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.

Highest percentage of construction executives reporting increased year-over-year activity since 2011

MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 1, 2014)—Activity in the construction industry continues its multiyear improvement trend with a notable change in 2014 compared to 2013, according to the latest Construction Executive Survey from Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company.

Online auction of metallic purple trailer benefits pancreatic cancer prevention and support

SAUK CENTRE, Minn. (Oct. 6, 2014)—Felling Trailers’ online auction of one of its most popular trailers to bring awareness and support of pancreatic cancer research raised $3,400. Felling Trailers manufactured and painted a FT-3 drop deck utility trailer metallic purple and auctioned it on eBay for 10 days during the month of September. Tredit Tire generously donated the wheels and Midwest Industrial Coatings, Inc. donated the custom metallic purple paint for this trailer and cause.

An education-packed event in Schaumberg, Illinois focuses on fleet efficiency

TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept.15, 2014)—The seventh annual Green Fleet Conference & Expo is a two-day event geared toward business owners and fleet professionals looking to increase operational and vehicle efficiency. At the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, the conference runs from Oct. 29-30 with additional preconference events on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Collaboration enhances both platforms’ ability to help ensure jobs run smoothly

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 1, 2014) — NoteVault, a provider of voice-to-text-based mobile reporting solutions for the commercial construction industry, announced today its integration with Autodesk Constructware, cloud-based construction project management software.

The technology enhancement expands both platforms’ ability to help ensure construction jobs run smoothly with maximum efficiency and minimal costs.

Innovative mobile collaboration solution strengthens Newforma’s lead in project information management software

MANCHESTER, N.H. (Oct. 6, 2014)—Newforma, a project information management (PIM) software company, announced it has acquired SmartUse, the Montreal developer of a touch-friendly mobile platform for construction project collaboration.

Causes, expectations and remedies for imperfection in building design and construction described in new report

NEW YORK (Sept. 24, 2014)—While the construction industry is often associated with cost and schedule problems, little data has been compiled about typical levels of uncertainty, reasons and remedies McGraw Hill Construction today released its new SmartMarket Report, Managing Uncertainty and Expectations in Building Design and Construction, that addresses this issue by identifying:

WD40.com provides user-friendly experience through interactive solution explorer, photo and video upload tool and social media sharing functionality

SAN DIEGO (Sept. 12, 2014)—WD-40 Company has launched a new, mobile-responsive website to showcase products that display the iconic blue and yellow shield. A key element of the new WD40.com is the custom Solution Explorer, an interactive search tool by use category and product function that helps users find the right WD-40 brand product for their need, whether that be at home, at work or at play.

South Australia health care provider selects Aconex to manage design and build of upcoming aged care facilities

ADELAIDE, Australia (Sept. 24, 2014)—Aconex, a provider of cloud solutions to manage construction and engineering projects, has been chosen by Southern Cross Care (SA & NT) Inc., a health care provider in South Australia, to support the design, building and handover of two major projects. These projects—aged care facilities which will be owned and operated by Southern Cross Care (SA & NT) Inc.—are planned for the Mount Barker and Myrtle Bank areas of South Australia.

Donaldson Company, Inc., announces the opening of fourth distribution center in Latin America

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Sept. 22, 2014)—Donaldson Company, Inc., announced the opening of the company's fourth distribution center in Latin America. Located in Lima, Peru, the new distribution center will support growing customer segments within the mining, transportation and construction industries.

Growth also brings addition of new staff and debut of national Partner Program

ROCKFORD, Mich.—Mobile estimating software provider JobFLEX announced its first expansion with the opening of its new headquarters in Rockford, Mich. The new space will accommodate additional staff and house JobFLEX's new national Partner Program, which seeks to provide additional sales and support resources for the company's national customer base.

Technology ensures that engines comply with emissions standards required by the EPA Clean Air Act

BRIDGEPORT, N.J. (Sept. 22, 2014)—Xylem announced that its Godwin range of diesel pumps is now available with Tier 4 engines, which reduce air pollution by minimizing particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and deliver enhanced engine control and reduced engine noise. Tier 4 engines are now required under the United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Clean Air Act: emissions standards for diesel engines.

Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation releases latest Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 22, 2014)The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the September 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) today.

Association seeks steel erection projects that demonstrate complexity or overcome difficulty

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.(Sept. 22, 2014)—The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is seeking nominations for Project of the Year. The award focuses on steel erection projects that demonstrate complexity or unusual conditions, or conquered issues and barriers requiring special management team action or performance.

The competition is open Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2014. Nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 6, 2015.

Largest U.S. sustainable building conference and expo taking place Oct. 22-24

DALLAS (Sept. 18, 2014)—Final preparations are underway for the 2014 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, scheduled for Oct. 22-24, 2014 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.

 

New rule would prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against workers who discuss pay.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced a proposed rule that would prohibit federal contractors from maintaining pay secrecy policies. Under the terms of the proposal, federal contractors and subcontractors may not fire or otherwise discriminate against any employee or applicant for discussing, disclosing or inquiring about their compensation or that of another employee or applicant.

JLG and Godfrey's "Reaching Out at CONEXPO" campaign awarded Best Trade Show Marketing Strategy.

LANCASTER, Pa.—Business-to-business (B2B) marketing communications agency, Godfrey, and its client, JLG Industries Inc., received a Platinum Brand Builder Award for Best Trade Show Marketing Strategy from Hanley Wood, a trade-media company serving the residential, commercial design and construction industries.

Benchmarking index expands the heavy equipment category to include construction, agricultural and truck.

NEW YORK (Sept. 15, 2014)—Penton's EquipmentWatch, provider of research and database information products for the heavy equipment industry, has expanded the coverage of the EquipmentWatch INDEX™, a monthly benchmarking report that tracks price, volume and age trends in the heavy equipment market, to include agriculture and truck, in addition to the existing construction equipment content.

Felling Trailers sponsors online auction of purple trailer to benefit pancreatic cancer research and support.

SAUK CENTRE, Minn. (Sept. 11, 2014)—In an effort to bring awareness and support to pancreatic cancer research, Felling Trailers is conducting its second online auction of a FT-3 drop deck utility trailer. Felling Trailers manufactured and painted one of its most popular trailers metallic purple to be auctioned online for 10 days during the month of September. Midwest Industrial Coatings, Inc. donated the custom metallic purple paint and Tredit Tire donated the wheels.

Participants in the Back 9 Night-Light Golf Fundraiser played through the night to benefit Tiny Hands International and Give2Grow Phelps County.

HOLDREDGE, Neb. (Sept. 1, 2014)—Sixty-three Allmand light towers lined the fairways of the Holdrege Country Club’s back nine August 15th and 16th as 200 participants golfed the night away. Allmand hosted the Back 9 Night-Lite Golf Fundraiser tournaments for the second year in a row in Holdrege, Neb. The proceeds of the tournaments benefited Tiny Hands International and Give2Grow Phelps County.

Collaboration seeks to transform the construction industry.

SUNNYVALE and LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2014)—Trimble and Frank Gehry announced a strategic alliance to collaborate in transforming the construction industry by further connecting the office to on-site construction technologies. As part of the alliance, Trimble has acquired software and consulting services business, Gehry Technologies.