Working alongside his family in the homebuilding business, development and site work, Kevin Ennis knew he would have his own company someday.

“Just seeing the flexibility and the freedom they had was always intriguing to me,” says Ennis. “I think you realize, if you’re ambitious, you can plow your own path. The older I got it drove me to create something of my own.”

Anything that is, except a homebuilding company. “I just like equipment. I like machines. I enjoy being in the dirt and being able to start something and finish it relatively quick and see a result,” he says. Rather than pounding nails, Ennis started working for himself doing environmental inspections and erosion-control consultations. It was a new and rapidly changing field and many of the developers and large contractors didn’t have the time or staffed expertise to keep up with the constantly changing rules and regulations. That gave Ennis great opportunities.

“I did a lot of self-educating and research,” he says. “My wife had just started med school, and we didn’t have kids then, so I had a lot of time to do it. And fortunately, the market was not saturated, and I could generate revenue. All you needed was a computer, a set of wheels and healthy legs.”

Ennis became partners with the original owners of Eco Turf, Andy Smith and Clayton Phillis, in 2003 on a handshake deal, giving the company a new partner and a more diverse set of offerings for customers.

In addition to leveraging his knowledge of environmental inspections, Ennis expanded the company into design, inspection and installation of erosion-control measures, such as stormwater ponds, reconstructed wetlands and bioretention devices, to help clients stay compliant with local, state and federal environmental regulations. After Phillis decided to relocate to Florida, Smith and Ennis bought him out. (Smith, who was vice president, has recently retired.)

When the recession of 2008-2009 hit, Ennis and Smith endured some anxious nights. Neither took a salary for a while. They put the capital back into the company to keep it afloat.

Then an interesting thing happened.

As the recession wore on and contractors and developers started abandoning projects, it became clear that if somebody didn’t shore up the erosion control and environmental aspects of the sites, the financially responsible parties could be liable for civil penalties. Given the scope of its work, Eco Turf quickly found itself categorized as a critical vendor. This resulted in a growing number of emergency no-bid, get-it-done-now contracts that helped sustain the company during the downturn.

Large projects like this bioretention pond are a key part of Eco Turf’s installation business.Equipment World

Inspections + installations

Today installations are the bread and butter of the company, but environmental inspections and permitting are still a crucial part of its success.

Of its 80-plus employees, 30 are involved in the environmental compliance division. And Eco Turf’s roster of clients has some of the biggest contractors in the state, including Barnhill Contracting, KWI, Wellons Construction, Gaines and Company, Tennoca, Allegiance Contracting Group, Brinley’s Grading, Wynn Site, Fred Smith Company; and homebuilders like Lennar, Pulte, MI Homes, DR Horton, Taylor Morrison, as well as local developers and custom builders.

“We came out of the recession trying to control our growth while being cautious about purchasing new equipment,” says Ennis. “In 2014, we started seeing some really good numbers and some good profit. And then every year, growth continued to get better and better. We’ve added two additional project managers, an additional mechanic and six management level positions on the inspection side.”

While growth is good, too much can strain management. Ennis believes the company is sized right for the market.

“We are at a size that is healthy,” he says. “For us to go from where we are now to the next level would be a considerable amount of overhead and expense.”

Hiring from within

Because of the technical nature of the inspections and work performed by Eco Turf, Ennis always promotes within if possible. “I think everybody deserves a fair chance to grow.”

Retaining employees also involves fostering an atmosphere of collaboration.

“You have to get to know and value your employees, their goals and ambitions,” he says. “If you let everybody give input and give them a chance to be successful, you create a family atmosphere, which creates longevity in your workforce.”

“I’m all about transparency and open doors,” he adds, “and I never want our employees to feel that they don’t have a say, or their opinion doesn’t matter at Eco Turf.”

Controlling erosion often starts with a silt fence, and Eco Turf installs miles of it every year.Equipment World

Customers agree

A customer of 20 years, Jeff White, CEO of Green Hawk, says: “They are the gold standard and the go-to guys in our market. Eco Turf and its employees are topnotch and a pleasure to work with on a regular basis. This is a great company.”

Another longtime customer, Sean Ryan, project manager and estimator for Barnhill Contracting, says: “They are one of the most well-rounded, adaptable and dependable subcontractors that we work with, and they do a tremendous amount of work for us. If they tell you they will do something, you can count on them to get it done in a timely manner.

“Eco Turf treats us with the utmost respect, and from the outside looking in, it seems that they treat their employees, vendors and all their other clients with the same respect.”

Recipe for success

Over the long-term, contractors need to know how to manage both failure and success, he says.

“You’re going to have successes and you’re going to have failures, and more failures out of the gate, than successes,” says Ennis. “But if you’re determined mentally and emotionally and have the will and determination to be successful, you’ll figure out a way to do it.”

A good example of this philosophy is to look at the careers of great athletes, he says. “There are highs and lows, and then there are careers. The key when there are lows is to not beat yourself up.”

“Examine why something failed, but get back up and try again,” he adds. “Hopefully your failures will happen early and not later when failure might be financially crippling. Then position yourself from a business standpoint to bounce back with a different approach for success.”

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Prep work has begun on a $305 million project to rebuild one of the main gateways to Las Vegas.

The three-year project would rebuild the Tropicana Avenue interchange with Interstate 15. The Tropicana Avenue bridge over I-15 would be widened and lengthened, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. The expanded  bridge would prepare the way for a future widening of I-15. (An animated video of the future interchange can be viewed at the end of this story.)

An existing flyover would be replaced. High-occupancy vehicle ramps would be added to connect to and from I-15 south of the Harmon Avenue overpass. The ramps would allow HOVs direct access to the Las Vegas Strip, according to NDOT.

Traffic on Dean Martin Drive would be separated from the Tropicana Avenue intersection, limiting right-in and right-out access. The traffic light at the intersection would be removed. Access to and from the northwest and southwest quadrants would be maintained with frontage roads connecting Tropicana Avenue and a redesigned Dean Martin Boulevard that would flow under Tropicana Avenue.

Kiewit was selected November 8 for the design-build contract, NDOT says. From December 12 through 16, utility and geotechnical work has been occurring to prepare for construction to begin, requiring nightly lane and shoulder closings on I-15 in the project area, according to NDOT.

Tropicana Avenue experiences heavy traffic congestion leading to and from the interchange, and NDOT says projected 2040 traffic increases would worsen that congestion if nothing is done. The new interchange is expected to improve traffic flow, as well as improve property access and pedestrian connections, as well as access to events at nearby Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena and other attractions.

Here’s a preliminary animated video tour of the future interchange:

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Florida Kenworth Dealer Relocates

Kenworth of Jacksonville has expanded its customer support in Jacksonville, Florida with a newly constructed 55,000 square-foot facility on a 12.2-acre site.

The facility, which is nearly double the size of the previous location, features 28 services bays and offers extended business hours, 2-hour truck diagnosis, 24-hour towing and mobile service availability, a drivers lounge, and other premium services.

United Rentals Named One of America’s Most Responsible Companies

For the third consecutive year, United Rentals has been named one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek. The award recognizes the equipment rental company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, particularly related to environmental, social and corporate governance programs.

United Rentals was the highest ranking equipment rental company on the 2022 list. The company ranked 85 on this year’s top 500 list, jumping 98 places from 2021.

Michael Lambert joins IronTek Solutions as strategic account development manager

IronTek Solutions announced that Michael Lambert will join the company as strategic account development manager. Lambert previously worked at Skyjack for 17 years where he most recently served as used equipment manager.

In his new role at IronTek, Lambert will be responsible for growing the client base and geographic reach of Fleet Up Marketplace. IronTec Solutions is an equipment services company that provides rental yards and equipment dealers with software and marketing solutions to increase profits and save time. IronTek’s flagship product, Fleet Up Marketplace was launched in 2020.

“Knowing the equipment industry and the challenges associated with selling used equipment, Mike is a huge asset to rental yards and equipment dealers,” says Carly Cahlik, CEO and founder of IronTek Solutions.

MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS

Fecon appoints regional sales manager>

Fecon has hired Dallas Zeller as regional sales manager for the Midwest region.

Prior to joining Fecon, Zeller worked at Kirby-Smith Machinery. In his new role, Zeller will assist distributors in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin in the sales of all Fecon vegetation management equipment and accessories.

BobcatParts.com Expands to Canada>

Canadian customers will now be able to order select parts, accessories and attachments directly from Bobcat via BobcatParts.com, the company’s e-commerce platform.

More than 20,000 items are available through BobcatParts.com, including a variety of remanufactured parts. Free ground shipping is available on all orders over $99 as part of a limited-time introductory offer.

Liebherr says it is committed to long-term strategic sustainability goals, including emissions, energy and employee healthLiebherrEcoVadis awards Liebherr gold sustainability rating

Independent corporate responsibility auditor EcoVadis has awarded Liebherr with a gold medal for sustainability. The ranking places Liebherr in the top 5% of all rated companies for sustainability and within the top 3% of manufacturing companies globally. More than 75,000 companies participated in the audit, which scored participants on the following areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

The company, which has more than 48,000 employees, says it is committed to long-term strategic sustainability goals, including emissions, energy and employee health, as well as participation in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

“Responsibility and care for the environment has always been a key component of Liebherr philosophy,” says Tatjana Grissemann, corporate responsibility manager, Liebherr. “We have been part of our respective communities for many decades and we have always cared for our local environment. Today, we carry that same responsibility with us, but as part of the global supply chain, we have a global responsibility.”>

Rokbak aims for Net Zero Emissions and Waste by 2040

Rokbak, with the support of parent company Volvo Group, has outlined its plans to significantly reduce carbon emissions and waste at its Motherwell, Scotland plant with a goal of achieving net zero by 2040. >

The articulated truck manufacturer signed at Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificate in 2019, ensuring all electricity delivered to the plant comes from renewable sources. The move is anticipated to reduce the plant’s carbon footprint by 992 tons per year. Additional steps being taken to improve sustainability include: the installation of 54 submeters to monitor energy use, moving from natural gas to electric-powered heating and cooling, partitioning the plant into smaller spaces, installing motion sensor doors and using green gas from a landfill. >

When it comes to reducing material waste, the site is already nearly landfill free and will soon apply for Volvo Group certification for demonstrating that at least 95% of waste is diverted from landfill. All steel and wood is recycled with food waste going for composting and Rokbak is actively working with its suppliers to reduce the amount of materials consumed in the first place.>

“The targets we have set ourselves at Rokbak and Volvo Group are tough, but I believe they are achievable. Volvo has shown its willingness to invest, and our staff and customers are also keen to do their bit,” says Karen Anne Duffy, HSE & sustainability manager for the Motherwell plant.>

New self-propelled scraper designs don’t come around very often, so when they do it’s big news, especially for any contractor who does high-volume earthmoving.

If you’re not familiar with what these beasts of the field can do, the new Cat 651, with a push from a dozer, can load 104,000 pounds of material in 30 seconds. That’s as much dirt as a 50-ton truck can handle — and it takes at least two and half minutes to load a truck.

Cat has reintroduced its 651 Wheel Tractor Scraper with a bunch of changes, upgrades and enhancements including a new powertrain, controls, hydraulics and structure. This single-engine model offers 44 cubic yards of heaped capacity and a 52-ton rated load. It also shares the same bowl design and many components as the Cat 657, allowing contractors with mixed fleets to stock fewer repair parts and lower owning costs. It replaces the 651E self-propelled scraper, which Cat discontinued about 15 years ago.

A 629-horsepower Cat C18 engine powers the redesigned 651. When paired with a push assist from a Cat D10 or D11 dozer, and its eight-speed transmission, the 651 can load at speeds up to 34.8 mph even in abrasive or rocky conditions.

The scraper’s new Advanced Productivity Electronic Control System integrates the transmission and engine drivetrain to provide smooth and responsive shifts. The electronic clutch pressure control features advanced shift control logic for smoother speed and directional shifts, while part-throttle shifting controls transmission shifts for smoother shifting between gears. Preventing loss of momentum during shifts, the shift torque management system carries higher torque through shift points.

For operator comfort, the cab on the 651 is as large as that of a twin-engine 657 and 21 percent larger than Cat’s E-series scrapers. Ingress and egress have been improved with the addition of a powered access ladder. Relocation of the HVAC system, steering column and pedal improve visibility. The new comfort seat rotates up to 30 degrees to the right for loading and offers an additional 2 inches of fore/aft movement to reduce operating fatigue. The seat’s adjustable armrest aligns with the implement control level with T-handle design for more comfortable operation. 

To keep your operators sharper longer, a new high-pressure steering system requires less steering effort and reduces fatigue. Improvements to the hydraulics include an electrohydraulic implement system for improved multifunction capability and a short throw for the T-handle implement control. Cat’s advanced ride management system improves smoothness by eliminating end-stroke events of the seat suspension cylinder

An optional three-camera Work Area Vision System (WAVS) shows the cutting edge, right side and rear of the machine on a 7-inch in-cab color monitor. Available sequence assist reduces up to 14 individual operator commands per cycle with a single button for improved cycle consistency, fewer repetitive motions for the operator and less fatigue.

Production efficiency

When it’s cold out, an auto-stall feature, new for the 651, assists in warming up the transmission oil faster so you can get to work sooner. Configured with sequence assist, the new payload estimator option uses bowl lift cylinder pressure to accurately calculate machine payload to within plus or minus 5 percent of scaled weight, optimizing payload and jobsite efficiency. Using the bowl lift cylinder, the reliable payload estimator system requires no recalibration or operator interface.

The scraper’s new ground speed control allows the operator to set the desired top speed, and the machine will find the gear that works best for the engine and transmission. This lowers the engine load factor and fuel burn compared to top gear selection. When operating on a downhill slope, the 651 detects a machine overspeed situation and automatically engages the compression brakes with no operator input. Hydraulic wet disc brakes replace air actuated brakes from the previous model to improve performance and serviceability. 

Cat651 Quick Specs

Engine: Cat C18, 585 hpHeaped capacity: 4 cubic yardsRated load: 104,000 poundsWeight loaded: 249,000 poundsTop speed loaded: 34.8 mph
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In 2019, the Southern Nevada Operating Engineers was faced with a problem.

The Las Vegas community had exploded in size around the training facility it moved into in the mid-90s. The once prime location was no longer an ideal spot for heavy equipment training and operation.

It was time to move and rebuild for the future – and who better to do the rebuilding than the students and instructors themselves?

“Some of the apprentices we worked with onsite had never been in equipment before this project,” says Larry Hopkins, SNOE director of training. “They went from zero experience applicants to having the privilege of working alongside several instructors, coordinators and seasoned tradespeople to make this facility come to life.”

The new 28,000-square-foot center sits on nearly 100 acres and features state-of-the-art training rooms, classrooms, a machine shop, welding stations, and grounds to move dirt and simulate projects.

“It was a very proud moment to see it start from bare dirt and rock to what we have now,” says Chris Trolson, SNOE assistant director of training. “It’s fulfilling to see our students go out there and take ownership of this. You could feel the pride because they can see what they accomplished.”

Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATCStudents assisted with everything from grading the site to paving the parking lot, and they used the latest technology to do it. Under the guidance of operating engineers and instructors, SNOE students used full 3D Trimble Earthworks automatics on an excavator and on a mastless dozer, as well as Trimble Siteworks and WorkManager to facilitate the data.

And for many of the students, the technology was second nature. “Our students just out of high school or their early 20s are much less afraid of the technology than those of us who have been around for 35 or 40 years,” says Hopkins. “They have an advantage growing into this technology. They’re excited about it.”

Education embedded with technology

In addition to the technology used to build the facility, tech is embedded in almost every aspect of the training programs and classrooms.

Twelve 25-square-foot classrooms are equipped with 4K smart boards, cameras and AV for interactive learning and guest speakers. The boards are also a good starting point for familiarizing students with machine displays. “Instead of trying to crowd 10 to 12 kids around a cab, we can show them Trimble emulators on the board,” says Trolson. “You see the a-ha moments once they get into the field. They build off that experience.”

In addition, simulators acquaint students with the equipment before turning them out in the field. “You’ll have 500 bad passes before you get a good pass on a piece of equipment,” says Trolson. “With simulators, we can get rid of a lot of that before we go out in the field. It helps build that confidence so they know they can do it.” The trainers plan to add virtual reality simulators down the road for an even more immersive experience.

Students in the heavy-duty repair program are also engaged in technology from day one. “They have to be familiar with the computer technology that is running the heavy equipment and how to troubleshoot it,” says Hopkins. “I’m not exaggerating when I say there are 200 to 300 different kinds of systems and menus on these different makes and models of equipment. It can be a nightmare. That technological training is wrapped into everything we do.”

Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATCBuilding a labor force

Since opening its doors in July, the instructors have already trained several classes of operators and technicians. In an industry desperately seeking workers, the trainers say there is a lot to be optimistic about.

“Work is starting to pick up and my phone has been ringing off the hook,” says Trolson. “We have a lot of applicants we’re going to be putting in the field. Our regular classes are always full.”

“We’re not having issues recruiting,” added Hopkins. “Contractors just need to give us a call, and we’ll provide the people they need.”

The facility routinely has 125-150 apprentices training at any one time, primarily from the four surrounding counties in southern Nevada. The trainers have seen an uptick in women and minorities entering the program in recent years as well.

And as for graduates, the market is good. “Every one of those apprentices who helped with the facility construction has not been out of work since,” says Hopkins. “They went from working on this project straight to contractors and are still going today.”

Once those new recruits hit your jobsite, the education doesn’t stop. Trolson’s best advice for mentoring new employees: patience. “Teach them. Bring them along. You’re investing into the future with this person. You have to put the time and effort into it to get the payback.”

The Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATC will be used as the new live demonstration and operating site for Trimble Dimensions, held November 7-9, 2022.

A federal inmate has been sentenced for fraudulently ordering $2.8 million worth of heavy equipment from six different dealers.

While serving a 20-year state prison sentence at Hays State Prison in Trion, Georgia, Damon Thomas Young used a contraband cellphone to con multiple heavy equipment dealers into selling him wheel loaders, skid steer loaders, an excavator, a horizontal grinder and dump trucks.

The 39-year-old inmate, using the alias Morgan Sylvia, claimed to be a purchasing agent for Chicago pharmaceutical company AbbVie for a new facility he said was being built in Ranger, Georgia. Once the equipment was obtained, he sold it on Craigslist.

Most of the dealers caught the fraud before shipment, but Young was successful in acquiring four pieces of equipment worth over $500,000.

“Young schemed to steal millions of dollars’ worth of heavy equipment while serving a sentence for assaulting a police officer,” says U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Inmates should not think that the crimes they commit from prison will go unpunished just because they are already incarcerated. As in this case, inmates who commit crimes from behind bars face additional federal prison time to be served after their state sentences end.”

On Nov. 30, Young was sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Georgia. The court ordered that five years of the federal sentence run consecutively to the state sentence that Young is currently serving. His maximum possible release date from state prison is June 16, 2030.

Young has also been ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to the online purchaser of the stolen equipment.   

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