WASHINGTON (May 5, 2014) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced the winners of its National Craft Championships and the Craft Instructor of the Year and Craft Professional of the Year during the Careers in Construction awards ceremony in Birmingham, Ala. The ceremony took place May 2, at the conclusion of ABC’s Workforce Development Conference.

Payrolls rise by 32,000 jobs in April to 6 million, the highest level since June 2009.

(May 2, 2014) - The unemployment rate in construction dropped to the lowest April level in seven years as contractors added 32,000 workers to payrolls in April, bringing industry employment to 6.0 million, the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that it is essential to revive and expand training opportunities before the industry runs short of workers.

Housing and private nonresidential categories rise, but public outlays drop to seven-year low.

(May 1, 2014) - Total construction spending remained in a holding pattern in March as strong gains in apartment construction and modest growth in homebuilding and private nonresidential activity offset falling public outlays, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

Company expands business in Brazil.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (April 30, 2014) — Capital Safety, home of the DBI-SALA and PROTECTA brands, has acquired Altiseg Equipamentos de Seguranca de Trabalho Ltda. – EPP (Altiseg), a fall protection company in Brazil. Capital Safety is a global designer and manufacturer of fall protection and height safety equipment and plays a significant role in the fall protection industry in South America.

The changes in plumbing codes are intended to reduce hot water waste and save Americans time and money.

WASHINGTON (April 30, 2014) – Plumbing inspectors, manufacturers, engineers, contractors, labor representatives and other industry technical experts in Las Vegas voted April 29 to make a change to plumbing codes that will ensure hot water pipes in new homes and commercial buildings are insulated. Overall, insulation of hot water pipes will shorten the amount of time spent waiting for hot water at showers and faucets and cut hot water waste by 15 to 30 percent.