Construction Industry News

(January 2, 2014) - Total construction spending increased between October and November and for the year amid growing private-sector demand, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that the spending levels were held back by declining public sector investments for both the month and the year.

(December 31, 2013) - Construction employment expanded in 211 metro areas, declined in 67 and was stagnant in 61 between November 2012 and November 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains were encouraging but cautioned that future gains were dependent on continued economic growth and new investments in aging domestic infrastructure.

LODI, N.J. (Dec. 30, 2013) - Lisa S. Ballerini, the president of Montana Construction Corp, Inc. has been selected as one of New Jersey's Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of 2013.

(December 20, 2013) - Construction firms added jobs in 39 states during the past 12 months, while employment nearly stabilized in the remainder, according to an analysis released by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned that the industry’s recovery was still relatively fragile, noting that a number of states experiencing large annual gains lost jobs during the past month.

KOHLER, Wis. (December 17, 2013) – A hard-hit area on the New Jersey coast received a big gift today from Kohler Generators. In a goodwill gesture, Kohler Generators donated a commercial-grade, standby generator to the Borough of Seaside Park, N.J.

The backup generator will provide emergency power to the administration and executive building, which serves as a command center and shelter during crisis situations.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (December 16, 2013) - Seventeen construction professionals recently earned the Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) certification from the American Institute of Constructor’s Constructor Certification Commission (AIC & CCC). To become certified, an individual must meet certain qualifying experience and/or educational requirements and pass a comprehensive examination. The examination was held Nov. 2 at more than 70 locations across the U.S.

(Dec. 13, 2013) - Overall, construction materials prices fell 0.5 percent in November and are up only 1.1 percent year over year, according to the Department of Labor’s Dec. 13 Producer Price Index. Nonresidential construction materials are down 0.6 percent for the month and are 0.7 percent lower than the same time last year.

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2013) -The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its third annual “Best of Green Schools” list, which recognizes top educational institutions, individuals and initiatives across the country for environmental efforts.

As part of efforts to focus on its core business, the Volvo Group has agreed to sell Volvo Rents to the US private equity firm Platinum Equity for $1.1 billion. Volvo Construction Equipment will continue to sell products to Volvo Rents under the new ownership.

The Volvo Group has announced that it is to sell its Volvo Rents business in North America to private equity company Platinum Equity for $1.1 billion (approx. SEK 7.2 billion).

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2013) – A pronounced shift in housing and neighborhood preferences has occurred during the last decade, with strong and growing demand for infill development, mixed-use projects, access to public transportation and high-density development. There is also an emerging desire for communities that promote a healthy lifestyle through more pedestrian-friendly design and increased access to recreational activities.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., (December 13, 2013) – ENR magazine named The Bill Holmes Tower at CHOC Children’s Hospital a 2013 Best Health Care Project. Design and construction team members from CHOC Children’s, McCarthy Building Companies, Jacobs and FKP Architects accepted the award Dec. 5 at the Long Beach Marriott during ENR’s annual award ceremony.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Dec. 12, 2013) – Michelin held an event to mark the opening of its newest manufacturing facility in South Carolina. Michelin executives and employees were joined by dozens of dignitaries from across the state to celebrate the milestone just 17 months after breaking ground on the Anderson County facility, which will produce large tires for earthmoving equipment.

WASHINGTON (December 12, 2013) – Investment in equipment and software is expected to grow 3.1 percent in 2014 as economic conditions solidify and business confidence continues to recover, according to the Annual 2014 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. Equipment investment is expected to grow across most verticals, as underlying economic fundamentals continue to improve.

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 4, 2013) – FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking* to the engineering and construction industry, announced the release of the 2013 Fourth Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows a 2.9 point drop in the fourth quarter to 57.4. However, the score is still ahead of fourth quarter 2012 by 1.9 points.

WASHINGTON (December 3, 2013) – Current federal contracting laws are discouraging talented architects from competing for federal contracts, depriving government and, by inference, taxpayers of the best design expertise available, according to AN AIA testimony presented on Capitol Hill.

WEST FARGO, N.D. (December 3, 2013) — Doosan has kicked off the CONEXPO-CON/AGG VIP contest, offering customers the opportunity to win a trip to the 2014 CONEXPO/CON-AGG trade show in Las Vegas, Nev.

To enter, customers must visit http://www.doosanequipment.com/dice/VIP/Contest_Form.page before Jan. 31, 2014, and answer the question, “Why should I be chosen as the Doosan VIP?”

ARLINGTON, VA. (DEC. 2, 2013) - An unusual surge in public construction in October pushed total construction spending to its highest level since May 2009 despite a dip in both private residential and nonresidential activity, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged lawmakers in Washington to make water and surface transportation investment a top federal priority.

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 2, 2013) – FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, announces the release of the 2013 Fourth Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows a 2.9 point drop in the fourth quarter to 57.4. However, the score is still ahead of fourth quarter 2012 by 1.9 points.

WASHINGTON (Nov. 25, 2013) -- Turner Construction Company and the National Building Museum are pleased to announce the selection of the Lean Construction Institute as the recipient of the 2013 Turner Prize. The Prize, established in honor of the company's founder, Henry C. Turner, recognizes significant achievement, innovation, and exemplary leadership.

WORCESTER, PENN. - (November 26, 2013) - American Infrastructure,a heavy construction company and materials supplier, announced that its Allan A. Myers division received the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter's Award of Excellence for its Pennsylvania Turnpike new electronic interchange project at Exit 320 in Great Valley, Pa. Phil Scala, superintendent at Allan A.