70 Coal People Magazine www.coalpeople.com

The Longwall USA Show in Pittsburgh this past June was another winner as coal people displayed their wares with great pride. Laughs, handshakes, hugs, and even a few kisses, highlighted the show as old friends gathered to tell jokes and conduct business in an atmosphere of friendliness. The fi rst day traffi c was steady, but not overwhelming. Still, most of the visitors were decision makers and that made for a productive day. The second day was much busier, although it is apparent that companies are sending fewer people due to these tough economic times.

All in all, a good, productive show.

Although the show was top-notch, there were some trying moments in between that tested the mettle of Coal People Magazine reps, Chuck, Lisa, Alan and Courtney.

Firstly, getting to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was no easy task. Just driving through Pittsburgh’s city of triangles is a fi erce challenge, but add to that with a parade and thousands of people milling around, celebrating the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup championship, and it becomes a monster drive. Roads were closed off, and show-goers were “detoured” from one triangle to another. It was particularly tough for exhibitors pulling trailers with booths, equipment, etc. Still, the team made it to the center, undaunted and ready for sales action.

Sorry to have missed Jack “The Licorice Stick Kid” Fink of Plymouth Bishop fame. Jack was bouncing around the show with a tag that said “Mary” Fink, so we’re not sure what his real name is. The “licorice stick kid” moniker comes honestly. Some years back when Jack was traveling the coal fi elds doing splicing work inside the mines, he noticed that most of the miners had a big “chaw” and, to keep up with the times, decided he was going to join them. However, tobacco made him sick so he opted for licorice sticks and fi lled his jaws with same. So while he was splicing cable for the miners, he was spitting away, unbeknownst by the miners that he was “chawing” on licorice.

He took a lot of razzing when this was revealed in Coal People’s version of STAR, but he handled it, just like the good sport that he is. Jack is one of the great people of the industry. We’re sorry to have missed him, at the show.

Another “in betweener” was an episode with Chuck and Lisa that ranks high as to how far a CPM sales person will go to meet a commitment with a client. Here’s how Lisa explains her “all wet”

happening:

“We were dressed and ready to attend the Bucyrus Oktoberfest at the Hofbrauhaus on South Water Street… appropriately named as this story unfolds.

We departed from the Omni Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh on a stormy night with sheets of rain pelting us and severe lightning cracking at us. We got in a cab and headed for Hofbrauhaus, a 15-minute trip.

About halfway there the roads looked questionable. Water was mounting and we weren’t sure if we should be driving through it. Our cab driver decided “we should” and through the water we went. He was an elderly man, a retired steelworker who only worked two days a week, and was clearly very nervous. Almost immediately, we were in trouble. The water was midway up to the doors on the cab and we started to fl oat, along with three other cars. The cab driver called 911.

When the EMS people arrived, they screamed in loud, annoying voices for us to “get out of the car. Now.” To add to the misery, a power line was down and the fear shifted from the water to possible electrocution. Yikes! WE waded through

71AUGUST Bluefield Coal Show Pre-Show Issue

the mid-thigh water and got into an emergency vehicle. It was a crazy scene with sirens blaring from all directions. A tow truck removed the cab and the driver rode with him. There wasn’t room for us in the tow truck, so we were stranded. The cab driver apologized and promised to return in his own car and pick us up.

EMS vehicles were being called in every direction. We weren’t locals so we had no one to call. They just left us there. We were stranded under the Birmingham Bridge like a couple of trolls, with the heavy rain and lightning as severe as ever. A local newspaper reporter arrived on the scene and began interviewing the stranded victims. He offered to give us a ride, and, ironically, he was headed for the Hofbrauhaus. We couldn’t go to the Bucyrus party looking like a couple of river rats, so we opted for a return to the hotel.

Then a bit of luck – a city bus was coming down the road and we flagged it down, and he took us to within 10 blocks of our hotel. With the rain and lightning still fierce, we walked and walked, hoping we were going in the right direction to the hotel. A shuttle bus stopped at a red light and we immediately knocked on the window. He was kind enough to take us back to the hotel.

We literally ran through the lobby of the hotel, hoping nobody would notice us, but that wasn’t to happen. Later that night, Jason of T&N Electric Motor Exchange spotted us. He said, ‘Earlier I was eating in the restaurant in the lobby of the Omni and told my buddy ‘oh my gosh there goes Lisa and she looks like a drowned rat.’”

So much for not being noticed.

And, yes, we made it to the Bucyrus party, and it was worth the trip!Here’s a happening from your editor that ended with what was to be “the largest advertisement the world has ever known.” It all started harmlessly enough when Mirza Kozarcanin of TR Minecom in Victoria, Australia, talked to us about a co-op ad with Pyott-Boone Electronics of Tazewell, VA.

Mirza had the ad schedule planned, but had asked to please give him the measurements of the ads in millimeters, instead of inches. Shucks, that’s no big deal. Well, your editor, not a particularly great math head, computed the

www.minecom.com

The Leaky Feeder People

Come and see Minecom’s MSHA approved Leaky Feeder Systems

at the 2009 Bluefield Coal ShowBooth #202, 204 and 206 Exhibiting with Pyott-Boone Electronics

MC

0084

conversion by hand and came up with a full page that would be 7,500 X 10,000 millimeters. Shortly after he was sent the conversion figures, Angie and Christina arrived to work and were more than a bit surprised and amused at the millimeter measurements that were sent to Mirza.

After a quick two minute conversion in the production department, the actual measurement was closer to 190 millimeters x 255 mm for a full page. The correction was sent to Mirza who must have known it was inaccurate. So, as you can see, an advertisement about the size of a billboard would have been created

Sponsored by:

PO Box 4098619 Bland Street

Bluefield, WV 24701t 304.327.7184f 304.325.3085

info@bluefieldchamber.com www.bluefieldchamber.com

September 16, 17, 18, 2009

Brushfork Armory-Civic CenterBluefield, West Virginia

“A Coal Show For Coal People” 2009

©

and most likely would have stretched across the entire 100-page magazine with some room to spare.

Well, the jokes on us (Al). And we’d appreciate just a “millimeter” of a laugh.

Continue for Longwall USA Photos

72 Coal People Magazine www.coalpeople.com

RM Wilson Company Chuck Stone, Steve Mercer, Pat Popicg Jud Seikmann, Dave Ullom, and Patrick Dubiel

RM Wilson is Thiele’s exclusive North America distributor and specializes in the assembly of Thiele chain and flight bars. For more information visit www.rmwilson.com.

Mohler Technologies, Jim WhiteOn display were Mohler Technology’s longwall mining water cooled electric motors. Visit www.mohler.com.

Bortech Corp.

Huesker, Inc., Tom BaileyOn display were Huesker® fire-retardant mining grids.

Visit www.huesker.com.

Jennmar Corp.Jennmar along with J-LOK, its affiliate were displaying some new products at the Longwall USA Show 2009. J-LOK was introducing a new Resin call TWIN-LOK, which is a two speed resin, while Jennmar was promoting the EXPANBOL PyTHON, Arch & Square Sets, and the “PH” Roof/Rib Safety Channel. Along with some of its new products, Jennmar was displaying

several cable bolts such as Non Tension & Post Tension, INSTa’L Cable Bolt, Fully Grouted INSTa’L Anchor System, JM All Thread Bolt, and several other bolts as well. There was also plates, shells, and Friction-Lok on hand to have

a look at. Jennmar’s booth was headed by salesmen from various geographic locations. Visit www.jennmar.com

Megator Corp., Lou BeattySee article on “The dual-diaphragm Pumps 2000 America”

in this issue. Visit www.megator.com.

73AUGUST Bluefield Coal Show Pre-Show Issue

USF Equipment and ServicesNate Neel-Smith and Eric Mehringer

USF E&S displayed the Sentinel 3, 30 and 60 self-contained N2 Foam coal mine fire fighting systems. Information was also available on Nitrogen Inertion and both the patented Hellfighter

N2 Foam coal mine fire suppression system and Jet Engine Iner-tion systems. Visit www.Hellfighter.us

Richwood James Gilson, Steve Goebel, Dennis Hutchcraft, Trent Indermuhle,

Joe Carroll, and Kevin MaloyRichwood displayed The Richwood LST Loading Station/Tailpiece, an

integrated combination unit for belt conveyor loading areas. The LST is a complete loading station or tailpiece, including the heavy-duty support-ing structure, Richwood Impact Saddles, Gravity V-Plow, Canoe Liners®, Return Slide Idlers and the customer specified tail pulley and bearings.

Visit www.richwood.com.

AmerCableJack Easton and Gary Mostyn

On display was AmerCable’s Tiger® Brand cable line designed for the toughest conditions in surface and underground mining.

Visit www.ambercable.com.

Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc.Ron Hart and Tyrone Wright proudly display CPM’s June feature,

“Frontier-Kemper’s Dream Becomes a Reality.” To read full feature, log-on to www.coalpeople.com.

GENERON Innovative Gas SystemsJohn Font and Paul Booth

Steel Nation Steel Buildings, Inc.Mark Dooley and Mark Caskey

SteelNations provides Custom Engineered Steel Building Design, Sales, Erection & Components for the Coal Preparation Industry.

Visit www.steelnationsbuildings.com.

74 Coal People Magazine www.coalpeople.com

Camber Corp.On display were Camber Products including arch supports, lagging, overcasts, retaining walls, monorail systems, and

fabricated products from steel and concrete.Visit www.cambergroup.com

Tunnel Radio of Americas Scott Rose and Kelly Massey

On display were Tunnel Radio’s two-way wireless radio communication and tracking

systems for use in underground mines, using world class technologies for superior

range and quality. Tunnel Radio manu-factures, sells, installs and services the

systems. Visit www.tunnelradio.com

Fairmont Supply Co.Van Compagni, Danny Rosenberger, Ryan Group, Jeff Robinson, Jeff Noechel,

Brad Logan, Todd Clyde, Susan Hiles, Scott Doane, Denny Brown, and Derek Ratnour.

Fairmont Supply is one of the nation’s largest full-line distributors of mining and industrial maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies, serving

underground, surface mining and prep plant facilities.Visit www.fairmontsupply.com

Strata Mine Services, Inc.Wes Shoff and Rory Paton-Ash

On display were the many products available from Strata Mine Services, Inc, Strata Products

(USA) Inc., and Strata Safety Products. This photo shows The Strata Safety Fresh Air Bay training

unit. They are scaled models of production Fresh Air Bays, designed and equipped to provide

miners with hands-on training and experience. The units are trailer mounted to be portable and enable them to travel directly to mines for onsite

training. Visit www.strataworldwide.com.

SandvikMat Hilliard and Frank Hyden

Sandvik Mining and Construction is one of the world’s leading providers of equipment

and solutions for mineral-exploration, surface and underground mining, bulk-materials handling and environmental restoration.

Visit www.sandvik.com.AFL Telecommunications

Steve LintonIndustrial Service and Electronics, Inc.

Jason Sears, Stephen French and Brad Sheffer

75AUGUST Bluefield Coal Show Pre-Show Issue

FLEXCORex McNulty, Daniel Hensley, Rory Summerford and Emil Muller

FLEXCO displayed the latest innovative products including the DRX® Impact Bed, Electric Belt Cutter and the Service Advantage Cartridge Cleaner.

Visit www.flexco.com

Fairchild InternationalJack Fairchild and Ken Mosley

Fairchild International provides the highest quality equip-ment to the global underground coal mining industry including a wide range of continuous miners, haulage systems, shield haulers, battery-powered scoops and

maintenance vehicles. Fairchild supports customers with extensive training and maintenance programs.

Visit www.fairchildintl.com.

Tessco TechnologiesBruno Mejia and Glenn Frame

Polaris LaboratoriesLinda Pascali and Cathy Smith

POLARIS is ISO 17025:2005 A2LA accredited offers the highest quality testing of oils, fuels and coolants for maintenance and

reliability purposes.www.polarislabs.com

Wholesale Mine SupplyBill Hensler with customers

Wholesale Mine Supply L.P. is the USA distributor for Becker UHF and VA-RIS VHF Ethernet Leaky Feeder systems. On display were MSHA approved

Two-way radios, Radio Accessories, UHF and VHF MSHA Cable, MSHA approved Power Supplies. Service work is available for any radio system.

Visit www.wholesaleminesupply.com.

Optical Cable Corp.Ernie Gonzalez, Eric Stone and Barry Stolar

76 Coal People Magazine www.coalpeople.com

GAI TronicsDan Lethbridge, Jeff Powers, and Randy Szymik

GAI-Tronics® owned by Hubbell Incorporated, is the world’s largest company focused on the communication needs of the world’s industrial markets. GAI-Tronics® aggressively applies leading edge technology to

solve the world’s most challenging communication needs, and is backed by stability, reputation, and financial strength of Hubbell Incorporated, a

worldwide leader in electrical and electronic products.Visit www.gai-tronics.com

SETCOJud Seikmann, Patrick “The Squirrel” Dubiel, Chuck Stone,

Bobby Gillespie, and Dr. Geonter PhillipSETCO’s newest design for solid rubber mining tires, the S-Mine tire,

has an improved shape and tread design. These solid tires on rims will provide the best traction as well as longevity and productivity. Air holes are molded into the sidewalls of these solid rubber mining tires

for a much softer ride. Visit www.setcosolidtire.com.

AMR Inc.Chris Adkins, Bob Saxton and Chase Miller

AMR’s MC-4000 Ethernet Mine Monitoring System was on display. The use of a fiber optic backbone and AMR’s Modbus Gateway Re-mote stations, has made gas/belt monitoring easier than ever. Also on display, AMR’s latest technology, Mine Net, a tagging, tracking, and communication system that can be used to track individuals

underground, and the system also features two way communication. Mine Net incorporates both systems into one.

Visit www.americanmineresearch.com.

Dywidag-Systems InternationalDanny Brandebura and James Pinkley

DSI is global market leader in the development, production and application of quality mining & tunneling products. DSI offers its

customers complete solutions, great product lines with extensive service packages.

Visit dsiminingproducts.com.

LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.Rick Bond is holding Longwall Metatarsal Leather Mining Boot.

Co-designed with a team of veteran miners, the Longwall™ features a waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® lining and a triple-stitched, waterproof leather. The non-metallic toe, Flex-Shield II ™ midsole, and a floating MetFlex™ metatarsal guard meet or exceed

ASTM F2413-05 M I/75 C/75 EH PR Mt. The protective rubber heel and toe are abrasion and chemical resistant. A 360° reflec-

tive paneling enhances visibility and the Vibram® outsole provides lightweight comfort as well as superb shock absorption. 200 G. ThinsulateTM provides insulating protection from heat and cold.

Fiberglass shank.Visit www.lacrossefootwear.com

Available at: Fairmont Supply Company, (800) 245-9900www.fairmontsupply.com

77AUGUST Bluefield Coal Show Pre-Show Issue

Kennametal Inc.Keith Andrews, Brooks Barker, Chad Swope, Bill Smith, and Gary CondonOn display Kennametal’s premium quality underground and surface cutting tool

systems and accessories (Drums, Teeth, Holders, Blades, Retention...).Visit www.kennametal.com.

Line PowerRichard Shumate, Brian Harris, Andy Barrett, Tom Kouski, and

Ron Manning of Riter Engineering CompanyOn display were custom electrical control products including longwall

controls, power centers, substations, mine-duty transformers.Visit www.linepower.com

CABAllen Smith, Patrick Krumenacker and Philip Fuller

Joy Mining Machinery – Continental Crushing and ConveyingJoy manufacturers longwall shearers, roof supports, face con-

veyors, stageloaders, continuous miners, batch haulage vehicles (shuttle cars and battery haulers), continuous haulage systems (continuous chain haulage and flexible conveyor train), feeder

breakers, and bolting products (mobile, onboard and portable) for use in longwall and room and pillar mining operations.

Visit www.joy.com

Continental Crushing and ConveyingStamler Feeder-Breakers, reclaim feeders, single and double roll crushers, railroad car spotters and Continental conveyor

equipment are designed for today’s mining challenges. Visit www.continental-cc.com

Hatch Mott MacDonaldJohn Bencho, Gary Wadding and Charles Yurchick

SUNKUN Equipment Co., LTDFrancis J•Xu, Liu Shuizhang, John Wilson, Robert Brown, John Wilson Jr.,

and David F. Wu

78 Coal People Magazine www.coalpeople.com

Carroll Engineering Co.Billy Wells, Brad Hunt, and John Burkhart

Carroll displayed a One-Stop-Shop for Safety, Communications, Network Design, Power and Electrical Needs for the mining industry.

Visit www.carroltechnologiesgroup.com

Oliver USAHunter Fuqua and Christopher Black

Oliver USA Mining and Caustic Resistant boots utilize dual density vulcanized construction resulting in light and comfortable yet extremely

durable boots. Oliver Mining Boots - heavyweight performers with lightweight comfort.

Visit www.oliversafetyboots.com

Innovative Utility Products CorporationMike Lester and John D. Smith

IUP featured the Fault Wizard which locates failures in HV primary and trailing cable. It shows an accurate digital distance to the fault

while being compact, full featured and portable.Visit www.iupcorp.com

Brookville Equipment Corp.Brookville Equipment Corporation manufactures a wide variety of rail-

mounted and rubber-tired haulage equipment for underground coal mining, hard rock and precious metal mining, tunnel construction, industrial rail car switching, mass transit, and airline ground support applications worldwide.

Visit www.BrookvilleEquipment.com

Bucyrus Bucyrus presented complete highly integrated and automated

longwall mining solutions under the motto “Bucyrus safeguards your business.” Exhibits included the cutting-edge PMC® family of mining controllers, the revolutionary PF6 line pan (above), the Power Chain,

and innovative Belt Systems products (below).Visit www.bucyrus.com

79AUGUST Bluefield Coal Show Pre-Show Issue

RePower Mining International, Inc.William Secrest, Gary Punton, Dennis Allen, and Tony Kerry

Brady MiningMarc Modersitzki, Russ Myers, and Sean Cox

Becker SMCBecker SMC, leading supplier in advanced Longwall Controls and Application Engineering and manufacturer of specialty equipment

displayed power centers, switchgear, explosion proof controls, rectifiers, motor controls, transit and custom electronic components.

Visit www.smcelectrical.com

Service Pump & SupplyRoger Stapleton, Mike Propst and Frank Hay

SPS sells and services Mechanical and Electrical equipment to the industrial, mining, and municipal markets in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Virginia with five

locations.Visit www.servicepump.com

L-3 Visitors gathered in the L-3 Communications booth to learn more about the L-3 ACCOLADE Wireless Mesh system, which is MSHA

and WV approved and available now. The mesh system is a robust, reliable and survivable communications network that is customizable

for all mines and adaptable for use with existing communications systems. To learn more, visit www.L-3com.com/mine_safety.

Pillar Innovations A wide range of products were displayed including: fiber optics, fire suppression, air handlers, mine communications, network integration, belt vision, and atmospheric monitoring. Pillar Innovations serves customers from coast to coast out of four state-of-the-art sales and service facilities and prides itself on being a company that delivers superior systems and superior service long after the sale.Visit www.pillarinnovations.com

80 Coal People Magazine www.coalpeople.com

Gates Corporation

Phoenix First ResponseBecky BircherSarah Dagit

Chain ConnectionRichard Morris, Bob Affleck, Kelly Luther, and Rod Runion

esg solutionsIan Leslieand James Alexander

Longwall Associates Longwall Associates a leader in custom longwall solutions for your longwall mining operations, offers an extensive line of field proven OEM and rebuilt longwall conveyors. Longwall Associates field-

proven equipment is designed for a myriad of applications; pristine to arduous, and more than 20 feet to 5 feet and below.

Visit www.longwall.com.

Drager SafetyLaVerne Walker and Bill Dedig

Quaker Chemical CorporationJohn Manolakis, Jessica Sabedra, and Peter Skoog

Victor ProductsRod Henderson of Ampcontrol, Frank Pulkownik, and Barry Wilson

GrindexFred Mossman and Dave Schneider

81AUGUST Bluefield Coal Show Pre-Show Issue

Pioneer ConveyorHarry Donaldson and Dave Jones

Magnetek MiningJeff Boris, Gary Bolbat, and Brad Taylor

HauhincoArnold Torrez, Juan Ortiz, and Steve Demar

T&N Electric Motor Exchange, Inc.Jason Plymal and Mac Bane Hedweld

John Littleton, Judy Smith, and Ian Hedley

WeatherfordPatti Meyer

Longwall Services, Inc.Bill Harrison, Patti Blair, Ceiriog Hughes, and Phil Tyler

Swanson Industries