Search Results

Cancelation of mining leases in Minnesota said to be "political" A decision to cancel mining leases in northern Minnesota—issued by the federal government last Wednesday—is expected to be challenged by the business heading the projects: Twin Metals Minnesota. "The federal government’s reversal of its position on the mineral leases that Twin Metals Minnesota and its predecessor companies have held for more than 50 years is disappointing, but not surprising given the series of actions the administration has taken to try and shut the door on copper-nickel mining in northeast Minnesota," the St. Paul company said in a statement January 26. "We will challenge this attempt to stop our project and defend our valid existing mineral rights. We expect to prevail." Twin Metals Operational Headquarters are near the sites in question in Ely, Minnesota (pictured), near the United States' shared border with Canada. In question are three high-demand metals, all of which have spiked in demand in recent years with the anticipation of increased electric vehicle manufacturing: copper, nickel, and cobalt. The three are hot commodities as companies compete over them in case of a shortage. Copper, as we know, is a crucial element in industrial electric motors, wiring, and scores of other manufacturing processes. Nickel and cobalt intersect at the electric vehicle nexus, with both being important in battery and vehicular electric motor construction. Twin Metals was adamant in its position that the decision was not lawful: "This is not about law; this is a political action intended to stop the Twin Metals project without conducting the environmental review prescribed in law. We have proposed a world-class underground copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals mine that deserves to be evaluated through the established environmental review process." The company's initial proposal was submitted more than two years ago to state and federal agencies. It involved "more than a decade" of engineering, hydrogeological, environmental and engagement work that "maximize environmental protection", Twin Metals continued. The statement finished by highlighting its history and commitment to sustainable methods: "We are confident that a full environmental review will show that the science behind this modern mine will prove that we can advance this project safely under the highest of standards. Twin Metals’ mineral leases were first issued in 1966 and have been held in good standing spanning 11 presidential administrations. We remain steadfast in defending those rights and advancing our model mining project. Our commitment to the communities of northeast Minnesota and to advancing a sustainable mining project has not wavered. We are firmly dedicated to bringing much-needed economic growth to our region and the opportunity to responsibly develop the critical minerals needed for our global efforts in combatting the climate crisis."

EV company names new CFO Cincinnati electric vehicle company EdgeEnergy announced January 11 that Jon Holland, the former CFO/COO for Laureti Mobility Group, will join EdgeEnergy as its new Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. Jon Holland—EdgeEnergy photo EdgeEnergy specializes in charging infrastructure, one of the top priorities often cited in EV circles. Its main product at the moment is the EdgeEV70 charging station, which has applications in retail, utilities, fleets, rural charging networks, and parks and recreation. The EV company discussed here should not be confused with "The Edge Cincinnati", a LEED-registered office building in downtown Cincinnati that will likely show up on your search results. Jon has been working closely with the company’s leadership team since December to ensure a smooth transition and establish strategies for the company’s growth in 2022. Described as "an innovative, strategic, and operational finance executive" by the company; Holland boasts 30 years of senior level experience in the banking, technology, and e-mobility sectors. This includes launching new divisions for Wells Fargo and Chase generating $300M+ in sales along with numerous private companies. Prior to joining EdgeEnergy, Jon was the CFO & COO for Laureti Mobility Group, a passenger-centric EV company headquartered in London. He's scaled several early-stage EV charging companies through hyper-growth periods over the past 5 years. “I am excited to be joining the EdgeEnergy team. Deploying charging infrastructure to support EV adoption is going to be one of the fastest growing industries over the next 10 years,” says Holland. “We need solutions that make the deployment of this infrastructure fast and cost effective. EdgeEnergy has that solution with the EdgeEV power source.” “EdgeEnergy is poised to quickly become a leader in the EV infrastructure industry, and we are excited for Jon to help drive our business forward,” said Greg York, Founder and CEO of EdgeEnergy. “Jon’s success and experience as a CFO in the e-mobility industry, his financial expertise, and his outstanding leadership qualities will be an invaluable addition to our team.”

Webb telescope settles in at destination The largest telescope ever deployed to space has reached its destination. On Monday at 2 p.m. EST, the James Webb Telescope fired its onboard thrusters for nearly five minutes (297 seconds) to complete the final postlaunch course correction to Webb’s trajectory. This mid-course correction burn inserted Webb toward its final orbit around the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point, or L2, nearly 1 million miles away from the Earth. The final mid-course burn added only about 3.6 miles per hour (1.6 meters per second) – a mere walking pace – to Webb’s speed, which was all that was needed to send it to its preferred “halo” orbit around the L2 point. “Webb, welcome home!” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement January 24. “Congratulations to the team for all of their hard work ensuring Webb’s safe arrival at L2 today. We’re one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of the universe. And I can’t wait to see Webb’s first new views of the universe this summer!” Some of the most recognizable names in aerospace manufactured parts for the telescope or were contracted for critical aspects of the project. Northrop Grumman, Ball Aerospace, and L3Harris were all involved in Webb's formation. However, one thing EA readers might find interesting—or frustrating—about the Webb Telescope is that is was designed not to be repaired. Webb’s orbit will allow it a wide view of the cosmos at any given moment, as well as the opportunity for its telescope optics and scientific instruments to get cold enough to function and perform optimal science. Webb has used as little propellant as possible for course corrections while it travels out to the realm of L2, to leave as much remaining propellant as possible for Webb’s ordinary operations over its lifetime: station-keeping (small adjustments to keep Webb in its desired orbit) and momentum unloading (to counteract the effects of solar radiation pressure on the huge sunshield). The sunshield support structure contains well over 7,000 flight parts, including springs, bearings, pulleys, magnets, etc. In addition, the sunshield has hundreds of custom fabricated pieces. Most mechanical pieces were developed exclusively for the sunshield, with a few from existing designs. “During the past month, JWST has achieved amazing success and is a tribute to all the folks who spent many years and even decades to ensure mission success,” said Bill Ochs, Webb project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “We are now on the verge of aligning the mirrors, instrument activation and commissioning, and the start of wondrous and astonishing discoveries.” Now that Webb’s primary mirror segments and secondary mirror have been deployed from their launch positions, engineers will begin the sophisticated three-month process of aligning the telescope’s optics to nearly nanometer precision.

Behind the developments in Eastern Europe is a massive subsea pipeline For some perspective: Oil and gas companies in the United States constantly argue with environmentalists and indigenous peoples groups over the construction of pipelines. From these debates, you'd think it was a life-or-death situation. In comparison to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea, it's not. Russian landfall facilities of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in September 2021.—Nord Stream 2 photo Consider the current geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe. Military conflict, war material, and actual lives are at stake as Russia masses troops on the Ukrainian border and the NATO collective of nations prepares a response. For many, it feels like this is the most precarious spot of tension featuring the major powers since the Second World War. Behind the geopolitical alliances—namely, those between Russia and Germany—is the Nord Stream 2. A US state department spokesman told the BBC that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline "will not move forward" if Russia were to attack. The controversial energy project is designed to double gas flow and runs from Russia direct to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Continued demand for semiconductors, Commerce Dep't calls situation "urgent" On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce released the results from the Risks in the Semiconductor Supply Chain Request for Information (RFI) issued in Sept. 2021. Key findings from the report provided data-driven information about the depths of the semiconductor shortage and advocated for the White House’s proposed $52 billion in domestic semiconductor production. The RFI showed that median inventory held by chips consumers (including automakers or medical device manufacturers, as examples) has fallen from 40 days in 2019 to less than 5 days in 2021. If a COVID outbreak, a natural disaster, or political instability disrupts a foreign semiconductor facility for even just a few weeks, it has the potential to shut down a manufacturing facility in the U.S., putting American workers and their families at risk. “The semiconductor supply chain remains fragile, and it is essential that Congress pass chips funding as soon as possible,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo in a January 25 press release posted on Commerce.gov. “With sky-rocketing demand and full utilization of existing manufacturing facilities, it’s clear the only solution to solve this crisis in the long-term is to rebuild our domestic manufacturing capabilities. President Biden has proposed $52 billion to revitalize our domestic semiconductor industry, and every day we wait on this funding is a day we fall further behind. But if we address this problem, we can create good jobs, rebuild American manufacturing, and strengthen our supply chains here at home for years ahead.” Key Findings from the Semiconductor RFI: Demand for semiconductors is as much as 17 percent higher in 2021 than it was in 2019, and consumers aren’t seeing commensurate increases in the available supply. The majority of semiconductor manufacturing facilities are operating at or above 90 percent utilization, meaning there is limited additional supply to bring online without building new facilities. Bottlenecks are most concentrated in a specific semiconductor inputs and applications, including legacy logic chips (used in automobiles, medical devices, and other products), analog chips (used in power management, image sensors, and radio frequency), and optoelectronics chips (including for sensors and switches). The main bottleneck that respondents identified is the need for additional fab capacity. Additional bottlenecks that respondents identified include a lack of raw material inputs for both semiconductors and the other components paired with semiconductors to assemble sub-parts for electric devices. The RFI asked all parts of the semiconductor supply chain – producers, consumers, and intermediaries – to voluntarily share information about inventories, demand, and delivery dynamics. With Secretary Raimondo’s engagement, more than 150 responses from the world responded to the RFI. The results of the RFI are included in a report and blog released by the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce says it will "continue to work on the short- and long-term challenges of the semiconductor supply chain through engagement with Congress to pass and fund USICA, coordination with the private sector to ensure more transparency within the supply chain, and the continuation of the early alert system to help address real-time semiconductor supply chain disruptions."

Schneider showcases fishing recyclables at CES 2022 It seems each year brings a new recycling innovation; some fresh novelty that's added to the matrix of convertable materials. At this year's CES technology expo, French industrial-tech giant Schneider Electric continued that trend with a new way to make electrical products, targeting the high-concern area of ocean plastics in the process. Under the header of "home energy solutions from recycled ocean plastics", Schneider unveiled its latest innovation via CES' virtual showcase. It claims to be the first company to offer such solutions, which the company also says "create a truly functioning circular economy," per a January 7 press release. Beginning with "customers in select markets", Schneider's new sustainable products include switches, sockets, and frames. Some of these sockets are pictured below, followed by details of the new product line. The product range includes a switch made from polyamide fishing nets, collected off the coast of India and the Arabian sea and features the Ocean Plastic Logo The product comes in sustainable packaging, eliminating all single-use plastic and non-recyclable materials from the packaging process The product range is the first in the industry to receive the international Cradle to Cradle Silver certification for responsible product design and steps towards a continuous circular economy Fishing nets account for almost 10% of all plastic waste found in the sea: this new Merten model contributes to reducing the 640,000 tons of fishing nets left in the ocean each year and is the first step in making this range of products more sustainable

Acquisitions continue for Integrated Power Services Integrated Power Services continues to soak up service shops, with this week taking the company decidedly westward for the acquisition(s) of three companies familiar to our readers from the classified section. IPS, the Greenville, SC-based service operation, feels it has now “established a leading presence in the western United States” with the acquisition of three companies — Industrial Electric Machinery (IEM), Reed Electric & Field Service, and A+ Electric Motor, per a January 5 press release. As noted above, this isn’t the first time IPS has gone west. IEM, headquartered in Longview, WA with branch operations in Visalia and Carson, CA, is one of the leading electrical apparatus repair providers in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1988, the company offers engineering, electrical apparatus repair, control systems integration, warehousing and distribution. “Industrial Electric Machinery has a longstanding reputation as a leader in power and rotating equipment services,” said Spencer Wiggins, IEM President. “IPS shares our desire to be world class, to be a destination for customers and employees, and to be thought leaders in the space. It was evident immediately that IPS is a great fit and we’re excited to join the IPS team!” Reed Electric & Field Service, a fourth-generation family-owned company founded in 1929, is the longest running motor business in California. The company, which has facilities in Los Angeles and Reno, specializes in the repair and sale of AC, DC and synchronous motors up to 10,000HP/13.8 kV, pumps and generators. “Reed Electric has a rich 93-year history of providing high quality electro-mechanical services while delivering excellent customer service. IPS has demonstrated that they hold these same core values. Those values, combined with their marketplace strength, mean we couldn’t be more excited to join the IPS network,” said Roy Richard, President of Reed Electric. A+ Electric Motor, founded in 1999, is a leading service provider in Montana, with repair facilities in Billings and Butte. The company offers complete pump and motor repair services up to 3,000HP, with a focus on in-shop medium voltage rewinds. A+ serves customers in power generation, mining and minerals, municipalities, oil & gas, and agriculture in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and the Dakotas. “The rapidly growing market in this part of the country has always been challenging for us to stay on pace with, to provide the level of service to our customers that they demand. By partnering with IPS, we’ll be able to accelerate the customer-focused growth that our customers have come to know and expect,” said Joe Perry, General Manager of A+ Electric Motor. These acquisitions add seven new service and repair facilities in California, Nevada and Montana, complementing IPS service centers in Portland, Seattle and Spokane. Together, they extend the company’s reach in electric motor repair and field services, while expanding its renewables business in the wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal renewable energy markets. “Rarely does a company have an opportunity to acquire three well-run companies at once, with such distinguished records, that share the IPS goal of becoming their customers’ trusted advisor,” said John Zuleger, IPS President and CEO. “Adding these businesses to IPS will accelerate offering our industry-leading services to the western U.S. and advance our reach as the highest quality, closest provider of power, electro-mechanical and rotating equipment services in North America.” Subscribe to the Direct&Current E-News

Penna. manufacturer launches new line of pilot devices c3controls, the Beaver, Pa., manufacturer of industrial control products, is launching an upgraded line of IEC Pilot Devices, with the new Series GT directly replacing the 22mm IEC Pilot Devices – Series B products. The c3controls IEC pilot device line features pilot lights, push buttons, selector switches, and E-Stops, with a wide range of variations and options available within each product group. “All new Series GT products are completely cross-compatible with the discontinued Series B products, all while keeping the same mounting and assembly dimensions and specifications, as well as part numbers and list prices,” the company added in an email to Electrical Apparatus January 19. The design enhancements include a “more robust operator bracket, a new 4X chrome-plated bezel option, modernized aesthetics, increased color vibrancy on push button caps, and reinforced internal components on all selector switches.” The company’s pilot devices are used in HVAC, steel mills, water/wastewater, packaging, switchgear, burners and boilers, metal fabrication, amusement rides, ski lifts, and mostly any other equipment or machine that is controlled electrically, it says. “We are excited to introduce the new IEC pilot devices as they are a true blend of c3controls founder Glenn Taylor’s original mission to provide premium performance without the premium price and current CEO Geoff Taylor’s mission to be the best electrical controls business on the planet,” said Aaron Veness, c3 product engineer. “We listened to feedback from our customers, and made both aesthetic and performance enhancements that provide machine builders and end users world class products built with the ultimate in craftsmanship.” Subscribe to the Direct&Current E-News

Major score for Palmetto State includes $8.5 million investment, 95 jobs Kostwein, a high-tech machine manufacturer, today announced plans to establish operations in Greenville County, SC, according to the South Carolina Governor’s office. The $8.5 million investment is projected to create 95 new jobs. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Austria, Kostwein produces machines, modules and high-tech components for all sectors of mechanical engineering. Opening the company’s first U.S. facility at 500 Hartness Drive in Greenville, Kostwein’s new operation will increase the company’s manufacturing capabilities. The new facility is expected to be completed by March 2022. Individuals interested in learning more about Kostwein should visit the company’s website. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. Greenville County was also awarded a $300,000 Set-Aside grant to assist with costs related to this project. “Kostwein is a family company with a 100-year history acting in the build-to-print business. We are proud that our customers are world market leaders in the different fields of machine production. Our headquarters is in Austria, and we have production facilities in Croatia and India – totaling 1,200 employees in the group. We are glad to announce that we are growing our global production footprint with the manufacturing facility in Greenville County.” -Kostwein Group CEO Hans Kostwein “We’re excited to welcome Kostwein to South Carolina. Their decision to build the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility in Greenville County is a big win for the community and another reason to celebrate in South Carolina.” -Gov. Henry McMaster “South Carolina’s positive business climate and excellent workforce continue to attract businesses from all around the world. Congratulations to Kostwein on their new operations, and we welcome them to Greenville County and South Carolina.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III “Greenville County welcomes Kostwein as it establishes its new presence in North America right here in our community. The company is a recognized leader in the complex machinery manufacturing landscape, and a welcome addition to both our community of international companies and our advanced manufacturing ecosystem.” -Greenville County Council Chairman and Greenville Area Development Corporation Board Member Willis Meadows “An international company, bringing high-tech solutions that enhance South Carolina’s existing manufacturing community is the type of economic growth that will sustain our momentum amid the rapid digitization of global business. Kostwein’s decision to launch its first U.S. facility within our region is an endorsement for the business environment, workforce and success companies find in the Upstate.” -Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO John Lummus Subscribe to the Direct&Current E-News

Major trade fair for industrial technology pushed back a month Deutsche Messe AG, in close cooperation with the HANNOVER MESSE exhibitor advisory board and partner associations VDMA (Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering) and ZVEI (Central Association of German Electrical Engineering and Digital Industry), has rescheduled HANNOVER MESSE 2022 for 30 May–2 June. The show was originally planned for April. “Due to the continuing high incidence in Germany and many neighboring countries, we decided together with our exhibitors to reschedule HANNOVER MESSE. Last year demonstrated that the summer months are best for major events during this pandemic. Right now we cannot predict if the Covid situation will be better by April, so the new date offers our customers the greatest possible planning security so that they can present their innovations at the world’s most important industrial trade show,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG. At the beginning of June 2022, HANNOVER MESSE will be the world’s first major industrial event. Its focus on digitalization and sustainability will stimulate innovative and efficient approaches to production and climate protection. This year’s show runs four days due to the Hannover Exhibition Center’s full event calendar in June. In 2023, HANNOVER MESSE will resume its normal five-day schedule in April. “It is right to postpone HANNOVER MESSE to a later date and allow the vaccination rate to increase, which is in the interest of exhibitors and visitors to the fair. The later date also increases the probability of a bigger audience both nationally and internationally, which benefits everyone. The mechanical and plant engineering sector will present itself in Hannover as a technological enabler of climate protection and digitalization as well as a provider and user of cutting-edge technology for networked and intelligent production,” says VDMA General Manager Thilo Brodtmann. “HANNOVER MESSE is the world’s most important industrial showcase for our companies, so the new date is correct given the current circumstances. We are convinced that in the summer we will reach a larger audience interested in Industrie 4.0 and its contribution to sustainability. With our innovations in automation, digitalization, electrification, and energy efficiency, the electrical and digital industry is guiding the industrial transition to a climate-neutral circular economy. We want to show the broadest possible audience what this path can look like, because we can only master this challenge if we work together. HANNOVER MESSE offers the perfect setting for this,” says Wolfgang Weber, Chairman of the ZVEI Management Board. Subscribe to the Direct&Current E-news

Goyette technicians showcase local talent in taking annual service honors Whether independent or company-trained, service technicians are the lifeblood of the industrial machine. Michigan HVAC/R contractor and service company Goyette Mechanical has announced its 2021 Excellence in Service Award winners. The Flint-based operation boasts a range of local talent. Goyette Mechanical Residential Service Supervisor, Chris Carrell (left) and 2021 Greg Monzo Award winner, Technician, Kevin Kairunas (right).—Goyettte photo Clio resident, Roger Stanley, has been awarded the Curt Maser Award, given to the commercial service technician of the year. Otisville resident, Keith Geiger, has been awarded the George Hier Award, for plumber/small project technician of the year. Swartz Creek resident, Mackenzie Fraim, has been awarded the Donna Glann Award, honoring the year’s best dispatcher/office support employee. Burton resident, Kevin Kairunas, has been awarded the Greg Monzo Award, for residential service technicians. Each award is voted on by Goyette’s Service Management Team and given to employees “that reach certifications benchmarks, and exemplify excellence in customer service, professionalism, and technical ability,” the Davison Index reported. Leif Johnson, General Manager for Goyette Mechanical told the local newspaper, “2021 has been a challenging year for everyone. Including these four team members who have excelled at their positions within the Service Department. Their dedication and professionalism have earned them these awards. They all have displayed an uncompromised commitment to quality, integrity and work ethic which exemplifies the very essence of what Goyette Mechanical strives to be. Goyette Mechanical would not be the company it is today without partners like them.”\ Subscribe to the Direct&Current E-news

Mike Fischer promoted to Commercial Director, Global Building Business Armstrong Fluid Technology has promoted Mike Fischer to Commercial Director, Global Building Business, reporting directly to the CEO, Todd Rief, per a December 20 company press release emailed to Electrical Apparatus. Fischer joined Armstrong in 2020 as the Commercial Director for the USA and Latin America, bringing over 30 years of experience from his work with Honeywell, Johnson Controls and Siemens. Immediately prior to joining Armstrong, he was Vice President, Global Service Sales at Honeywell Building Solutions where he led a global sales team responsible for selling software and services. At Honeywell, Fischer also led the Global Sales Excellence Team for Honeywell’s Building Products Business where he introduced a disciplined sales operating system including new sales tools and training. In Armstrong’s global sales leadership role, Fischer will be responsible for executing Armstrong’s global strategy; enabling the sales organization to achieve both order and revenue growth targets. Fischer has an MBA from Texas Christian University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University. Taking on the role of Commercial Director, USA is Chris Markert Also at Armstrong as Commercial Director, Chris Markert, an experienced business executive with a 30-year career of extensive global management and sales experience in the HVAC&R industry. His business experience includes senior management positions with Honeywell International and Johnson Controls, where he had responsibility for major business units in North America, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region. He has also owned and operated an HVAC&R contracting and service company, as well as an internet start-up focused on technology for the HVAC&R industry. Immediately prior to joining Armstrong, he served as Director of North America Service Sales with Honeywell, managing five regions. Markert holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Notre Dame. Subscribe to the Direct&Current E-News