Supplier News

Lion Electric announces US manufacturing facility in Illinois

The Lion Electric Co., a Canada-based manufacturer of all-electric medium- and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced that it has selected Joliet, Illinois, for the construction of its U.S. manufacturing facility.

According to Lion, the new facility will represent the largest dedicated production site for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S. and the company’s biggest footprint in the market. As part of its agreement with the government of Illinois, Lion has committed to an initial investment of at least $70 million over a 3-year period.

The 900,000-square-foot facility, for which building ramp up is anticipated in the second half of 2021, is expected to add a minimum of 745 clean energy direct jobs to the region over the next three years, with an annual production capacity of up to 20,000 all-electric buses and trucks.

This additional production capacity will aid Lion in scaling electric bus production as the U.S. market moves to electrify a large portion of its school bus fleet, as well as to produce a larger number of heavy-duty zero-emission trucks as governments and operators throughout the U.S. look to decarbonize freight and transportation fleets.

Lion anticipates that the first vehicles will roll off the production line in the second half of 2022.

“Lion is the leader in electric school buses and has always been dedicated to the U.S. market, and our commitment to be close to our customers is one of the core values we have as a company. This significant expansion into the U.S. market will not only allow us to drastically increase our overall manufacturing capacity of electric trucks and buses, but to also better serve our customers while adding critical clean manufacturing jobs that will form the backbone of the green economy,” Marc Bedard, CEO and founder of Lion, says.

“I also want to acknowledge the crucial role that P33 and Intersect Illinois, civic groups committed to developing a long-term roadmap for the local tech industry, played in connecting Lion with the Chicago area’s business and civic community to help further commercial traction, as well as engagement with key workforce and supplier partners.” “Lion’s historic investment to bring its largest production facility to Illinois represents not only a win for our communities, but a strong step forward in our work to expand clean energy alternatives and the jobs they bring to our communities,” said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “The new Joliet facility will put Illinois at the forefront of a national movement to transition to zero-emission vehicle use, advancing our own goals of putting one million of these cars on the road by 2030. In Illinois, we know that a clean energy economy is about more than just vehicles –it’s about healthier communities and jobs for those who live there. We are excited to welcome Lion to the Land of Lincoln and look forward to their future success here.”

Tomra names new CEO

Norway-based equipment and technology provider Tomra Systems ASA says its current President and CEO Stefan Ranstrand will be succeeded by Tove Andersen by Nov. 1. Andersen joins Tomra from Norway-based agricultural products and chemicals provider Yara International, where she is currently executive vice president, Europe.

The Tomra Sorting Recycling business unit offers automated sorting equipment to recycling plant operators while its Tomra Collection Solutions business unit designs and sells reverse vending machines (RVMs) for the automated collection of recyclable beverage containers.

“I’ve seen the great work that Tomra is doing to enable the circular economy while also ensuring resource responsibility and minimizing waste across the food, recycling and mining industries,” Andersen says. “It is really motivating to be joining Tomra to lead the resource revolution.”

She continues, “I’m very excited to take on the role as the new CEO of Tomra. I’ve seen the impact Tomra is making, and to join this company with sustainability at the core of its strategy is a privilege.”

Ranstrand, who has been Tomra’s president and CEO since 2009, says, “I am thrilled to welcome Tove Andersen as the new CEO of Tomra. Tove has vast international experience working for Yara, a company like Tomra that has sustainability at the core of its strategy. I look forward to seeing the impact Tove will make in leading the resource revolution.”

He continues, “I am pleased to be able to personally welcome Tove to Tomra and look forward to working alongside her during the transition. The people of Tomra are what make this company achieve great things for our planet. Tove shares our values of passion, innovation and responsibility. She will be a great leader to take Tomra into the future.”

Tomra says it has roughly 100,000 installations in more than 80 markets worldwide. It employs some 4,300 people globally and had total revenue of $1.2 billion in 2020.

Amrep launches truck delivery program

Amrep, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based manufacturer for the refuse industry, has launched the Ready Truck Program to eliminate or shorten the lead time to order and build a refuse collection vehicle.

The Wastequip-owned company says in response to the pandemic, chassis manufacturers cut production, and many haulers have held back on purchases. According to a news release from Amrep, these actions have changed the standard production time for a chassis from 60 days to as many as 90 to 180 days.

Rob Strange, director of refuse body sales for Amrep across North America, says the Ready Truck Program will offset the obstacles experienced throughout the industry in 2020 by having trucks available for immediate delivery.

“This year, we are anticipating a spike in demand for refuse collection vehicles and have developed this program to stay ahead of pending challenges,” Strange says. “The Ready Truck Program will enable us to keep up the inventory of chassis now, so we can in return deliver Amrep trucks to our customers when they need them [with] instant availability.”

CBI and Terex Ecotec add Midwestern dealer

Fargo, North Dakota-based General Equipment & Supplies Inc. has agreed to represent both CBI and Terex Ecotec equipment lines in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. “The appointment will strengthen customer support for Terex’s environmental equipment brands in the territory,” states Connecticut-based Terex in a news release.

General Equipment was founded in 1984 with a “primary focus” to supply heavy construction and aggregate equipment to the construction, mining and oil exploration industries while also serving the equipment needs of municipalities, according to Terex.

The equipment dealership firm has grown to employ more than 250 people and operate from 10 locations: Fargo, Minot, Bismarck, and Williston, North Dakota; Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Shakopee, Duluth and Hibbing, Minnesota; and Urbana, Iowa.

“As the demand for environmental equipment increases throughout the United States, we’re ensuring the support capacity for CBI and Ecotec strengthens in each territory,” says George Wilcox, sales and marketing director for CBI and Ecotec.

He continues, “Appointing General Equipment to the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa helps achieve that objective. We’re confident that General Equipment will provide the responsive and quality support our customers expect, while being great ambassadors for our equipment.”

CBI manufactures a line of horizontal grinders, industrial wood chippers, flail debarkers, screens, stacking conveyors, stationary systems and attachments. Terex Ecotec’s product portfolio consists of shredders, trommel screens, recycling screens, metal separators and conveyors.

BHS names head of National Recovery Technologies

Bulk Handling Systems (BHS), a sorting systems and components manufacturer based in Eugene, Oregon, has named Christopher Ulum managing director of its National Recovery Technologies (NRT) subsidiary in Nashville, Tennessee. Ulum will oversee all aspects of the optical sorting technology manufacturer’s operations, service, sales, product management and finances.

Ulum says, “NRT is a global leader in applying sophisticated technology to help solve the waste and recycling challenges our world faces. Our large global footprint, coupled with our many years of recycling infrastructure experience, worldwide install base and service teams make NRT a trusted partner in the waste and recycling industry. I look forward to working with our passionate team as we continue to advance the technology and grow the company.”

Ulum has more than 25 years of industry experience in leadership positions, including president and CEO roles. His background includes large organizations such as Frito-Lay, IBM and Sun Microsystems, as well as small startup companies, such as Agilyx Corp. and Building Energy Inc.

Ulum received a B.S. in business from Oregon State University and an MBA from Duke University Fuqua School of Business.

“Chris is an exceptional leader with a wide breadth of experience, and we are fortunate to have him come on board to lead NRT,” says BHS CEO Steve Miller. “The application of NRT’s innovative technology in optical, controls and artificial intelligence are changing the industry. Chris will be a vital part of continuing that fast-paced growth while maintaining our high-performance, results-oriented and quality focus for our customers.”