Supplier News

Bucks Fabricating opens Mississippi facility

Bucks Fabricating, a roll-off container manufacturer based in Hadley, Pennsylvania, has opened a second facility in Tishomingo, Mississippi. The company stocks its WorkForce family of products at the new 200,000-square-foot facility and has started manufacturing and shipping at the site. 

Federal Signal, an environment and safety solutions equipment manufacturer based in Oak Brook, Illinois, acquired Bucks Manufacturing along with the rest of Pennsylvania-based Deist Industries LLC in November 2021. Bucks Fabricating says the acquisition enabled it to partner with a sister equipment manufacturer on the facility in Tishomingo. Federal Signal declined to disclose the name of the sister company.

“The Bucks Fabricating team recognized the benefits of a second location which would service the southern market with the same great products,” says Crystal Roseberry, sales and marketing manager at Bucks Fabricating. “This new location allows us to be more competitive on shipping rates, as well as have available inventory on the ground ready for immediate shipment.” 

Bucks Fabricating says customers in the South can call 662-438-4563 for information. The company also redesigned its website, which Bucks says has made it easier for customers to shop.

Bomag, governor celebrate launch of Connex South Carolina

Bomag Americas welcomed South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and leadership from South Carolina’s business community to its North American headquarters in Ridgway, South Carolina, to announce the launch of Connex South Carolina.

The free, online platform provides an online location where manufacturers in the state can connect with each other, find local suppliers, discover new business opportunities and manage their supply chains through a database.

The database, Connex Marketplace, allows manufacturers to create company profiles and include pertinent information, such as certifications, Small Business Administration designations, manufacturing capabilities, equipment and more. The platform features an exchange center where manufacturers can post and respond to business opportunities with companies in South Carolina and around the nation.

“South Carolina is recognized around the world as a manufacturing state,” McMaster says. “Therefore, we must do all we can to provide our manufacturing industry with the advantages and resources needed to continue to build upon our sterling reputation. With Connex South Carolina, we will be able to provide equipment manufacturing companies like Bomag Americas with the tools needed to optimize efficiency and ultimately help drive South Carolina’s economy to even greater heights.”

McMaster and business leaders were led on a guided tour of Bomag Americas’ 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, seeing a Bomag CR Series paver on the assembly line.

“The Bomag family was honored to host Gov. McMaster as well as other business leaders for the launch of Connex South Carolina, an innovative 21st century supply chain solution that helps address deficiencies and speed up production timelines,” Bomag Americas President Brian Bieller says. “Every day, contractors rely on Bomag compaction and roadbuilding equipment to construct America’s infrastructure. I thank Gov. McMaster for providing solutions that help to address manufacturing challenges while allowing Bomag to further our investment in the South Carolina economy through a local supply chain.”

Bomag manufactures asphalt pavers and milling machines, reclaimer/stabilizers, single-drum and tandem vibratory rollers, pneumatic tired rollers, landfill refuse compactors and a range of light compaction equipment.

Vermeer campus expansion points to growth

Pella, Iowa-based Vermeer Corp., while celebrating its 75th year in business in 2023, says it is looking to the future with plans to invest in and expand its Pella campus.

“What started as a small machine shop to meet the needs of local farmers in and around our hometown of Pella soon became the ground floor for my grandfather [Gary] to open Vermeer Manufacturing in 1948,” Vermeer President and Chief Operating Officer Jason Andringa says.

“With the guiding principle of treating other people how you’d want to be treated yourself, we’ve created a culture over the last 75 years of making a real impact on the way work gets done that continues to drive our company forward. Ultimately, it’s a commitment that is part of every interaction we have among ourselves, suppliers, dealers, customers and the communities we live and work in.”

Vermeer has expanded from its modest start to an organization of more than 4,000 staff members worldwide and recently was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers.

The company’s equipment for the recycling sector includes horizontal grinders, tub grinders, trommel screens and compost turners primarily used to process wood scrap and other organic materials.

The maker of agricultural, underground construction, surface mining, tree care and wood processing equipment now operates eight facilities on six continents offering service and support in more than 60 countries.

Vermeer says its plans in the near future include bringing to market expanded digital product offerings, developing “next-generation machines” and introducing new equipment.

“As we look to the future, we are committed to carrying on the legacy of innovation and continuous improvement to make a lasting impact around the world,” Andringa says.

McNeilus earns low-emissions-vehicle certifications

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. has announced that its Volterra ZSL, a fully integrated, zero-emission refuse collection electric vehicle (EV), has earned three certifications from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The Volterra ZSL refuse collection vehicle (RCV) is built by McNeilus and parent company Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wisconsin, marrying Oshkosh’s experience in severe-duty vehicle innovation and McNeilus’ expertise in refuse collection bodies. It includes technologies and design features covered by more than 50 patents and patent applications. It has earned the EPA Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Certificate of Conformity, CARB Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Executive Order and the CARB Zero Emissions Powertrain Executive Order.

“The EPA and CARB certifications mark a major milestone in the development of the McNeilus Volterra ZSL refuse vehicle because they provide objective third-party evaluations of its design and zero-emission capabilities,” McNeilus Truck Vice President and General Manager Lee Dreas says.

CARB recently announced the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which says refuse vehicle fleets across the state of California must transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2040.

By receiving these CARB certifications, the Volterra ZSL refuse vehicle is eligible for purchase vouchers through state incentive programs such as the New Jersey Zero-Emission Inventive Program (NJ ZIP) or California’s HVIP. When listed in the California HVIP catalog, the Volterra ZSL could become eligible for purchase vouchers up to $120,000 per truck.

The CARB certifications also satisfy the zero-emissions vehicle reporting requirements needed to comply with advanced clean truck regulations in effect across eight states.

California county partners with LoCI Controls on methane project

LoCI Controls, a Wareham, Massachusetts-based developer of real-time data and control technology to increase methane capture from landfills, has announced a project with Yolo County in California. 

This project provides the Yolo County Central Landfill (YCCL) with LoCI’s patented landfill gas capture, real-time data and a control system, including on-site and remote support.

LoCI’s cloud-connected infrastructure measures key gas collection data in real time and displays it on the company’s WellWatcher user interface.

“We are thrilled to announce our groundbreaking project with LoCI Controls,” says Marissa Juhler, director of integrated waste management with Yolo County’s Community Services Department. “This first-of-its-kind initiative in California will optimize our gas collection process, increase methane capture and significantly reduce emissions, aligning perfectly with our focus on sustainability and innovation. With LoCI’s advanced technology, we are proud to contribute to California’s carbon neutrality and methane reduction goals.”

Apollo Funds acquires the Accent family of companies

Apollo Funds, a global alternative asset manager based in New York, has acquired the Accent family of companies, a Tomball, Texas-based full-service, value-added industrial distribution company. The Accent family of companies is focused on the waste, recycling and building materials industries and includes Accent Wire Tie, Accent Wire Tie United Kingdom and Accent Building Materials.

Accent Wire Tie distributes and manufactures baling wires and wire-tie machines, which are core products used in the recycling and waste industries in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. The company’s subsidiary, Accent Building Materials, is a regional wholesale distributor of building materials serving customers across the Sun Belt in the U.S.

“We believe Accent is a critical supplier to the recycling industry poised for continued growth and impact, and we see several opportunities to help grow and develop the company,” says Joanna Reiss, partner and co-head of impact at Apollo. “We look forward to partnering with Bill [Sims, Accent CEO] and the talented team at Accent to support its expansion globally, which we believe will contribute to the continued adoption of sustainable recycling practices leading to a decrease in landfilled waste and emissions in local communities.”

Crossplane Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm, partnered with Accent’s founders, the Sims family, in 2019 to acquire a controlling interest in Accent.

Crossplane and the Sims family retain a minority stake in the company.

“As we continue to grow Accent globally and capitalize on the opportunity set in front of us, we are delighted to partner with Apollo and the firm’s team of dedicated professionals who recognize the important role we have in driving a more sustainable future,” Sims says. “With Apollo’s support, we believe we will be able to reach more customers and drive increased responsible consumption and production globally. We are also grateful for Crossplane’s support over the past four years and look forward to their continued involvement as a minority investor alongside the Apollo Funds.”

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, PwC, and the Bridgespan Group advised Apollo.