Here Comes Terex

Building With Biomass

 

When Terex Materials Processing (MP) purchased the assets of Continental Biomass Industries (CBI) in April, many around the industry wondered what kind of direction was in store for CBI, a company that had thrived in the wood, biomass and recycling markets since 1988. Nearly three months since the acquisition, the dust has settled and it’s becoming clear how well CBI fits into the plans of Terex MP, a business segment of Terex Corp.

For years, Terex MP was active in the wood processing industry by selling trommels and screens but it was not until 2011 when it finally entered the wood chipper market. Terex MP purchased Woodsman that year, thus launching what is now called Terex Environmental Equipment (TEE). Acquiring the Michigan-based wood chipper manufacturer was a significant step in TEE’s development but it would take a company of CBI’s caliber to give TEE a mobile product line that could compete worldwide. Otherwise, it would take years to design and manufacture the machines in-house.

CBI defined the biomass processing industry with world-class machinery and equipment designed around customer preferences. CBI’s equipment is designed and purpose-built to handle the demanding materials and various applications within the markets of forestry, construction and demolition debris, municipal solid waste, biofuel, pulp and paper, sawmill, mulch and green waste.

“Over the last few years, Terex has looked at a lot of potential acquisitions and one of the main attractions of CBI was its product and brand reputation,” says TEE Business Line Director Tony Devlin. “The throughput and reliability of CBI products is legendary and we really wanted to buy a company that has the best products. The team at CBI is a passionate bunch and that really impressed us. They are very tightly engaged with customers and understanding of their requirements.”

“Terex is the perfect partner to take the CBI brand to the next level,” adds CBI Managing Director Anders Ragnarsson. “When you put together Terex’s global talent and established distribution channels with CBI’s strong product development, service and custom design capabilities, I can see very good results for the near future.”

Founded by Ragnarsson in 1988, CBI has spearheaded the advancements of grinding, chipping and shredding to make material recovery and recycling profitable for machine owners. For past and current customers accustomed to CBI’s bright yellow machines, Ragnarsson reassures that the colors may change on a few machines but that the company’s commitment to quality will never be compromised.

“The level of quality we put into our machines will never change,” Ragnarsson says. “Whether it’s the design phase, structuring the frame or applying the last coat of paint, we will never compromise quality. That’s the way we’ve always done it and that’s the way we’ll continue to do so.”

Under the TEE division, CBI is joined by the Ecotec Range and the Tree Care Range. A wide selection of CBI machines will be available to the North American market under the Ecotec Range, which includes industrial grinders such as the CBI Magnum Force 5400B (Terex Biomass Grinder TBG 635), 5800B (TBG 650), 6400B (TBG 660) and 6800B (TBG 680). The TBG 635, TBG 635T and TBG 650 are each powered by the Caterpillar C18, 765 HP diesel engine, while the TBG 660 and TBG 680 are powered by the Caterpillar C27, 1,050 HP diesel engine.

Terex Team

As for the chipper line, the CBI Magnum Force 484B (TBC 435) will also be available. The machine models come standard with a Caterpillar C18, 765 HP diesel engine.

Each of the grinders and chippers mentioned will be painted in Terex gray and white and manufactured out of CBI’s Newton, NH headquarters.

“One of the main reasons that TEE has been formed is that the biomass and recycling market is large and growing,” Devlin says. “As the world wants to move away from its dependency for fossil fuels and natural resources become more precious, this will mean that developed and developing countries will exploit the potential of biomass energy.”

“We’re in the process of establishing a Terex Ecotec dealer network in North America and the addition of CBI machines to the product offering has generated a significant amount of interest,” says Art Murphy, the North American sales director for Terex Ecotec. “At the time CBI was acquired by Terex, we had three machines just coming off the production line and all those machines have been sold into the dealer network.”

Emerald Equipment based out of New York and Powerscreen of Texas each purchased a TBG 680 grinder and a TBC 435 chipper was sold through the factory dealership servicing New England. “We’re ramping up production to meet additional dealer inventory demands and we’re well on our way to having dealer coverage throughout North America,” Murphy adds.

As for the CBI division, grinders such as the Magnum Force 8800 and the Regrind Pro XL 406 will be continued as well as the grinder/chipper combinations of the 5400 Multiflex and 8400. New models such as the CBI 7544 Flail & Disc chipper and the AirMax material separator will be available as well. CBI will meet the high-capacity, full-feature needs of recycling, wood processing and biomass customers, including custom-engineered solutions, where appropriate. CBI products will be represented by a direct sales force, which will work in collaboration with TEE and other Terex distribution to maximize market potential.

Major changes are expected for CBI’s facility in Newton as well. As it stands now, the facility operates at 64,000 sq. ft. with 32,000 sq. ft. designated for machine production. CBI Shop Foreman Paul Crinklaw, a 23-year CBI employee, is actively involved in discussions focused on upgrading the facility. There are hopes to begin the construction later this year.

“I’ve seen this company steadily develop since I first came on board,” Crinklaw says. “There’s been talks about building a new weld shop that would also be conjoined by a new paint shop. Together, those shops would make for a 32,000 sq. ft. facility. Also, we’d be converting space within the existing production shop into two new manufacturing bays for increased productivity.

“Our labor force would increase because of that,” he continues. “It’s funny because I remember when this place wasn’t much more than a few pickup trucks. I never thought I’d get to see CBI get to where it is today and I’m glad I can be a part of it. We’re excited about meeting the Terex standard.”

Terex, which has invested approximately $4 billion in more than 40 strategic acquisitions since 1994, carries more than 18,000 employees across the globe. The lifting and material handling solutions company operates in five separate business segments including aerial work platforms, construction, cranes, material handling and port solutions and materials processing. Industries that Terex’s business segments cater to are construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, shipping, transportation, refining, energy, utility, quarrying and mining.

Article submitted by Terex.