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CBO Editorial Staff

  • Eneref Institute to Organize Industry Consortium on Solar Heating for Pentagon I&E

    Philadelphia, PA. (June 20, 2012) – Eneref Institute (www.eneref.org) announced it is convening a multi-economic sector of the U.S. solar thermal industry to work directly with the Department of Defense office of Installations and Environment. Eneref Institute’s mission is to provide accurate guidance on equipment specifications/standards, contractor qualifications, third party finance and monitoring practices in order to build a greater confidence for solar heating technology within the Department of Defense. The goal is to expedite actionable parameters for the implementation of solar heating and cooling on DoD facilities worldwide. Eneref’s initial task is to convene an industry-funded solar heating and cooling (SHC) specialists group to initiate and reengineer best practices for the implementation of SHC systems on DoD CONUS and OCONUS facilities. Eneref Institute has...

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  • Resources

    Solutions to Environmental Impacts of Concrete with New ISO Standard

    (June 13, 2012) – Concrete is widely used for constructing infrastructures such as buildings, bridges, dams and tunnels, and its consumption as a resource is the second largest on the planet after water, with potential strong negative impacts on the environment. ISO 13315-1:2012, Environmental management for concrete and concrete structures – Part 1: General Principles, aims to provide the basic rules on environmental management for concrete and concrete structures. It will help owners, designers, manufacturers, constructors, users, certification bodies, and environmental standard developers. The standard is intended to contribute to continual improvement of the environmental impacts resulting from concrete-related activities. It ensures consistency with the ISO 14000 series on environmental management. ISO 13315-1:2012 covers the secondary effects of the production of concrete and of concrete...

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  • Resources

    Construction Materials Prices Drop in May

    ARLINGTON, Va.  (June 13, 2012) – The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials edged down 0.3 percent in May and climbed by only 2.3 percent from a year earlier, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the amount contractors charge to construct projects remained largely flat for the month and is up only between 3.1 and 4.3 percent for the year. “The slowdown in construction input price increases is a rare and possibly short-lived event,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noting that the last time prices rose so slowly from a year earlier was February 2010. “Meanwhile, some of the price increases we are seeing for materials like...

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  • Resources

    Maxwell Systems Partners with Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA to Build Homes

    KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – (June 6, 2012) Maxwell Systems, Inc., a leading provider of complete construction business management software solutions, announced the company is proud to be a corporate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA and participate in hands-on build projects that will provide quality, affordable shelter for residents in Norristown, a suburb of Philadelphia.  In addition to its financial contribution, Maxwell Systems will sponsor four build days for employees to volunteer their hands-on help to accomplish the construction project. Approximately 50 volunteers from the company’s King of Prussia, PA office will participate in the series of build days occurring throughout June.  “We’re happy to support Habitat for Humanity and the organization’s critical work advancing the quality of life and economic...

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  • Resources

    FMI Reports Nonresidential Construction Index Continues to Rise

    RALEIGH, N.C. (May 30, 2012) –  FMI (www.fminet.com), the largest provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, announces the release of its Second Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for 2012. Confidence among panelists reaches a record high; the NRCI reached 59.8 in the second quarter. Rising 1.7 points from the first quarter, this is the highest confidence rating ever achieved, since the index was developed in 2007. Panelists reveal that backlogs remain about the same at a median of eight months. However, all markets, with the exception of education construction, are expected to improve slightly over the next quarter. Productivity has also shown improvement. Holding down the NRCI is the continued increase in labor and material costs. With U.S....

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  • Workforce Management

    Construction Employment Experiences Largest Decline in Two Years

      ARLINGTON, VA. (June 1, 2012) – Construction employment fell in May by 28,000, the largest decline in two years, and is now at the lowest level since last August, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The drop in construction employment comes as new figures show a 1.4 percent decrease in public construction spending restrained overall construction activity growth to 0.3 percent. “With construction employment shrinking for the fourth month in a row, the industry is clearly having a difficult start to the year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In particular, cuts to public sector investments in construction are taking their toll, given that heavy and civil engineering construction experienced the largest employment...

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  • Resources

    Allmand Announces Major Expansion of Holdrege Manufacturing Facility

      HOLDREGE, Neb. –  Allmand Bros. Inc. has unveiled plans for a significant expansion to its manufacturing facility in Holdrege.  The approximate $3,000,000.00 expansion will feature a 40,000 square foot addition to the present building, as well as the acquisition of an additional 17 acres for parking and finished goods storage.  Construction is planned to begin within the next two months, and is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year. Citing increased customer demand for its products and a reliable forecast for this demand to continue, company president Matt Allmand says, “This expansion will allow us to not only increase production but to also hopefully reduce the lead-time for our products from the current 16-17 weeks to a more manageable four...

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  • Resources

    Deere Announces Changes to Senior Management Team

    MOLINE, Illinois (June 1, 2012) – As a result of the anticipated retirements of two executives, Deere & Company announced changes to its senior management team to enhance the company’s ability to execute its business strategy and develop and broaden leadership talent. “Deere is a company well known for leadership development,”  said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer. “As we continue to pursue our global aspirations, I am confident these leadership changes will ensure continued management effectiveness and improved organizational alignment as we work towards our 2018 growth targets.” Allen said David C. Everitt, president of the agriculture and turf division, and James R. Jenkins, senior vice president and general counsel have graciously agreed to communicate their retirement plans early so that Deere...

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  • Resources

    Gordon Brothers Group Acquires Assets Formerly Owned by T.J. Lambrecht Construction

    BOSTON, MASS. (May 31, 2012) – Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, announced the acquisition of over 375 pieces of late model, heavy construction equipment formerly owned by T.J. Lambrecht, one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the United States. The equipment acquired by Gordon Brothers Group’s Commercial & Industrial Division consists of Caterpillar crawler tractors, hydraulic excavators, motor scrapers, motor graders, wheel loaders, articulated end dump trucks, reclaimers and compactors. This asset purchase also included late model Kenworth, Peterbilt and Mack truck tractors, fuel lube, water and service trucks, Ford and Chevrolet pickups, mechanics trucks and heavy capacity low boy equipment transport trailers. “Gordon Brothers Commercial & Industrial...

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