Read about the latest industry events and happenings.

Schramm Offers Drill Rig Seminar

Schramm Inc. has scheduled a seminar focusing on Schramm top-head drill rig operation, maintenance and service. To be held at the West Chester, Pa., factory headquarters on March 18-20, the course will address proper operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of the various Schramm drilling rigs. Special attention will be given to industry best practices in rig maintenance, safety and service. Attendees also will have the opportunity to tour the factory.

Seminars are offered free of charge to qualified industry personnel, but class size for each of the seminars is limited. Contact Schramm Inc. as soon as possible to ensure a reservation. You can obtain complete registration information by visiting the company’s Web site at www.schramminc.com, e-mailing service@schramminc.com or servicio@schramminc.com (Spanish), or calling 610-696-2500.

WDC Tabs Ruck

WDC Exploration & Wells has announced that Robert Ruck will join the management team as its chief executive officer. “Rob is a great addition to our management team,” says Joe Spedale, president of WDC. “His background and experience as a business leader will serve our customers well.”

“I am thrilled to join WDC’s excellent management team to continue to build the business as a market leader,” Ruck says. “I look forward to capitalizing on our strengths and working on identifying a variety of compelling growth opportunities nationwide.”

Celebrating its seventh decade, and headquartered in Woodland, Calif., WDC (www.wdcexploration.com) is the largest privately owned drilling company in the United States.

In Memoriam

Our condolences to the family and friends of Joseph Munford (Munford Well Co., Smithfield, Va.) and Gary Vermeer (Vermeer Corp., Pella, Iowa).

Arsenic Removal Technology

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Water Technology Group Inc. (WTG), Harvard, Mass., have signed a licensing agreement that provides exclusive rights to commercialize the Nano-Composite Arsenic Sorbent (N-CAS) that will improve the ability to remove arsenic from contaminated water supplies, and is said to be seven times more effective than current arsenic removal technologies.

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency standards reduced the maximum allowable concentration of arsenic in drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, creating an expensive dilemma for 4,000 American municipalities and nearly 14 million homeowners whose water resources now exceed the new limits. N-CAS will provide an economical method to treat water supplies and meet these new standards.

Jack Boyles, WTG’s chief financial officer, says, “Since the EPA lowered the standards for arsenic in drinking water in 2006, we’ve seen growing public awareness of the health risks of arsenic in drinking water, and frustration at the lack of effective approaches from the water industry. N-CAS technology will provide affordable, effective and manageable solutions for municipalities, small public water systems and residential systems with arsenic contamination.”

Atlas Copco Restructures

Atlas Copco Construction Equipment LLC is the new Atlas Copco business dedicated to serving the U.S. construction market. This new entity combines the portable air operations of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s U.S. sales company with the Atlas Copco Construction Tools USA sales company. The new organization is responsible for the sales and service of portable compressors and generators, and pneumatic, hydraulic and gasoline-powered tools, along with related aftermarket services for both the Atlas Copco and Chicago Pneumatic brands.

Atlas Copco Construction Equipment LLC is headquartered in Commerce City, Colo., sharing office functions with the Atlas Copco Construction Mining Technique USA customer center. The Westfield, Mass., office of the construction tools business will be closed at the end of March.

Merrill Manufacturing's New Hire

Merrill Manufacturing Co., Storm Lake, Iowa, a 60-year-old manufacturer of water well products, including yard hydrants, pitless units and adapters, as well as accessories, announces that the company has hired Dennis Jacobson as its new national sales manager. Jacobson comes to Merrill with more than 20 years experience in sales management, and a background in the plumbing industry.

Doosan Doings

Doosan Infracore Portable Power has formed a new Dealer Advisory Council with the appointment of 10 executives representing dealers throughout the United States. Members recently attended an inaugural council meeting at Doosan’s Statesville, N.C., headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Dealer Advisory Council members include council chairman Dan Bowling of Washington Air Compressor Rental Company in Hyattsville, Md.; council vice chairman Charlie Ward of Sierra Machinery Inc. in El Paso, Texas; Ken Peyton of Cypress Equipment Rental Inc. in Baton Rouge, La.; Fred Silhanek of Absolute Equipment in Pittsburgh; Jack Moser of McAllister Equipment Co. in Alsip, Ill.; Keith Oliva of Blue Stream Services in New Iberia, La.; Ken Gerondale of Construction Machinery Industrial in Anchorage, Alaska; James Brady of Bryne Compressed Air Equipment Co. in the Bronx, N.Y; and Chris Banes of Volvo Construction Equipment and Services in Houston. Pat Kelleher of Colorado Machinery in Colorado Springs, Colo. is outgoing council chairman.

And in the Great White North …

Doosan Portable Power Canada has moved. The new address is 1185 Matheson Blvd. East, Mississauga, ON L4W 1B6. The new main phone number is 905-206-0022; the main fax number is 905-206-0696. 
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