Machine Control Systems Offer Increased Productivity, Optimized Performance

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Trimble's upgraded GCS900 Grade Control System and Trimble CCS900 Compaction Control System feature performance improvements for dozers and machine-to-machine communication capabilities. GCS900 version 12.7 features GradeMax Plus, new technology that increases the overall performance of dozers by allowing the operator to grade faster and more consistently with tighter accuracy. Operators can grade a wider range of complex surfaces without constraints. CCS900 version 12.7 introduces wireless data share — machine-to-machine communication that gives operators the ability to share mapping data between compactors on the same site in real-time. The machines communicate using a Wi-Fi network via the Trimble SNM940 Connected Site … Read more

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Bautex Block More Lightweight, Quicker to Install than Traditional Concrete Form Walls

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Measuring 10 inches by 16 inches by 32 inches and weighing 45 pounds, the Bautex Block is lightweight, quick to install, requires no mortar between blocks and can easily be cut and formed to meet most design requirements. On average, an installed Bautex wall weighs 33 percent less than one built with standard concrete masonry unit block, and uses 50 percent less concrete than traditional insulating concrete form walls. Among its advantages are increased energy efficiency (continuous insulation, thermal mass, air tightness); FEMA and tornado-rated hurricane protection in winds up to 160 mph (250 mph with masonry veneer finishes); a … Read more

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Construction Materials Prices Expand in March

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Prices for inputs to construction industries expanded 0.8 percent in March, the largest monthly increase in more than two years, according to the April 14 producer price index release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices have now expanded for two consecutive months after declining during the prior six; however, input prices are down 3.6 percent on a year-over-year basis. March marks the fourth consecutive month year-over-year input prices have declined, the longest such streak since 2009. Crude petroleum prices fell 4 percent in March and have fallen in eight of the previous nine months. “Although overall construction materials prices … Read more

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Construction Employment Declines by 1,000 Jobs in March, Unemployment Rate Hits 9.5%

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Construction declined by 1,000 in March but is still up by 282,000 compared to the prior year, as the sector’s unemployment rate fell to 9.5 percent, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that declining demand for residential and public sector projects offset gains in other areas to contribute to the overall month job losses. “After 14 months of steady job gains, construction employment suffered in March,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Except for multifamily construction, home building remains weak and government officials just can’t seem to find a way … Read more

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Construction Starts Rise by 32.4% or Nearly One-Third

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CMD announced that March’s $25 billion of construction starts, excluding residential work, soared higher by 32.4 percent (or nearly one-third) versus February. It was a much greater increase than would have been expected based solely on seasonality. The long-term average February-to-March increase in CMD’s nonresidential building starts has been 6 percent. While the large month-to-month gain this year warrants cheers, it should be noted that February-to-March’s rise last year was also outsized. In fact, it was even bigger, at +40.3 percent. Furthermore, compared with the same standalone month of 2014, March of 2015 was -5.1 percent. Year-to-date starts in 2015 … Read more

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