Live Demo Challenge winners revealed

Venditti Demolition from Austin, Texas, has been named the grand prize winner of the Live Demo Challenge at the National Demolition Association’s Annual Convention and Expo.

An excavator on the operator obstacle course Live Demo Challenge at Demolition San Antonio. (PHOTO: NDA)


The contractor’s team, which comprised a superintendent and machine operator, secured the first place prize after completing the challenge’s three component parts.

Designed to simulate all the skills and talents that demolition contractors use every day, the challenge comprised a safety quiz, an equipment inspection and an operator skills course.

Speaking of the components of the Live Demo Challenge, Tim Ramon, President of demolition contractor JR Ramon and the event’s Foreman and Host, said: “Safety, precision and teamwork are not just part of our job, they’re the principles that guide us to move towards excellence. That’s what this contest was designed to do - to bring that to the forefront.” 

Venditti’s victory saw them secure both ‘bragging rights’ and an all-inclusive paid trip to the Kingsmill Resort & Spa championship golf resort in Virginia.

The competition further recognised second place and third place achievements, which were won by Canadian company Priestly Demolition Inc and Texas-based contractor Lindamood, respectively.

Honourable mentions were also bestowed, going to Alpine Demolition for the highest score on the safety quiz and to Alliance Environmental for the highest score in the equipment inspection part of the challenge.

A third honourable mention was given to the team from Rachel Contracting who performed the required operator skills component “the cleanest”, demonstrating the highest of levels of skill and precision.

A Liebherr excavator on the obstacle course The Live Demo Challenge comprised three parts, a safety quiz, an equipment inspection and an operator skills course. (PHOTO: NDA)


Highlighting their achievement, Tim said: “They didn’t rank on time, but it was very clean and professional. They were very impressive.” 

In his speech at the NDA convention Tim also recognised the manufacturers for their support.

He said: “First and foremost, thank you to all of our participators in the contest, but more than that, thank you to the people that made it possible: Liebherr, OilQuick, Epiroc, ShearCore.

“The minute that this idea was presented, they immediately stepped up with very generous and willing support.”

Collectively the manufacturers provided not only organisational and logistical support, but also a comprehensive fleet of equipment for the teams to use in the contest.

Equipment used in the Live Demo Challenge

Liebherr:
R930 Excavator - 68,000#
R934 Excavator - 78,000#

Epiroc:
CC3100U concrete processor
HB2500 Hydraulic Breaker (5,500#)
MG2700 Multi Grapple

ShearCore:
FS25R Shear (or FS35R) Shear w/ OQ80

OilQuick:
OQ80 Couplers for Excavators
OQ80 coupler bracket for Epiroc Attachments

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Leila Steed Editor, Demolition & Recycling International Tel: +44(0) 1892 786 261 E-mail: [email protected]
Peter Collinson International Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786220 E-mail: [email protected]