Dodge Momentum Index Slips Again in March

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index retreated 0.8 percent in March compared to February, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The March Momentum Index came in at 113.8 (2000=100), down from a revised 114.8 in February and 118.3 in January. While the longer term trend is still viewed as positive, the Momentum Index appears to be experiencing a temporary … Read more

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AGC Reports on March Construction Employment Gains, Losses

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Construction firms added jobs in 38 states over the past 12 months, although job gains leveled off between February and March, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the ongoing year-over-year gains point to the urgency of revitalizing and initiating programs to encourage workers and graduating students to get construction careers. “The widespread gains in employment from a year ago are encouraging, given the tough winter many states experienced right through March,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “The never-ending winter of 2014 may account for the dip … Read more

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Q&A with Chris Osheroff, General Superintendent at Q&D Construction

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It's all in the details By Chris Schmidt In this issue, Construction Superintendent goes behind the hard hat with Chris Osheroff, general superintendent at Q&D Construction, Reno, Nev., where he has worked for six years. His background includes 30 years of construction experience, as well as construction management and business courses at Diablo Valley College in Concord, Calif.; he is also OSHA 30 certified. Osheroff gets involved in the preconstruction phase as a “means and methods advisor” to the design team. And, during construction, he provides onsite leadership and technical direction. Here he shares time-management tips, expectations for the superintendent … Read more

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FMI Releases Q1-2014 Construction Outlook Report

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RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI recently released its Q1-2014 Construction Outlook. The forecast continues to show optimistic growth. As a whole, construction-put-in-place is predicted for an 8 percent increase for 2014, with continued growth over the next few years. Select market predictions include : Commercial — Investors are beginning to help lift commercial construction out of a slump by taking more risks. The industry is expected to grow another 7 percent in 2014 to $52.6 billion — the highest mark since 2008. Healthcare — Construction will grow 2 percent in 2014, however a jump to 6 percent is predicted in 2015 as … Read more

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Equipment Finance Confidence is at Two-Year High for Second Consecutive Month

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the April 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. 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. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 65.1, remaining at the highest index level in two years for the second consecutive month.   When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI survey respondent Thomas Jaschik, president, BB&T Equipment Finance, said, “The first quarter of … Read more

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