Equipment Report

Genesis Attachments, Superior, Wis., has announced several enhancements to its XP line of mobile shears, including a fully interchangeable blade system.

The new blade system is designed to increase blade life and to minimize maintenance concerns, according to Shane Kuhlmey, Genesis’ national sales manager.

"Blade wear and replacement have been two of the biggest problems vexing users of mobile cranes and shears for decades," he says.

The new blade system has four identical cutting blades, which can be rotated from top to bottom and front to back. Kuhlmey likens the system to rotating the tires on a car to increase their lifespan.

In addition to the blades’ interchangeability, the four identical blades can also be rotated in place, allowing all four cutting edges to be used.

A new dual-guide blade system has also been introduced. "The new dual-guide blade system allows customers to easily shim the piercing tip to the type of scrap they’re processing," says Kuhlmey, establishing higher degrees of tolerance for lighter material and reducing the risk of material jamming. "Lower tolerances—ideal for heavier materials—can be just as easily set," he says.

Genesis Attachments, a Paladin company, is a manufacturer of attachments for use in scrap processing, demolition, reconstruction, utility and waste handling operations.

More information about the enhanced XP shear and the rest of the Genesis line is available at www.paladinbrands.com or www.genesisattachments.com.

Republic Financial Corp., a privately held company, has made an equity investment alongside existing ownership and management in Al-jon Inc., an Ottumwa, Iowa-based maker of equipment for the solid waste and scrap metal industries.

Republic will provide capital and operational and financial expertise to support Al-jon’s existing management team in its pursuit of strategic growth plans.

"We are excited about the opportunity that we have created with the Al-jon team," Bill Haan, president of Republic’s private equity group, says. "The undeniable strength of Al-jon’s management team, workforce and its high quality products and service levels, combined with Republic’s breadth of industry and functional expertise, make this an excellent partnership for growth and success."

Al-jon CEO Kendig Kneen says, "By combining the strengths and resources of Al-jon with those of Republic, we are able to ensure a very bright future for Al-jon, which translates into an even stronger factory-direct service for our customers." He adds, "It’s a relationship that just makes sense. We are very excited about this partnership and have confidence that we are adding strength upon strength through our affiliation with Republic."