Equipment Report

Precision Husky Corp. Buys Toro Division

Precision Husky Corp., Leeds, Ala., has purchased the recycling equipment business of the Toro Co., Bloomington, Minn.

The operations sold by Toro to Precision Husky make equipment for the commercial and municipal green waste market, including large tub grinders. Precision Husky Corp. produces equipment for the forest products and timber industries, including knuckle boom loaders, whole tree chippers, and large volume screens.

Pioneer Machinery Inc., Lexington, S.C., has acquired S & M Equipment Corp., an equipment distribution company based in Richmond, Va.

"This is a tremendous acquisition for our company," says J. Garner Scott, CEO of Pioneer Machinery, a distributor of construction, forestry and material handling equipment that now has 26 locations in the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and West Virginia. "S & M has an admirable history of growth and customer loyalty and an outstanding group of dedicated employees."

Although Pioneer’s emphasis is on forestry equipment, the company is expanding its distribution of material handling, construction, screening, and waste reduction product offerings.

 New Holland Acquires German Manufacturer

New Holland N.V. has announced an agreement to acquire Orenstein & Koppel Aktiengesellschaft (O&K), a German maker of hydraulic excavators and construction equipment. O&K had been owned by Fried. Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp.

"The outstanding O&K product line will significantly enhance our presence in North and South America," says New Holland N.V. CEO Umberto Quadrino.

New Holland Construction, a North American division based in Carol Stream, Ill., will introduce a full line of O&K hydraulic excavators in North America in 1999, the company has announced.

New Holland Construction has also announced that John P. Treuman, former executive vice president at Kobelco America Inc., has been named director of sales at the newly formed division. "I was drawn to this exciting new organization because of the unparalleled opportunity here," says Treuman. "The product introduction plan we have in place for the next 12 to 18 months will make New Holland Construction one of the leading full-line suppliers of construction equipment in North America."

CIMA Pays Tribute to Kolberg-Pioneer

The Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA), has presented its Gold Service Award to Kolberg-Pioneer Inc., Yankton, S.D. the bulk material handling and aggregate processing equipment maker has been honored for its "outstanding industry support through continued participation in the Association."

"Being a half-century plus member in the Association exemplifies Kolberg-Pioneer’s commitment to excellence in business throughout changing times," says CIMA president James Stollenwerk. "With the support of companies like Kolberg-Pioneer Inc., we will continue to search for and implement the best ideas to assist all of our member companies," he adds.

Kolberg-Pioneer Inc. makes conveyors, screening plants, rock crushers and other processing equipment.