Construction Industry News

Birmingham, Ala. (Jan. 13, 2014) – Brasfield & Gorrie announced that the company received honors from the Alabama Associated General Contractors (AGC) during a recent awards ceremony. AGC presented BuildSouth awards in 13 categories, of which two projects constructed by Brasfield & Gorrie were cited for excellence.

IRVINE, Calif., and PRINCETON, N.J.

WASHINGTON (January 13, 2014) — The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) which represents the $827 billion equipment finance sector, revealed its Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2014. Given U.S. businesses, nonprofits and government agencies will spend in excess of $1.5 trillion in capital goods or fixed business investment (including software) this year, financing more than half of those assets, these trends impact a significant portion of the U.S. economy.

(January 10, 2014) - Construction employment declined by 16,000 in December, but the industry unemployment rate fell to 11.4 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the new employment data was likely impacted by cold weather but also reflects underlying weakness in the construction sector.

Arlington Heights, IL – Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries worldwide, has completed its acquisition of Architectural Testing, Inc. (ATI), one of the largest building products testing and certification companies in North America. The acquisition recently gained regulatory approval and the transaction was finalized on December 24, 2013.

Washington, D.C. -(January 6, 2014) - The Manufacturing Institute announced they will award Afton Hollertz with the Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Production) Award. The STEP Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry.

MARLTON, N.J. and BOSTON (Jan. 7, 2014) - Hill International, a global leader in managing construction risk, announced today that it has acquired Collaborative Partners, Inc., a firm that provides project management, strategic planning and regulatory services for healthcare, life sciences, educational, commercial and residential construction projects throughout New England. Collaborative Partners, which has 20 professionals, has offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island.

WASHINGTON (January 6, 2014) – The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have reached an agreement on a landmark proposal to save energy and water in new buildings. The two organizations jointly submitted a proposal to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to require the insulation of hot water piping in new buildings.

(January 2, 2014) - Total construction spending increased between October and November and for the year amid growing private-sector demand, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that the spending levels were held back by declining public sector investments for both the month and the year.

(December 31, 2013) - Construction employment expanded in 211 metro areas, declined in 67 and was stagnant in 61 between November 2012 and November 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains were encouraging but cautioned that future gains were dependent on continued economic growth and new investments in aging domestic infrastructure.

LODI, N.J. (Dec. 30, 2013) - Lisa S. Ballerini, the president of Montana Construction Corp, Inc. has been selected as one of New Jersey's Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of 2013.

(December 20, 2013) - Construction firms added jobs in 39 states during the past 12 months, while employment nearly stabilized in the remainder, according to an analysis released by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned that the industry’s recovery was still relatively fragile, noting that a number of states experiencing large annual gains lost jobs during the past month.

KOHLER, Wis. (December 17, 2013) – A hard-hit area on the New Jersey coast received a big gift today from Kohler Generators. In a goodwill gesture, Kohler Generators donated a commercial-grade, standby generator to the Borough of Seaside Park, N.J.

The backup generator will provide emergency power to the administration and executive building, which serves as a command center and shelter during crisis situations.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (December 16, 2013) - Seventeen construction professionals recently earned the Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) certification from the American Institute of Constructor’s Constructor Certification Commission (AIC & CCC). To become certified, an individual must meet certain qualifying experience and/or educational requirements and pass a comprehensive examination. The examination was held Nov. 2 at more than 70 locations across the U.S.

(Dec. 13, 2013) - Overall, construction materials prices fell 0.5 percent in November and are up only 1.1 percent year over year, according to the Department of Labor’s Dec. 13 Producer Price Index. Nonresidential construction materials are down 0.6 percent for the month and are 0.7 percent lower than the same time last year.

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2013) -The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its third annual “Best of Green Schools” list, which recognizes top educational institutions, individuals and initiatives across the country for environmental efforts.

As part of efforts to focus on its core business, the Volvo Group has agreed to sell Volvo Rents to the US private equity firm Platinum Equity for $1.1 billion. Volvo Construction Equipment will continue to sell products to Volvo Rents under the new ownership.

The Volvo Group has announced that it is to sell its Volvo Rents business in North America to private equity company Platinum Equity for $1.1 billion (approx. SEK 7.2 billion).

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2013) – A pronounced shift in housing and neighborhood preferences has occurred during the last decade, with strong and growing demand for infill development, mixed-use projects, access to public transportation and high-density development. There is also an emerging desire for communities that promote a healthy lifestyle through more pedestrian-friendly design and increased access to recreational activities.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., (December 13, 2013) – ENR magazine named The Bill Holmes Tower at CHOC Children’s Hospital a 2013 Best Health Care Project. Design and construction team members from CHOC Children’s, McCarthy Building Companies, Jacobs and FKP Architects accepted the award Dec. 5 at the Long Beach Marriott during ENR’s annual award ceremony.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Dec. 12, 2013) – Michelin held an event to mark the opening of its newest manufacturing facility in South Carolina. Michelin executives and employees were joined by dozens of dignitaries from across the state to celebrate the milestone just 17 months after breaking ground on the Anderson County facility, which will produce large tires for earthmoving equipment.