In the early 2000s, the construction industry was on a significant upswing. Economic indicators pointed towards growth, and construction spending soared, reaching nearly $998.4 billion in 2004. It was in this fertile landscape that entrepreneur Wally Evans saw an opportunity. Having recently acquired Pumps & Systems magazine and founded publishing company Cahaba Media Group (CMG), Evans was keen to expand his publishing footprint. After months of research, Evans identified a gap in the market: a publication focused not on equipment, but on the business of running a construction company.
“I asked the staff to pull together all the construction trade magazines they could find,” Evans recalled. “We laid them all on the floor and looked at them for a long time.” The strategic approach of evaluating the missing content as a team led to the birth of Construction Business Owner (CBO) in 2004, a magazine dedicated to providing practical business management insights to construction professionals.
Filling the Niche
From its inception, CBO distinguished itself by focusing on the business side of construction, an area that had been largely overlooked by other publications. The first issue hit the stands in August 2004, featuring practical advice on business management, financing and leadership tailored to construction professionals. This unique focus quickly resonated with its audience.
As Elizabeth Manning, CMG’s director of content and former CBO managing editor, noted, “While your teams are busy on the jobsite getting work done, we’re working hard to publish the advice and news you need to grow and thrive. It may be learning how to navigate the latest OSHA requirement, a deep dive into retention efforts your peers are doing to retain skilled labor, advice on investing in new technology, or a guide to succession planning for your leadership team. Regardless, it can all be found in some form in Construction Business Owner.”
Navigating Economic Turbulence
CBO’s journey has not been without challenges. The 2008 recession hit the construction industry hard, with plummeting investments and a drastic reduction in marketing budgets. Evans recounted those difficult days: “The phones just stopped ringing. Businesses stopped spending. Orders got canceled. Marketing budgets were cut. September 2008 was a record month in terms of billings, but things collapsed after that.”
Despite these challenges, CBO managed to stay afloat. The publication never experienced a losing year, even during the depths of the recession. Evans reflected: “An important thing about recessions is that they end. The companies that work twice as hard during recessions to prepare for coming out of them are the ones who end up surviving,” foreshadowing the effort CBO continues to make in keeping readers informed and supported in all manner of turbulent circumstances.
Evolution & Adaptation
CBO’s ability to adapt and evolve has been key to its success. In 2011, under the leadership of former editor Jeana Durst, the magazine underwent a significant redesign. This rebranding effort aimed to offer readers more consistency and better address both office- and field-focused content. The magazine was divided into “In the Office” and “In the Field” sections, a format that remains in place today.
This strategic pivot paid off. CBO solidified its position as a leading resource for construction business owners, with a loyal following of 40,000 subscribers. The magazine’s practical and relevant content has been instrumental in helping construction professionals navigate an ever-changing industry landscape.
The evolution of the brand continued through the following decade, seeing the retirement of CMG CEO Evans in 2020 and the onboarding of current CEO, Matthew Conroy. And as we know, 2020 held more evolution for businesses than anyone expected.
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the construction industry. Projects were delayed or halted, supply chains were disrupted and safety protocols had to be overhauled. CBO played a crucial role in helping construction business owners navigate these challenges by providing timely information on health and safety guidelines, remote work strategies and financial management during the crisis. Under the guidance of previous editor Kathy Wells, the CBO team worked tirelessly to ensure the magazine’s coverage helped companies adapt to the new normal, safeguarding the continuation of operations while prioritizing the health of their workforce.
Embracing the Digital Shifts
Over the past two decades, CBO has embraced digital transformation, expanding its reach and impact. Manning highlighted this evolution: “I’ve watched (and worked) as the brand evolved from a print magazine into a multimedia brand spanning more than five channels of communication.”
This digital expansion has allowed CBO to stay relevant in an increasingly digital world, providing timely and actionable content through various platforms, including its website, newsletters and social media channels. The shift to a multimedia approach has also enabled CBO to engage with a broader audience and provide more interactive and dynamic content.
Emphasizing Sustainability
Over the past decade, the construction industry has increasingly embraced sustainability, driven by regulatory changes and a growing awareness of environmental impact. In 2016, the Green Building Certification Inc. (GBCI) launched the Arc digital platform, enabling projects to measure improvements in sustainability and benchmark against others. This platform supports the LEED for Cities and Communities program, promoting continuous progress toward creating better living environments. CBO has been and will continue to be at the forefront of conversations around sustainable practices across the industry.
So far, CBO has highlighted innovations such as self-healing concrete, modular bamboo and bioreactors, all of which contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of construction projects. The magazine’s Sustainability VIP awards recognized industry leaders who have made significant strides in promoting sustainable practices, reinforcing CBO’s commitment to driving the construction industry toward a more sustainable future.
But sustainability means more to CBO than building materials and carbon emissions, as no business is sustainable without a well-represented workforce. In 2019, CBO launched its Outstanding Women in Construction (OWIC) contest, highlighting the contributions of women in all areas of the industry. Unfailingly, nominations roll in every year to spotlight the women who are making vital contributions to the construction sector at every level.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges
In recent years, CBO has tackled some of the most pressing issues facing the construction industry. From workforce shortages and the opioid crisis to the adoption of new technologies and sustainability practices, CBO has consistently provided insights and solutions. Manning cites a particularly impactful piece: “A recent example is an informative article from a friend and gift to our industry, Cal Beyer, on how the opioid crisis affects the construction workforce. He covers a report published in late 2023 from the CDC noting that the construction and extraction industries had the highest rates of overdose deaths in 2020. His writing illustrates one of the many challenges construction workers and business owners are up against — as well as the important role publications like CBO serve for our market.”
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade
As CBO celebrates its 20th anniversary, the team is focused on the future, committed to continuing its mission of empowering construction business owners. Manning expressed her enthusiasm for what lies ahead: “I’m excited to work with our readers, advertisers and the CBO team to usher the brand into its next few decades of growth. I can’t thank you enough for supporting our brand for the last two.”
Reflecting on the magazine’s remarkable journey and its impact on the industry, Evans shared his thoughts on reaching this significant achievement: “I’m just very proud that the magazine has hit the important milestone of two decades in publication. It shows that our initial ideas for the editorial mission of the brand were on point, and that the market continues to value the work that the CBO team does to bring relevant content to this vital industry.”
CBO’s commitment to providing valuable business management insights and staying ahead of industry trends ensures that it will remain a trusted resource for construction professionals for years to come. As Manning aptly put it, “While our focus remains on investing in our current channels, our priority is also to provide the reader with a positive experience tailored to their schedules and the content they need most.”
The story of Construction Business Owner is, in some ways, the same as that of the construction industry: one of vision, resilience and adaptation. From its humble beginnings in 2004 to its position today as a leading industry publication, CBO has continually evolved to meet the needs of construction business owners. As the construction industry faces new challenges and opportunities, CBO remains steadfast in its commitment to providing the insights and tools necessary for success. Here’s to the next 20 years of empowering construction business owners and driving the industry forward.
More CBO Essentials
Learn more about the brand's readers, partners and team members!
