Interesting industry headlines from this week:

Industry Grapples With Vanishing Workforce [Construction Equipment Guide]

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that when it comes to employment numbers, there should be plenty of workers in hard-hats looking for jobs. But if workers are out there, builders can’t seem to find them. Read more

Fleet managers need to keep track of a thousand different details: Working hours, driving time, which equipment is in use and when. Which equipment is in working order? How old is each piece? When do warrantees expire? How is the team tracking on fleet maintenance schedules? What items are likely to need replacement in the near future? That extensive list doesn’t even get into fuel management and driver dispatching and messaging.

Five popular fleet management software options help fleet managers stay on top of all of these details, so they can be confident they’re getting the most value as possible from their fleet. These five were identified as the top software by estimated customer base in a 2014 survey by Capterra. Here’s an overview of each to help you decide if one of these solutions is right for your fleet.

The Dirt Every Day episode featuring IronPlanet is now available to watch on YouTube! Check it out and let us know what you think, and preview and bid on the LMTV featured in this episode in the June 24 Humvee Sale!

PLEASANTON, Calif. – June 9, 2015 – IronPlanet, the leading online marketplace for buying and selling used heavy equipment and trucks, is going off-road in the popular YouTube series Dirt Every Day in an episode premiering today. Dirt Every Day will feature a decommissioned Stewart & Stevenson Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) truck from GovPlanet, an IronPlanet marketplace. This on- and off-road romp gives viewers a close look at what it’s like to have their own after-duty military vehicle.

With nearly 3.2 million subscribers to the Motor Trend YouTube Channel, Dirt Every Day is the hit series featuring off-road adventures and the trucks, Jeeps, and other machines that “get you there.” The series covers everything from new 4x4 tests to aftermarket off-road upgrades, wacky 4-wheel shoot outs and dirt road trips. Dirt Every Day came together with IronPlanet to get an exciting peek into the second life of decommissioned military vehicles sold on its GovPlanet marketplace.

Equipment inspections, and the team members who conduct them, are often unsung heroes in the used heavy equipment ecosystem. But without reliable, thorough and consistent inspection reports, buyers wouldn’t be able to purchase equipment with nearly as much confidence; sellers, too, would not be able to get premium prices for their assets without some kind of program that ensures buyers are comfortable purchasing sight unseen.

Chris Lambing, Director of IronPlanet’s inspection services team, knows well the challenges and joys of running what is one of the best equipment inspection programs out there. With his background in sales and operations, he’s always considering business impact for IronPlanet’s customers and is able to think about inspections from both the buyer and the seller side.

Early next week, Dirt Every Day will launch an episode about government surplus equipiment, featuring none other than IronPlanet! Get more details about the filming and inspiration behind the episode here, and here's a teaser to whet your curiosity: 

This week in interesting industry headlines:

EPA Study of Fracking Finds 'No Widespread, Systemic' Pollution [Bloomberg]

"The study[...] represents the most comprehensive assessment of the safety of fracking, a technique that has led to a boom in domestic oil and gas production but also spawned persistent complaints about pollution." Read more

Climate Change-Ready Rice Keeps Farmers' Fields Fertile [NPR]

"Agriculture that can withstand climatic threats is especially important in Bangladesh. The country is a low-lying river delta and thus is vulnerable to floods and violent storms. It is also one of the world's most densely populated countries: Imagine more than half the U.S. population crammed into an area the size of Iowa." Read more

Above: Fred Williams, host of Dirt Every Day, drives a military surplus truck provided by IronPlanet

On June 9^th, Motor Trend’s online video series “Dirt Every Day” puts the spotlight on IronPlanet as host Fred Williams explores the very cool world of government surplus vehicles. We got in touch with Williams so he can give you a preview of the episode, airing next week.

IronPlanet: Can you introduce our readers to this series?

Williams: Dirt Every Day is all about off road vehicles and 4-wheeling. It covers the gamut of jeeps and trucks to tractors and buggies. We have showcased old 4x4’s, race vehicles, giant off road firetrucks and once built a go-cart out of a Motorhome. It’s basically a camera crew following me around as I check out fun off-road stuff and go on adventures, and sometimes bring my two dogs, Batman and Baxter.

• Watch past Dirt Every Day episodes

IronPlanet's June 4th auction includes over 800 pieces of equipment for sale, including lots of concrete equipment items, compactors, excavators, healing & cooling equipment and more. Everything's available now to preview and place bids in advance! 

Some of the great items up for auction: 

2014 Volvo L60G Wheel Loader
Item #583559, 735 hours. Enclosed Cab, A/C, Heater, Tilt Steering, Rear View Camera, Volvo D6H Engine, 20.5R25 Tires, Hydraulic Coupler, 98.5" Wide General Purpose Bucket. See more

This week in interesting industry headlines:

Team picked to build LaGuardia Airport's new main terminal [The Kansas City Star]

"The project includes developer Skanska USA Inc., architecture and engineering company HOK and financial firms Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Inc. The work is expected to be completed by 2021 at a cost of $3.6 billion, according to the Port Authority's capital plan." Read more

Cash rebates boost grass removal frenzy in drought-plagued California [The Hamilton Spectator]

"The rebates have helped longtime landscapers and also drawn newcomers to the industry." Read more