Winter 2011 Newsletter

HOOK
the
Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF AMQUIP
HOLDINGS LLC, UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED
TO RECOGNIZE JEFF HAMMONS FOR ALL
OF HIS SAFETY ACHIEVEMENTS AND
INNOVATING PROGRAMS ON BEHALF OF
AMQUIP CRANE RENTAL LLC.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 2 – 7:
Happenings
Page 7:
Personnel & Recipes
Page 8:
Safety Corner &
Human Resources Corner
THROUGH JEFF’S LEADERSHIP, AMQUIP
HAS ONE OF THE TOP SAFETY RECORDS
IN THE CRANE RENTAL INDUSTRY.
Happenings
A Day to Remember
AmQuip participates in
The Charlestown Mothers
Association’s 4th annual
Touch-A-Truck.
BOSTON, MA
With over 2,500 people in
attendance, AmQuip’s 90
ton Hydraulic truck crane
was the main event. Crane
operator Rick Bujnowski
safely escorted each and
every child to the driver’s
seat to experience life as a
crane operator.
Rushing floodwaters from
Hurricane Irene
caused major
structural damage to the middle pier of the
Green Mountain
railroad bridge over the Connecticut River line.
AmQuip responded to stabilize the bridge in an effort
for work crews to make the necessary repairs.
ATLANTA, GA
Hats off to Boston, Bensalem and Atlanta who collectively joined forces to relocate equipment from Boston
to Atlanta to satisfy our customer’s needs.
TENNESSEE
AmQuip on location at South Boston’s Fan Pier constructing the new corporate headquarters for a major
pharmaceutical company.
The project will require four tower cranes over the course
of a year with expected completion in Fall 2012.
AmQuip’s Manitowoc
888 onsite at Boston
University setting steel
for the seven story
Center for Student
Services Building
scheduled to open in
Spring 2012.
the HOOK Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
AmQuip’s 300 ton crane successfully
setting the 50 ton crane onto the
structural mat.
AmQuip’s Boston division erects
three wind turbines in Kingston,
Massachusetts which will generate
power for thousands of nearby homes.
The relationship between AmQuip and the Band U2
began on a beautiful fall day back in September
of 2009. AmQuip provided six cranes to support
the erection of the stage at the Gillette Stadium in
Boston. With the return of U2’s 2011 North American
360 (degree) tour, AmQuip was called on again to
make two more encore appearances to support the
erection of the bands unique stage in Nashville,
Tennessee for the July 2, 2011 concert and again in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the July 14, 2011 concert. The performance by AmQuip’s talented team of
operators and support staff insured that the U2 concert would begin on time as advertised.
AmQuip’s Birmingham, Atlanta and Nashville branches
join forces to assemble four tower cranes in four days at
the future site of the Omni Hotel. Atlanta supplied the
GMK 7550 (550 ton) to assemble (2) MD485 Potains
and (2) SK415 Terex tower cranes. Birmingham supplied the tower cranes, labor and technical support for
the assembly process. Nashville supplied the hauling of
the tower loads, loading on Nashville yard and labor. The
tower cranes range in heights of 182 feet to 272 feet of
which two towers will climb to 330 feet and 380 feet.
the HOOK Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
Happenings
TENNESSEE
NORTHEAST REGION
AmQuip together with River City
Erectors work to take down old precast using AmQuip’s LTM1300/1
(360 Ton). The heaviest precast
panels are set to weight 31,800lbs
and AmQuip’s 360 Ton is set up
with 248 cwt, 82 ft main boom and
161 ft luffer. St Jude Children Research Hospital is adding on an addition to the Childs Care Center.
AmQuip partners with
Temple University to assist
with constructing state-ofthe art facilities for students, faculty, patients,
staff and visitors.
Memphis, Tennessee
Hernando Desoto Bridge
Batesville, Mississippi
Fayetteville Express Pipeline
BENNETT STEEL
The addition of the Terex RT130 reinforces AmQuip’s commitment to replace older equipment with state-of-the-art technology.
Onsite at the Smithsonian
National Zoological Park, AmQuip
assists in the construction of the
“American Trail”; a new exhibit for
its seals and sea lions. The new
exhibit will open in 2012 offering
visitors a multi-sensory experience
with great animal viewing opportunities.
Memphis has a unique connection to 9/11. AmQuip’s
first crane on site at Ground Zero was a 300 ton
Liebherr LR 1280 crawler crane. Today, the same crane
is working for Nelson Inc., a plumbing contractor from
Memphis.
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jonesboro Baptist Hospital
Bartlett, Tennessee
Saint Francis Hospital addition
the HOOK Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
AmQuip’s GMK300B (300ton) crane with a total
main and luffing jib combination of 277’, operated by
Joe Nugent & Billy Kronenbitter working for Bennett
Steel out of Oklahoma. They are completing a furnace
rebuild for Leone Industries out of Bridgeton NJ. Leone
Industries is largest family owned and operated glass
manufacture in the United States.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis International Airport, Parking Garage
TOWER DIVISION
Oklahoma City, OK
Devon Energy topped out at
1020 feet and 970 feet
AmQuip is currently dominating power projects in the
Northeast Region. Although there are not currently any
“mega” projects as we have been accustomed to in the
last few years, we are capturing the project opportunities that are there, regardless of pricing. AmQuip is
capturing these opportunities at significantly discounted
rental rates to ensure employment opportunities for our
employees and to retain market share.
• Bayonne Energy
• Conoco Phillips Bayway
• PSE&G Kearney
• Vineland Co-Gen
Some of the major picks of this job are and old 36 foot
long 7,000lb furnace rod coming out and a new 18 foot
long 19,000lb furnace rod going in through the roof of
a 90 foot tall building.
A big part of the job was the assembly process of the
crane due to limited space on the job site. The assist
crane was operated by Shawn Follin and the assembly
was executed as planned.
The customer’s response to our operators’ performance
was “WOW, what a knowledgeable group of operators!”
the HOOK Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
Got News? Email joy.johnson@amquip.com with
your story ideas and details. Check your mailboxes
in May for the Spring edition of The Hook
Happenings
out their talent, skill, professionalism as well as their
commitment to working safely every day”.
OHIO
We’re taking the bull by the
horns for our customers
Tim Hassellbeck, as a
tribute to his grandfather
and father’s meat packing business, recruited
AmQuip to set a 2,000 lbs
bull on a 2,100 lbs. base
at his residence.
AmQuip’s Manitowoc 999
alongside the Ohio River at
the Kentucky/Indiana State
line performing maintenance to Highway 421.
SAFETY
The National Maintenance
Agreements Policy
Committee, Inc. (NMAPC)
recognizes AmQuip with
its seventh award in five
years for working one
year with Zero OSHA
Recordable Injuries at a
Power plant construction project in the Midwest.
Vice President of Risk Management, Jeff Hammons says
“This is a truly incredible feat considering that, at peak,
AmQuip employed over 60 cranes and crane related
services to more than 3,000 construction employees.
Our team executed the above mentioned crane services
in combination with our partners from the International
Union for Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local No. 841
demonstrating our pride in the joint labor-management
partnership that exists within the AmQuip organization and the IUOE. As one of the largest employers of
Operating Engineers in the country, AmQuip recognizes
that these accomplishments would not be possible withthe HOOK Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
AmQuip has become
the first crane rental
company in North
America to fit the
TRAM fall prevention
system to its cranes.
The Hess Port Reading, NJ Refinery recently received a
Meritorious Safety Performance Award from the National
Petrochemical & Refiners Association. During Hess’s 2010
Turnaround, AmQuip Crane Rental provided 23 cranes and
forklifts along with 60 operating engineers for the project.
A special thank you and job well done goes out to everyone
involved in this project, especially the operating engineers,
drivers, and mechanics who contributed on a daily basis
the highest standards of safety.
October 1st marked the 365 consecutive days that AmQuip
worked without a lost-time injury. This milestone takes an
enormous amount of pre-task planning, job specific safety
orientations, daily safety meetings, and job site safety
inspections to bring it all together. More importantly, this
milestone would have never been possible without the daily
commitment and belief by all AmQuip employees that
working injury free is not only achievable, but expected.
This is a huge accomplishment and all AmQuip employees
should be proud to reach this milestone. While there are
many people and processes behind the scenes that help
pave the way for AmQuip’s success, its field and shop
workers deserve special credit for their efforts. Safety is
and always will be AmQuip’s No. 1 value. This milestone
proves that the people in our organization share this value.
During the month of
October, the Ohio and
Northeast regions participated in a first aid class
& CPR training in order to
meet MSHA requirements.
PERSONNEL
Congratulations to The Snelling family
who welcomed Emma Grace to the world
on September 22nd at 1:05 pm at a
healthy 7lbs.
Congratulations to The Pace family (Joe &
Cass) who welcomed Mia to the world on
July 21st at a healthy 8 lbs. 2 oz.
Congratulations to The Lawlor family who
welcomed Sean Jr. to the world on June
14th at a healthy 8 lbs.
Todd Rump lost a few strands of hair
while watching his first and only granddaughter Evelyn Ann MaCluer take her first
steps!
Happy Birthday to Randy
Sirbaugh who celebrated his
34th birthday on October 9th
with his very own crane cake
compliments of Sweet Girlz.
Special recognition to driver Mark Johnson who was standing in line at a local hardware store who overhead the man
charge items to O’Neal Construction for the Mitsubishi Plant
(Memphis). Mark introduced himself to him as an employee
of AmQuip and informed him our branch was located within
minutes from the jobsite. Coincidently, the man turned out to
be the Senior Construction Manager for O’Neal Construction
who we have been attempting to contact for several days.
They traded business cards which transpired into scheduling
a meeting with O’Neal Construction.
Congratulations to Dianne Vache taking
first place in Corporate’s 1st Annual
Pumpkin Decorating Contest.
New Employees – Welcome Chris Norton (Crane Rental
Specialist) covering southern New Jersey, replacing Greg
Hannold’s territory coverage, so Greg can focus on project
work in the Northeast region.
Welcome Teresa Jones (Inside Sales Customer Service Rep)
working out of Bensalem branch. Teresa contacts low end using
customers ensuring that when a crane rental is required, regardless of customer’s potential, we are involved and pursuing every
opportunity out available.
RECIPES
Submitted by LaClaire Crouch
CORDON BLEU- MADE EASY
Ingredients
1 can cream of mushroom soup mixed with 1 can of milk
2 large chicken breasts cut 1/2 length wise 4 thin slices of
ham, 4 slices Swiss cheese
Slice chicken. Lay in crock pot flat, top w/1 slice cheese and
1 slice ham, fold each chicken breast in half and top with the
cream of mushroom soup and milk.
Cook 4-5 hours on low. Serve on top of mashed potatoes, pasta
or rice.
CANNED OKRA
Ingredients
5 quarts of cut okra (sliced)
½ cup white vinegar
Bring large pot of water to a rapid boil (8 to 10 quart pot)
Add sliced okra and vinegar, allow the water to boil again then dip
okra and water solution into your mason jars (make sure to cover
okra with enough water) seal them as normal and turn upside
down until cool or sealed.
When you are ready to fry okra simply dump okra into a colander
and gently rinse with water. Batter and fry as normal.
(Tip) Allow the okra to brown good on the bottom before you began to
flip and stir in skillet.
Got News? Email joy.johnson@amquip.com with your story ideas and details
Check your mailboxes in May for the Spring edition of The Hook
the HOOK Employee Newsletter: Winter 2011
AmQuip
CORPORATE OFFICE
1150 Northbrook Drive, Suite 100
Trevose, PA 19053
PRESORTED
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PERMIT 5634
SAFETY CORNER
Jeff Hammons
Commitment to Safe Performance – As we begin the 2012 calendar
year, let’s pause a moment to reflect back on 2011, the year, the
challenges, and the safety success. 2011, a year most of us couldn’t
wait to end, has brought many significant challenges to our employees
as well as our organization. From a double dip recession, to numerous organizations reducing their workforce, to customers closing their
doors. Through all of the challenges, AmQuip and its valued employees have maintained their focus toward the importance of protecting
our employees and families. Our employees are our strength and our
success. Born from the belief that work performed in our industry,
high degree of risk inherent to construction, can be performed safely
using safe work practices and mutual respect for one another’s health
and well-being, great things were again achieved. Our teamwork and
ability to deliver safe crane services separates us from most and provides us with something we all can benefit from, a safe work environment. A work environment that supports the ability for our employees
to prosper and build family dynamics.
family members for your daily pursuit of safety perfection. AmQuip
would not be the organization today without strength and talent of our
employees. We want to thank you and your families for the hard work
and dedication you represent each day and encourage you to not rest
on your past success but rise each day with the knowledge and lessons learned to achieve world class safety performance and even more
difficult but no less important, maintain it.
In 2011, AmQuip and our family of personnel were awarded six more
safety awards from various organizations and owners further recognizing your hard work and dedication to our safety culture. This coupled
with the above average attendance in our safety meeting and training
sessions provides a recipe for success that you should be proud of.
We know we certainly are proud of each and every one of our AmQuip
The New Year is a good time to consider increasing your
401k contribution or reviewing your current plan year
medical benefits and deductible. Please contact Kate or
Kristilyn for assistance.
From the safety department, we wish everyone a safe and prosperous
new year and look forward to the many initiatives we will tackle this
year together along the pursuit for safety perfection.
Safety Perfection is a Never Ending Journey of Continuous
Improvement!
HUMAN RESOURCES CORNER
Kristilyn Strongin
Wishing you and your family safe and happy holidays!