February 8, 2025 - Founded by Jim Connolly in 1975, Conn-Weld has grown to become the largest screening machine manufacturer in the U.S. The company traces its roots to a private owner who was focused on creating custom solutions for profile wire screens for the coal industry. His dedication and passion for solving complex challenges laid the foundation for Conn-Weld’s success. His values of innovation, hard work, and customer-first mindset continue to inspire everything the company does today, explained Marvin Woodie, president, Conn-Weld.

“This year will be a very special year for Conn-Weld,” Woodie said. “It’s our 50^th anniversary.” Woodie joined the company 38 years ago after graduating college and he was named president of the company four years ago after serving as vice president field operations.

Conn-Weld derives its name from the founder, Connolly, and the fusion welding process he patented. “Jim had the foresight and the ability to rapidly grow a business with an idea of how to weld two pieces of wire together,” Woodie said. “It was a fusion welding process that he patented and we still use today.”

Conn-Weld’s Profile Wire began a legacy that would take the company further into product development such as the patented E-Z Deck and G-Master Vibrating Screen. Yesterday’s innovations are still being used today, Woodie explained. “Persistence has sustained the company, and it is what drives us today, as we continue to listen to the needs of our customers, build our capabilities, to develop products for the industries we serve,” Woodie said.

What Connolly said in 1989, Woodie explained, still holds true today: “Throughout the years, changes have taken place in the industry. In both the good and difficult times, we have never lost sight of our philosophy and goals. We owe our success to you, and we will continue to serve you in the future based on this philosophy of quality, know-how, and service.”

Above: Starting as a modest facility on a cow pasture, Conn-Weld’s facilities have grown to 500,000 ft².

Photos: Conn-Weld

Trimble, GroundProbe Collaborate on Monitoring

Trimble and GroundProbe are collaborating on an integrated approach, which will reduce hassles and offer more support for slope stability monitoring solutions. The joint effort will enable geotechnical mine monitoring customers to purchase a comprehensive slope stability monitoring portfolio from a single point of contact. GroundProbe customers can now easily purchase Trimble monitoring solutions to complement GroundProbe’s range of sensors and software through their GroundProbe sales contact.

The two companies said miners will also experience more seamless integrations between Trimble and GroundProbe sensors and software, Trimble 4D Control and MonitorIQ to enable smooth data flow. Incorporating the necessary mine monitoring sensors into one environment helps professionals visualize a more complete picture of site conditions to improve decision making on slope stability risks and site safety.

“Our work with Trimble allows GroundProbe and Orica Digital Solutions to offer a range of Trimble’s advanced robotic and automatic total stations, 3D laser scanners and software solutions for our global customers,” said Ben Moke, COO, GroundProbe. “Our organizations share a vision of providing open, connected and secure information that helps customers streamline workflows, boost efficiency and better manage risk.”

The collaboration will also help mining operators explore growth opportunities more easily by enhancing overall productivity and operational effectiveness through the combined expertise and efficiencies of both companies, they said.

Thiess Secures Major Indonesian Mining Contract

Thiess said it signed a $330 million mining contract with Kapuas Bara Utama (KBU) in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The company said the 6-year project is a strong statement regarding it ongoing competitiveness after more than 35 years in the region.

Under the contract, Thiess will undertake all mining activities, including site establishment, technical services, overburden removal, and water management. Mobilization for the project will commence in early 2025, aligning with a strategic focus on strengthening Thiess’ presence in key markets and fostering strong partnerships with communities and clients.

“This contract highlights the trust that KBU has placed in Thiess as a partner of choice in the mining industry,” said Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright. “It reflects our team’s capability to deliver innovative, productive and sustainable solutions that help our clients achieve their goals.”

As part of our commitment to supporting local communities, Thiess said it will focus on an empowerment program for village-owned enterprises, providing fair and equal business opportunities for local entrepreneurs through the procurement of goods and services needed for the project, as well as providing opportunities for a diverse workforce of our people.

Under this contract, the company said it will also extend its Clean River Program in collaboration with the local community and the International River Foundation, as well as collaborating with the client to upgrade and maintain nearby public roads.

B&W Secures Power Plant Retrofit in Southeast Asia

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) said its B&W Thermal business segment has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $13 million to retrofit boiler cleaning equipment for a power plant in Southeast Asia.

B&W Thermal’s scope includes equipment design and supply, installation, integration and commissioning of its Diamond Power boiler cleaning equipment, including retractable and standard HydroJet boiler cleaning systems, sootblowers, and a Titanium advanced intelligent boiler cleaning control system.

The customer selected B&W’s advanced boiler cleaning technology to help achieve its objectives of enabling the plant to maintain stable, full-capacity power generation, improving operational efficiency, reducing coal consumption, and lowering associated carbon emissions.

“B&W Thermal has a broad range of Diamond Power boiler cleaning technologies, cameras and monitoring equipment, replacement parts, sootblowing equipment and more that can help plant owners improve the performance and longevity of their coal-fired power assets,” B&W Executive Vice President and COO Chris Riker said. “B&W’s technologies are proven solutions for boiler cleaning, environmental and efficiency improvements and can be tailored to meet each plant’s needs based on fuel type and other factors.”

“Our dedicated Philippines Service Center team allows us to work closely with our customers throughout Southeast Asia,” Riker said. “We’ve successfully designed and installed similar boiler cleaning and sootblower upgrade solutions to customers throughout the region, and we’re excited about the opportunity to once again serve this important market.”

The project is currently underway and anticipated to be completed in Q1 2026.