Pavement Industry News March 2008

Panzer said that SemMaterials remains dedicated to helping its customers address their “ongoing needs and issues, which include aging infrastructure, funding shortfalls and the innovation of services and products.”

Kevin Foxx, SemGroup Energy Partners president and chief executive officer, commented on SemMaterials’ legacy as one of the largest asphalt suppliers and processors of polymer modified asphalt cement and emulsions in the United States.

“SGLP looks forward to facilitating the current and future terminalling and storage needs for SemMaterials as it continues to be a key player in the industry,” Foxx says.

The acquisition is subject to financing and other standard closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008.

CAT AUCTIONS CHOPPER ON E-BAY

Proceeds to benefit camp for sick kids

Constructed during two episodes of American Chopper, then showcased around 32 states and in Canada, the customized Cat Chopper is being auctioned in February to benefit Victory Junction Gang camp.

The 150-hp, six speed show bike was assembled in 2005 for a yearlong goodwill tour on behalf of Caterpillar Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.

In May 2007, Caterpillar donated the Cat Chopper to Victory Junction Gang, a 72-acre camp in North Carolina founded by the Petty family of NASCAR fame. The camp caters to children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses.

Bidding on the Cat Chopper began Feb. 7 and ran for 10 days. Richard Petty will hand over the keys to the winning bidder March 13 during a ceremony at the ConExpo-Con/Agg tradeshow in Las Vegas.

“The funds raised by the Cat Chopper’s sale will help continue our mission of providing recreation at no charge for kids who otherwise might be unable to attend summer camp,” says Pattie Petty, co-founder and CEO of Victory Junction. “Caterpillar has long been a friend to our family, NASCAR and Victory Junction Gang.”

Caterpillar has been a NASCAR sponsor since 1993, starting with Kyle Petty. Victory Junction Gang Camp has a racing theme with the sights, sounds and look of a race track. The camp was opened in honor of Adam Petty, the late son of Kyle and Pattie Petty.

Since June 2004, Victory Junction Gang Camp has offered children ages 7 to 15 a chance to participate in recreational opportunities they might otherwise be unable to enjoy because of their medical needs. Victory Junction Gang operates solely on donations. There is no charge for children to attend the camp during its weekly summer sessions and family weekends in fall, winter and spring.

The Cat Chopper was constructed by Orange County Choppers (OCC) in New York during two episodes of American Chopper that aired on the Discovery Channel in April 2005.

“The Chopper has become a symbol of Caterpillar’s community outreach, and we couldn’t think of a more appropriate sendoff than to auction it away for a very good cause - to help kids have fun,” says Robert Muntz, advertising manager for Caterpillar.

TRANSPO CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

Company offers safety products, transportation construction materials

Transpo Industries Inc. has been developing safety products for the transportation industry for 40 years. They’ve come a long way since 1968, when they first developed an energy-absorbing bumper for over 4,000 New York City taxicabs.

Across the country, states are using Break-Safe and Pole-Safe omni-directional breakaway systems for sign and light pole supports. Blast-Safe fence is used internationally at airports for safety and security measures.

Transpo was one of the pioneers in the development and use of polymer concrete materials for rapid highway and bridge repair. The Castek division manufactures a variety of precast products for bridges, tunnels and rails: including BODAN, a highway/railroad safety crossing system. Step-Safe ADA compliant detectable warning tile can be found on train platforms and street-corner crosswalks from Canada to Florida.

The Distributor Division supplies permanent and construction zone impact attenuators, truck-mounted attenuators and sand barrels. There is even a product, carefully engineered to keep roads and bridges Freeze-Free from snow and ice conditions.