Chavez Named VP of Vacall Product Group
Edgar J. Chavez was named vice president of Vacall products, New Philadelphia, Ohio. He will manage Vacall’s sales and marketing efforts, dealer development, distribution network, product development and engineering. Chavez has 20 years of industry experience.
Zoeller Receives International Trade Excellence Award
Zoeller Co., Louisville, Ky., received the Governor’s Award for International Trade Excellence at the Kentucky World Trade Day luncheon in September. The award recognizes Kentucky businesses showing trade success through performance, management commitment to international trade, unique strategy and creativity and overall contribution to the local community or the cause of world trade.
Advanced Drainage Systems Adds Flowtech System
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. has added Flowtech septic and drainage systems to its line of onsite products.
SJE-Rhombus Names McDonald Sales Director
Greg McDonald has joined SJE-Rhombus as the company’s international sales director. He has served as the Asian Pacific region director of sales for a thermal management materials manufacturer and with OEMs. McDonald is a graduate of Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
Camex Vacuum Industrial Products Teams with Peterbilt
Camex Equipment Sales & Rentals Inc. and its vacuum industrial products team has partnered with Stahl Peterbilt of Edmonton, Alberta, to produce vacuum trucks.
Abernethy Was a Vacuum Truck Pioneer
Billy J. “Bill” Abernethy, founder and president of vacuum truck-building company Abernethy Welding, Vail, N.C., died Nov. 4. He was 70.
Abernethy started a welding business in 1958 on the farm where he grew up, then started to build vacuum trucks beginning in 1971, according to his grandson, Billy Joe Abernethy. He was active in the business, selling trucks until he was hospitalized a few weeks before his death, the younger Abernethy said.
Abernethy is survived by his wife, Frances Rhoney Abernethy, and their son, Chris Abernethy. Both remain involved in the business, which has 16 employees.
Abernethy enjoyed farming all his life, working on his property. He also was active in his church, Providence Baptist Church, Hickory, N.C. Roy Coffee, who worked for Abernethy for many years and was a friend and neighbor, remembered him as an upstanding businessman and a vacuum truck innovator, producing as many as 200 per year for the liquid waste industry. He concentrated on building trucks with steel tanks, and built rigs with tanks from 100 to 5,000 and 6,000 gallons, Coffee said.
“If Bill told you something, you could take it to the bank,’’ Coffee said. “He was an honest and hardworking man. He loved the business, the industry and his customers. He was very dedicated to the industry.’’
Abernethy was naturally outgoing and had a great sense of humor, Coffee said, and especially looked forward to visiting industry friends at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International every year. He also valued his employees, according to Coffee.
“He considered the people he worked with to be a part of his family. He took very good care of his employees,’’ Coffee said.
The company will continue building trucks. Customers with questions can call either Billy Joe Abernethy or Daniel Weaver at 800/545-0324. The company’s Web site is www.abernethywelding.com.
A funeral service for Abernethy was held Nov. 7 at Providence Baptist Church. Memorials are being directed to the church.
