Texas 3, January 29, 2023

January 29 2023

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (bottom row, center), Harris County officials and TxDOT officials reached an agreement for the advancement of the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP), a massive highway endeavor that is valued at more than $7 billion.

After almost two years of discussion and negotiation, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced that it has reached common ground with city of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County officials, which will help advance the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP).

“The path forward begins anew today,” Turner said. “As I’ve said before, the

see HOUSTON page 20

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Joint Venture Will Resume Texas Harbor Bridge Project

The Texas Department of Transportation recently announced that work will resume on the new Harbor Bridge’s main spans.

“The resumption of work on the main spans is positive news because it indicates construction progress is now under way on the project’s cable-stayed portion of the bridge,” said TxDOT Corpus Christi District Engineer Valente Olivarez Jr. “TxDOT and the developer are excited to begin this work because it represents a huge step forward for the project.”

Crews for Flatiron/Dragados LLC, the project’s joint venture developer, have remobilized and are prepared to begin erecting elements of the bridge’s superstructure. This will consist of lifting the first delta frames into place and continuing construction on the main span towers.

Olivarez said the resumption of work indicates Flatiron/Dragados’ commitment to achieving its publicly released work schedule that shows a project completion date of 2025.

Project Pause

TxDOT and Flatiron Dragados LLC (FDLLC) executed a signed letter agreement in November 2022 that established the legal framework for resolving the safety issues identified in the design of the New Harbor Bridge Project.

The agreement affirms FDLLC’s responsibility to complete this work at FDLLC’s expense and to TxDOT’s satisfaction.

There was still progress that needed to occur between TxDOT and FDLLC in order to finalize and approve the design changes required to address the safety issues identified by TxDOT and allow for an updated schedule to complete the project.

“TxDOT understands and very much shares in the frustration that the residents and businesses of the Corpus Christi region have felt over the delays associated with the work on this project,” Executive Director Marc Williams said in his remarks at the Texas House of Representatives Transportation Committee Hearing in Corpus Christi. “Our commitment remains to see this project through to completion in a manner that is: safe, responsible and expedited and to quickly provide the region with an updated schedule as soon as the design changes are approved.”

Texas Department of Transportation officials and Flatiron/Dragados made an announcement during a tour of the incomplete north and south bridge approaches with local media outlets.

The project now has a tentative completion date of sometime in 2025, said Olivarez. He said a more specific timeline would be provided when the design concerns are

resolved.

“Flatiron/Dragados feels pretty confident that we are looking at a 2025 date with completion and opening, but … it depends on finalizing the [design] solutions,” Olivarez said while briefing media under the new bridge approach on North Beach.

TxDOT and Flatiron/Dragados’ engineer of record, Arup-CFC, resolved their design dispute concerning the bridge's delta frames. The redesign, which Olivarez said was approved on, included additional steel to specific parts of the frame.

As a result, the work of precasting the delta frames could resume at the developer's Robstown precasting site, said Olivarez and Lynn Allison, a spokesperson of Flatiron/Dragados.

Bridge Design Leads to Project Delay

To validate the work, TxDOT hired an independent bridge engineering firm, SYS-

TRA International Bridge Technologies (IBT), in 2020, to provide a third-party review of the bridge design.

The safety concerns center around design issues, which include the foundations, load and weight capacity, structure and the future stability of the main stay bridge.

TxDOT formally raised these issues with FDLLC on April 29, 2022, through a notice of non-conforming work and then directed FDLLC to pause construction on July 15, 2022, to ensure further construction did not result in unsafe conditions.

About Project

The HBP is replacing the existing Harbor Bridge (built in 1959) with a six-lane structure that has a median barrier and shoulders, along with a 10 ft.-wide shared-use path; and is reconstructing portions of U.S. 181, I-37 (1.6 mi.), and the Crosstown Expressway (1 mi.). It also includes the development, design, construction and maintenance of a total of 6.44 mi. of bridges and connecting roadways.

The original new bridge design incorporates a number of aesthetic features, including a community plaza, nighttime LED lighting and xeriscape landscaping. FDLLC does not anticipate any drastic or noticeable changes to the main span design once ArupCFC completes its analysis.

The new cable stay, concrete-segmental bridge, the longest in the United States at 1,661 ft. long, will have a navigational clearance of 205 ft. and its main tower will be 538 ft. high. It has a projected lifespan of 170 years. 

(All photos courtesy of Texas Harbor Bridge.)

Crews for Flatiron/Dragados LLC, the project developer, have remobilized and are prepared to begin erecting elements of the bridge’s superstructure.

The project now has a tentative completion date of sometime in 2025.

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TxDOT Drivers Compete in Truck Roadeo Competition

Focused and determined to win, 52 of TxDOT’s best drivers gathered at the North Travis County Area Office in North Austin to decide the title of 2022 State Truck Roadeo Champion.

The goal of the Occupational Safety Division’s State Truck Roadeo program is to establish safe vehicle operation and effective pre-trip inspections to reduce vehicle incidents. All full-time TxDOT employees with a valid A or B Commercial Driver’s License are eligible to compete in the Roadeo — potentially thousands of operators.

Milton Kelley of Angelina County Maintenance in the Lufkin District won the title of 2022 State Truck Roadeo Champion. Kelley previously competed at the State Truck Roadeo in 2018.

“I approached that course just like I am approaching a job site,” said Kelley, who has worked for TxDOT for 12 years.

His advice for success on the course? “I would say stay calm and try not to let the anxiety get to you,” he said.

Runner-up went to first-time State Truck Roadeo competitor Matt Woolsey of the Motley County Maintenance section in the Childress District.

Scott Black of the Dallas District, who placed third overall, was named the State Truck Roadeo Excellence Award winner for being “the driver who best exemplifies the inspiration and the spirit of the TxDOT Truck Roadeo.”

Drivers competed in five exercises:

• The vehicle inspection/load and tiedown: Drivers find 10 planted defects on the trailer, the loaded equipment and the connection to the tow vehicle.

• 360-Degree Walkaround: Drivers complete a 360-degree walkaround of a dump truck and find a planted potential dropped object within three minutes. The objective is to improve driver awareness around the vehicle before moving the vehicle, preventing dropped object incidents or

striking fixed objects or pedestrians;

• Right-hand turn: Drivers attempt a right turn in a predetermined course without stopping or striking a traffic cone. It simulates tight traffic conditions or having to get around a disabled vehicle or equipment within the work zone;

• Left-hand turn: Drivers must navigate a left-hand turn without hitting a cone or stopping the truck. The objective is to not encroach into the oncoming lane on the left side of the vehicle without overly encroaching onto the shoulder or lane to the right side of the vehicle. This exercise also includes a spotter exercise where a driver and a spotter must back the dump truck through a course. Using hand signals, the spotter must guide the driver so he or she does not hit a barricade but gets within 6 in. of it; and

• Diminishing clearance: The driver is required to make a continuous forward movement approaching a funnel shaped, offcenter path made by markers. The objective

is to determine the driver’s ability to steer a vehicle on a lane, which progressively narrows and moves off center similar to shifting lanes in a work zone. The event marked the return of the State Truck Roadeo, which had not happened since 2019.

In addition to the competition, the evented featured a PPE Showcase and a display from the Fleet Operations Division called the FOD Stockshow. The PPE Showcase had new and pilot PPE on display.

The FOD Stockshow displayed the latest equipment enhancements to the fleet, which included new snowplow blades. Participants and attendees could provide feedback on all of these items and collaborate for improvement.

Beaumont District Engineer Martin Gonzalez and Beaumont Deputy District Engineer Ana Mijares were on hand to root for their district’s two drivers, Transportation Maintenance Crew Chief Dustin Streed and General Transportation Technician Tony

Todd.

“I think it’s good for our maintenance employees to shine out here and show what they’ve got,” Mijares said. “Many of the attendees enjoy the chance to meet up with other districts that they don’t usually interact with.”

“Some people you meet, like when we have a deployment for a hurricane, then you don’t ever see them again,” said Terry McCoy of the Fleet Operations Division. “But then you come here, and you run into people. It’s nice to see everybody again.”

The winners were announced at an awards breakfast.

Kelley said he was excited to learn he had won and felt pretty good about his performance on the course.

“It was an honor to win at the state level,” Kelley said. “I’m glad that the department puts so much emphasis on safety and has events like this.” 

(All photos courtesy of TxDOT.)

The State Truck Roadeo returned in 2022. (L-R) are Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New, Roadeo Champion Milton Kelley, Runner-up Matt Woolsey and TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams.

The drivers meet before the competition starts.

Rigo Arjon of the Bryan District spots a driver during an exercise.

Joey Gunnels of the Austin District inspects a vehicle.

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Yoder & Frey Launches Houston Site to Prepare for 2023

Yoder & Frey, founders of the Kissimmee Winter Auction for heavy construction and agricultural equipment, makes ready for 2023 with the launch of a new auction site in Houston.

On Dec. 15, Yoder & Frey went live with its new Houston site, hosting its first sale, cutting the ribbon at the new purpose-built auction facility. Located in Sealy, Texas, 30 mi. to the west of Houston, the yard totals 57 acres, 25,000 sq. ft. of offices and 32,000 sq. ft. of workshops and buildings.

The first sale attracted a true home audience, with bidders from 21 states across the U.S. registering for this sale. However, it was the international audience that surprised the Yoder & Frey team, with bidders registering for the sale from UK, Mexico, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Netherlands, UAE, Australia, Belgium and Jordan. This healthy international audience was reflected in the online participation, with 70 percent of bidders using the Yoder & Frey internet bidding platform.

“As Yoder & Frey get ready for the Winter Sale in Kissimmee, Florida, on the 15th to 18th of February, we are proud to report the success the first sale at our new site in Texas,” said David Hames, territory manager of Texas and the South.

“Anticipating the first sale at a new site is always nerve racking, however, we had good stock, good registrations and good attendance on the day. Customer feedback was that the location suited buyers with a straight run down the i10 to the Port of Houston or down the i35 shipping to Mexico, the location works for logistics.

“Whilst we chose this site for its location,

this purpose-built workspace has good workshops, wash-bays and spray booths and the Yoder & Frey team assisted consignors making-ready their inventory, conducting pre-sale valets, prepaying kit for the sale. We also had a number of local rental companies consigning machinery to this sale, so all in all, consignor and customers are very happy.

“Buying and selling with Yoder & Frey is a very personal experience as we are still a family-run business and that alone ensures we take time and care to make sure both buyers and sellers have not just a great experience but are happy with their sale or purchase.”

Yoder & Frey are part of the Euro Auctions Group, an auction brand in Europe, as well as having auction sites in nearly every continent, with permanent sites in Northern Ireland, UK, Spain, Germany, Australia, United Arab Emirates and the U.S.

So, what does the Yoder & Frey site in Houston offer?

Taking care of everything: selling equipment can be time consuming, so Yoder & Frey will do all the work for you, including transportation, repairs, cleaning, global marketing, managing enquires, conducting the auction, IT sales and payment collection;

Guaranteed sale: operating an unreserved auction means every item is sold to the highest bidder on auction day; Quick payment: sellers are paid out within 21 days;

Competitive rates: Yoder & Frey strives to have the most competitive buyers andseller’s fees to make it affordable for

sellers to consign plant and equipment to our auctions;

Maximum return: Yoder & Frey attracts buyers not browsers by marketing to a global audience, ensuring sellers’ machines are advertised in global markets where demand is highest. Yoder & Frey’s free online bidding platform allows easy access to each auction from anywhere is the world. With more than 50 percent of lots being exported, you can be assured your equipment will fetch true global market value;

Worldwide buyers: Yoder & Frey, as part of the global Euro Auctions brand, attracts loyal buyers from more than 150 countries, meaning you can be assured of a global, multi-lingual worldwide exposure; Logistics service: experts in shipping, Yoder & Frey can advise on fast, affordable shipping and haulage directly to and from the auction site.

Repair service: Yoder & Frey offers a repair and refurbishment service at each auction site. Many sellers avail of this service, as we all know, good quality machines can fetch higher hammer prices;

Operating since 1964: Yoder & Frey is run on family values, helping people successfully sell their machines with a dedicated team of experts including, account managers, IT, marketing, customer services, accounting and so much more, all working to sell your equipment.

Finance Available

Yoder & Frey has now created a strategic partnership with Equify Financial to offer funding to all of its customers. To become pre-approved for finance at all Yoder & Frey auctions, apply for finance at www.yoderandfrey.com.

For more information, contact David Hames at 903/815-2770 or by email david.hames@yoderandfrey.com or contact the main Yoder & Frey office at 419/8653990. 

(All photos courtesy of Yoder & Frey.)

Upcoming Yoder & Frey Auctions

Location: Florida

When: February 15, 16, 17, 18

Location: Ohio

When: March 9

Location: Houston

When: March 30

David Hames, territory manager of Texas and the south, makes remarks at the sale.

Located in Sealy, Texas, 30 mi. to the west of Houston, the yard totals 57 acres, 25,000 sq. ft. of offices and 32,000 sq. ft. of workshops and buildings.

On Dec. 15, Yoder & Frey, went live with its new Houston site, hosting its first sale, cutting the ribbon at the new purpose-built auction facility.

Musk, Telsa to Spend $770M to Expand Austin Factory

Tesla has registered with the state of Texas to expand its electric vehicle factory in Austin this year.

January filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration reveal that Tesla plans to spend upward of $770 million on the construction of facilities there, including for battery cell testing and manufacturing, cathode and drive unit manufacturing, and a die shop, among other things.

The Austin Business Journal previously reported on Tesla’s plans and filings.

The Elon Musk-led automaker officially opened its Texas electric vehicle and battery

factory in April 2022, hosting a “cyber rodeo” party for shareholders and fans there. Today, Tesla manufactures some of its Model Y crossover utility vehicles in Austin and plans to mass-manufacture its science fiction-inspired Cybertruck, an unconventional pickup, there, as well.

After the company initially opened up its Austin factory, and another vehicle assembly plant outside Berlin, Musk called both facilities “gigantic money furnaces” in an interview with Tesla Owners Silicon Valley.

(All photos courtesy of Twitter/Joe Tegtmyer.)

January filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration reveal that Tesla plans to spend upward of $770 million on the construction of facilities there, including for battery cell testing and manufacturing, cathode and drive unit manufacturing, and a die shop, among other things.

At the Austin Tesla site, tree removal, water pipe installation, castings multiply, robots arrive and other construction activities are taking place.

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TxDOT Promotes Several Employees to New Positions

Office of the Attorney General. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in criminal justice from Texas A&M International University and a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in international relations from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

A&M University at College Station where he received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He started his TxDOT career as a summer intern in 1999. In 2012, he was appointed Laredo District design engineer. In 2022, he was appointed as the deputy district engineer for the Laredo District.

plan development section. Upon completion of her engineering rotation, Williams transitioned back to the Right of Way Division.

Since 2019, she has served as the deputy director of the Right of Way Division where she was responsible for the management of all aspects of the portfolio of right of way projects. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University and her master’s degree from St. Edward’s University.

Trent Thomas: New Director of Government Affairs Division

Trent Thomas was appointed the director of the government affairs division. Thomas will direct and coordinate the department’s federal and state government relations and legislative activities in this role.

Thomas began his career with TxDOT in 2012 as the director of State Legislative Affairs, where he has navigated TxDOT through multiple legislative sessions, special sessions and the Sunset Commission Review process. Thomas previously served as chief of staff to State Rep. Drew Darby. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science and Development with a teaching emphasis and a master’s degree in Education, both from Tarleton State University.

Parsons Townsend Returns as Compliance Division Director

Parsons Townsend returned to TxDOT as the new director of the compliance division. Townsend served as TxDOT’s compliance division director for five years between 2016 and 2021. He has a distinguished background having served at the Texas State Auditor’s Office and most recently as the audit director at the Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. He also served as a Marine Sergeant from 1999 to 2003.

Epi

Epigmenio “Epi” Gonzalez is the new Laredo District engineer. He began his TxDOT career in 1995 as an engineering tech in the Pharr Area office. He graduated with a civil engineering degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2004 through TxDOT’s degree completion program. In 2011, he graduated with a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He oversaw the design of several large projects while he led the design team for the Pharr District’s central design office and has been the district’s director of transportation operations since 2021.

Diann Hodges: Director of Communications Division

Diann Hodges is the new director of the communications division. Hodges has served as director of the Southwest Texas public information officer section for the past five years. She also has experience with the media before coming to the agency and she was the public information officer for the city of Lago Vista. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Speech Communication from Texas A&M University.

Brian Sweat New Support Services Director

Alejandro Garcia Named Director of Communications, Public Affairs

Alejandro Garcia joined TxDOT as the director of communications and public affairs. Garcia will direct and coordinate the department's overall communications and public affairs strategy, overseeing the communications and travel information divisions. Garcia brings a wealth of experience and a vast portfolio in communications, public affairs, government relations, state policy and campaigns. Most recently, Garcia served as director of communications for the Texas

Tito Gonzalez: Director of Transportation Planning, Programming

Humberto “Tito” Gonzalez Jr. started as the new director of the Transportation Planning and Programming Division. In his new role, Gonzalez will direct and manage all activities of the transportation planning and programming division. Gonzalez is a Laredo native and a 2003 graduate of Texas

Charon Williams: Director of Transportation Programs Division

Charon Williams became the new director of the Transportation Programs Division. She joined TxDOT in 2006 serving as a utility coordinator in the Right of Way Division. In 2010, she rotated to the design division’s

Brian Sweat was named the new director for the support services division starting in January. He joined the division seven years ago and was the lead architect for the Stassney Campus project. He was recently promoted to State Headquarters section director, a new section within the division, responsible for supporting state headquarter facilities and the daily operations of the Stassney Campus. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a master’s degree in Architecture. Before joining TxDOT, he was in private practice as an architect. 

[Editors’s note: Brian Sweat’s photo was not available at the time of publication.]

(All photos courtesy of TxDOT.)

Gonzalez: Laredo District Engineer

Trent Thomas

Alejandro Garcia

Parsons Townsend Huberto “Tito” Gonzalez

Epi Gonzalez

Charon Williams

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NHHIP Will Continue After Nearly Two Years of Negotiations

NHHIP, done the right way, can be a transformational and generation-level project, enhancing connectivity, increasing mobility and significantly lowering flood and existing parks and greenspace impacts. Today’s [memorandum of understanding] represents the commitment, ongoing collaboration and communication between county, city and state governments to meet the needs of residents and businesses within the region. It also provides resources for Houstonians to stay in their neighborhoods, as our people, our residents, are the heart of our city.”

The NHHIP will address critical needs including updating the highways to current design and safety standards, relieving traffic congestion, improving storm water drainage and improving the evacuation routes. The NHHIP will add four managed express lanes on I-45 from downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North; reroute I-45 to be parallel with I-10 on the north side of downtown Houston and parallel to U.S. 59/I-69 on the east side of downtown Houston; realign sections of I-10 and I-69 in the downtown area to eliminate the current roadway reverse curves that limit capacity; and depress I-69 between I-10 and Spur 527 south of downtown to improve safety by eliminating unsafe weaving.

The purpose of the NHHIP is to implement an integrated system of transportation improvements that would:

• Bring I-45, I-10, and U.S. 59/I-69 up to current design standards to improve safety and operations;

• Manage I-45 traffic congestion in the NHHIP area through added capacity, MaX lanes, options for single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) lanes and improved operations;

• Improve mobility on I-45 between U.S. 59/I-69 and Beltway 8 North by accommodating projected population growth and latent demand in the project area;

• Provide expanded transit and carpool opportunities;

• Improve the capabilities of I-45 as an emergency evacuation route;

• Improve storm water drainage on I-45; and

• Support the projected significant increase in travel on the regional highways in the HoustonGalveston area.

The project partners have reached an understanding on several project features, including flood mitigation, affordable housing and congestion relief. In fact, in addition to compensating residents directly impacted, TxDOT will provide $30 million in financial assistance for affordable housing in adjacent neighborhoods.

“There has been a lot of work on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project over the last several years, including community engagement,” Turner said. “NHHIP can truly help Houston move towards our vision as a resilient, multimodal city that serves us all equitably.

“I think you have an excellent project that will move forward, that will benefit the greater good of the Houston community, Harris County and the region,” Turner added.

“Both the Memorandum of Understanding executed with Mayor Turner and the agreed

upon terms and conditions agreed to with Harris County which will warrant their dismissal of the lawsuit against the project represent how staying focused on common ground and the benefits to the region in key areas of interest have provided an outcome that will enhance the I-45 NHHIP project as we move forward,” Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan said.

“If we can make this project better for one family, even one person in one of these underserved neighborhoods, then I am going to do that,” said Christian Menefee, Harris County attorney. “What is important about this agreement is it establishes a tenor of collaboration moving forward. This is a big project.”

“This agreement is reflective of so many coming together from different points of view... there were different approaches to ensuring this project is better,” said Adrian Garcia, Harris County Commissioner, Precinct Two.

“We continue as leaders at the local level with our state partners and our federal partners...to make this big project even better,” said Rodney Ellis, Harris County Commissioner, Precinct One.

“Finding common ground on a number of key issues helps to refine the project and deliver winwin solutions for Houstonians as well as the Greater Houston-Galveston Metropolitan area,” TxDOT Deputy Executive Director Brandye Hendrickson said.

“The agreements we are here to celebrate today help to identify our collective efforts to make sure the NHHIP is positively transformational for all involved,” Hendrickson added.

For more information about NHHIP, visit www.ih45northandmore.com 

(All photos courtesy of TxDOT.)

Segment 1 would improve I-45 between I-610 and Beltway 8 by widening the roadway to accomodate four lanes known as MaX lanes.

HOUSTON from page 1

Segment 3 includes improvements to I-45, I-10, U.S. 59/I-69, Downtown Connector and I-10 express lanes.

For segment 2, continuous frontage roads will be built along I-610 and I-45 in both directions at the interchange.

Company Selects Bryan for Site of Its Newest Facility

Saint-Gobain, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed LLC, recently announced that the company intends to build a new manufacturing facility and distribution center in Bryan, Texas, reaffirming its commitment to provide sustainable, quality products to its customers in the southern United States.

“Exceptional global companies, like CertainTeed, are investing in Texas because we offer unmatched business operating advantages, including a world-class business climate, highly skilled workforce, reasonable regulations and lower taxes,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.

This new facility in Bryan, the first new construction of a CertainTeed roofing plant in the U.S. since 2017, comes as Saint-Gobain continues to implement its global Grow and Impact strategy, which includes expanding its presence in key, fast growing markets. The facility, which will co-locate the distribution center with the manufacturing site, will reduce distances for product transportation, lowering the company’s carbon footprint and aligning with Saint-Gobain’s global vision of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Construction toward the distribution center is expected to begin in 2023 with completion of the entire project expected several years after. In total, the company expects to create approximately 130 full time jobs in Bryan.

The project is generously supported with a direct contribution of 211 acres of land and a zero-cost rail easement valued at $7.3 million, locally supported industrial infrastructure valued at approximately $3 million, $546,000 in direct payments from the Texas Enterprise Fund and 10 years of property tax savings, which will result in millions of dollars of savings from the Chapter 313 program.

“Our new manufacturing facility and distribution center symbolizes our commitment to our customers in the southern United States, to the state of Texas and to the city of Bryan and its citizens,” said Carmen Bodden, vice president and general manager of CertainTeed Roofing. “As the leader in light and sustainable construction, this new facility will ensure our business has the materials necessary to continue serving our customers while remaining focused on minimizing our environmental footprint.”

“Located in the heart of the Texas Triangle, Bryan is a prime location for CertainTeed's new manufacturing and distribution facility,” Gov. Abbott added. “The future of Texas is bright, and I look forward to an ongoing partnership with CertainTeed as we continue to expand opportunity for all Texans.”

The planned expansion into Bryan follows several other major investments made by CertainTeed Roofing over the past year, including a recent groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate construction toward a $167 million glass mat facility on its Oxford, North Carolina campus.

About Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. 

The Winner Is...

Vermeer Honors Top Dealer With Pinnacle Award

Vermeer Texas-Louisiana celebrated the coveted Vermeer Pinnacle designation presented by Vermeer Corporation at its annual Dealer Year End meeting in Florida.

The Pinnacle Award is earned in recognition of the dealership’s top-performing efforts in 2022 in the areas of sales, marketing, equipment lifecycle support and safety and providing a superior customer experience, as well as for training employees.

“Vermeer Pinnacle dealers provide an exemplary customer experience,” said Tony Briggs, vice president of lifecycle solutions of Vermeer Corporation. “This award highlights dealers across the globe who consistently led in a variety of key business performance metrics.

In addition to this year’s Pinnacle Award, Vermeer TexasLouisiana also won the Speciality Excavation Products Performance Leader award. Vermeer Texas-Louisiana brings industrial equipment solutions to the state of Texas and southern Louisiana.

About Vermeer Corporation

Vermeer delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality agricultural, underground construction, surface mining, tree care and environmental equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. For more information about Vermeer, products, the dealer network and financing options, visit Vermeer.com.

About Vermeer Texas-Louisiana

Vermeer Texas-Louisiana is the authorized dealer for Vermeer equipment in Texas and southern Louisiana with 12 locations across the region. Vermeer Texas-Louisiana provides dedicated sales, rentals, parts and service support for customers in the tree care, landscaping, wood waste recycling, and underground construction industries. For more information on Vermeer Texas-Louisiana, visit VermeerTexas.com. 

Vermeer photo

In addition to this year’s Pinnacle Award, Vermeer Texas-Louisiana also won the Speciality Excavation Products Performance Leader award.