U.S. Construction Equipment Exports Close Out 2015 Down 19 Percent

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment ended 2015 with a 19 percent decline compared to the previous year for a total $13.9 billion shipped worldwide. All world regions experienced declines, led by Africa and South America, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, citing U.S. Department of Commerce data it uses in global market reports for members. AEM is the North American-based international business group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. Year-end 2015 U.S. construction equipment exports by major world regions compared to year-end 2014: Canada dropped 18 percent, for a total $5.5 billion Asia decreased 10 percent, … Read more

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Construction Firms Add 19,000 Workers, Unemployed Workers Hits Low

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Construction firms added 19,000 workers in February, as the number of unemployed construction workers was at the lowest February total since the series started in 2000, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said, however, that sluggish gains in nonresidential construction employment may reflect the fact contractors are having difficulty finding workers to keep up with growing demand. “The overall picture for construction employment is very positive with robust job growth and very little unemployment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Yet it appears that many nonresidential construction firms … Read more

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Pneumatic Stone Vacuum Lifter Used to Install 260 Travertine Tiles

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Constructed in 1982, the travertine panel façade of the Capital One Plaza building in Houston, Texas was showing signs of spalling and the sealants were failing from years of weather exposure. Western Specialty Contractors was hired by property manager CBRE to restore the 22-story building’s damaged travertine façade. Western’s scope of work included removing 260 travertine panels, each weighing 700 pounds, and replacing them with new tiles imported from an Italian quarry to match. Damaged panels were repaired by using a combination of re-pinning using Helical Anchors and performing Dutchmen repairs, a technique used to replace … Read more

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Salaries Remain High in Construction Industry

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ALACHUA, Fla. – Skilled craft professionals continue to earn top dollar, according to NCCER’s 2015 Construction Craft Salary Survey. Each year, NCCER surveys companies and organizations from the industrial and commercial construction industries across the U.S about the salaries of their craft professionals. The Construction Craft Salary Survey represents average annual salaries for individual craft areas, not including overtime, per diem, bonuses or other incentives. Of the nearly 90 construction groups surveyed, average annual salaries for craft professions ranged from just over $47,000 to almost $89,000. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list, earning $88,675 and $77,917, respectively. Other … Read more

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Blue Lake Expansion Project Receives AGC Award for Best Federal & Heavy Renovation Project

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Sitka’s Blue Lake Expansion Project was the most impressive construction project of 2015, according to Associated General Contractors of America. As a result, the project’s contractor, Barnard Construction Company, was the Alliant Build America Grand Award winner and best Federal and Heavy Renovation project. This project was one of 23 winners to receive an award and one of nine to receive a Merit Award. “The contractors working on these projects stood out among their peers by demonstrating the finest traits of our industry: skill, dedication and ingenuity,” said Charles Greco, the association’s president and chairman of … Read more

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