Latest news with #heavyMachinery
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I have one of the 'world's most dangerous ' jobs surrounded by men AND I'm an influencer - I don't care about the sexism
In most jobs a small mistake might result in a slap on the wrist at the very worst. But, there are some careers in which the stakes are far higher and where a minor mishap could have devastating consequences. Leidy Villamil, 30, revealed how a moment of complacency in her field could see her crushed, burned, losing a limb, or even facing a painful demise. As an offshore engineer Ms Villamil's job will often see her working with heavy machinery and high temperatures while stationed thousands of miles from land. She told MailOnline: 'I could maybe be smashed by heavy things or a pipe could slip and my hand could get squashed. 'I could lose a finger or a hand, and at the worst case, there could be a fatality.' Working on an oil rig is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and has the third highest death rate - with 46 per 100,000 employees losing their lives. 'We have had some cases of injuries and fatalities which have happened when people haven't been aware of themselves while moving loads and have been smashed between loads', Ms Villamil said. As an Offshore engineer Ms Villamil's job will often see her working with heavy machinery and high temperatures while stationed thousands of miles from land 'There have sadly been people who were in the wrong place at the wrong moment and they have ended up being crushed between a container and a wall.' Being in a remote location adds to the 'very high' risk Ms Villamil faces at work as medical attention could be hours away. 'It is dangerous, you have to go in a chopper to a place in the middle of the sea where there is absolutely nothing around,' she said. 'You are working with the source under ground, with high pressure and high temperature, with a volatile fluid. So in terms of danger the risks are very high.' She added how workers must complete specialized training on how to survive terrifying worst case scenarios including a helicopter crash in the water. Ms Villamil became an engineer seven years ago and has worked on rigs in many different countries including the UAE, Namibia, Indonesia, spain and her native Colombia. But, despite being a seasoned professional, there is one perilous part of the job she avoids at all costs. 'In an oil platform, you have something called rotary table which is the place where all the pipes go down into the well. 'This is the most dangerous zone of an oil platform, because you are lifting these things all the time, and you are pretty much under the load. 'You are very exposed. I try to do this as little as I can,' she revealed. Offshore engineers can earn up to £100,000 per year, but Ms Villamil says she doesn't do it for the money but finds the work exciting. However, although she currently enjoys her job, things haven't always been smooth sailing and she revealed one aspect she found 'very challenging' at the beginning. Due to its physically demanding nature the oil and gas industry is heavily male dominated and plagued by sexism. 'It's very common for me to be the only woman among 200 men. There are just a few women in my field,' Ms Villamil said. 'I've experienced sexism many times. I have even had a guy trying to touch me. 'Sometimes men don't take me seriously because I'm smaller, because I try to be kind, because I'm a woman.' Ms Villamil says she used to be affected by sexism but now insists it doesn't bother her. 'At the beginning it was very challenging, but it also helps to develop strength and personality. 'If I can be honest now, I don't mind it at all. I'm perfectly fine with it. I am also a very strong character, so I don't hesitate to use it when I have to.' She also urges other women working offshore to stand up for themselves when experiencing sexism. 'I encourage them not to be afraid to speak up and fight back because we cannot allow this to happen to us', she said. 'We have the same right, the same capacity, the same everything as them (men) but sometimes they just don't catch it.' Ms Villamil says now one of the toughest parts of her job is staying in touch with her partner while she spends months at sea. 'It's really difficult. We make it work somehow, but it's really difficult', she said. 'Internet access in the platform is very challenging. You know, there are some times that we barely can send a WhatsApp message. Not even a voice message.' Ms Villamil's work also often means she is called away during festive seasons and is unable to celebrate special occasions with her family. When this has been the case rig bosses will try and lessen the blow by providing treats and entertainment for the workers. 'For Christmas and New Year's they gave us non alcoholic sparkling wine and non alcoholic beers and we played Bingo,' Ms Villamil said.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Two men killed in separate heavy machinery accidents in Kuala Krai
KUALA KRAI, June 1 — Two men were killed in separate accidents involving heavy machinery here yesterday evening, said Kuala Krai district police chief Supt Mazlan Mamat. Mazlan said in the first incident at about 2.50 pm, a Thai national, aged 49, was killed after the backhoe he was driving fell off a cliff in the Ladang Dabong area, near Kilometre 27 of Jalan Sungai Sam-Dabong. 'At the time of the accident, the victim was driving the backhoe to take a break and was passing through a hilly area. 'The backhoe skidded and fell off the cliff, causing the victim to be thrown out and subsequently crushed by the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene,' Mazlin said in a statement yesterday. He said the accident is believed to have been caused by the driver's negligence, having failed to control the vehicle being driven, causing it to fall off the cliff. Meanwhile, in another accident at about 3.30 pm, a 59-year-old man was killed in Ladang Bonanza, Laloh after a bulldozer he was driving fell down a ravine. 'Initial investigations found that the victim was working in the plantation and operating the bulldozer to make terraces. 'While doing terrace work, the bulldozer slipped off its path and fell into a ravine about 100 metres deep,' he said. He also said the victim who was trapped in the machine was pronounced dead at the scene, and the accident is believed to have been caused after the victim lost control of the bulldozer. 'The bodies of both victims were sent to the Sultan Ismail Petra Hospital's forensics unit for post-mortems, and the cases are being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,' he added. The police are urging anyone with information regarding the accidents to come forward and provide information to the Traffic Police Station at the Kuala Krai district police headquarters (IPD) or contact the Investigating Officer, Insp Mohamad Amirul Izham Azlan at 09-9666222. — Bernama
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Prediction: Caterpillar's Stock Becomes a Buy When This Key Number Turns Around
The heavy machinery maker's retail sales to its end users appear to be in an uptrend. Dealer inventory is lower than expected, indicating that sales growth is likely to follow. This key metric below will guide the way to increased profitability for Caterpillar. 10 stocks we like better than Caterpillar › Nobody said investing in equities was easy, and that observation certainly holds when examining the investment proposition at Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) right now. There is a robust case for buying shares of the heavy machinery maker today, but there's one key thing investors will want to see before buying the stock. Despite a 10% year-over-year decrease in sales in the first quarter and a whopping 27% decline in operating profit, there's still a robust case for buying Caterpillar. It's based on three interconnected factors. The company's retail sales data was better than expected in the first quarter and indicates an upturn is coming. Its dealers' inventory position in the first quarter suggests a favorable setup for Caterpillar sales for the rest of 2025. Management estimates for earnings and cash flow imply the stock is a good value for a company in the trough year of its earnings cycle. Before supporting these points in detail, it's worth noting that Caterpillar generates the overwhelming majority of its sales through independent dealers to end users. The dealers manage their inventory of equipment, and the sales data in the chart below reflects their sales to end users. During the first-quarter earnings call in late April, outgoing CEO Jim Umpleby noted, "Machine sales to users were stronger than we expected in the first quarter, resulting in flat machine dealer inventory, versus our expectation for growth in dealer inventory during the quarter." Caterpillar's retail sales to end users in the construction and energy and transportation segments were in positive growth territory in the first quarter, with only a 10% decline in resource industries (mining and aggregates) pulling down total machine sales (which include construction and resource industries sales) into negative territory. The better-than-expected end user sales (remember, they represent dealers' sales) led to dealers only increasing inventory by $100 million in the first quarter. By way of comparison, dealers increased inventory by $1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Given current sales patterns, "dealers are ordering to replenish" according to CEO Joe Creed, giving credence to management's forecast for flat sales in 2025. Overall, management's full-year guidance, excluding the impact of tariffs, is for flat sales, an adjusted operating profit margin in the top half of its cyclical range (which is approximately 16% to 20%), and free cash flow (FCF) toward the top half of the $5 billion to $10 billion range. For reference, Wall Street analysts have penciled in $8.4 billion in FCF for 2025, a figure that would put Caterpillar stock at 19.6 times FCF in 2025 -- a good valuation for a cyclical company in a trough year. That's the buy case, and it's pretty compelling. That being said, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind. First, there's the great unknown of the tariff landscape. Management's commentary on the matter includes changing guidance from "top half" of the ranges discussed above to "within," assuming the tariffs in place at the end of April. Since then, there has been a de-escalation, giving investors reason to feel more positive. The second consideration is more problematic and relates to "price realization." This refers to the impact of pricing on sales and operating profit, independent of the effect on sales volumes. Positive price realization implies Caterpillar was able to achieve better pricing on machinery, and can also reflect relatively better sales of higher-priced machinery or in more lucrative geographies. Negative price realization suggests that Caterpillar may be offering discounts or incentives in response to competition. The change in operating profit is almost entirely attributable to changes in sales volume (Caterpillar's sales volume, not dealers' sales, as outlined above) and price realization. As the chart below demonstrates, positive price realization was able to offset declining sales volumes until the second quarter of 2024, after which both trends turned downward in the third quarter. Negative price realization is likely to continue in the second quarter as it comes up against a difficult comparison with the second quarter of 2024. However, suppose Caterpillar's sales are set to improve in the second half, in line with the positive trend in user sales and dealers' inventory positions. In that case, it's reasonable to expect some improvement in price realization in the third quarter, and possibly in the second quarter as well. It's a key metric to watch, indicating a strengthening of market conditions and Caterpillar's ability to grow earnings and meet its full-year targets. Before you buy stock in Caterpillar, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Caterpillar wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $651,049!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $828,224!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 979% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Prediction: Caterpillar's Stock Becomes a Buy When This Key Number Turns Around was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TMG Industrial Launches Cost-Effective Construction Equipment Line Tailored for Contractors Prioritizing Power and Affordability
TMG Industrial introduces a new construction equipment line-hydraulic breakers, plate compactors, and concrete mixers-priced up to 50% below premium brands. Designed for contractors prioritizing affordability and durability, the machines feature work-ready materials, North American field testing, and core functionality. Tacoma, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - May 25, 2025) - A North American supplier of professional-grade construction and industrial equipment has unveiled a new line of heavy-duty machinery designed to address the growing demand for reliable, budget-friendly solutions in the contracting sector. The launch features hydraulic breakers, plate compactors, and concrete mixers engineered to deliver industry-standard performance at prices up to 50% lower than traditional premium brands. Targeted at small to mid-sized contractors, rural construction businesses, and cost-conscious operators, the line emphasizes core functionality, durability, and value-without the premium costs associated with luxury-tier equipment. TMG Industrial Launches Cost-Effective Construction Equipment Line Tailored for Contractors Prioritizing Power and Affordability To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The new products are built to withstand daily use in demanding environments, with materials and designs validated through rigorous North American field testing. Key offerings include a 4-7 Ton Hydraulic Breaker compatible with compact and mid-sized excavators, a Plate Compactor offering 4000 lbs of compaction force for foundational work, and a rugged PTO-powered Concrete Mixer capable of handling gravel, sand, and concrete. Each machine prioritizes ease of operation, simplified maintenance, and compatibility with common job site requirements. "Our goal isn't to compete with high-end U.S. machines on luxury—it's to offer dependable workhorses that everyday pros can afford," said Terry Huang, Product Manager at TMG Industrial. "These machines are for people who want to get the job done and keep projects profitable." The 4-7 Ton Hydraulic Breaker provides clean, consistent braking power for demolition, trenching, and rock excavation, offering contractors a cost-efficient alternative to pricier models. Designed for compatibility with most compact excavators, it reduces downtime with straightforward maintenance and readily available replacement parts. Meanwhile, the Plate Compactor combines portability with high-impact force, making it ideal for driveways, sidewalks, and patch jobs. Its compact design ensures maneuverability in tight spaces, while the 4000-lb compaction force delivers results comparable to heavier, more expensive units. The Concrete Mixer rounds out the lineup focusing on versatility and durability. Built to handle rugged mixing tasks for foundations, fencing, and pads, its PTO-powered drum ensures consistent blending of materials without reliance on external power sources. This feature is particularly valuable for remote or off-grid job sites, where operational flexibility is critical. This launch arrives amid rising equipment and material costs across North America, which have squeezed profit margins for contractors. TMG Industrial's strategy focuses on reducing overhead without compromising performance-a balance achieved through streamlined designs, direct-to-consumer pricing, and eliminating non-essential features. Unlike many import brands, TMG Industrial supports its products with localized customer service, one-year warranties, and free shipping to Canada and the lower 48 U.S. states. The company's emphasis on accessibility extends to its dealer network, which is expanding to meet demand. By offering competitive pricing and reliable equipment, TMG Industrial aims to position itself as a go-to partner for contractors seeking to maximize efficiency and minimize equipment costs. TMG Industrial's commitment to affordability and durability reflects a broader shift in the construction industry, where practicality increasingly outweighs prestige. By focusing on essential performance metrics and eliminating costly add-ons, the company provides a viable pathway for contractors to maintain profitability in a challenging economic climate. Interested persons can explore the official website for more information about TMG Industrial's full construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment range. About TMG Industrial: TMG Industrial is a North American supplier of professional-grade equipment for construction, agriculture, and industrial applications. Focusing on durability, affordability, and customer-centric support, the company provides machinery designed to meet the needs of small-to mid-sized businesses and budget-conscious operators. TMG Industrial's product lines include hydraulic breakers, compactors, concrete mixers, storage solutions, and heavy equipment attachments, all backed by warranties and free shipping across Canada and the contiguous United States. Cannot view this video? Visit: Contact Info:Name: Darren VillacrusisEmail: cs@ TMG IndustrialWebsite: To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Reuben Owen: ‘I don't want a TV career, I want to be known as the guy who digs big holes'
Television's least-likely star is lying on the grass, all 6ft 7in of him, stretched out in heroically filthy Levi's, with an oversized bulldozer on his belt buckle and thermal-lined Le Chameau boots. We are in a Cumbrian field, just over the border from his native Yorkshire, and Reuben Owen is taking a break from levelling land for a new milking parlour. The sun is blazing down on the parched, craggy hills, while Texel lambs are bleating their presence. But Owen, 21, only has eyes for his heavy machinery. The second series of Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales is about to hit our television screens, but it's fair to say that Owen remains almost comically unchanged by fame. 'The proudest moment of my life wasn't taking part in any TV show, it was the day I got my name on my own digger,' he says, face straight as Geoffrey Boycott's cricket bat. 'When that customised sticker was put on, saying 'Reuben Owen', I knew that I had really accomplished something.' If you're thinking that sounds a little bit bonkers – given that he is the eldest son of the ' Yorkshire Shepherdess ' and therefore a scion of a rural reality-show dynasty – you wouldn't be wrong. And that's what makes him TV gold. 'I can't believe I have my own heavy-machinery company, aged 21, and if the cameras want to follow me and watch, then that's great,' he says. 'The production crew love it when something goes wrong, of course, but we always find a way through. In the country, people have to be self-sufficient, we can turn our hands to almost anything and we always help each other out.' Reuben is the eldest son of Amanda Owen and her now ex-husband Clive, whose everyday life has had us all hooked since their first observational documentary series way back in 2018. Since then, we have watched the highs and lows of the couple and their brood of nine free-range children at their remote home of Ravenseat Farm – aka Our Yorkshire Farm. Needless to say, when his parents separated in 2022, it sparked a tabloid frenzy. There was talk of acrimony, and it was revealed that Amanda had started a new relationship after the separation – but after a brief pause, the broadcasting juggernaut trundled on. There was Beyond the Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive, a spin-off Channel 5 series that showed the father and son duo launching the digging business. Then came Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids on Channel 4, where they renovated a derelict farmhouse. So far, so predictable. Who doesn't like lambs? Who doesn't get overinvested in property-makeover shows? But with Reuben: Life in the Dales we are talking about heavy machinery; 14-ton diggers, huge wagons, quarrying equipment. There isn't even the archetypal canine eye-candy of a winsome Jack Russell keeping Reuben company in the cab. 'A dog would get run over, squashed under the wheels,' says Owen, matter-of-factly. Everything he says is matter-of-fact. In the whole time we meet he doesn't once use the phrase 'my lived experience' or 'safe space'. 'I also haven't got the time to train a dog properly, but I'm sure the day will come when I get one.' He's quietly charming, and is touchingly smitten by his new girlfriend, Jessica Ellwood, also 21, with a smile as wide as the River Swale. She hails from a nearby farming family and can really drive a digger – the ultimate compliment from Reuben. He joins her rounding up sheep, she helps as and when – they are such hard workers, it's the best (sometimes the only) way of getting quality time together. 'Jess is so happy and chilled out,' he says, his eyes crinkling as his slow beam spreads from ear to ear. 'We met at a Young Farmers' event and it was the biggest stroke of luck. She's not bothered by the filming, either, which is great; the telly thing brings a bit of money into the pot, which is useful.' That's all well and good, although at first glance a casual viewer might wonder if it's not rather odd to commission a series (let alone a second series) about a young man and his passion for heavy machinery. Then again, a great many of us said the same about two blokes angling – cue Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing garnering nearly two million viewers per episode. Old, broken stuff? Nobody could have guessed King Charles himself, then Prince of Wales, would turn up at The Repair Shop with heirlooms to fix. So why not Reuben Owen driving his digger? And, in truth, it's surprisingly relaxing to watch him with his great big strapping mates grafting at the quarry, or playing highly competitive tug-of-war. Here is the very definition of good, clean mucky fun and the perfect antidote to the spectre of toxic masculinity that hangs over television dramas. In this new run, we see Reuben punctiliously training up his younger brother Miles, 18, in driving diggers and tractors, and when he muses 'we are always short of staff', I almost suggest three urban lads and a lass I know personally who would benefit from a summer season in the great all-weather outdoors. I doubt Owen would be in the least bit fazed if they turned up tomorrow in their box-fresh Nikes and pristine Stüssy tracksuits. He takes people as he finds them. 'What I do is all about people,' he says sagely. 'I love digging holes, but the success of a business isn't down to the diggers, you need good people you can trust and rely on. Yes, I'm in a position where I'm able to employ my friends, but I would do anything for them and they would for me.' He is clearly his own man and credits his confidence to his upbringing, when the unofficial motto was very much 'fortune favours the brave'. At a time when all small farmers are being forced to diversify, his family have elected to enjoy a parallel telly existence. His mother, in particular, has become a successful presenter in her own right. But Owen concedes there is a downside to the spotlight: 'The media still likes to dig up my parents' separation, making out there was some massive battle when there wasn't,' he says. 'I know how it went and it was all very amicable. They grew apart and split up, but they are still brilliant parents, whether they're together or not. Every now and again, there will be a headline about some little thing that has been blown up out of all proportion. But you can't be on telly and then expect people not to be interested in what you're doing off-screen.' The day we meet, there is a tabloid brouhaha about images posted online by Amanda, which snowflake townies thought were pictures of Owen 'manhandling' a sheep. He was actually helping a distressed ewe give birth to a live lamb. But Owen was blissfully unaware of it all. 'I don't have the time or the inclination to scroll through social media,' he says. 'If you do ever see me on my phone, I'll be searching for machinery sales. I don't want a career on television, I want to be known as the guy who digs big holes; my current ambition is to buy a 50-ton excavator. Now that really would be the realisation of a dream.'
