Welcome to our Construction Industry News page, where we bring you the latest updates on mergers and acquisitions, key new hires, and significant industry shifts. Stay informed with breaking news and in-depth reporting to keep up with the fast-paced changes shaping the construction business.

More than 2-acre retail site constructed in high pedestrian traffic area

LAS VEGAS (March 3, 2015) – The PENTA Building Group announced it recently completed construction of Grand Bazaar Shops Las Vegas. The Strip’s newest outdoor shopping center opened for business on Thursday, February 26.

Bill would protect employers’ due process and employees’ privacy rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 4, 2015) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s passage of a joint resolution to block the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ambush election proposal.

Letter supports timely passage for a long-term transportation bill, as well, TCC says

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 24, 2015) — A letter authored by Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.), and signed by nearly 300 members of the House of Representatives shows widespread support for fixing the Highway Trust Fund and quick action on a long-term surface transportation bill, the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) said.

January new business volume up 12 percent year-over-year, down 48 percent month-to-month

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 25, 2015) — The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $903 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for January was $6.7 billion, up 12 percent from new business volume in January 2014.

FlexTemp Systems surface heating keeps the Vikings Stadium construction on time

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. (Feb. 25, 2015) — The Vikings Stadium is going up steadily despite this winter’s extreme weather conditions.  St. Cloud, Minnesota-based FlexTemp Systems makes it possible — even on the coldest of cold days. FlexTemp Systems manufactures and its affiliated business Winter Construction Specialties sells and rents surface heating equipment used in winter construction for ground thawing and concrete curing.

Competitors from 32 states to contend for gold in 12 crafts

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 18, 2015) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently announced nearly 200 competitors from 32 states will participate in this year’s National Craft Championships, March 4-5, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center in Ft.

BirdDog named Top Growth Company and Technology Company of the Year finalist in the 2015 Prometheus Awards

DES MOINES, IOWA (Feb. 26, 2015) – BirdDog has been named a finalist for the “Top Growth Company” and “Technology Company of the Year” Prometheus Awards by the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI). The awards will be held during an evening ceremony on April 16 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Hundreds of industry leaders from business, education and government will attend the event honoring 61 finalists in 13 categories.

Associated Builders and Contractors names Greg Sizemore to direct environment, health, safety and workforce development for the organization

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 2, 2015) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced industry leader Greg Sizemore as its vice president of environment, health, safety (EH&S) and workforce development for ABC. Sizemore is tasked with directing ABC’s long-range strategic objectives related to creating an innovative, skilled, productive, healthy and safe workforce.

Construction firm transforms industry with the power of technology

NATIONAL (Feb. 23, 2015) – Technology has increased communication and collaboration among the general workforce, but the construction industry hasn’t leveraged such innovation until now. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Power Design Inc. is one of the largest full-service electrical contractors in the United States, with more than 160 active projects across the country.

Doreen DiPolito of D-Mar General Contracting asserts that ongoing investments in Florida ports, roadways and airports will create new opportunities for women in construction.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2015)—According to a proposed budget filed by Governor Rick Scott last month, the Florida Department of Transportation will receive $9.9 billion in funding this year for strategic transportation projects. Doreen DiPolito, owner and president of D-Mar General Contracting and Development in Tampa Bay, Florida, applauded the move, citing its significance in supporting and creating construction jobs throughout the state.

The event, held on Feb. 28, will be called the Hyundai Construction 200

NORCROSS, Ga. (Feb. 17, 2015)—Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas Inc., manufacturer of earthmoving and material handling equipment, announced it will serve as the title sponsor when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race returns to the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 28. The event will be named the Hyundai Construction 200.

An increase in the nonresidential construction index from FMI both positive and negative for construction industry

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 19, 2015)—The Nonresidential Construction Index from FMI rose two points in Q1. This is normally a positive economic sign. However, construction companies are facing the challenge of having enough people to keep up with increasing backlogs, warns Phil Warner, researcher for FMI.

BirdDog recruitment and application tracking system will integrate with eCMS to assist customers to manage their application, recruiting and human resources activities

DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 17, 2015)—BirdDog announced that it has entered into a technology partnership with Computer Guidance Corporation, providing customers a tighter product integration between Computer Guidance Corporation’s eCMS Construction ERP Platform and BirdDog’s recruitment and applicant tracking solutions.

BTE will be the exclusive dealer for Cemen Tech products

INDIANOLA, Iowa (Feb. 11, 2015)—Cemen Tech, a leader in the volumetric mixing industry, announced they have recently signed BTE Body as the exclusive dealer for Cemen Tech volumetric mixers throughout Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

New training helps employers identify key areas of responsibility in crane and rigging operations

ATLANTA, Ga. (Feb. 11, 2015)—Crane Industry Services recently announced a new course focusing on employer responsibility in crane and rigging operations.

The concept of employer responsibility is stated strongly in OSHA and ASME standards and is open-ended enough, that employers and supervisors may be held accountable for decisions made and directions given. A new course called Crane Safety for Site Management focuses on the following key areas.

Report states European countries dominate top 10 highest-cost construction markets; construction in U.S. now more expensive than Japan

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (Feb. 3, 2015)—Switzerland is now the most expensive country in the world for construction, while Japan and Singapore have seen significant relative cost reductions over the last year, according to the 2014 International Construction Costs Report recently released by Arcadis.

Senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee issued a statement on the president's budget proposal

WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 2015)—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, recently issued the following statement on the President’s budget proposal.