Construction Employment Rises by 11,000 Jobs in September, Labor Conditions Remain Tight

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The construction industry added 11,000 jobs in September as unemployment rates for the sector remained at historically low levels, prompting contractors to raise pay faster than for other jobs, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the number of people working on nonresidential construction projects declined for the month as firms struggle to find enough workers to hire amid tight labor conditions. “Construction firms have plenty of projects but a dip in nonresidential employment last month shows how hard it has been to find enough skilled workers,” … Read more

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Joint-Venture Team to Build New Amphitheater in Michigan

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The Pioneer–Barton Malow joint-venture team will lead construction on Acrisure Amphitheater, a 12,000-seat riverside outdoor concert and event venue in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Schematic designs are being finalized by Progressive AE, the executive architect on the project. When amphitheater construction is complete, the venue expects to host more than 54 ticketed performances each season, in addition to community celebrations and events. It’s expected to host more than 300,000 visitors each season. Acrisure Amphitheater will be owned and operated by the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority. Part of a planned 31-acre urban riverfront development, the largest of such in the nation, … Read more

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Sims Crane & Equipment Co. Debuts World’s First Battery-Powered Crawler Crane on US Soil

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Sims Crane & Equipment Co. has showcased the world’s first battery-powered crawler crane’s U.S. debut in conjunction with the crawler crane’s manufacturer Liebherr. The crawler crane’s battery-powered engine cuts local carbon emissions completely, and is capable of operating for eight hours unplugged, or for an unlimited amount of time when connected to a power source. Liebherr and Sims say there is no compromise in performance between the electric version of the crawler crane and its diesel-powered counterpart. The crawler crane is also significantly quieter than its diesel counterpart, making it ideal for construction jobs in residential areas, at hospitals and … Read more

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Best Practices for Seismic Retrofits

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3 phases for construction preparedness By Dan Haas Undertaking seismic upgrades on existing structures is a complex process that ensures buildings are retrofitted to withstand seismic threats, that they meet new building codes and keep end users safe from harm. However, even codes introduced following the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake are outdated given the continued research into seismic events and their impacts on buildings. Future-proofing existing assets to withstand varying levels of seismic activity and intensity requires an expert-led upgrade and retrofit process. The following best practices outline the three phases to help ensure construction preparedness. 1) Property/portfolio evaluation The … Read more

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Topcon Expands Construction Layout Portfolio with LN-50

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Topcon Positioning Systems launches the LN-50 3D laser, the latest addition to the LN layout navigator family of instruments. Intended to be an affordable and easy-to-use solution for digital layout, the LN-50 has a 50-meter (164-foot) range as compared to the longer-range, full-featured LN-150 that continues to be a mainstay of the Topcon layout portfolio. The new LN-50 is designed specific to homebuilders, mechanical, electrical, plumbing trades, concrete contractors and others — regardless of their digital technology experience — to achieve high-speed precision in measuring and layout work, mitigating the risk of errors that can lead to costly rework.  

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