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June 17, 2017 • Vol. XX • No. 12 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
Michigan Sees First ‘Flex Route’ Highway By Eric Olson CEG CORRESPONDENT
Doosan Bobcat North America Expands HQ…12
Stimmel Steps Down as Ascendum’s CEO…24
FAE USA Announces New Spokesperson…28
Table of Contents............ 4 Air Compressors, Generators & Light Towers Section........ 53-64 Paving Section.......... 65-79 Business Calendar........ 88 Auction Section........ 92-97 Advertisers Index.......... 98
The state of Michigan has come up with a novel, cost-savings solution to alleviate heavy rush-hour traffic on a stretch of U.S. Highway 23 just northeast of Ann Arbor. With more than 60,000 cars and trucks traveling along an 8-milelong corridor of U.S. 23 from the M-14 in Ann Arbor north to Silver Lake Road in Green Oak Township, traffic jams are an everyday occurrence, particularly in the morning and late afternoon. Compounding the problem is the fact that U.S. 23 through that area is a two-lane road with narrow shoulders. But last fall, the Michigan DOT announced plans to significantly improve the thoroughfare with the hope that motorists’ headaches can be eased and traffic can move more smoothly and efficiently.
With more than 60,000 cars and trucks traveling along an 8-mile-long corridor of U.S. 23 from the M14 in Ann Arbor north to Silver Lake Road in Green Oak Township, traffic jams are an everyday occurrence, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.
A More Flexible Highway MDOT’s project, known as “Flex Route 23”, encompasses several different improvements along the highway, with the centerpiece
being the relatively simple task of turning the inside shoulders of the existing road into new traffic lanes for use during daily rush hour. Under MDOT’s plan, the southbound shoulder of U.S. 23 will be
upgraded to carry traffic for three hours in the morning, while the northbound shoulder will be open for three hours in the afternoon. Drivers will be alerted by electronic signs as to when the addi-
tional lanes will be open and closed, with local law enforcement on hand to monitor traffic. New trusses are being built every halfmile for the new signage. see FLEX page 80
John Deere Plans to Acquire Wirtgen Group Deere & Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Wirtgen Group, a privately-held international company that is leading manufacturer worldwide of road construction equipment. The purchase price for the equity is $4.88 billion (EUR 4.357 billion) in an all-cash transaction. The total transaction value is approximately $5.2 billion (EUR 4.6 billion) based on current exchange rates, including the assumption of net debt and other consideration. The Wirtgen Group had sales of $2.91 billion (EUR 2.6 billion) in the year ending
Dec. 31, 2016. Deere expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings per share and currently expects to fund the acquisition from a combination of cash and new equipment operations debt financing. Detailed financial information concerning the transaction is included in an investor presentation available at www.JohnDeere.com/events-and-presentations. Headquartered in Germany, the Wirtgen Group has five brands across the entire road construction sector spanning milling, processing, mixing, paving, compaction and rehabili-
tation. Wirtgen’s highly complementary product portfolio enhances Deere’s existing construction equipment offering and establishes Deere as an industry leader in global road construction. The Wirtgen Group has a global footprint with approximately 8,000 employees and sells products in more than 100 countries through a large network of company-owned and independent dealers. “The acquisition of the Wirtgen Group aligns with our long-term strategy to expand in both of John Deere’s global growth businesses see DEERE page 84