WASHINGTON (February 18, 2014) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced enforcement actions that will require 35 home renovation contractors and training providers to take additional steps to protect communities by minimizing harmful lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Standards.

The increase in the score comes from an optimistic view of a rising economy, as nearly half of the participants expect construction to grow up to 5% in 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 17, 2014) – FMI, a leading provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, announces the release of the 2014 First Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows a 7.5 point increase since the 2013 fourth quarter report, as well as a 6.8 point increase from Q1 2013. This is the highest NRCI score to date.

John Deere will manufacture its backhoe loaders and wheel loaders in one location and excavators, in partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery, in the other.

INDAIATUBA, Sao Paulo (Feb. 13, 2014) - The John Deere Construction & Forestry Division marked the completion of two manufacturing facilities in Indaiatuba-SP, Brazil. John Deere will manufacture its backhoe loaders and wheel loaders in one location and excavators, in partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery, in the other.

The company earned six national honors from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. (Feb. 12, 2014) – Brasfield & Gorrie announced that the company received national recognition from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). During an awards ceremon in Maui, Hawaii, Brasfield & Gorrie received six national Excellence in Construction awards, including four first-place Eagle awards and two second-place Pyramid awards.

The organization believes that the proposed rule is unworkable and its requirements unattainable for most employers in today’s construction environment.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) believes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed rule on occupational exposure to crystalline silica is “so fundamentally flawed” that the ASA called on OSHA to immediately withdraw it.

New Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry Study Addresses Questions and Uncertainty About Investment in Big Data

WASHINGTON (Feb. 12, 2014) – The growing trend of harnessing big data is expected to benefit exponentially equipment leasing and finance firms that invest in it early, according to a new research study released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation).

The AGC reports that 179,000 jobs were added during the past 12 months with growth in both residential and nonresidential segments.

(February 7, 2014) - Construction employment jumped by the largest monthly amount in nearly seven years in January, bringing industry employment to the highest level since July 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that, at the current rate of growth, it would not take long before many firms begin having difficulty finding enough skilled workers to meet demand.

The company will sell five KOBELCO SK350 limited edition crawler excavators designed to support our troops.

(Feb. 10, 2014) - KOBELCO Construction Machinery USA announced plans to donate $100,000 to the non-profit organization Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) from the sale of five KOBELCO SK350 limited edition crawler excavators designed to support our troops. One of these machines will be on display in Silver Lot Booth 4408 at ConExpo 2014 from March 4 through March 8 in Las Vegas, Nev.