Construction Industry News

FTI Consulting Inc. has announced that Frank Regnery has been appointed as a senior managing director in the Construction Solutions practice. He will be based in New York.

Following a sizable decrease in demand for design services in March, the April Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed back into positive territory according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

New York, New York (May 22, 2019) — The value of new construction starts in April fell 15% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $685.2 billion, pulling back following the 16% hike that was reported in March, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.  Steep declines were registered by two of the three main construction sectors.  Nonbuilding construction, which is co

Virgin Trainsit’s first rail train for Phase 2 was loaded and shipped from Steel Dynamics’ Ft. Wayne, Indiana, mill on May 16, 2019. Details here. 

The SEAA Ironworker Craft Training Program is essential to battling the qualified labor shortages the industry faces. “Jack’s passion for the steel-erection industry is recognizable almost immediately. He has great respect for providing training and skills development for ironworkers,” said Alan Sears. 

More than 7,000 robot assistants, infrastructure robots, structure robot, and finishing robots will be deployed for construction between 2018 and 2025. 

Recent data indicates strong financial performance industrywide for AEC.  Zweig Group’s annual “Financial Performance Survey of AEC Firms,” released April 4, 2019, identified a strong positive trend in multiple key financial indicators, including profit, revenue, staff growth and backlog.

The Canadian government’s planned investments in infrastructure are expected to support the growth of Canada’s construction industry. Under the “Investing in Canada Plan.” the government plans to invest a total of U.S. $139 billion in key infrastructure sectors through 2028.

United Rentals Trained more than 90,000 workers in trench safety operations since initial Trench Safety Stand Sown in 2016.

President’s Trump’s immigration reform proposal could help address significant workforce shortages affecting the construction industry, continues discussion on ways to address broader immigration challenges. 

Manufacturers Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces and Hyundai L&C U.S.A.form joint venture, and the pair team up for ribbon cutting ceremony at new Texas facility.

“Joining the LP50 provides Legrand with the opportunity to collaborate and share resources with other companies seeking to drive the product sustainability movement,” stated Susan Rochford, vice president of sustainability, energy efficiency and public policy, Legrand, North and Central America.

The new law, which passed with 98% of the vote, classifies wage theft of over $2,000 as a felony. Previously, wage theft of any amount in Colorado was a misdemeanor.

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 $1 trillion equipment finance sector. 

luor Corporation announced today that its board of directors has confirmed the appointment of Carlos M. Hernandez as chief executive officer (CEO) and named him a member of the board of the company. Hernandez was named as Fluor’s interim CEO on May 1, 2019, in line with the company’s established succession plan following David T. Seaton stepping down. The board of directors also named John R. Reynolds as the new chief legal officer (CLO) of Fluor.

Today, President Trump announced that his administration is delaying implementation of Section 232 tariffs on automobiles and auto parts for 6 months. 

AEM President Dennis Slater issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced it was delaying the implementation of Section 232 tariffs on automobiles and auto-parts for 6 months:

OSHA is requesting information on a possible update to the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)) standard. The agency is interested in comments on the use of control circuit-type devices to isolate energy, as well as the evolving technology for robotics. Learn how to submit information here. 

San Francisco, California (May 15, 2019)—Rhumbix, a mobile platform designed for smarter construction sites, has announced their integration into the cost management module as part of the Autodesk BIM 360platform. 

Topcon Positioning Systems has been selected as a recipient of the 2018 John Deere Innovation Award. The innovation awards are part of Deere & Company’s Achieving Excellence Program. 

M Property Services (MPS) has announced the hiring of Dr. Ramona Tumblin-Rucker, PE, MBA, MPM, CHC, as director of design/build and construction management. She has more than 30 years of project management experience, having previously served as project manager for McCarthy Building Companies and Legacy Building Group. Get the details here.