Gerdau Ameristeel Purchases Two Rebar Suppliers

Gerdau Ameristeel of Tampa has entered into an agreement to purchase substantially all the assets of Gate City Steel and RJ Rebar, headquartered in Indianapolis. Gate City Steel and RJ Rebar are suppliers of plain and epoxy-coated, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel. The seven facilities included in the acquisition are located in Indianapolis and Muncie, Ind.; Sterling and Lemont, Ill.; Birmingham, Ala. (two locations); and Hamilton, Ohio.

Subject to approval, the transaction was expected to close in December. The deal adds to Gerdau Ameristeel's 23 reinforcing steel fabricating facilities. Gerdau Ameristeel is the second largest minimill steel producer in North America with annual manufacturing capacity of over 6.4 million tons.

Lotspeich Acquires Farrey's Wholesale Hardware

Lotspeich Co. of Florida, a specialty contractor located in Fort Lauderdale, has acquired the commercial door and hardware division of Farrey's Wholesale Hardware Co.

"Acquiring this division allows us to meet demand for a fast-growing business line," said David Fee, CEO of Lotspeich, which performs drywall, acoustical/specialty ceilings, building specialties and stucco plastering and now commercial doors and hardware.

With the acquisition, Lotspeich adds numerous specialists to its commercial door and hardware division, which serves the commercial, industrial, institutional and condominium markets.

Southeastern Crane Changes Name to Ring Power Crane

Southeastern Crane of Jacksonville, Fla., has changed its name to Ring Power Crane. The change was made to reflect the name of the parent company, Ring Power Corp.

GUCA Announces Scholarships, NUCA Grants

The National Utility Contractors Association Foundation for Education and Research recently awarded two grants to the Georgia Utility Contractors Association to enhance educational and safety programs. GUCA will use these grants to send high-school students to the Georgia Construction Career Days, scheduled for April 28-29, 2005, and also to create and display banners advertising the utility construction industry in area high schools.

Also, the association recently awarded scholarships to three construction-management students currently attending four-year higher-education institutions in Georgia. The recipients include: Mark Gravel, a senior at Southern Polytechnic State University, Marietta; Joseph Alan Johnson, a junior at Southern Polytechnic; and Joseph Johnson, a senior at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro.

JE&A Establishes UF Professorship

Jones Edmunds & Associates of Gainesville, Fla., has established a professorship in environmental engineering sciences at the University of Florida. The professorship was established to recognize faculty who excel in the area of solid waste engineering in the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences.

The first recipient is Timothy G. Townsend, Ph.D., an associate professor of environmental engineering sciences. Since joining the UF faculty in 1995, Dr. Townsend has developed an internationally acclaimed program in solid and hazardous waste management.

Seretta Construction Opens New Charlotte Office

Seretta Construction of Orlando announced the opening of its new office building in Charlotte. The Seretta Mid-Atlantic division has been operating in the area for three years and had outgrown its previous location.

Seretta constructed a 26,000-sq.-ft., two-story tilt-wall office building. The Charlotte office employs 120 people.

Ready Mixed Concrete Co. Acquired By Audax Group

Boston-based Audax Group announced it has completed the $210 million acquisition of Southern Equipment Co., which operates as Ready Mixed Concrete Co. in North Carolina, South Carolina and southern Virginia.

SPX to Sell BOMAG for $446 Million

SPX Corp. recently signed a definitive agreement to sell its BOMAG compaction equipment business division to Fayat, a privately owned company based in Bordeaux, France, for approximately $446 million in cash. SPX stated it will use the proceeds to pay down debt. The transaction was expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2004.

BOMAG is expected to have 2004 revenues of approximately $490 million and will now be treated as discontinued operations for financial reporting purposes. BOMAG, based in Boppard, Germany, is a manufacturer of heavy and light equipment for soil, asphalt and refuse compaction.

Quincy Johnson Architects Announces New Partnership

Quincy Johnson Architects of Boca Raton has announced a new partnership: Quincy Johnson, Jones, Myott, Williams, Acevedo, Vaughn Architects, Inc. The new name recognizes the partners in the firm, which include: Quincy R. Johnson, III; Richard C. Jones; Steven E. Myott; James R. Williams; Rodolfo C. Acevedo; and Robert E. Vaughn, Jr.

MSI Donates $33,000 to Frontline Outreach

Bill Dillard, founder and CEO of Mechanical Services Inc. of Orlando, recently presented a $33,000 check to Frontline Outreach President Arto Woodley, Jr. during ceremonies at the 20th Annual MSI-Frontline Outreach Golf and Tennis event.

Frontline Outreach workers prepare children for success and service through early childhood education and leadership programs. The organization also works with the children's families and offers parenting classes, job training, GED and more.