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.

Company expands business in Albert, Canada.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 5, 2014) — Capital Safety, home of the DBI-SALA and PROTECTA brands, has announced that it has acquired Fall Protection Group Inc., a Calgary, Alberta-based company committed to industry training for at-height workers.

While overall outlooks are positive, industry experts indicate need for government spending to maintain growth.

WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2014) — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chief Economist Kermit Baker and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist David Crowe provided a collaborative economic forecast combining their expert economic analysis on leading, present and lagging economic indicators.

Representatives of the National Demolition Association present a paper on the value of public/private collaboration before and during disaster response.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Aug. 1, 2014) — Emergency management experts from around the world met at Purdue University recently to debate best practices for life-saving response and recovery operations after natural or man-made catastrophes, opening the dialogue for the first time this year to include industry experts.

Move will facilitate LEED certification process and support green building in global hubs.

WASHINGTON (July 31, 2014) — The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), the third-party certification body for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, and Bureau Veritas SA, a global testing, inspection and certification body, have announced a strategic business partnership. As part of the agreement, Bureau Veritas will facilitate LEED certification on behalf of GBCI for LEED green building projects.

The manufacturing business will donate 5 percent of proceeds from their pink PHIL Autogate Tailgates to breast cancer awareness and prevention initiatives.

PEORIA, Ill. (July 30, 2014) — Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc. (PHIL) is working with the Susan G. Komen Memorial to increase breast cancer awareness and prevention and raise funds for research dedicated to finding a cure. Through December, every customer who orders a pink PHIL Autogate Tailgate will have the option to take part in the Pink Tailgate Initiative, and PHIL will donate 5 percent of proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Memorial.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton proclaims “Toro Day” in the State of Minnesota as the company celebrates "A Century of Innovation"

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (July 29, 2014) — The Toro Company celebrated its 100th anniversary July 10, as more than 2,000 employees, retirees, channel and business partners, and other valued guests gathered at the company’s headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. Joining Toro’s Chairman and CEO Michael J.

Construction spending projections scaled back for the rest of 2014.

WASHINGTON (July 28, 2014) — Due to the weather-related slow start in the nonresidential building market during the first part of the year and the prolonged weakness in the institutional sector, construction spending projections for the rest of the year have been lowered slightly. The commercial construction sector is still looking at solid spending increases throughout the remainder of 2014, paced by high levels of demand for hotels and office buildings.

New business volume is up 30 percent month to month and 3 percent year to date.

WASHINGTON (July 24, 2014) — 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 $827 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for June was $9 billion, up 5 percent from new business volume in June 2013.

Company commits to donate tablets to Guatemala school in an effort to empower children to overcome poverty.

(July 23, 2014) — Point-of-Rental Systems’ CEO Wayne Harris recently visited a school in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, that caters specifically to children living in extreme poverty. The poverty rate in Guatemala is at 53 percent, with the worst poverty conditions being in rural areas of the country.

McCarthy employees and subcontractors donate nearly $188,000 in time and materials to renovate building interior and exterior backyard.

SAN DIEGO (July 23, 2014) — Employees of McCarthy Building Companies Inc., a commercial builder in San Diego, recently teamed with a group of consultants and subcontractors to give the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego (BGCGSD) what it needed most: a new STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) lab and outdoor garden area at its Ron Roberts Family Branch in Linda Vista, located at 2230 E. Jewett St., San Diego.

Cross-industry contest celebrates top talent and their commitment to professional development

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (JULY 23, 2014) — The National Kitchen & Bath Association, a provider of continuing education and professional development for the kitchen and bath industry, has announced the launch of NKBA U Professional of the Year, a contest recognizing the most driven in the kitchen and bath industry.

With the House having approved a package of offsets to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through next May, attention now shifts to the Senate.

(July 21, 2014) — With the House having approved a package of offsets to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through next May, attention now shifts to the Senate as action is expected this week.

Florida has largest 12-month percent and total gains, while New Jersey has the largest annual declines.

(July 18, 2014) — Construction firms added jobs in 38 states and the District of Columbia during the past 12 months, but they reduced headcount in 27 states between May and June, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials said the employment gains help, but construction employment remains below peak levels in every location except North Dakota.

Recruitment company makes reaching and attracting veterans a priority and helps contractors meet OFCCP veteran recruitment requirements.

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 15, 2014) — BirdDog, a provider of recruitment and applicant tracking solutions (ATS) for the construction and skilled trades industries, has announced new job distribution available with RecruitMilitary, H2H.jobs and ArmedServicesJobs job boards focused on helping veterans reenter the workplace.

Construction software developer will use its GPS product to follow employee's progress in real time during Badwater Ultramarathon.

SUGAR LAND, Texas (July 14, 2014) — Steve Maliszewski, employee of construction software firm HCSS, is set to run one of the toughest foot races on the planet: the grueling 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon in California taking place July 21-23. To track him along the course, HCSS is installing one of its GPS units—a product that Maliszewski helped design—on his crew’s van to follow his progress in real time.

WASHINGTON (July 14, 2014) — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has agreed to support a new performance-based guide developed by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).

The National Performance-Based Design Guide (NPBDG) is the first broad-reaching performance-based tool for use by facility owners and building industry professionals.