Posted on Mon, Nov 12, 2012 @ 02:21 PM
"Some Heroes Wear Capes. Others Wear Hard Hats."
A Tribute to Our Customers: Crews Across the U.S. and Canada Join Forces in Wake of Hurricane Sandy
The aftermath of Storm Sandy has left millions without power. As communities pick up the pieces to get life back to normal, others are leaving their home turfs to help in the wake of the storm.
Utility line crews from around the country—and even Canada—have traveled to restore lives in the Northeast. From California to Georgia and across the Midwest, these heroes are on the line to help make the Northeast feel like home again. More than 3,000 extra bucket trucks have staked ground to trim trees, sweep debris and repair power lines.
Altec thanks all the crews teaming up in an effort to clear the destruction and rebuild. In support of all our customers and the crews putting their lives on the line, Altec stands at the ready with 24/7 mobile service and technicians and supervisors on standby to respond to all customer service needs. Customers can also fill out a contact form. Call 877-GO-ALTEC for parts or service while at the job site.
Staged and Ready to Go
Photo Courtesy of Con Edison Facebook Page
A bucket truck from Southern California Edison being unloaded from a C5 Transport is ready for dispatch to those in need. Responding to a request from New York's Consolidated Edison, SCE sent more than 70 units and 120 line workers to the Northeast. Plans originally called for a ground convoy, which could have taken up to four days. To expedite the mission, President Barack Obama requested an airlift to get the mission underway. Our partners at Con Edison and Southern Cal Edison are dedicated to restoring power after Hurricane Sandy.
Photo Courtesy of BGE Facebook Page
With the help from linemen and contractors from throughout the country, Baltimore General Electric has more than 5,600 people covering the New York and New Jersey area. Crews from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, MIssouri, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas have traveled to the Northeast to restore power to BGE's customers. More than 90 percent of customers are expected to have power restored by Friday night, Nov.2. The remainder will be restored throughout the weekend. Click here for more details from BGE.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Power Facebook Page
Striving for safety and efficiency, the crew from Georgia Power takes a few much-needed hours of sleep before going back to restore the power and normalcy to families and businesses throughout the Northeast. Crews from Georgia Power have shown true dedication to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Photo Courtesy of Florida Power and Light Facebook Page
Florida Power and Light dispatched 2,400 linemen from Florida and West Georgia to restore power to customers shortly after Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the East Coast of Florida on Oct. 26. FPL also sent a caravan from Bradenton, FL to assist utilities in the Washington-Baltimore area. Deploying more than 860 employees and contractor restoration workers in 250 trucks, FPL continues to work tirelessly to support seven different utilities from Virginia to New Jersey with restoration efforts.
Photo Courtesy of PG&E
After the storm's landfall, Pacific Gas and Electric sent more than 150 linemen and bucket trucks to help restore power to many areas of New York including the Bronx and Manhattan boroughs. PG&E joined efforts with Con Edison, which serves most of New York City and Westchester County. The utility reported about 800,000 customers without power. To read more about PG&E's recovery efforts, click here.
Grateful Customers
Photo Courtesy of Mississippi Power Facebook Page
Children staying at a hotel with Mississippi Power crew members made the trip a little more bearable to men and women unable to spend Halloween with their own children. It's the appreciation and hospitality of everyone that make the job worth the sacrifice.
Photo Courtesy of SCE Facebook Page
The nor'easter brought fresh snow on already weakened tree limbs, resulting in more outages for the Northeast coastline. Crews and customers made the best of a bad situation by having a little fun in the snow.
The Restoration
Photos Courtesy of Pepco Facebook Page
With the help of more than 2,000 employees, contractors and out-of-state mutual assistance personnel, Pepco restored power to more than 130,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Photo Courtesy of Jersey Central Power and Light Facebook Page
Hurricane Sandy caused widespread destruction in the areas serviced by Jersey Central Power and Light. As of Fri., Nov. 2, crews replaced approximately 2,400 spans of wire and 200 transformers. With the arrival of the nor'easter on Nov. 7, heavy snow and high winds resulted in an additional 120,000 power outages in the JCP&L service territory. Due to infrastructure damage in the area, about 30,000 customers on the barrier islands and in shoreline communities are still without power. JCP&L is working with local, state and federal officials to develop a full recovery plan for that area. A lot of work is still in the forecast, but these crews are committed to safe, efficient power restoration.
Photo Courtesy of Orlando Utilities Commission Facebook Page
Orlando Utilities Commission works hard to restore power in McHenry, MD. McHenry received several inches of snow in the days following the landfall of Hurricane Sandy. Teaming up with FirstEnergy Corp., the crews from OUC are hard at work to warm the homes of residents living in the Maryland and New Jersey areas. To learn more about OUC's restoration efforts, take a look at this video.
Photo Courtesy of Georgia Power Facebook Page
Crews from Georgia Power fix a downed power line in Bel Air, MD. Georgia power has aided in restoration to residents of Maryland, New Jersey and New York following Hurricane Sandy. Georgia Power's Facebook page has received a lot of kudos and supportive posts from happy customers thankful to have their power back.
Photo courtesy of Gainesville Regional Utilities Facebook Page
Gainesville Regional Utilities sent 22 line workers, 10 bucket trucks and two digger derricks to Moonatchie, NJ; Long Island, NY; and the New York City suburb of Paramus to aid in restoration following the power outages accrued by the storms. Despite many downed, live power lines in the area, the crews are working as fast and safely as possible to restore power to Public Service Electric and Gas' customers. The crew is expected to be in the affected areas for at least another two to three weeks. To read more about GRE's recovery efforts, click here.
Photos Courtesy of Gulf Power Facebook Page
Gulf Power sent 48 line personnel and 22 support staff to help Pennsylvania Electric Company restore power to their 420,000 customers. In addition to the 48 linemen, Gulf Power's 14-man evaluator team was dispatched to Summersville, WV and will be working for First Energy's Mon Power. After a week of aiding PECO, Gulf Power crews traveled to New Jersey to assist Public Service Electric and Gas Company who, as of Tue., Nov. 6, still had 310,000 customers without power.
Posted on Fri, Nov 09, 2012 @ 10:10 AM
When you’re on the line, we’ve got you covered. To guard operators at the job site, Altec’s patented ISO-Grip Control System—a high-electrical resistance, single-handle controller—supplies a secondary level of protection against electrical current.
The Altec ISO-Grip is a standard user-friendly feature on all Altec insulated aerial devices to provide limited insulation between the control handle and the upper control valve. It features an integral interlock and interlock guard. These industry-leading safety features meet ANSI A92.2 requirements for upper controls, which incorporate High Electrical Resistance Components (HERCs).
The single-handle control component is colored green to visually identify it as containing (HERCs). In order to keep the ISO-Grip at its full potential, Altec recommends the system be kept clean and dry, in good condition, and be periodically tested to maintain its limited protection in the event of accidental electrical contact.
Note: Although ISO-Grip does offer improved dielectric protection for the operator, it is not intended to replace safe work practices or primary protection such as personal protection equipment (rubber gloves and sleeves), hot sticks, or conductor cover-up.
Benefits of the Altec ISO-Grip Control System:
- Limited secondary dielectric protection for the operator.
- User-friendly: Simple simultaneous operation of multiple boom functions.
- Meets the ANSI A92.2 2009 requirements for HERC upper controls.
- Confirmation Tested to A92.2 Section 5.4.2.6.
- Testable to A92.2 Section 5.4.3.6 to maintain secondary dielectric properties.
- Secondary control coverage with non-conductive replaceable boots, color coded blue to indicate they are not dielectrically tested.
- Interlock Guard reduces the potential for inadvertent boom movement.
For more information about the Altec ISO-Grip Control System, call 800-958-2555. To learn more about safety procedures and training, contact Altec Sentry at 205-408-8260 or email
sentrypost@altec.com.
Posted on Wed, Aug 08, 2012 @ 08:29 AM
When severe storms ravage across the United States, dumping rain and snow and strikes of lightning; when floods consume our streets and wind takes down our power lines, it is our linemen that stand up for our safety.
These are the individuals that affect every part of our daily lives. From the lights at work and warmth in our homes, to the life-saving machines in hospitals; it’s these workers that keep our world going. These are our heroes.
Our customer, Blue Ridge EMC, help say it best who the real heroes are:
Posted on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 @ 10:41 AM
What began as an idea among business partners is now a roaring manufacturing facility bringing jobs and green practices to the Sacramento Valley and entire state of California.
As more than 300 guests, including customers, associates, and area political leaders gathered for a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony in the newly constructed 42,400 square-foot assembly plant in Dixon, CA, on April 24, the excitement was contagious. From the hands that build our equipment to the sales and marketing team, Altec associates were proud to introduce the new facility to our customers.
Customer First.
Altec received significant guidance and support on the development of this new green-focused facility from two of its customers – Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and Southern California Edison. The new facility in Dixon allows Altec the opportunity to increase manufacturing of our Green Fleet line of products—the industry’s leading energy-saving utility vehicles. Customer PG&E and Altec are in partnership to develop innovative, technologically advanced Green Fleet utility vehicles. These energy efficient Green Fleet vehicles provide a safer work environment for utility crews; significantly reduce emissions, and lower vehicle operating costs while extending vehicle life.
Environmental Stewardship.
The brand new facility features state-of-the-art sustainable construction and exceeds Title 24 energy and lighting codes. Sustainability remains at the forefront of the way Altec does business, including company-wide recycling programs and manufacturing processes. At Altec, we strive to generate environmental stewardship solutions that contribute to sustainable change and economic growth.
Job Expansion.
Plans call for Altec to create about 100 new jobs with the opening of the facility. Additional jobs may eventually be added based on production growth and the expanded use of Green Fleet equipment in California and surrounding regions.
“Altec is committed to sustainable solutions,” said Lee Styslinger III, Altec Chairman and CEO. “That commitment to sustainability is reflected not only in the products we build, but also in the facilities where we build them. We are genuinely excited about expanding our capabilities and presence in California to better serve and support the growing needs of our customers on the West Coast. In addition, we are pleased to be bringing jobs and economic growth to the region. Altec is also committed to helping rebuild a strong manufacturing base in the U.S., and our new green-focused facility in California is a reflection of that commitment."
View more images from the Grand Opening on our Facebook page, facebook.com/Altec.
Posted on Wed, Jun 06, 2012 @ 04:06 PM
Altec’s commitment to customers goes beyond just the investment in designing and manufacturing safe and innovative equipment—we are dedicated to keeping crews safe on the job. The Altec Sentry program was created to train operators of Altec equipment, using the highest safety standards to prevent on-the-job injuries and fatalities.
To date, Altec Sentry, a division of Altec, Inc., has trained more than 500 companies and 20,000 workers on safety practices for the electric utility, telecommunications and contractor industries. They also held 63 “best practice seminars” and trained 835 OSHA staff.
Altec Sentry is committed to providing the most up-to-date training available. We recently released an updated Insulating Aerial Device program that focuses on OSHA, ANSI and Industry changes. The new phase handling module specifically addresses the changes that occurred in the new ANSI A92.2 standard released in late 2009. Also updated is our Tree Care Aerial Device program in anticipation of the new ANSI Z133 standard to be released later this year. Altec Sentry’s Digger Derrick program is currently being revised to adhere to the new OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1400 standard and will be released late summer/early fall. Later this year we will offer a Digger Derrick certification program through NCCCO.
“Safety has always been our top priority at Altec,” says Lee Styslinger III, Chairman and CEO of Altec, Inc. “Altec Sentry is a vital component to the way we do business by supporting and caring for our customers.”
Altec Sentry offers training designed to help employers train and certify equipment operators on the safe and proper operation of aerial devices (insulating, non-insulating and tree care), digger derricks, chippers, and cranes.
To learn more about the Altec Sentry program, visit altec.com/sentry or call (205) 408-8260.
Altec Sentry is a division of Altec, Inc.—A leading equipment and service provider for the electric utility, lights and signs, telecommunications, tree care and contractor markets. The company provides products and services in more than 100 countries throughout the world.
Contact:
Valerie Davis
(205) 639-3761
valerie.davis@altec.com
www.altec.com
Posted on Wed, Apr 18, 2012 @ 10:29 AM
At Altec, we are committed to sustainable solutions and continuous improvement. This commitment to sustainability is reflected throughout our company — in the products we build, the facilities in which we build them and in the way we do business. For more than 80 years, Altec has maintained strong values focused on our customers and associates, and we believe it is crucial to protect our shared environment.
As a company, we make conscious business decisions that meet the needs of the present, without compromising the future. We consistently strive to contribute to a healthier environment by keeping sustainability at the forefront of engineering and research, production and manufacturing processes, and all other aspects of our business.
Altec is the industry leader for sustainability efforts and is dedicated to listening and creating solutions. That’s why we acknowledge the tremendous challenges and opportunities our customers face and aspire to responsibly care for the environment and the communities in which we operate. Altec’s allegiance is evident in the development of numerous sustainability initiatives:
- The Industry’s First Green-Focused Facility. Located in Dixon, CA, Altec products are manufactured in a plant that features state-of-the-art sustainable construction that exceeds Title 24 energy and lighting codes.
- Meeting Customer Needs. Our Green Fleet product line decreases fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while lowering noise pollution. In partnership with the Department of energy, electric Partners Research Institute, CALSTART hybrid Truck Users Forum and others, we offer a range of hybrid/electric and job-site energy management systems, along with recycled lightweight materials and alternative fuels.
- Facilities and Processes. each Altec facility has established procedures and environmental management programs and actively engages in recycling steel, copper and aluminum, as well as consumer recyclables. The installation of powder coat and e-coat paint systems has substantially reduced solid waste volume and air emissions, and energy-efficient lighting has replaced traditional lighting in all facilities.
By creating products and implementing sustainability initiatives and manufacturing processes to reduce our environmental footprint and build a healthier environment, Altec has established a sound environmental protection approach. We support sustainability throughout our products’ life cycles and strive to generate environmental stewardship solutions that contribute to sustainable change and economic growth.
Lee J. Styslinger III
Chairman and CEO
More information about the Create, Grow, Sustain 2012 Report
View Video Below:
Posted on Tue, Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:30 PM
On behalf of the Altec-UES Charity Golf Outing, and the 21st Annual IBEW Utah Lineman Rodeo, we hope you will join us this year for our second shot at a great golf event. It will be another great day of fellowship, networking and most importantly, an opportunity to support a very important cause, The University of Utah Burn Center Burn Camp!
This year we will be dedicating the tournament to the memory of a great and devoted Utah Lineman and avid supporter of the Burn Center, William J. “Doc” Weaver. Doc was at the inaugural event last year, and those of you that knew him well, know he would come back and play again if he could!
Last year’s tournament raised $6000, and combined with the lineman’s rodeo we all helped to raise over $23,000 for the Burn Center! Everyone is welcome, so please come join us.
This year’s event will again take place at the finest public golf course in Utah, The Old Mill. The tournament is on Friday June 1st beginning at 7:30am shotgun start.
Included in this package is a registration form. Please fill it out and submit as indicated. Tournament rules and other items will be available the day of the event.
Thanks for your support!
Posted on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 @ 11:53 AM
For over 80 years, Altec has been providing quality equipment for the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, construction, lights and signs and related industries. As a worldwide company, Altec provides equipment and services throughout Canada’s many Provinces and Territories. Our three Canadian facilities in Milton, ON, Surrey, B.C. and Winnipeg, Manitoba, combined with their mobile service program and network of allied service centers, provide coast-to-coast support to the many Altec units operating in Canada.
Our reputation has continued to prosper as more companies realize the quality and convenience they receive when purchasing from Altec. With direct sales teams, Altec is able to deliver custom units directly to the customer that meet their specific needs. Altec also offers used equipment through Altec NUECO, rental equipment through GLOBAL Rental, financing and leasing through Altec CAPITAL and parts and services through Altec SUPPLY.
Altec is truly a “one-stop shop” for bucket trucks, cranes, digger derricks and chippers, along with the parts, services, tools and accessories associated with these units.
Please visit our products page for a complete inventory of the equipment we offer, or call 1-800-958-2555 to speak with a sales representative.
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 03:09 PM
Altec Capital’s focus is meeting your equipment financing needs. We realize you have many options when it comes to financing equipment, so at Altec Capital, we listen and understand our customers’ needs in order to get the best financing option. Customers choose Altec Capital because we not only provide financing, but we help manage and maintain their equipment. Although our core business is financing Altec products, we also finance light duty fleets. We offer a variety of flexible and affordable finance options that help you, our customer, improve cash flow while increasing overall profitability.
Other advantages of financing with Altec Capital include:
- Altec Capital Services is a “one-stop shop”, offering a single source solution for all your finance needs. No more managing multiple banking relationships!
- Competitive long-term rental rates under fair market value leases.
- ACS can manage the end-of-lease equipment disposition and replacement cycle.
- Innovative e-signature and web-based application process.
Together with Altec NUECO and Global Rental, we provide you with the most complete line of new & used bucket trucks, digger derricks, cranes and chippers.
We Do More Than Finance Your Equipment. We Build It. Please contact us today at (888) 408-8148 or visit www.alteccapital.com for more information on how we can provide financial solutions for your business.
Altec Capital Services is the industry leading and captive finance company for Altec, Inc. Because we understand each individual customer, Altec Capital offers the most convenient and economic financial solutions, making it possible for all customers to meet their equipment needs.
Posted on Thu, Apr 05, 2012 @ 10:54 AM
The Many Advantages of the Hybrid Bucket Truck!
Since the creation of the bucket truck, it has been powered by an internal combustion diesel engine. Despite the technological developments of the vehicle over the last several decades, the truck base and the diesel engine have remained the standard design. The diesel engine exclusively provides the power that allows the truck to drive and the hydraulic lift to work. Recently, due to the increasing cost of fuel, engineers have begun rethinking the traditional bucket design and have added an electric motor into the equation, giving birth to hybrid bucket trucks.
A version of this vehicle known as a hybrid bucket truck is equipped with not one engine but rather two different types of engines. Under the hood of this hybrid version is its main diesel engine that powers the transmission during on-road driving; an electric motor lies alongside the diesel engineer to power the truck's hydraulic system.
To find out more information about Altec Hybrid and Green technologies, go to AltecGreenFleet.com or follow them on twitter at @AltecGreenFleet.
Standard Bucket Truck:
With a standard design, the truck is equipped with a single high performance engine underneath the hood. The engine connects to the truck's transmission which in turn drives the differential during operation. A secondary shaft also called a PTO leads to the hydraulic pump and powers the hydraulic rams that move the lift into position during operation.
Another version of the standard bucket truck comes with an auxiliary internal combustion engine which is usually installed on one side of the truck's chassis. The auxiliary engine can either be a gasoline or a diesel engine. It's usually a smaller displacement engine with lower horsepower so it consumes a smaller amount of fuel. The auxiliary engine's role is to power the hydraulic system when the lift is in use.
Hybrid Bucket Truck:
As the name implies, the hybrid bucket truck is a combination of two power units in one vehicle. A diesel internal combustion engine sits under the front hood like any standard truck while an auxiliary electric motor is located under the mid chassis section and is connected to the hydraulic pump. The internal combustion engine drives the bucket truck on the road just like an average truck; however, when it comes to aerial tasks, the electric motor takes on the main role. Powered by a dozen high capacity battery packs, the electric motor can provide clean and efficient power to the hydraulic system for many hours. In situations where the length of the aerial job is beyond the battery capacity, the internal combustion engine will automatically take over the hydraulic pump while charging the batteries at the same time.
The Hybrid Advantage:
Although the hybrid bucket truck performs just like any standard one would, the use of an electric motor as the main driver for the trucks hydraulic pump results in advantages that aren't possible with a standard design.
- Fuel Efficient – One of the biggest concerns associated with a standard bucket truck is fuel consumption. With a regular design, the main engine or an auxiliary internal combustion engine has to keep running throughout the truck's length of operation, which means it is consuming fuel the entire time the boom is deployed. With a hybrid, the electric motor only consumes electricity stored in its batteries. When the battery is emptied, it can be charged automatically as the internal combustion engine takes over; alternatively, the batteries can be charged right off of a conventional power outlet overnight.
- Quiet Operation – Unlike internal combustion engines, an electric motor can run quietly without any background noise, so it doesn't disturb nearby houses or impede spoken communication between the aerial worker and the ground crew.
- Reduced Maintenance – An electric motor has fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine, so it doesn't require as frequent maintenance unlike auxiliary internal combustion engines.
- Eco-Friendly – The electric motor doesn't emit any harmful exhaust gases into the atmosphere so it is eco-friendly and doesn't pose any health risks to workers.
A bucket truck is in-demand equipment for just about any aerial job. Due to the increasing cost of fuel, many are hesitant to invest in one. If you are in need of one of these vehicles, a hybrid version is the perfect solution. It is economical and gets the job done just like any standard version. Hopefully this article has provided a thorough overview about the benefits of the hybrid bucket truck!