Around the Globe: February 2016

Germany
Magna Tyres Group, headquartered in The Netherlands, has named Stefan Huber to be the new addition to the sales team in Germany, working alongside Arno van der Linden. To contact Huber, visit www.magnatyres.com.

United States
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A $1.15 trillion omnibus spending package with a $680 billion tax package became law Dec. 18, 2015. The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) reported that the spending package for FY 2016 “includes $42.36 billion for federal-aid highways and highway safety programs, adhering to the spending levels contained in the 5-year, $305 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill (FAST Act) passed in early December. The package maintains the funding levels of the Airport Improvement Act at $3.350 billion, and reauthorizes $500 million for the TIGER Grant Program used to fund both large and small-scale infrastructure projects to include freight-related projects.”

Colorado
Mark your calendar to attend Rocky Mountain Asphalt Conference & Equipment Show (RMACES) Feb. 24 through 26 at the Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport. Visit www.rmaces.org for details.

Florida
Argus Media reported that U.S. asphalt prices continue to sink amid a soft crude market, and hit multi-year lows in December. “Prices should rebound next year with demand set to pick up, recovering slowly as the market must first contend with the highest stock levels in at least five years,” the company reported. “The sharp correction in asphalt prices this winter followed historically robust margins during the second half of 2015…” Join Argus Media for the 9th Annual Argus Americas Asphalt Summit March 2 through 4 at the Ritz Carlton, South Beach in Miami to learn more about the down but recovering crude market. The 2016 conference will take a look at some of the changes the market is facing due to decreased prices and local supplies. Get more information and register at www.argusmedia.com/events.

Hawaii
The Associated Press reported that Hawaii will receive $469 million for military construction and infrastructure projects on the islands from the $1.1 trillion federal spending bill passed in late December 2015. This represents an increase of over $200 million from 2015, according to the AP, and includes projects for health clinics and electrical grid upgrades as well as pavement projects. $250 million in funding goes to the Honolulu rail transit project.

Indiana
The 91st Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT) annual meeting and technical sessions will be held March 13 through 16, 2016, at the Westin Indianapolis. Visit www.asphalttechnology.org for more information.

Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana (APAI) Executive Director Bill Knopf reported that Kevin Kelly, now 2016 NAPA Chairman, presented Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson with the state’s first Perpetual Pavement Award at the APAI annual meeting in Indianapolis Dec. 10. The state achieved the award for its Highway U.S. 31, which includes more than 13 miles of asphalt roadway originally constructed in 1974.

Iowa
The Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa has released its 60th Anniversary Documentary, available for the public to view on YouTube.

Oklahoma
Smico-Symons Screens, Oklahoma City, recently acquired A&J Mixing International, Inc. Smico will have access to the company’s location in Canada.

Pennsylvania
Curry Supply Company, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, has announced that Rick Romney has joined them as regional sales manager, based out of Sacramento. He’ll be responsible for assisting customers in 13 Western states. You can reach him at (800) 345-2829 or sales@currysupply.com.

South Dakota
KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens of Yankton, South Dakota, has promoted Ron Earl to vice president of sales and marketing. To reach him, email ronearl@kpijci.com. The company has also hired Nate Hicks as a new parts sales development engineer. Hicks graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and previously worked for the company’s South Dakota manufacturing facility as a design drafting intern in 2008. You can reach Hicks directly at (605) 668-2635.

Wisconsin
Nomination forms for the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA), Milwaukee, awards program are now available at the association’s website: www.cdrecycling.org. Entries are due by March 10, 2016.