PCCA Journal|1
st
Quarter 2015
44
.FNCFS /FXT
Continued from page 43
Blackstone Forms Leading Utility and
Heavy Equipment Platform
B
lackstone on January 30 announced the formation of
a new utility and heavy equipment platform, Utility
One Source, in partnership with three family-run
businesses, including PCCA member Utility Fleet Sales.
Through the partnership, private equity funds managed by
Blackstone will provide growth capital for significant addi-
tional investment in equipment, innovation, and an expand-
ed geographic footprint, which will ensure Utility One Source
has the customer-focused solutions the industry requires.
Importantly, each company will continue to be family-owned
and operated following the investment by Blackstone.
Utility One Source intends to build upon the market posi-
tions of Utility Fleet Sales, Custom Truck & Equipment, and
Forestry Equipment of Virginia (FEVA), while serving as a
single source supplier for the utility and heavy equipment
industries with a focus on sales, rental equipment, parts,
transportation, and service.
Leveraging Blackstone’s significant resources and expertise,
the platform’s efforts will be coordinated by Chairman Chris
Ragot, whose comprehensive operating background includes
serving as Group President of Terex, Vice President and
General Manager of Ingersoll-Rand Europe, CEO of FreightCar
America, CEO of Novariant, and CEO of Exopack.
“We are very excited to be a part of the alignment of three
family-owned and operated companies that will be the initial
team forming Utility One Source in partnership with Black-
stone,” Utility Fleet Sales CEO George McMahon said. “We
look forward to continuing to expand Utility One Source
and leveraging the expertise of the group to better serve our
customers globally.”
Vermeer D100x140 S3 Navigator HDD
O"ers Advanced Features
T
he Vermeer D100x140 Navigator horizontal direc-
tional drill already offered exceptional downhole
power—now a Tier 4 final engine and other en-
hanced features help improve speed and simplicity.
The D100x140 S3 features a 275-horsepower CAT diesel
engine that meets the Tier 4 Final emissions standards and
provides 100,000 pounds of thrust/pullback and 14,000
foot-pounds of rotational torque, plus increased rotational
speed of 203 rpm, providing the power downhole to improve
productivity.
The D100x140 S3 is also available with the InSite asset
management system, which provides real-time machine data
so that fleet managers and business owners can make in-
formed decisions on how they use and maintain their equip-
ment. The data can be delivered anywhere and on multiple
platforms, including tablets and mobile devices.
The D100x140 S3 also comes with the DigiTrak Aurora dis-
play, which is a touch-screen interface for horizontal drilling
that provides real-time locate information and enhances the
operator’s ability to monitor drill performance.
The D100x140 S3 offers two Firestick drill rod options—15
feet or 20 feet—to meet contractor preferences. The 15-
foot rod option is applicable for jobsites that may require a
smaller footprint, and those looking for maximum on-board
rod footage may consider the 20-foot rod. Firestick drill rods
have a one-piece construction for exceptional strength and
bend radius. Stackable rod boxes with a single pin design
and patent-pending auto-lock allow an additional rod to be
loaded from an upper rod box.
Service and maintenance accessibility was also a factor
in the design. A pivoting swing-out door provides access to
hydraulic components where the pump and filters can easily
be reached. A flip-up panel provides access to the engine
bay, and a separate enclosure contains the battery, fuses, and
controller.
Terramac Signs SMS Equipment as
First Canadian Dealer
T
erramac LLC, a
manufacturer of
innovative rubber
track crawler carriers, has
added SMS Equipment Inc.,
headquartered in Acheson,
Alberta, to its dealer net-
work. The newest dealer in Terramac’s dealer network—and
the first Canadian dealer—SMS Equipment provides sales,
rentals, applications expertise, and parts and service support
for the Terramac RT9 crawler carrier throughout Canada.