Welcome to our Construction Industry News page, where we bring you the latest updates on mergers and acquisitions, key new hires, and significant industry shifts. Stay informed with breaking news and in-depth reporting to keep up with the fast-paced changes shaping the construction business.
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2014) – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) lauded the inclusion of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) that is based on H.R. 2750, the Design-Building Efficiency and Jobs Act.
Rep. Mulvaney introduced the amendment on the House floor Wednesday as debate on the NDAA commenced, and it was successfully incorporated into the NDAA.
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2014) — The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $827 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for April was $8 billion, up 7 percent from new business volume in April 2013. Month over month, new business volume was up 14 percent from March.
LANHAM, Md. (May 21, 2014) — Ahead of the summer driving season, a new survey from the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) finds U.S. drivers increasingly frustrated with the state of U.S. roads. The national survey found that drivers prefer well-maintained, safe and smooth roadways; moreover, they understand these qualities require periodic maintenance and financial investment.
WASHINGTON (May 20, 2014) – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released the May 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $827 billion equipment finance sector.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (May 20, 2014) — Capital Safety is donating fall protection equipment and training for select personnel for all 2014 Habitat for Humanity build sites near its two Minnesota operations in the Twin Cities and Red Wing. Capital Safety products are used around the world to keep those who work at height safe.
KOHLER, Wis. (May 20, 2014) – Kohler Power Systems, a manufacturer of generators, transfer switches, paralleling switchgear and related accessories, announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld an earlier U.S. District Court decision that a Generac patent was invalid.
NEW YORK (May 20, 2014) – The Marcum Commercial Construction Index reported that extreme winter weather conditions suppressed nonresidential construction activity in the first quarter of 2014, with spending declines in all three months of the period. The index predicts a return to expansion during the remainder of the year, however.
The Marcum Commercial Construction index is compiled by the Construction Services Practice of Marcum LLP, a national accounting and advisory firm.
(May 19, 2014) - On May 15, several days after its introduction, the MAP-21 Reauthorization Act(S. 2322) cleared the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee by voice vote.
RACINE, Wis.
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 15, 2014) - FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking* to the engineering and construction industry, has announced the release of the 2014 Second Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows slight improvement of a 0.9 point increase from Q1 and a 5.7 point increase from Q2 2013.
UTRECHT, The Netherlands (May 15, 2014) - Mammoet, a provider of solutions for lifting, transporting, installing and decommissioning large and heavy structures, has relocated a century-old railway bridge 8 kilometers in the northern suburbs of Chicago, helping it start a second life as a cycle path.
(May 12, 2014) - The current Highway Bill expires Sept. 30, and the Highway Trust Fund is almost out of money. The time to act is now, says the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
AEM is offering a special travel incentive for industry professionals to participate in upcoming Washington, D.C. fly-ins to push for adequate, long-term federal funding of highways, roads and bridges.
WASHINGTON (May 13, 2014) – Leaders of America’s design and construction industry, along with building owners and operators, for the first time have agreed to promote resilience in contemporary planning, building materials, design, construction and operational techniques as the solution to making the nation’s aging infrastructure more safe and secure.
WASHINGTON (May 7, 2014) — Nearly two dozen representatives from Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) member companies, along with SFAA staff, met with members of Congress, mostly in the Senate, May 7 as part of SFAA’s annual Congressional Action Day.
FARGO, N.D. (May 7, 2014) — Representatives from North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), Komatsu America Corp. General Equipment & Supplies Inc. and Road Machinery & Supplies Co. have announced an educational partnership resulting in the addition of a Diesel Technology - Komatsu program to the NDSCS Diesel Technology department.
WASHINGTON (May 5, 2014) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced the winners of its National Craft Championships and the Craft Instructor of the Year and Craft Professional of the Year during the Careers in Construction awards ceremony in Birmingham, Ala. The ceremony took place May 2, at the conclusion of ABC’s Workforce Development Conference.
(May 2, 2014) - The unemployment rate in construction dropped to the lowest April level in seven years as contractors added 32,000 workers to payrolls in April, bringing industry employment to 6.0 million, the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that it is essential to revive and expand training opportunities before the industry runs short of workers.
(May 1, 2014) - Total construction spending remained in a holding pattern in March as strong gains in apartment construction and modest growth in homebuilding and private nonresidential activity offset falling public outlays, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
WASHINGTON (May 1, 2014) — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its ranking of the top 10 countries for LEED outside of the U.S., demonstrating the global reach of the movement designed to transform the built environment into healthy, high-performing structures that benefit the planet and people.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (April 30, 2014) — Capital Safety, home of the DBI-SALA and PROTECTA brands, has acquired Altiseg Equipamentos de Seguranca de Trabalho Ltda. – EPP (Altiseg), a fall protection company in Brazil. Capital Safety is a global designer and manufacturer of fall protection and height safety equipment and plays a significant role in the fall protection industry in South America.
