Wells Fargo’s Construction Industry Optimism Quotient Hits Record High
For the coming year almost two-thirds of distributors said that they expect an increase in new equipment sales.

SAN FRANCISCO (February 25, 2014) – Construction contractors and equipment distributors are optimistic that local non-residential construction activity will improve in 2014, according to a recent survey by Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC).

Industry Associations, Manufacturers Reach Agreement on Telematics Data
These protocols will allow end-users to employ their own business software to collect and analyze asset data from mixed equipment fleets without the need for customization work across multiple telematics provider applications.

(Feb. 24, 2014) - The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) have announced that 19 data points will be part of a standard being developed and maintained by the two Associations and their memberships. In addition, the new standard defines a format that enables OEMs to deliver fault code information as part of the data feed.

Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry Confidence Levels Near Two-Year High
When asked, 40.6 percent of the executives surveyed reported they expect to hire more employees during the next four months.

Washington, D.C., (February 24, 2014) - The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) releases the February 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) today. 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.

John Deere Wants Your Photos for CONEXPO-CON/AGG

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 19, 2014) — Construction contractors and other industry professionals can be a part of the John Deere booth at next month’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas. The John Deere Construction & Forestry Division is asking contractors to share their stories and their photos.

EPA Takes Action to Protect Public from Harmful Lead Exposure

WASHINGTON (February 18, 2014) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced enforcement actions that will require 35 home renovation contractors and training providers to take additional steps to protect communities by minimizing harmful lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Standards.

FMI's Nonresidential Construction Index Reaches Record High
The increase in the score comes from an optimistic view of a rising economy, as nearly half of the participants expect construction to grow up to 5% in 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 17, 2014) – FMI, a leading provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, announces the release of the 2014 First Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows a 7.5 point increase since the 2013 fourth quarter report, as well as a 6.8 point increase from Q1 2013. This is the highest NRCI score to date.

John Deere Inaugurates Two New Manufacturing Facilities in Brazil
John Deere will manufacture its backhoe loaders and wheel loaders in one location and excavators, in partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery, in the other.

INDAIATUBA, Sao Paulo (Feb. 13, 2014) - The John Deere Construction & Forestry Division marked the completion of two manufacturing facilities in Indaiatuba-SP, Brazil. John Deere will manufacture its backhoe loaders and wheel loaders in one location and excavators, in partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery, in the other.