benefits, including a fitness center. The company engages in community outreach such as hosting blood drives and partnering with schools and colleges to provide hands-on experiences for students.
Not expressly stated, but fully understood by Aries Industries’ employees, is that their work directly benefits people across the U.S. and Canada. Underground infrastructure – pipelines transporting water, sewage and other substances – is critical to functioning municipalities. Aries Industries’ products allow up-close inspections inside these pipes, identifying potential problems before they become crises.
“Ensuring our employees feel respected and supported is a strong value of ours,” said Elisa Miller, HR manager at Aries Industries. “People may come to Aries because we make innovative and intriguing robots and cameras, but they remain with us because they enjoy who they work with, our culture, and the ability to make a difference each day for our customers and communities.”
Dresser Utility
Dresser Utility Solutions, a portfolio company of First Reserve and leading provider of global infrastructure technology to water and gas utility and industrial customers, acquired Kobus, a portfolio company of Agile Growth Equity and the global leader in gas and water pipe pulling technology.
Kobus will continue to operate in its current Houston, U.S., and Tamworth, U.K. locations, delivering a global solution for underground gas and water pipe replacement. The acquisition will address the challenges of aging utility infrastructure, especially the mandated removal of more than 9 million lead service lines across the U.S.
Kobus’ innovative Pipe Puller technology allows for faster, safer, and more cost-effective pipe replacement than other methods. Kobus will expand Dresser’s capabilities to provide safe and innovative solutions to both gas and water utilities.
“This acquisition aligns with our corporate strategy to be a complete supplier of essential technology to utilities worldwide,” said David Evans, CEO, Dresser Utility Solutions. “Together with Kobus, we are better positioned to address the challenges of aging utility infrastructure, including recent legislation aimed at replacing lead service lines.”
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Dresser Utility Solutions has a global presence with approximately 850 employees and a sales presence in over 100 countries.
Volvo
Volvo CE dealer ROMCO Equipment, serving large portions of Texas and southern New Mexico, was appointed the exclusive Volvo CE dealer in west Texas and several counties in Oklahoma and southern New Mexico.
ROMCO will now represent Volvo CE in the entire state of Texas and surrounding areas for Volvo CE general purpose equipment, compact equipment, compaction and rigid hauler products, services and site solutions.
ROMCO has provided equipment to customers in Texas since 1961. In 2023, it expanded into southwestern Texas and New Mexico and its recent expansion covers all of Texas, additional counties in New Mexico and several counties in Oklahoma, bringing its total number of branches to 17. ROMCO parent company SMT is a global Volvo Group dealer with Volvo CE distribution in North America, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and more than 18 African countries.
“I’m very excited for ROMCO and their continued growth with Volvo CE,” said Scott Young, Head of Region North America, Volvo CE. “They’re a great representative of our brand and are committed to providing customers with solutions to help them succeed.”
In the expanded territory, ROMCO will continue to offer new and used machines for a variety of applications, including construction, road building, and aggregates, as well as cutting-edge services like site solutions, machine control systems and advanced telematics.
ISCO
ISCO Industries, Inc., a leader in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping solutions, acquired Rainmaker Sales (“Rainmaker”), a master distributor of polyethylene products and services based in Shawnee, Oklahoma. This acquisition expands capabilities and strengthens support across the South-Central region.
Rainmaker has earned a strong reputation for responsive service, reliable inventory, and established customer relationships across industries, including energy, municipal, gas distribution, industrial, and agriculture. The company’s experienced team, regional presence, and shared commitment to service complement ISCO’s continued growth.
“What makes this a great fit isn’t just the products — it’s the people,” said Jimmy Kirchdorfer, CEO of ISCO Industries. “J.C. and the Rainmaker team have built something special. Their reputation for reliability and personal service aligns perfectly with ISCO’s values. By bringing our teams together, we’re expanding our reach and strengthening the expertise and innovation we offer.”
This acquisition strengthens ISCO’s ability to deliver greater value through:
• Expanded Reach across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, and the central U.S.
• Increased Inventory with more in-stock HDPE products and quicker response times
• Technical Expertise in fusion equipment, field services, and HDPE solutions
• Stronger Support of a unified team with shared values and decades of experience
Together, ISCO and Rainmaker are positioned to deliver broader solutions, faster access, and stronger support—while staying grounded in the relationships that built their success.
Ditch Witch
Cox and Cox Construction, a full-service underground utility contractor licensed in California and Nevada, is the first company to operate a Bulldog trencher, designed for underground utility installation, particularly in areas where overhead electrical cables could cause or be destroyed by forest fires.
The compact, powerful and agile trencher was designed by UK manufacturer Mastenbroek, specifically for American utility contractors and is marketed on the West Coast by Ditch Witch West.
Cox and Cox Construction's search for the Bulldog began in 2023 when the company's president, Buddy Cox, identified the need to acquire a smaller, faster trencher to give him a competitive advantage when tendering undergrounding contracts. He discovered the Bulldog after speaking to Ditch Witch West, which was negotiating sales rights for Mastenbroek machines with its US sales agent, Port Industries.
Cox and Cox Construction took delivery of the first production Bulldog trencher late last year and began using it in January 2025 to install underground utility cables along 50 miles of narrow, winding roads near Lakehead in northern California.
The 10.9-meter (38 feet 7 inches) long Bulldog, with a transport width of 2.5 meters (8 feet 2 inches), borrows much of Mastenbroek's engineering prowess from the company's 17/17 trencher, which is popular with European undergrounding contractors.
The Bulldog is powered by a US EPA Tier 4 final compliant Volvo 8-litre engine and a new diesel hydrostatic drive system developed by Mastenbroek to power the new, heavier digging mechanism, which can comfortably achieve the 1.5-meter (5-foot) trench depth required by US cable-layers. It also features an offset cutting head, which uses rotary carbide digging picks that offer smooth rotation and long lifespans.
The new digging mechanism also contributes to the Bulldog's light weight, just 47,000 pounds (21,300kg), which is some 15,000 pounds (6,800kg) lighter than its nearest rival. Mastenbroek's engineers have ensured Bulldog's weight distribution is as even as possible, allowing its 248 horsepower to be directed efficiently into the trench for maximum productivity.
Eric Greene, general manager-California at Ditch Witch West, believes the Bulldog will be in great demand. "Utility contractors are in desperate need for something like the Bulldog,” he said. “They have thousands of miles of undergrounding to deliver, and it is hard going. Until now, there has not been a trencher that is robust, reliable, and capable of working at the speed needed.
Sovereign Pipe
Sovereign Pipe Technologies, a leading high-density polyethylene pipe manufacturer in Shawnee, Okla., is celebrating its anniversary. This milestone marks the company as a trusted supplier for major infrastructure projects.
Since its founding in 2021, Sovereign Pipe Technologies has seen a significant increase in both production capacity and market reach. Reaching this occasion represents the company’s commitment to providing superior quality products and its contributions to the sectors it serves, including construction, municipal water systems, and agriculture.
“Our journey over the past two years has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Trey Cox, Inside Sales Coordinator. “Our growth is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our team, and the trust and support of our customers and community.”
With their extensive 50 years of experience within the HDPE arena of executive leadership, the experts behind Sovereign Pipe Technologies have propelled the company to its position as a leading manufacturer of high-density polyethylene pipe. They manufacture a wide range of HDPE pipe, from ¾- to 48-inch diameters, to cater to various project requirements. The company’s product line includes energy services line pipe, water pipe, and sewer pipe.
Joe Johnson Equipment
Joe Johnson Equipment (JJE), a leading North American infrastructure equipment dealer, has expanded its U.S. footprint. Federal Signal has named JJE as the exclusive dealer for its Vactor products in Indiana and Louisiana, and the exclusive dealer for Elgin products in Indiana, excluding Clark, Floyd, Harrison counties.
Additionally, JJE will also provide service and parts support for other Federal Signal products including Guzzler and TRUVAC.
This comes just months after JJE completed its successful expansion into Virginia and underscores the company’s commitment to delivering infrastructure equipment and solutions across the U.S.
“We are honored by this award and the opportunity to represent industry-leading Federal Signal brands in these territories,” said Michael Rugeroni, vice president of Federal Signal aftermarket. “This is an important step to broaden our coverage and aligns with our strategy to continue to grow our U.S. customer base.”
JJE will support these new territories through expanded sales coverage and branch locations, ensuring exceptional service for municipal and private contractors.
CemenTech
Cemen Tech, the world’s largest volumetric concrete mixer manufacturer, established a new partnership with Martin Equipment Management. This agreement designates Martin Equipment as the exclusive dealer of Cemen Tech’s concrete production solutions across Eastern Iowa and Central Illinois, offering regional contractors access to innovative volumetric technology and dedicated local support.
“Martin Equipment’s commitment to customer service aligns with Cemen Tech’s focus on productivity and efficiency,” said Connor Deering, CEO and president of Cemen Tech. “With this partnership, we’re expanding access to volumetric technology that keeps projects on track and reduces waste, helping contractors maximize uptime.”
Cemen Tech’s volumetric mixers allow operators to produce fresh, precisely mixed concrete directly onsite, eliminating the need for batch plant returns and enabling rapid adjustments to mix designs as needed. This on-demand flexibility reduces downtime and boosts efficiency for contractors managing diverse job site requirements.
“At Martin Equipment, we are committed to providing customers with the best equipment and support to help them succeed," said DeLene Martin Bane, president of Martin Equipment. "Adding Cemen Tech to our lineup strengthens that commitment, giving contractors a reliable, productive solution to drive their business forward. We look forward to this partnership and to backing our customers with the dedicated support they expect from us."
As part of this new partnership, Martin Equipment will provide field service, preventative maintenance, and a well-stocked parts inventory, ensuring rapid response and repair times for Cemen Tech customers. Martin Equipment’s team of experienced technicians and local experts are committed to delivering the support contractors need to keep their operations running smoothly.
For more information on Cemen Tech’s volumetric concrete mixers or to find a dealer near you, visit CemenTech.com.
Xylem
Water leaks in Latin America are a huge problem for the region. According to the World Bank, 45 percent of water is lost before it reaches consumers. These figures match those published in a Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) study on water safety, which showed that 26 cities sustained losses which exceeded 60 percent.
This data on non-revenue water (NRW) in Latin America underscores the need to roll out measures to make water resource management more efficient. This is especially true at a time when the region is experiencing prolonged droughts, such as the ones in Mexico, Uruguay, and Brazil. In fact, the Peruvian National Superintendence of Sanitation Services (SUNASS) has already warned that Peru, Chile, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina will be the countries hardest hit by water stress in just five years.
Francisco Eduardo Hernández, Idrica LATAM’s business development manager, thinks that the problem of NRW in most Latin American countries “lies in aging infrastructure, failure to invest in upgrading, and inefficient management which has led to hugely inefficient distribution systems.”
He pointed out, however, that measures such as harnessing artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) “are already enabling operators to cut losses, step up efficiency, and ensure fairer access to the resource.”
Technology is proving to be a turning point in the battle against NRW. AI-based systems, known as smart water engines, coupled with data lake platforms, enable large volumes of water data to be gathered, integrated, and analyzed in real time, improving water management.
As Silvia Escamilla, Xylem LATAM’s business development manager, noted, “adding AI to water utilities provides more flexible decision-making and streamlines operational, administrative, and resource management processes, enhancing distribution efficiency.”
The following use cases illustrate how applying artificial intelligence can be extremely beneficial in managing NRW.
Detecting leaks. This is the clearest case, where deploying artificial intelligence helps to monitor the network and identify leakage points more quickly and efficiently through smart pressure and flow control. An example is the utility Servicios de Agua y Drenaje de Monterrey (SADM), which cut water losses and achieved overall water savings of 17 percent, rising to 37 percent in many sectors, as a result of implementing the Xylem Vue platform.
Optimizing predictive maintenance. Utilities can harness AI to anticipate potential failures in real time by analyzing historical patterns. Digital twins that blend machine learning and artificial intelligence can reproduce the network’s performance under any circumstances, delivering a strategic water model that can predict future malfunctions and, also, improve decision-making.
Controlling water use. AI can be useful for monitoring usage, as it helps to spot anything unusual, such as internal leaks, fraud and potential meter errors.
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