Eighty-Three% of Construction Firms Struggle to Find Qualified Workers

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Most construction firms report having trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as the industry recovers from its years-long downturn, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials called for new career and technical school programs, as well as other workforce measures to offset the labor shortages. “As the survey results make clear, many construction firms across the country are having a hard time filling available positions,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors. “Considering how much the nation’s educational focus has moved away from … Read more

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AEM Elects 2015 Officers, New Directors

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The Association of Equipment Manufacturers announced its newly-elected 2015 officers, as well as directors elected at its recent annual meeting to the AEM Board of Directors and AG and CE Sector Boards.AEM Officers for 2015 are: Chair John Patterson, chairman JCB USA Group and director JCB Group, JCB Inc. Vice Chair Leif Magnusson, president, CLAAS of America Treasurer Göran Lindgren, president Sales Region Americas, Volvo Construction Equipment AG Chair James Walker, vice president Case IH NAFTA, CNH Industrial CE Chair Michael Haberman, president, Gradall Industries Inc.   Secretary Dennis Slater, AEM's full-time president AEM officers and directors work on behalf … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Spending Slips for Second Consecutive Month

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Nonresidential construction spending slipped 1 percent in September but has still managed to expand 4.2 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to the Nov. 1 release from the U.S. Census Bureau. Spending for the month totaled $596.1 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis while the government slightly revised the August spending figure from $603.7 billion to $601.9 billion. “September’s drop in nonresidential construction spending is disappointing given the growing momentum in the broader economy and the generally positive signals being sent by industry-specific leading economic indicators,” said Associated Builders and Contractor Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Based on a combination … Read more

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Mortenson Construction Completes Windthorst II Wind Farm for OwnEnergy

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Windthorst II Wind Farm located in Windthorst, Texas, approximately 110 miles northwest of Dallas, was recently completed. OwnEnergy developed the project and, a fund managed by asset manager BlackRock, purchased a majority interest in the project in December 2013. Mortenson Construction was responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the project, including the erection of 28 2.4-MW Siemens turbines; foundations; underground collection; 69kv substation and access roads. Approximately 160 jobs were created throughout the course of construction. The Windthorst II project is the 26th wind facility the renewable energy contractor has built in the state out of a total … Read more

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PCL Construction Completes Tenant Improvements at UCLA Wasserman Building

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. —   PCL Construction and UCLA recently dedicated the Edie & Lew Wasserman Building, a new landmark research and patient-care facility at UCLA in Los Angeles, California.   Designed by Richard Meier and Partners Architects, the $115.6-million project was completed by Morley Builders (shell and core) and PCL Construction (interior build-out). The LEED Gold, six-story building completes a long-held vision for a trio of UCLA facilities—including the Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Doris Stein Eye Research Center—dedicated to restoring and preserving eyesight. PCL Construction’s work at UCLA’s Wasserman Building included 83,000 square feet of tenant improvements … Read more

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