Supplier News

Wastequip to invest in truck making in North Carolina

The Amrep Manufacturing Co. business unit of Charlotte, North Carolina-based equipment maker Wastequip plans to invest more than $21 million to expand its Salisbury, North Carolina, facility.

Amrep, acquired by Wastequip in 2019, makes waste and recyclables collection trucks. The expansion in Salisbury could add some 170 jobs at the facility.

“This expansion continues Wastequip’s growth platform providing specialized equipment and services to customers in the waste industry,” says Wastequip President and CEO Marty Bryant. “We are the only integrated all-in-one solution provider in our space with a comprehensive product line and footprint to fully supply customer needs.”

According to a news release from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office, Amrep’s investment will help it produce front-loading and automated side-loading trucks for curbside collection. The resulting new building will be an 80,000-square-foot production space adjacent to its current facility in Salisbury.

“Amrep’s expansion in Rowan County validates our efforts to support homegrown manufacturers, including a great quality of life, an ideal location and a diverse, skilled workforce,” Cooper says.

“Salisbury was Amrep’s first expansion of our manufacturing operations several years ago, and this area—including the highly skilled workforce and cooperation of local and state officials—continues to afford excellent opportunities for us,” adds Eric Mattson, president of Wastequip’s truck division.

North Carolina is providing several inducements to Wastequip and Amrep, including a job development grant approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. New positions to be created by the expansion include fabricators, mounters, painters, supervisors and welders.

Macpresse adds North American VP

The MP North America business unit of Macpresse Europa has announced it has created the MP North America Service division, which will oversee servicing of the Macpresse baler and conveyor line regionally. Joe Grieco was named vice president of that entity.

Since its conception in 2020, MP North America has grown its sales and service force with the creation of a dealer network and local service company, according to Italy-based Macpresse.

“While the above steps are all very important, MP North America feels having in-house service leadership as Mr. Grieco [will provide] is definitely the move our company and our customer base really needs to make things even better,” MP North America Vice President Randy Gibson says.

Based in New Jersey, Grieco brings more than 20 years of experience to Macpresse, including knowledge of its baler and conveyor lines. 

“I am looking forward to maintaining my relationships with our current and growing customer base,” Grieco says.

Macpresse makes a variety of equipment for the recycling and solid waste sectors, including high-volume extrusion balers for the recycling of paper, cardboard and plastic.

New Way divests compactors business to Plum Creek Environmental

Scranton, Iowa-based New Way Trucks has transferred ownership of its K-Pac Compactors business to Plum Creek Environmental. The company says the decision to divest this brand was made to focus manufacturing operations on refuse collection vehicles and align with increasing demand.

Based in West Point, Mississippi, Plum Creek Environmental manufactures waste and recycling containers and equipment. The K-Pac Compactors brand will be added as a premium product line to the company’s compactor division.

“The sale of K-Pac aligns with our commitment to optimize our core business and allocate resources more effectively toward our growth strategy with refuse collection vehicles,” New Way Chief Sales Officer Don Ross says. “Plum Creek Environmental is a top-notch, reputable company, and K-Pac Compactors will be a good fit with their other premium product lines.”

Along with allowing New Way to dedicate efforts to streamlining and expanding the production of refuse trucks at its facilities in Scranton and Booneville, Mississippi, the company says the divestment of K-Pac to Plum Creek will allow the two companies to continue to partner to offer a complete waste solutions package.

New Way Trucks is the largest privately held refuse collection equipment manufacturer in North America, with a product lineup that includes rear loaders, front loaders and automated side loaders.

“We are excited to partner with New Way,” Plum Creek partner Andrew Wamble says. “The acquisition of K-Pac is indicative of our commitment to expanding our Plum-Pak line of waste compactors. This acquisition expands our comprehensive lineup of highly engineered compaction equipment to our valued customers.”

Hendrickson acquires Reyco Granning

Hendrickson, a Woodridge, Illinois-based manufacturer of suspension systems and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and trailers, has acquired the Reyco Granning suspension business, based in Mount Vernon, Missouri, from Reyco Granning LLC and its parent company Mat Capital LLC. 

Reyco Granning’s primary product lines include suspension solutions for motor homes, commercial trucks, emergency response vehicles, specialty trailers, buses and the aftermarket sector. The company specializes in manufacturing and marketing suspension solutions for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles. 

The Reyco Granning brand will continue to operate independently under its existing name for the foreseeable future, maintaining its market identity and ensuring continuity in operations and customer service. 

“We are excited about this acquisition as it provides a platform for Hendrickson to expand our reach and manufacturing footprint,” Hendrickson President and CEO Matt Joy says. “Reyco Granning will enhance our overall product portfolio and ultimately better serve our customers in the commercial vehicle industry. We look forward to promoting the Reyco Granning brand as part of our ride solutions portfolio.” 

Hendrickson is a manufacturer and supplier of medium-and heavy-duty mechanical, elastomeric and air suspensions; integrated and nonintegrated axle and brakes systems; tire pressure control systems; auxiliary lift axle systems; parabolic and multileaf springs; stabilizers; bumpers; and components to the global commercial transportation industry.