April 2013 Past Issues/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Advertise
UPCOMING EVENTS

April 30, 2013
GLAO & Inland Joint Territory Meeting Hosted by Multiquip, Carson, CA more...

May 1, 2013
CRA Obama Care Workshop, Santa Fe Springs, CA more...

May 15, 2013
CRA Obama Care Workshop, Concord, CA more...

July 16-17, 2013
CRA Board of Directors Meeting, Pismo Beach, CA

July 17-21, 2013
CRA RV Campout at Lake Lopez , Arroyo Grande, CA more...

August 23, 2013
San Diego Territory of CRA – Annual Golf Tournament, Carlsbad, CA

October 1-3, 2013
The Demo Expo ICUEE, Louisville, KY more...

January 13-15, 2014
CRA Rental Rally, Pomona, CA more..
H.G. Makelim and MBW, Inc., will be exhibiting at the show.

January 21-24, 2014
World of Concrete Las Vegas, NV more...

See CRA's Calendar page for more information on CRA's upcoming events.
 
VENDOR NEWS
CRA is happy to announce that MBW, Inc., has reserved booth space for the CRA Rental Rally on January 14 and 15, 2014, in Pomona, CA. Since 1967, MBW has been manufacturing one of the construction industry's most interesting lines of compaction, concrete and related equipment. What makes the MBW line interesting?
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Robinson Oil Corporation, a CRA Service Valued Provider, has donated the $1,172 the company made in 2012 selling paper bags at its Rotten Robbie convenience stores and gas stations to Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. San Jose's single-use plastic bag ban requires stores to charge consumers 10 cents for a paper bag if they don't bring their own reusable bags.
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Tidewater Sail Cloth Tents by Aztec Tents is now available at its 60th rental location in more than 25 states coast to coast. The success and popularity of more elegant outdoor tenting solutions for the event industry, has necessitated proportionate growth within the Tidewater Sail Cloth Tents dealer network. "The announcement of the 60th location of Tidewater Tent Dealers is a testament to the feedback of our customers," said Alex Kouzmanoff, vice president of Aztec Tents. "We are responding to our customer’s increasing demand for sailcloth tents stemming from the increased popularity of outdoor events and the growing desire to create a one-of-a-kind elevated experience," he said.
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Mi-T-M Corporation announces the addition of a Kohler powered pressure washer to its cold water Premium Series line. This new diesel belt drive model features 3000 PSI of cleaning power and is ideal for the shipping, oil and mining industries where diesel power is required for a deep thorough clean.
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One of the best Genie® products just got better with the introduction of the new Genie® ZX™-135/70 articulating boom. The 135-foot (41-meter) boom has been significantly redesigned, with important improvements in reliability, performance, operator features and serviceability. The Genie ZX-135/70 is already in production and available for purchase in all worldwide markets.
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With the many ideas and updates constantly going around at the Point-of-Rental headquarters in Grand Prairie, TX, the company has come up with a new tagline, "Innovation you need. Software you trust." The tagline will spearhead the company’s overall marketing message and campaign, adding to their position as "The Leader in Rental Management Software."
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The John Deere 50G and 60G Compact Excavators are the newest models to join the G-Series line after the introduction of the 35G at World of Concrete 2013. The 50G and 60G units feature a wide variety of improvements, many of which affect the cab design to improve visibility, operator comfort and thus productivity. These new models are particularly well suited for the rental, commercial/residential building, landscaping, underground and site development segments.
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On April 8, Kubota Corporation announced the grand opening of its new $73 million manufacturing facility at Kubota Industrial Equipment (KIE) in Jefferson, GA. The 522,000-square-foot plant on the 88-acre site recently began production of Kubota's 30- to 50-horsepower compact tractor models. The grand opening event was co-sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation, the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota tractors and equipment.
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Doosan Portable Power recently donated $4,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Charlotte Affiliate. Susan G. Komen is the leading breast cancer awareness and research organization in the U.S. The donation is part of a broader effort by Doosan Portable Power to support Susan G. Komen and efforts to increase breast cancer awareness. In 2011, Doosan Portable Power created a line of pink products – a P185 air compressor, G25 mobile generator and LSC light tower – which dealers had the opportunity to purchase in support of the cause. Doosan Portable Power also offers a line of pink merchandise with 10 percent of proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To date, Doosan Portable Power donations have totaled more than $10,000.
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BUSINESS NEWS
The California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition including local chambers of commerce and statewide employer groups are supporting legislation that aims to stop drive-by lawsuits. AB 227 (Gatto; D-Los Angeles) is a job creator that protects small businesses from drive-by lawsuits by providing a 14-day right to cure for allegations of a failure to post a Proposition 65 warning.
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The California Chamber of Commerce released its annual list of "job killer" bills last week, calling attention to the negative impact that 32 proposed measures would have on California’s job climate and economic recovery if they were to become law. "California policy makers should keep their focus on the number one issues affecting their constituents – economic recovery and job creation," said CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. "Each of these proposed job killer bills would increase uncertainty for employers and investors and lead to higher costs of doing business, which will undermine the economic health of the state."
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The following article by State Senator Anthony Cannella of California's 12th District, appeared on foxandhoundsdaily on April 12 and discusses Senate Bill 11 and Assembly Bill 8.
A bipartisan group of legislators and an unprecedented coalition of varied stakeholder groups have come together to advance a legislative package (Senate Bill 11 and Assembly Bill 8) that provides regulatory relief and certainty to our business community, while also protecting the environment by providing grants to offset the purchase of new agricultural equipment, clean cars and manufacturing machinery.
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The U.S. average retail price for a gallon of regular gasoline has fallen for six consecutive weeks since hitting its 2013 year-to-date peak of $3.78 per gallon in late February. Early in 2013, increasing crude oil prices and strong seasonal crack spreads led to an increase in retail gasoline prices. However, in recent weeks, both of those pressures have abated, and retail prices have declined to $3.61 per gallon. In the April 2013 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that for the summer (April through September) driving season, regular-grade gasoline retail prices will average $3.63 per gallon, similar to the current price level. Last summer that average was $3.69 per gallon. Daily and weekly national average prices can differ significantly from monthly and seasonal averages, and there are also significant regional differences, with prices in some areas exceeding the national average by 25 cents per gallon or more.
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The following is from Mark Breslin, CEO of United Contractors, the largest exclusively union-affiliated contractors association in California, and appeared on foxandhoundsdaily.com on April 12.
I am a bottom line, hard-nosed, results oriented, fiscally conservative CEO. And I represent hundreds of business leaders with the same profile. And what do we all have in common? We all support prevailing wages as a way of building California infrastructure. Prevailing wage laws provide a stable platform for attracting and retaining professional construction talent, a method of assuring quality for taxpayers in project construction and delivery; and a cost to value ratio that appeals to my "What am I really getting for my money?" CEO sensibility.
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CARB
All diesel-fueled trucks, buses, trailers and transportation refrigeration units operating in California, including those based out of state, have requirements to reduce air pollution and improve the state's overall air quality. Staff has summarized common reporting and rule issues on the Diesel Hotline's Frequently Asked Questions and for more specific help, see our Icon saying "NEW example fleets for owners of 1 to 3 trucks page." If you continue to have difficulty, call the Diesel Hotline at 866-6DIESEL (866-634-3735) or send an email to 8666DIESEL@arb.ca.gov. In addition to English, our operators can answer questions in Spanish and Punjabi.
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This area of the Off-Road Mobile Sources website pertains to off-road large spark-ignition (LSI) equipment greater than 25 horsepower and powered by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other alternate fuels – forklifts, airport service vehicles, large turf care equipment, portable generators, and other agricultural, construction and industrial equipment. ARB has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authorization to enforce the Large Spark-Ignition Engine Fleet Requirements Regulation (LSI Fleet Regulation), including the fleet average emission level standards. Enforcement Advisory 441 announces that all provisions of the LSI Fleet Regulation are enforceable and that ARB intends to commence enforcement of all its requirements. ARB has updated the LSI Fleet Regulation tutorial to reflect regulatory changes that were adopted in December 2010. These changes became effective December 14, 2011.
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What's New? By March 1, 2013, large fleets must submit a signed Responsible Official Affirmation of Reporting (ROAR) to ARB. By the same date, large fleets must designate appropriate vehicles as low-use for 2012, and submit hour meter readings. Also, as of March 1, 2013, fleets will no longer have the ability to use the "Oops Unsell" or "Oops Restore" features for vehicles and engines removed in 2012. Similarly, fleets will no longer be able to move vehicles among fleets in their DOORS account using the "Reassign Vehicle" function, nor to change how their fleet portions are aggregated using the "Aggregate Fleet" function. Fleets under common ownership or control must decide now if/how they want to apportion themselves and ensure that parent fleets are reported properly.
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In December 2011, major amendments to the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation, which include delaying the first compliance date to no earlier than January 1, 2014, became effective. The changes to the regulation are reflected in the fact sheets, advisories and answers to frequently asked questions available on ...
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The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks must be retrofitted with PM filters beginning January 1, 2012, and older trucks must be replaced starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent. The regulation applies to nearly all privately and federally owned diesel fueled trucks and buses and to privately and publicly owned school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds. Small fleets with three or fewer diesel trucks can delay compliance for heavier trucks by reporting and there are a number of extensions for low-mileage construction trucks, early PM filter retrofits, adding cleaner vehicles and other situations.
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The Truck and Bus Regulation will reduce diesel exhaust emissions from privately owned and federal government diesel trucks and buses. Privately and publicly owned school buses have different requirements and do not need to be reported. This CARB site has the Truck Regulations Upload and Compliance Reporting System (TRUCRS) and was last reviewed February 8, 2013.
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Owners or operators of portable engines and certain other types of equipment can register their units under the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) in order to operate their equipment throughout California without having to obtain individual permits from local air districts. Revisions were made to the PERP Regulation and Portable Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) which became effective on February 19, 2011. All holders of PERP Registrations are now subject to these requirements. On July 1, 2012, to apply for initial registration in PERP, all non-flex diesel engines rated 50 bhp and above must be certified to the interim Tier 4 emission standard. The fleet standards from the Portable Engine ATCM take effect January 1, 2013.
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The small off-road engine (SORE) category consists of off-road spark-ignition engines below 25 horsepower, including small utility equipment, lawn mowers and weed trimmers. This category does not include compression-ignition engines, watercraft or recreational vehicles. ARB has a page on its website that includes general information regarding small off-road engines and ARB's SORE program. Click on "Learn More" to access this page.
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The ARB's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program were adopted into law in 1988 to control excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. The regulations, title 13 CCR, sections 2180-2189 for HDVIP, and title 13 CCR, sections 2190-2194 for PSIP, governing these programs were last amended in 2007. The HDVIP program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering, and engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation.
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Driving Toward a Cleaner California (DTCC) is a coalition of owner-operators, farmers, construction contractors and other business and community leaders committed to working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to craft a sensible truck and bus replacement rule that both cleans the air and keeps California's economy moving forward.
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Jenkins Insurance Group - Corporate Offices
EDCO, Inc.
MI-T-M
Allied Insurance Brokers, Inc.
calrental.org

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