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CBO Editorial Staff

  • Resources

    Construction Spending Hits 2-1/2 Year Peak in May

    (July 2, 2012) – Construction spending in May reached the highest level since December 2009 as widespread gains in private nonresidential construction, single-family and multifamily homebuilding more than offset a continuing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect the disparity between private and public construction is likely to persist, although enactment of a federal highway and transit bill will cushion the decline in public spending. “It is encouraging to see such a broad-based pickup in private construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. Simonson noted that private nonresidential spending climbed for the third month in a row and was 19 percent higher than in May 2011....

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  • Resources

    Trimble to Acquire WinEstimator to Extend Meridian Systems’ Capabilities for General Contractors and Owners

    SUNNYVALE, Calif. (July 2, 2012)—Trimble announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WinEstimator, Inc. (WinEst), a provider of construction cost estimating and cost-modeling software. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions. WinEst  will be integrated into the operations of Meridian Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary within Trimble’s Engineering and Construction segment. Financial terms were not disclosed. WinEst features a team of 25 industry professionals dedicated to providing estimating and cost modeling solutions to builders and capital project owners. The company’s offerings include the WinEst product line that provides a suite of estimating solutions, allowing customers to quickly and accurately respond to all phases of the estimating process, from initial project feasibility to detailed...

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  • Resources

    Honda Engines TACS Training System Offered to Fire and Police Departments

    ALPHARETTA, Ga. (July 2, 2012) – Honda Engines today announced that the company’s award-winning Training and Certification System (TACS) now will be offered to fire and police departments that use equipment powered by small engines. The TACS system will be provided to all first responders free of charge to assist them with technical, maintenance and repair information about Honda Engines models utilized on many products within the law enforcement and fire and rescue communities. The Honda Engines TACS system provides Web-based service training and certification to Honda Engines distributors and more than 10,600 Honda Engines dealers nationwide.  The easy-to-use system allows dealer and distributor personnel to complete the latest Honda Engines product and technical training at their own pace while at the dealership.  In relation...

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  • Project Management

    Becoming a Successful CCIP Candidate

    Common traits of a good CCIP candidate include: – A highly-developed safety cultre that permeates throughout the company, including project managers, superintendents, tradesmen and subcontractors of ever tier – Experience in managing claims under a high-deductible program – A robust subonctractor prequalification process – Well-established subonctractor relationship in the areas they operate – A significant percentage of their revenue from established customers to meet the CCIP minimum premium requirements Although some rolling CCIPs covering smaller projects (under$20 million) have been feasible, expected porjects with values between $30 million to $40 million or more are widely considered necessary for a successful outcome.

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  • Resources

    5 Essential Parts to a Successful Daily Huddle

    1. Simplicity – Many firms try to accomplish too much in a short huddle. Focus on two to three areas (e.g., safety, production and materials). 2. Real-Time Safety – Use job-hazard analyses, and devote immediate attention to safety issues. 3. Timing – Stay within a five- to 10-minute time limit. A crew leader should stay within time constraints. Also, ask everyone to stand during the huddle to keep it brief. 4. Benchmarking – The afternoon or “PM Huddle” should discuss which goals could not be achieve, and the project leader should determine the cause. This huddle gives the crew a sense of accountability. 5. Tomorrow’s Targets – It is always important to keep an eye on the goals for the next day.

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