Hot Mix June 2010

Stewart-Amos, Victory Sweepers Partner
Frank Chulick and Mark Schwarze, presidents of Stewart-Amos Sweeper Co. and Victory Sweepers, Inc., respectively, have entered into a strategic partnership agreement. Under the joint agreement, Victory Sweepers will produce regenerative air street sweepers that will be marketed by Stewart-Amos and its growing dealer network.

Immediate production under the agreement will include 4-cu.-yd. and 6-cu.-yd., chassis-mounted regenerative air sweepers that will be marketed as the Stewart-Amos Galaxy R-4 and Galaxy R-6. The Galaxy R-4 features a high-dumping debris hopper; the Galaxy R-6 is a low-dumping unit. In keeping with a key design philosophy, neither will require a CDL for operation. Initial chassis will be the 17,900-lb. GVWR Izusu NQR and 19,500-lb. GVWR Isuzu NRR.

"This agreement brings the manufacturing volume to Victory that will keep our costs down for our parking area sweepers and allow us to more quickly expand our entire product line. Stewart-Amos gets a well-rounded sweeper line that will be very attractive to customers. I expect this to be the beginning of a long-term relationship with, ultimately, many air sweeper product offerings that will help grow Stewart-Amos' customer base, market strength and dealer network."

Under the agreement, Victory Sweepers, Inc. will also become the dealer for the combined product line in specific markets to be announced.

Kasi Acquires Eliminator Roller
KASI Infrared, Newport, NH, has acquired the Eliminator Zero Clearance Roller from Specialty Asphalt Products Inc., according to Roger Filion, KASI president.

The acquisition, which is the infrared equipment manufacturer's first, concluded in May and included the complete roller line including patents and inventory of parts and completed rollers. The Eliminator features a 2,550-lb. operating weight, articulated steering, and a design in which no part of the roller extends outside the 24-in. outside diameter of the front drum, enabling the operator to compact right up against walls and curbs and providing the operator improved visibility on both sides.

"The Eliminator is a well-designed, solid little machine that's a great fit for the infrared industry," Filion said. "The turning radius is amazing and contractors can get right up against the edge of any structure they're working near. It eliminates the need for hand tamping."

Filion said KASI will add up to a half dozen people to assemble the Eliminator at the company's facility, and he said the manufacturing operation will be up and running by the end of June.