Titan America Completes New Plant in Medley, Fla.

Titan America recently began operations of a new dry-process cement plant in Medley, Fla., built in 16 months by F.L. Smidth of Denmark and Zachry Construction Corp. of San Antonio, Texas.

Zachry completed construction of the multi-million dollar, Pennsuco Modernization project in April 2004, two months ahead of schedule. The 5,000-ton-per-day facility will replace two wet process lines once it is fully operational. The existing cement grinding facilities, along with the existing cement storage and handling systems will remain in place in support of the new plant. Titan America expected the first clinker production in early June.

Titan America awarded F.L. Smidth the contract for the design, supply and delivery of all major process equipment in September 2001 and later awarded F.L. Smidth a supplemental contract to provide civil and structural engineering for the foundations and concrete and steel superstructures for all the major plant structures.

Titan contracted with Zachry in January 2003 to build the facility, and to provide construction services and balance of plant engineering. AMEC Engineering and Services served as Zachry's balance of plant design firm. F.L. Smidth supplied and installed the plant's state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to the major process equipment, F.L. Smidth provided auxiliary equipment and a state-of-the-art control system that included the integration of controls for the existing cement grinding and clinker handling systems.

The project was not without its share of challenges, however. Because of the high water table in Florida, Zachry had to pump out thousands of gallons of water before pouring the concrete.

"At one time we were pumping 12,000 gallons of water a minute just so we could pour concrete," said Larry Shofner, project controls manager for Zachry.

Although the shallow water table was a major challenge, Zachry was able to pour the foundations for the preheater by February 2003 and was out of deep water by mid-May 2003.

Early in 2004 Zachry marked 1.2 million workhours with zero lost time.

Yancey Bros. Co. Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Yancey Bros. Co., the Caterpillar equipment and power systems dealer for the state of Georgia, recently held special events in recognition of its 90th anniversary. The company, in its fourth generation of family ownership, is recognized as "The Nation's Oldest Caterpillar Dealer."

On April 16, Yancey Bros. hosted approximately 300 customers for an invitation-only informational program and luncheon at its corporate campus in metro Atlanta. The featured guest was Caterpillar Inc.'s CEO and Chairman of the Board, James W. Owens.

On April 17, Yancey hosted a "Customer Appreciation Day," also at the corporate campus, that included lunch, equipment and service displays, equipment demonstrations, and operator contests.

Founded in 1914 by brothers Goodloe H. Yancey, Jr. and B. Earle Yancey, Yancey Bros. Co. started its long history as the Yancey Hardware Co., selling hardware, picks, shovels and prison uniforms to government agencies - especially county prisons - for road construction.

The company sold its first "Caterpillar" crawler tractors, manufactured by the Holt Manufacturing Co. of Peoria, Ill., in 1918 - seven years before Holt would merge with Best Tractor Co. to become the Caterpillar Tractor Co. According to Yancey, records at Caterpillar's corporate offices dating from the 1925 merger state: "Yancey is the dealer with whom Caterpillar and its predecessor companies have had the longest business association." Thus, Yancey Bros. Co. claims to be "The Nation's Oldest Caterpillar Dealer."

In addition to its earthmoving and power systems divisions, Yancey Bros. also has a rental services division, know as The Cat Rental Store, as well as building construction products and agricultural products divisions.

In December of 2002, the company became the exclusive Caterpillar equipment and power systems dealer for the entire state of Georgia.

Yancey Bros. Co. currently has 24 customer sales, parts and service facilities located in 17 Georgia cities: Albany, Augusta, Austell, Bloomingdale, Brunswick, Calhoun, Columbus, Conley, Cumming, Dacula, Dublin, Jefferson, Kennesaw, Macon, Resaca, Savannah and Valdosta.

Catalfumo Joins Forces With Seawood Builders

Catalfumo Construction and Development, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., recently acquired Seawood Builders of Broward County. Officials reported the acquisition increases Catalfumo's annual revenues nearly 50 percent to $300 million, and the number of employees by nearly one-third to approximately 350. Seawood Builders will retain its name and will function as a division of Catalfumo from its existing Deerfield Beach headquarters.

Dan Catalfumo will continue in his role as president and CEO of the combined company. Ed Masi, CEO of Seawood, and Steve Fisher, formerly of Fisher-Clark, which Catalfumo acquired in 2001, will serve as executive vice presidents. Betty Masi, CFO and partner of Seawood, will join Catalfumo as vice president.

Seawood Builders produces annualized contracts exceeding $100 million from a range of commercial and residential construction projects.

IEC and OSHA Renew Alliance

In an effort to continue to reduce the amount of workplace incidents, officials from the Independent Electrical Contractors recently renewed their alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The two-year agreement, signed by Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA John L. Henshaw, and IEC National President J.B. Wise, states that both parties will promote safe and healthy working conditions for electrical contractors and their employees.

The renewal calls for OSHA to continue to provide IEC members with information and guidance on worker safety and health matters, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to falls, auto collisions and material handling hazards. The agreement also outlines specific communications goals and promoting and encouraging IEC members' awareness of and participation in OSHA's cooperative programs.

IEC is a trade association made up of more than 3,200 merit shop electrical and systems contractors with 73 chapters nationwide.

Hughes Supply Opens Miami Center

Orlando-headquartered Hughes Supply recently announced the grand opening of its "Mega-Center" in Miami that consolidates all of the company's branches in the Miami area.

The Miami Mega-Center houses six product lines - fire protection; water and sewer; water systems and irrigation; plumbing; maintenance, repair and operations; and building materials products.