Construction Industry News

We’re in the thick of hurricane season for the country’s coastal states, but storms and resulting floods have already cost the United States approximately $1.2 billion in damages, according to the Associated Press (AP). The data was pulled from preliminary assessments of public infrastructure categories by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Fluor Corporation

The second quarter of 2019 wasn’t all roses for Fluor Corporation—the company announced a net loss of $555 million in Q2. The loss was caused by pre-tax charges totaling $714 million from meetings to discuss and solve disputes, change orders and more.

The I-4 Ultimate Project Art Endowment Committee, consisting of representatives of I-4 Mobility Partners, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the construction joint venture of Skanska Granite Lane (SGL Constructors), will fund $1.5 million for public art installations that will be integrated into the project landscape to enhance the signature interstate corridor along the 21-mile stretch of I-4, creating a more scenic and cultural experience for motorists and pedestrians.

Hill International has announced its selection by the World Bank to provide construction supervision services for the Local Roads Improvement Project in the Republic of Moldova. Details here.

Recruiting AI and SMS texting bring innovation to the construction candidate experience through persobalized hiring. 

Takeuchi-Mfg., global compact equipment provider, has announced that Founder and President Akio Takeuchi has stepped down, and his son, Toshiya Takeuchi, will now serve as president of Takeuchi. He is the second president in the history of Takeuchi Manufacturing. Details here.

With the addition of Five Star Equipment Leasing and Rental  LLC, Cross Country Infrastructure Services Inc. gains an established equipment rental player in the central United States and at the crossroads of a multitude of oil and gas and infrastructure projects. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

U.S. Green Building Council residential report shows LEED certified green homes hitting all-time high. Details here. 

The Dodge Momentum Index for nonresidential building projects retreated 4.6% in July to 138.9, down from the revised June reading of 145.6. The lower reading for the Momentum Index in July was due to a 10.2% pullback by its institutional segment, following a 6.0% increase in June. The commercial construction segment in July was basically flat, slipping a slight 0.3%.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has teamed up with SkillsUSA, a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives to help provide America with a skilled and developed workforce. 

New Faith Technologies Kansas location to add jobs, manufacturing services and skilled-trade talent development to region. Details here. 

ACDI distributors account for more than $1 billion in the sale of materials and equipment to the construction industry. Minnich Manufacturing, manufacturer of concrete vibrators, vibrator-monitoring systemsand concrete dowel-pin drills, has been selected as a vendor partner of Associated Construction Distributors International Inc.(ACDI).

Through its mission, in 2011, Metropolitan authorized the initiation of a $2.5 billion PCCP Rehabilitation and Replacement Program, to develop a comprehensive, long-term effort to manage Metropolitan’s PCCP feeders to maintain reliable water deliveries to its member agencies.

Search and recovery efforts have been called off for a 62-year-old welder/iron worker who was presumed dead from an explosion July 31 at a Muhlenberg County mine. Richard L. Knapp, West Frankfort, Illinois, had suffered critical injuries at the Kenamerican Resources Inc. Paradise Mine in Bremen, Kentucky.

During WLS, women architects, designers and other industry professionals—at all stages of their careers—convene to explore leadership in the architecture profession. 

Chicago Transit Authority will start construction of new Red-Purple Bypass north of Belmont Station to improve CTA Rail Service; new rail structure will improve pedestrian environment.  

Industry survey highlights contractors remain optimistic despite facing significant challenges relating to regulations, labor conditions, environment, safety compliance, technology, cybersecurity and insurance. Details here.

Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, to deliver remarks on the importance of ratifying the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in front of more than 1,000 Manitowoc employees in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania.  

Kahua, the creator of a collaborative network for real estate and construction project management, and Meridia, a leading provider of construction management consulting and development services in Latin America, today announced a new strategic partnership. Through the partnership, Meridia will provide implementation, training and support services to clients across Latin America, as well as develop custom applications on the Kahua Platform.

Zekelman Industries has announced it will build the world's largest continuous electric resistance welded pipe (ERW) tube mill in Blytheville, Arkansas, on property adjacent to its existing Atlas Tube mill. The mill will be capable of producing sections as large as 28-inch outside diameter by 1-inchwall. The company projects an additional 75 new employees will be hired to work in the mill, growing its Blytheville workforce to approximately 150 employees. Startup of the new mill is scheduled for September 2021.