Masonry Magazine April 2009 Page. 48
INDUSTRY NEWS
masonry products. In 2003, he transitioned into the position of director of sales development, which included responsibility for all Tnemec products that are sold to the architectural market.
ICRI Announces Member No. 2,000
The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) attracted its 2,000th member in February, amid growing concerns that the recent economic downturn would have a slightly less encouraging impact. ICRI has seen a steady growth in new memberships as well as an increase in membership renewals during the last several months of operation.
Bobcat, Polaris Industries Alliance
Bobcat Co. and Polaris Industries Inc. announced a long-term, strategic alliance that will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies to penetrate work-related market segments globally. The alliance will include co-development of work vehicles, supply of highly differentiated work vehicles and technology sharing, with a planned launch by the second half of 2010.
Multiquip Becomes Exclusive Distributor of EZ Grout
Multiquip Inc. has become the exclusive distributor of EZ Grout equipment in the United States and Mexico. The partnership will offer comprehensive masonry equipment solutions for the customers of both companies. As part of the agreement, current Multiquip dealers will be able to offer the EZ Grout product line. All orders will be placed directly with Multiquip. EZ Grout will continue to provide dealers and end-users with equipment and warranties for this equipment directly through Multiquip. Both EZ Grout and Multiquip are assuring customers that the level of service they are used to will not be affected. IMAS
JLG Receives Record Number of Awards
During the last few months, JLG Industries Inc. has received a record number of awards for product innovation from leading publications in the rental, construction, manufacturing and access industries. Included in the accolades are two Top 100 Products of 2008 awards from Construction Equipment; the Product of the Year award from Plant Engineering; two Category Winner awards plus the overall Grand Winner award in Rental Equipment Register's 2008 Innovative Product Awards; two Gold awards and a Silver award in Lift & Access magazine's LLEAP Awards, and two Gold awards, a Silver award and a Bronze award in Roads Bridges' Contractor's Choice Awards.
NSC Develops Federal Check-off Program
The Natural Stone Council (NSC) announced the development of a congressionally authorized "check-off" program, an industry-funded research and promotion effort that would expand the market for natural stone in the United States and increase demand of natural stone products.
New Ownership at Schiffer Mason Contractors
An ownership transition six years in the making at Schiffer Mason Contractors Inc. in Holt, Mich., was recently finalized, when four existing employees purchased the company, including land, buildings, equipment and other assets, from founders Daniel and Margaret Schiffer. The new ownership team includes Chad Blowers, president; Michael Ellsworth, VP and chief project manager, Stephen Meyer, VP, estimating, and Kay Udry, treasurer and accounting manager. The new team joins Michael Maher, VP and senior project manager, who has been an owner of SMC since 1996. Daniel and Margaret Schiffer remain management consultants for SMC. IMAS