Register to attend upcoming press conference on Tuesday, February 2

SKOKIE, Ill. (December 21, 2015) — The economic trends of 2016, the impact on the cement industry, and the celebration of a 100th anniversary are all on tap for the 2016 World of Concrete.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) will discuss these topics and more during our press conference on Tuesday, February 2, at 9 a.m. PST at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A number of the provisions have finally been made permanent

PORTLAND, Maine (December 21, 2015) - On December 18, 2015, just prior to recessing for the holiday, Congress and the President passed legislation preserving many of the tax cuts and permanently extending other tax provisions. Details of the tax extenders bill are still being analyzed and publicized, but the following summary is based on information available as of December 21, 2015. 
 

3-D modeling computer program offers a wide range of drawing applications

Calgary, AB (December 17, 2015) - Available on the Global eTraining platform, SketchUp Basics is the first in a series of courses to provide comprehensive training in the use of Trimble SketchUp software.

SketchUp is a 3-D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design.

Created in partnership with EpicBIM, SketchUp Basics covers:

Custom color on conventional trucks will be available beginning with 2017MY

NOVI, MI (December 19, 2015) – Hino is pleased to announce that it will now offer a wide variety of exterior truck colors that customers can order as a factory option or color match to their customized request.

Faced with looming price increases, buyers of construction services can leverage market insight to win the upper hand

A new year approaches, and along with it comes new opportunities for buyers to procure the products and services their business requires more strategically. Businesses must be vigilant of changing market conditions to achieve cost savings, accommodate for cost increases and plan efficiently. This rings true particularly for buyers of legal, transportation and construction services, which are displaying rapid price growth.

Offering provides a turnkey fleet management application with special emphasis on customer service

HERNDON, Va. (December 16, 2015) SkyBitz now offers a fleet management solution for sales, service and delivery vehicles with the launch of SkyBitz Local Fleets. The new offering, from the division by the same name, delivers a set of products and services that enable owner/operators and fleet managers to maximize technology investments that keep their business running at peak efficiency.

Firms continue to be unnerved by skilledlabor shortfalls

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2016) – The backlog of commercial and industrial construction projects reached 10.3 months in the South, the highest reading in the history of the Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI), according to third-quarter results announced today by Associated Builders and Contractors.

Construction worker died after contractor failed to take basic safety precautions

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (December 15, 2015) – The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has issued eight citations against Hartman Construction & Equipment Inc. and fined the company $560,000 for its willful failure to adhere to safety standards. The citations and fines are the result of an investigation conducted after the death of employee Samuel Morgan. Mr.

Report highlights key trends in equipment investment and places them in context of the U.S. economic climate

WASHINGTON (December 9, 2015) – Investment in equipment and software is expected to grow 4.4 percent in 2016, according to the Annual 2016 Equipment Leasing & Finance United States Economic Outlook released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation.

The award honors outstanding innovations by New Hampshire’s high-tech companies

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (December 8, 2015) – B2W Software announced that B2W Maintain was one of just five products to receive Finalist status for the New Hampshire High Tech Council Product of the Year awards. The company, headquartered in New Hampshire impressed judges with the proven ability of its innovative software to help construction companies maximize equipment uptime and reduce costs by automating equipment maintenance and repair procedures.

BARBERMcMURRY’s Winning Design Built by Hickory Construction

ALCOA, Tenn. (December 9, 2015) – For the second year in a row, a project built by Hickory Construction Inc. has claimed the 2015 People’s Choice Award and Members’ Choice Award from the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

BARBERMcMURRY Architects won the award for its design of the Contemporary Women’s Health offices in Knoxville, which Hickory built in collaboration with the architectural firm.

WASHINGTON (December 7, 2015) - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a continued steady economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2016. Despite a weak global economy, the industry's solid economic recovery in 2015 should continue in 2016, led by strong consumer spending.

Project totals 33 miles of highway expansion projects

NAPLES, Fla. (December 7, 2015) – EHC Inc. recently announce that it was awarded a nearly 16-mile I-75 project spanning Charlotte and Sarasota Counties in Florida. New client The Astaldi Group, one of Italy’s leading General Contractors, and among Europe’s top 25 firms in the construction industry, selected EHC for the vast project. Once completed, EHC will have provided earthwork and infrastructure services for 33 miles of I-75 since 2011.

Total Leadership Library is the first time instructor-led material has been available in an online learning format

CALGARY, AB (November 27, 2015) - Global eTraining recently announced the release of their Total Leadership Library. Available on the award-winning Global eTraining platform from December 2015, the Total Leadership Library provides a comprehensive suite of "soft skills" training, essential to developing collaborative leaders in the AEC Industry.

Case Argued by Much Shelist for Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd.

CHICAGO (November 23, 2015) – Chicago-based law firm Much Shelist announced it has secured a victory in the Illinois Supreme Court on behalf of its client Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (Burke Engineering). In Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. v. Heritage Bank of Central Illinois et al., Chief Justice Rita B.

All world regions experienced declines, led by Africa and South and Central America

MILWAUKEE (December 3, 2015) - Exports of United States-made construction equipment dropped 17.6 percent for the first three quarters of 2015 compared to January-September 2014, for a total $10.8 billion shipped worldwide.

The AEM equipment manufacturing trade group cited U.S. Department of Commerce data it uses in global market reports for members.

Exports by world region

Makita also named the official tool sponsor of the ISOC 2015-2016 snocross

LA MIRADA, Calif. (November 25, 2015) – Makita Power Tools has returned as a sponsor of one of snocross racing’s top teams, joining NSK and BRP’s Ski-Doo brand as official sponsors. Makita Tools NSK Ski-Doo Factory Racing will compete in the 2015-16 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, the featured national series within International Series of Champions (ISOC) snocross racing.

Auction marks IronPlanet’s fifth major regional Cat Auction Services event this fall

PLEASANTON, Calif. (December 1, 2015) – IronPlanet is conducting a Cat Auction Services unreserved public auction in the greater Las Vegas, NV, area on December 11, 2015. Hosted by Cashman Cat, featured sellers include: Hawthorne Cat, Peterson Cat, Quinn Company, Western States Cat and Western States Contracting.

Scorecard will be updated monthly with exclusive state construction unemployment rate estimates

WASHINGTON (December 2, 2015) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently launched “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard,” which reviews and grades state-specific information significant to the success of the commercial and industrial construction industry.