Akkerman Inc. Celebrates 45 Years, Hosts Three-Day Educational Series
Akkerman Inc. hosted approximately 100 customers and industry professionals at its Brownsdale, Minnesota facility, for a three-day event in celebration of its 45-year anniversary.
Taking place Sept. 18-20, Akktoberfest featured educational sessions, equipment training, demonstrations and factory tours.
RELATED: Akkerman Inc. Marks 40 Years
The equipment demonstrations included three 240A Guided Boring Systems with original P100D diesel, P100E electric, and the new Tier IV P4075D power packs; a 240A jacking frame and rock drill adapter with TriHawk drill bit set-up for guided rock auger boring on Michael Byrne Mfg.’s new D42-700 Auger Boring Machine; and a GBM 4800 Series Jacking Frame with the High Torque Casing Adapter for direct casing installation alongside a 36-in. Rock Boring Unit.
Displays included weld-on reaming heads, high thrust bearing Guide Rod Swivels, a variety of GBM upsizing tools, bentonite and lubrication pumps, several TT Technologies, Inc. pneumatic pipe hammers, Logan Clay jacking pipe, the SLS 50/100 sliplining system with a HOBAS pipe section, a peripheral drive SL86P microtunnel boring machine, microtunneling control containers, Akkerman Bentonite Injection System, AZ100 Total Guidance System, and complete Tunnel Boring System with a TBM 540. Guest were also able to preview the GBM Guidance System with data logging capabilities of thrust pressure, rotation pressure, target images and the number of pilot tubes installed.
RELATED: The Burrard Street Trenchless Crossing in Vancouver, British Columbia
Sept. 18 and 19 featured guided boring machine (GBM), microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) and tunnel boring machine (TBM) hands-on equipment Training led by Akerman’s field technicians and a Trenchless Technical Seminar.
The Trenchless Technical Seminar covered:
- ASCE’s guided boring best practices by Jeff Boschert, P.E. with NCPI
- Effective site investigation by Robert Martin, P.E., Jacobs
- Guided auger boring and pipe ramming with Jim Weist, Michael Byrne Mfg. and Rick Melvin of TT Technologies Inc.
- Guided boring with clay pipe by David Gill, Logan Clay Pipe
- Sliplining with Gabriel Castelblanco, HOBAS
- ASCE microtunneling guidelines by Dr. Glenn Boyce, McMillen Jacobs Associates
- Lubrication by Yovani Zelaya, LAN Inc. and Weston Alberts, Akkerman
- The AZ100 TGS guidance system by Troy Stokes and Brad Wheeler, Akkerman
On Sept. 20, Akktoberfest attendees enjoyed tours, demonstrations, and a contractor’s roundtable throughout the day and the evening’s 45th Akkotberfest Celebration with German and local Minnesota fare and beverages, and a private concert by Martin Zellar and the Hardways.
Dr. Glenn Boyce, McMillen Jacobs Associates, and Maynard Akkerman, president and CEO Akkerman Inc., at Akktoberfest 2018.
During his remarks, Maynard Akkerman, CEO and president, reflected on how it’s been his privilege to be a part of this industry and see it flourish over the years.
“My father started D.H. Akkerman Construction Company in the 1950s, and later designed the first Akkerman 360 Tunnel Boring Machine in 1963 to fulfill his own need to install pipe on a project crossing. Our roots as a contractor is one of the key points that distinguishes us from our competition; we’ve been there, and even today we continue to garner contractor feedback to inform our equipment designs,” Akkerman said. “I’m so proud of how far we’ve come, and all the amazing innovation offered in our products today. Our success is thanks to our highly-skilled team and their dedication to producing the best pipe jacking and tunneling equipment and the continued faith and loyalty of our valued customers.”
Established in 1973, Akkerman develops, manufactures and supports advanced guided boring, microtunneling, pipe jacking, sliplining and tunneling underground construction solutions that accurately install 4-in. through 14-ft pipe diameters for a broad range of ground conditions and project challenges. Akkerman systems are available for purchase, lease-to-purchase or rent.
SOURCE – Akkerman Inc.