WASHINGTON, (Nov. 14, 2023) — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.4 months in October from 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2. The reading is down 0.4 months from October 2022.

View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for October.

Nov. 20, 2023 — Komatsu, through its wholly owned subsidiary in the U.S., Komatsu America Corp., has agreed to acquire American Battery Solutions, Inc. (ABS), a battery manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Komatsu is planning to close the acquisition on Dec. 1, 2023, on the condition that all necessary procedures for the closing are completed.

HAMILTON, N.J. (Nov. 7, 2023) — The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, increased 1% in October to 181.7 (2000=100) from the revised September reading of 180.3. Over the month, the commercial component of the DMI rose 2.0%, while the institutional component retreated 1.4%.

Leaders from Volvo Group and CRH met in Eskilstuna, Sweden, on Nov. 13 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on opportunities to accelerate the transition to net zero. Both organizations aim to reduce emissions. Volvo Group's target is to have 35% fully electric sales by 2030 and to be net zero in its value chain by 2040. CRH is targeting a 30% reduction in group-wide emissions by 2030 and to become a net-zero business by 2050.