ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017 offers up a variety of educational seminars on subjects ranging from transitioning your business from one generation to the next to getting better performance from your crusher.
ConExpo-Con/Agg’s educational seminars, provided by Travelers, offer insights for a variety of audiences, including aggregate industry rookies and veterans. The aggregates track is one of 10 tracks available. Other tracks include the following:
• Asphalt;
• Concrete;
• Cranes, Rigging, and Aerial Lifts;
• Earthmoving and Site Development;
• Equipment Management and Maintenance;
• Management – Business Best Practices;
• Safety and Regulations;
• Technology; and
• Management – Workforce Development.
A full session pass, which is included in the show’s Supreme pack, is available for $395. For those who plan shorter visits to the show, a session day pass, which is included in the Deluxe pack, may be purchased for $194. Passes to a single session are available for $69. For more information, visit the show website at www.conexpoconagg.com.
TUESDAY, MARCH 7
Lean and Mean from Aggregates Production to Sales #T11
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
The aggregate industry is getting more and more competitive every day. Quarry operators must keep extraction and crushing moving with minimum downtime. They must also meet their customer expectation at the loadout yard by fulfilling customer orders quickly and accurately and control costs to remain competitive. Every interaction with quarry products (either on plant or equipment) adds time and increases costs in wages, tire wear, fuel spend, or machine hours. Smart quarries are taking advantage of process improvement tools to find the competitive edge, maximize production, and keep customers happy.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Speakers: Kevin Lai, product manager, Trimble Aggregates; and Soren Schramm, Trimble Loadrite Auckland Ltd.
Maximizing Screen Efficiency #T21
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This session will give a comprehensive overview of an effective screening operation. It will discuss the appropriate application of various types of screens, how to measure the effectiveness, and how to evaluate the condition of the screen and structure. Specific topics will include screen types, stroke profiles, g-force, screen efficiency, sampling protocols, screen axis movement, structure movement, and examples of improvements. The performance evaluation section of this presentation will include a case study with an existing aggregate producer.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Speakers: Craig Burke, director of engineering and sales support, Polydeck Screen Corp.; Mike Garrison, vibrating screen specialist, Polydeck Screen Corp.; and Dave Turin, Gold Rush, History Channel
Crushing 101 #T31
1 – 2:30 p.m.
This session provides an overview of crushing. Learn about the different types of primary and secondary crushers, pros and cons associated with the different types, what site conditions to consider when choosing crushers, and how to optimize the process given a particular crusher. Topics covered include: types of crushers available, the features and benefits of each along with expected production capabilities, end products, and costs associated with using the various methods. By the end of the session, attendees will know about the key cost drivers and how they can be managed for processing equipment. They will also understand factors involved in determining the optimal point of ownership and disposal.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Speaker: Mark Krause, managing director, McLanahan Corp.
Metal Detection 101 – When Magnets Aren’t Enough #T41
3 – 4 p.m.
Metal detection is an integral part of the protection of downstream equipment, and magnets aren’t always sufficient. Unfortunately, metal detection has always been looked upon as a voodoo science: units are difficult to operate, require constant attention, and don’t always work. This session breaks down how metal detection actually works, looks at the factors that spawn excuses and preconceived notions, and figures out how to effectively reintegrate metal detection into our operations.
Level: Novice (1-5 years of on-the-job experience)
Speaker: Jeff Herne, Advanced Detection Systems, Inc.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8
Maximizing Conveyor Performance-Industry Standards verses Real-World Application #W31
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Contrasting industry standards with real-world applications, attendees of this session will learn about conveyor belt construction, operational forces, transition distances, tracking issues, and other performance influences. This interactive presentation will provide the information necessary to better understand and troubleshoot real-world belt conveyor performance issues. Both U.S. standards and European nomenclature will be covered.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Speakers: Mike Cremeens, vice president, Almex Group; and Richard McConnell, strategic account manager, Flexco
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Major Capital Projects #W41
3 – 4 p.m.
This session will examine various aspects of major capital projects. It will highlight areas that can adversely affect project timelines, budget, quality, plant performance, ROI, and up-time. See real examples from more than 15 years of experience with this issue.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Speakers: Jeff Gray, domestic sales manager, Telsmith Inc.; and Spencer Kossl, Telsmith Inc.
THURSDAY, MARCH 9
The Good, The Bad, and The Puzzling: Mine Safety Law Year-in-Review #TH11
9 – 10:30 a.m.
With each new mine safety case that gets decided by an administrative law judge, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, or a federal circuit court, mine safety law continues to evolve. The annual review will cover key decisions that you should know regarding MSHA enforcement issues in order to stay current and in compliance with the law.
Level: Novice (1-5 years of on-the-job experience)
Speaker: Gwendolyn Nightengale, associate, Ogletree Deakins Law Firm
How to Control Dust #TH21
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Dust emissions from mining and material handling operations arise from four major sources: unpaved roads, paved roads, material processing, and stockpiles. Dust emissions are a regulated pollutant and must be controlled to comply with federal, state, and local air quality standards. This session shows how to develop a dust control plan designed to comply with regulation without sacrificing productivity. By treating dust control as a problem of process control rather than a regulatory issue, plants can employ low-cost controls first to reduce reliance on more expensive measures.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Speaker: Mark Kestner, president/CEO, NESCO
Crusher Maintenance: Best Practices #TH41
3 – 4 p.m.
This session will present the three types of maintenance (preventive, predictive, and reactive) as they apply to crushing equipment. Specific examples for typical crushing equipment are given in problematic areas. Attendees will learn the “do’s and don’ts” of crusher maintenance and will come away with the top 10 best practices.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Speaker: Erik Schmidt, resource development manager, KPI-JCI & Astec Mobile Screens
FRIDAY, MARCH 10
ROI of Technology for Aggregates #F11
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
With more technology options competing for your time and budget, where should you start? How does it help me make money? Which technology will help to manage your aggregates operations, and what’s right for your operation? This session identifies the key processes within your operation where technology can make a significant difference and then helps you to decide what’s right for you. Learn which costs can be affected by today’s latest technology, what benefits to expect, and how to calculate the impact for your own specific operation. After this session, you will have a framework for thinking about the different ways technology can affect your top and bottom lines, and some tools to do your own calculations.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Speaker: Soren Schramm, Trimble Loadrite Auckland Ltd.
Standards and Practices for Belt Conveyor Safety #F21
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This presentation will look at ways to improve safety for those who must work on and around belt conveyors. This presentation will start with the various hazard points of the conveyor system and what can be done to mitigate those hazards. It will then turn to work practices including lockout/tagout, as well as housekeeping standards and maintenance procedures. And finally, the presentation will look at the benefits of employee training to improve conveyor safety for those who work on or around belt conveyors and for those who manage the performance of belt conveyor systems.
Level: Novice (1-5 years of on-the-job experience)
Speaker: Jerad Heitzler, Foundations training manager, Martin Engineering
Crushing 101 – (Repeat, see Crushing 101 #T31) #F31
1- 2:30 p.m.
Frac Sand: How Technology and Market Dynamics Will Drive Future Success #F41
3 – 4 p.m.
The frac sand market experienced rapid growth from 2012-2015, then began a decline due to low oil prices. Frac sand producers must find new ways to stay profitable and keep the product moving. Savvy producers have been able to take advantage of the “superfracking” of existing wells and have invested in technology to make operations more efficient. They also learned how to deal with changing market conditions and ongoing community opposition. This educational session will bring attendees up to speed on the economics of the market, which technologies can make them more profitable, and how to navigate potential issues.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Speakers: Mark Krumenacher, P.G., senior principal/senior vice president, GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc.; Mark Kuhar, editor, Rock Products/Mining Media; Matthew Lear, regional sales manager, McLanahan Corp.; and Joel Schneyer, managing director, Headwaters MB.
In addition to the aggregates track, classes within other segments also pertain to aggregates managers. Here are some of our picks.
TUESDAY, MARCH 7
The Next Generation Job Site: Drones #T19
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Drones can provide all sorts of added value for those in the construction business, beginning with simple progress updates for clients and going all the way to advanced thermal analysis. The use of a drone can often do a day’s worth of work in minutes. It’s incredibly affordable and provides unparalleled quality and ease of use. Smart contractors in the construction industry are finding that drones can play a vital role in their work. They are being used for estimating, surveying, showing clients and potential clients an aerial view of projects, monitoring job sites to ensure safe practices, or inspecting bridges and other structures. The session will show participants how drones can be an important tool to the industry and a major part of the equipment fleet.
Track: Technology
Speaker: Andres Vargas, Kinematics Integrations and Applications Engineer
Solutions for Finding Skilled Labor #T27
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The lack of skilled labor can and will directly affect your bottom line. What are you doing to fill the gap? Are you continually looking to only one resource? This session will highlight multiple avenues available to you from staffing agencies to military recruitment, tech schools to associations. Whatever your need, there is a solution.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Track: Management – Workforce Development
Speakers: Dave Bakkeby, vice president for business development, Orion International; Jerry Randecker, Jordan-Sitter Associates; Robert Henderson, AED; and Terry Marohl, North Dakota State College of Science
Extracting Big Results from Big Data, 3D Imaging, & the Internet of Things:
Heavy ROI for Heavy Equipment #T29
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
New technologies and big data are here to stay, and they are changing processes in construction, mining, paper, and DOTs across the world. Real-world case studies using 3D data and massive image sets show how aggregate and construction companies are finding a competitive edge in maintaining remote physical inventories. Knowing what data you need and how to apply it for your organization presents an ongoing challenge. This session will cover practical ways to identify the most likely areas for ROI and then collect the right data. Review several approaches to insightful analytics, discuss the challenges with driving process improvements in your organization, and reveal the keys to making them happen. This session will help you see and open the door to a goldmine of business process improvements.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Track: Technology
Speakers: Len Auer, manager of marketing and strategic planning, ZTR Control Systems; David Boardman, CEO, Stockpile Reports; and Brent Horne, ZTR Control Systems.
Site Security: Protecting Your Assets and People #T37
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Equipment and material theft are a major concern for any company. However, given today’s current challenges, there is much more that needs to be considered when creating your crisis and security plans. This session will delve into the current trends in keeping not only your equipment, but more importantly, your people safe on the job site. It will also address some of the critical components that should be in every crisis management plan.
Track: Management – Business Best Practices
Speaker: Robert Siciliano, CEO, IDTheftSecurity Inc.
What the Intelligent Truck Means to the Construction Materials Industry #T39
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Telematics technologies in use in the ready-mix concrete and bulk materials industries contribute to safer operations, improved efficiency, and reductions in overall operational costs. Join this panel discussion on what telematics means to the industry, including a review of the current state of telematics for the industry as a whole, what types of technologies are commercially available, and what telematics can do for your operations. Also, gain insight into the future of telematics and how it will continue to revolutionize the industry.
Track: Technology
Speakers: Chris Wurtz, product manager, McNeilus; and Alex Moody, senior sales executive, FiveCubits, a Command Alkon company
Understanding Equipment Costs: Finding the Sweet Spot #T47
3 – 4 p.m.
In ownership costs versus operating costs, where is the sweet spot? Know the components that deliver the best ROI, as measured in equity. After this session, participants will have a better understanding of the tools needed to manage tracking.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Track: Management – Business Best Practices
Speaker: Gil Gilbert, fleet director, Henkels & McCoy Pipeline
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8
Equipment Replacement Decisions: Establishing a Standard #W16
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Equipment replacement decisions and managing fleets present asset managers with ongoing challenges. The classic economic life or “sweet spot” model is one of several tools that can be used to rank units for replacement. Other metrics such as reliability, availability, and utilization should also play a role in replacement decisions. This session will present a single replacement ranking index tool to use for combining various replacement metrics. This standard approach can reduce subjectivity and bring order to the capital expenditures planning process.
Level: Intermediate, 6-10 years experience
Track: Management – Business Best Practices
Speaker: Mike Vorster, president, CEMPCentral, Inc.
THURSDAY, MARCH 9
Improving the Safety of Your Operators Through Technology #TH17
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Protecting assets such as employees, vehicles, heavy equipment, job sites, and your reputation has never been more important. Ensuring that your operation is safe and compliant can help you reach this goal. In an era of smart phones comes the danger of increased employee distractions while operating vehicles and job site equipment. This session will address current methodologies, including the smart phones themselves, to improve fleet safety on the road and at the job site.
Level: Intermediate
Track: Safety & Regulations
Speakers: Del Lisk, vice president safety services, Lytx, Inc.; and Jason Palmer, Smart Drive.
Developing an Empowering Culture of Safety #TH49
3 – 4 p.m.
Keeping workers safe requires more than just rules. Does your company culture value safety? If so, what is your role as equipment manager in creating or developing this culture? This session will focus on your role and responsibilities in learning from safety situations, understanding the costs of safety and risks, combating apathy, and building your team’s buy-in.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Track: Safety & Regulations
Speaker: Carl Uhinck, asphalt equipment manager, Kokosing Construction Co., Inc.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10
Heavy Hybrid Technology #F19
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Could there be a “Tesla” of the equipment world? In this session, you will find out what’s new with hybrid technologies. Our speaker will discuss when hybrids should be considered and for what applications. Gain a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages over the life of the machine (ROI, ownership costs, maintenance items, etc.). Learn the ROI on hybrids over conventional, and the market demand for this technology going forward.
Level: Intermediate (6-10 years of on-the-job experience)
Track: Technology
Speaker: Randy Peterson, chief engineer, hydraulics, Caterpillar Inc.
Mitigating Fatigue Risk through Technologies and Safety Culture Solutions #F28
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The stark reality is that nearly half of shift workers nod off while working at least once per week. This fact has driven the development of technologies that deliver valuable information about the conditions under which employees operate. However, few companies are equipped to leverage the data in a Fatigue Risk Management System that touches all the influencers of a safety culture to deliver safer work conditions and improved performance. Learn to pull together people, process, and technology to drive zero-incident performance. Discover the technologies used to generate safety-related data, and understand how systems engage all levels of the organization in mitigating fatigue risk.
Level: All
Track: Safety & Regulations
Speaker: Todd Dawson, manager, Fatigue Solutions, Caterpillar, Inc.
Assuring the Successful Continuation of Your Family Business #F27
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Statistically, the majority of privately held businesses do not survive from one generation to the next. In each subsequent generation, the likelihood of successful succession is even more remote. In this session, attendees will learn tools and strategies in the areas of business succession and wealth preservation and eventual transition of assets (with special focus on their business). Among the areas of focus will be why successful businesses ultimately fail, the importance of coordinating estate plans with succession plans, addressing active vs. inactive children within a family business, liquidity issues, valuation methodologies that will satisfy the IRS while lowering the tax bill, and the proper type of buy-sell agreements that allow for maximum tax savings. The seminar wraps up with a real life, compelling family business case study that is sure to strike a chord with everyone in the audience.
Handouts should be printed prior to the show to be used during the session. Handouts will be made available a week prior to the start of the show.
Level: General, applicable to all levels of experience
Track: Management – Business Best Practices
Speakers: Leon Resnick, partner, Resnick Associates; and Terrance Resnick, partner, Resnick Associates.