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Tag: Newsletter 4th Article

  • Still time to register for ASE conference

    Still time to register for ASE conference

    There is still time to register for the upcoming ASE Instructor Training Conference. 

    The national training event is presented by the ASE  Education Foundation and will be held July 21-24 in St. Louis.

    The 15th Annual ASE Instructor Training Conference is the largest of its kind, hosting hundreds of high school and college instructors from auto, truck and collision repair programs nationwide and offering more than 20 hours of technical update training with separate tracks for auto, medium/heavy truck and collision repair instructors.

    This year’s event will also feature a keynote address by ASE president and CEO Dave Johnson, a sponsor expo and a special networking event at the Anheuser-Busch brewery sponsored by WyoTech.

    Hotel rooms are filling up, and instructors whose funds are not available until July are urged to register now and select “pay later” at checkout. Those needing to submit a written request can use a sample justification letter located on the ASE Education Foundation website.

  • New Mexico college building new Transportation Technology Center

    New Mexico college building new Transportation Technology Center

    Central New Mexico Community College broke ground recently on a new Transportation Technology Center that’s being constructed on the campus of RioTECH, the new Career Technical Education high school that opened in April. 

    CNM and Rio Rancho Public Schools have formed a unique partnership to provide high school students with convenient access to CNM’s Career Technical Education (CTE) and skilled trades programs through RioTECH that can lead directly to in-demand careers in the local economy. 

    The new Transportation Technology Facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026, when CNM will broaden the trades offerings at RioTECH by moving its Automotive Technology and Electric Vehicle Technology programs to the campus, as well as some introductory courses from the Diesel Equipment Technology program.  

    Some of the features of the new, 43,800-square-foot Transportation Technology Center will include: 

    •   Labs that are designed to emulate professional repair shops, providing students with the latest tools and technology they need to succeed in the workplace when they graduate
    • Each lab has adjacent classrooms and faculty offices with video connectivity to the labs to enhance teaching and maintain safety
    • Electric Vehicle Lab with tool room and battery storage.
    • Automotive Electric Systems lab
    • Secure exterior fleet storage to accommodate 85 vehicles
    • Community outreach and vehicle showcase space at main entrance to celebrate the ever-changing career opportunities in the Transportation Technology trades, as well as a reception area and conference room
    • Student Commons area with access to outdoor courtyard for students to rest or study. 

    “CNM is thrilled to be partnering with Rio Rancho Public Schools as we continue the evolution of RioTECH by breaking ground on the new Transportation Technology Center,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “This is another momentous step forward in broadening opportunities for high school students while addressing the workforce needs of our local economy. The state-of-the-art labs in this facility will provide students with engaging, hands-on, real-world learning experiences, as well as internship opportunities with local employers, that lead to CNM credentials and quality career opportunities in our economy.” 

    “Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in Rio Rancho Public Schools’ vision for RioTECH, where students will gain real-world skills in cutting-edge industries,” said RRPS Superintendent Virginia Cleveland. “The new automotive facility represents more than just bricks and mortar—it’s a gateway to opportunity. Thanks to our valued partnership with CNM, our students will have access to advanced training and dual credit pathways that prepare them for high-demand careers. Together, we’re building a future where education and workforce development go hand in hand.” 

    The grand opening for the first building on the RioTECH campus was celebrated in April. In August, RRPS students will begin taking CNM classes and learning in modern labs that simulate real-world workplaces for welding, carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical trades, computer science, and digital media. 

    Unlike traditional CTE and trades programs that often require travel for high school students, RioTECH students will complete all coursework at the new school, allowing for seamless integration of technical training and core academics. 

    CNM’s dual credit classes, which are tuition-free, count for both college and high school credit. Students will be able to graduate from high school with industry-recognized credentials, certificates or even associate degrees – giving them clear pathways to quality careers right after high school, or the ability to continue their college education with credits in hand. CNM’s skilled trades and CTE programs are continually redesigned to provide students with the most current and relevant skills needed by employers. 

    Adult learners also have access to courses and programs at RioTECH.

     CNM is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Automotive Repair was one of a few programs that was offered when CNM opened as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) in July 1965. The new Transportation Center represents CNM’s commitment to its CTE and trades roots, and its commitment to the future of skilled trades education in the years ahead. 

    During the groundbreaking ceremony, speakers included CNM President Tracy Hartzler, RRPS Superintendent Sue Cleveland, CNM Governing Board Chair Tom Swisstack, CNM Electric Vehicle program graduate Gael Juarez, and RioTECH student Lluvia Torres, who just completed the first year of CNM’s Automotive Technology program.  

  • ARI-HETRA updates its heavy-duty tire changers

    ARI-HETRA updates its heavy-duty tire changers

    ARI-HETRA, a provider of heavy-duty vehicle maintenance solutions, recently announced the launch of its updated heavy-duty tire changers, engineered for maximum strength, safety, and ease of use.

    With options for everything from over-the-road truck tires to agricultural, and construction applications, these tire changers reduce turnaround time and technician fatigue, according to a statement from the company.

    The updated line of heavy-duty tire changers from the Sharonville, Ohio company includes:

    • WS-22670 – Designed for large forestry and earth-moving equipment, this powerhouse handles tires up to 118 inches tall and 71 inches wide, with a fully hydraulic system delivering 10,100 lbf of torque for the most demanding jobs.
    • WS-25TC50 – A fully automatic tire changer with a wireless remote control, capable of handling tires up to 91 inches in diameter and 52 inches wide, ideal for military, agricultural, transit, and heavy-duty fleet maintenance.
    • WS-25TC45 – Featuring a manual tool arm and hardwired remote, this tire changer offers versatility for truck, bus, and OTR tires, combining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
    • WS-25TC30 – A compact model perfect for medium to large fleets, handling truck, bus, and super single tires while ensuring a safe and streamlined tire-changing process.

    “With the launch of these heavy-duty tire changers, we’re giving fleet maintenance teams the tools they need to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve workplace safety,” said Bill Gibson, VP Business Development at ARI-HETRA. “From municipal fleets to military applications, these machines are built to handle the toughest jobs with ease.”

  • John Deere acquires remote imaging company

    John Deere acquires remote imaging company

    John Deere announced recently the acquisition of Sentera, a provider of remote imagery solutions for agriculture headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    Terms of the deal were not announced.

    According to a statement from John Deere, this acquisition will advance the capabilities of the company’s existing technology offerings, providing farmers and ag service providers with a more comprehensive set of tools to generate and use data to make decisions that improve farm profitability, efficiency, and sustainability.

    “We’re excited to add Sentera’s talented team to our organization and integrate their advanced solutions into the suite of John Deere tools that help farmers do more with less,” said Chris Winkler, director of Digital Software and Solutions at John Deere. “Combining Sentera’s imagery capabilities with the John Deere Operations Center will enable farmers and trusted advisors to seamlessly gather and integrate agronomic data, understand real-time conditions, and turn data into insights that drive decisions in the field throughout the growing season.”

    Sentera’s cameras are compatible with most major drone platforms and enable farmers and crop scouts to quickly and efficiently capture high-resolution data at scale, said the statement from John Deere. Their capabilities and FieldAgent software tools help farmers and agronomists assess plant-level health, identify stressors, and take action. 

    In addition, SMARTSCRIPT Weeds, a customized herbicide prescription, can be delivered to sprayers with individual nozzle control.

    Drones equipped with Sentera technology fly over fields at high speeds and generate high-resolution images. These images are processed with Sentera’s FieldAgent application to identify the exact location of specific weeds and generate a weed map. This map becomes a targeted prescription for how much product a farmer needs to load into their sprayer, helping minimize waste. Once the prescription is generated, it can be wirelessly sent to compatible equipment through the John Deere Operations Center.

    Weed maps are just one example of actionable data that is enabled with Sentera scouting technology. The same process can be used in a field to assess crop stand uniformity, disease pressure, and pests. Integrating Sentera also supports John Deere’s approach to meeting farmers where they are on the technology adoption journey. It offers new precision capabilities to a broad range of customers while also complementing more advanced precision ag technologies, including See & Spray.

    Sentera will continue to supply cameras directly to drone manufacturers for integration into their products, as well as sell to farmers, agronomists, ag retailers, and other users. The John Deere Operations Center will continue to be open for other drone imagery providers for integration, as well, ensuring customers and their trusted advisors continue to have choices on the solutions that work best for their operation.