Knutson Construction’s Iowa City Office Adds Superintendents, Project Engineer

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Three new associates have joined Knutson Construction Services at its offices in Iowa City, Iowa. Kevin Knoll has been named general superintendent. He will work closely with Richard Mills, who has been added as superintendent. Justin Holthaus also has been hired as a project engineer. “We are pleased to have Kevin, Richard and Justin on our team. Together, they bring a wealth of construction experience and strong leadership skills to our clients and our organization,” said Brad Johnson, Knutson Construction’s vice president and general manager. Kevin Knoll, General Superintendent Drawing from nearly three decades of construction … Read more

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Slight Contraction for Architecture Billings Index

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Washington, D.C. — After six months of steadily increasing demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index paused in November. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the November ABI score was 49.8, down from a mark of 51.6 in October. This score reflects a slight decrease in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 57.8, down from the reading of 61.5 the previous month. “Architecture firms … Read more

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Current Construction Materials Prices Remain Stable

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Overall, construction materials prices fell 0.5 percent in November and are up 1.1 percent year over year, according to the Department of Labor's Dec. 13 Producer Price Index. Nonresidential construction materials are down 0.6 percent for the month and are 0.7 percent lower than the same time last year. “November represented another month of remarkable stability for construction input prices,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Although many investors predicted significant inflation this year due to expansionary monetary policies in much of the developed world, there continues to be a lack of significant inflationary pressures both globally … Read more

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AEM Raises Member Awareness of Proposed Silica Exposure Rule

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A dozen product committees and councils gathered to discuss industry standards and regulatory issues during the Construction Equipment Standards and Regulations Committee meeting Nov. 19-20 in Schiller Park, Ill.  AEM provided member company representatives with crucial information on a proposed rule that could adversely affect the design and application of many construction equipment products. Members of AEM's Construction Equipment Standards & Regulations Committee heard from Henry Chajet, a partner with Jackson Lewis LLP, on the potential implications of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's proposed crystalline silica exposure rule. According to OSHA, about 2.2 million workers are exposed to “respirable” … Read more

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Industry Leader Offers 2014 Top 10 Megatrends in Green Building

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TUCSON, Ariz. — What are the major trends likely to affect the green building industry and markets in the US in 2014? As one of the world’s leading green building consultants, keynote speakers and authors, Jerry Yudelson thinks he knows the answers. In fact, his Top 10 list of green building megatrends has become an annual event. At the top of Yudelson’s 2014 list is the prediction that green building in North America will continue its strong growth in 2014, with the ongoing expansion of commercial real estate construction together with government, university, nonprofit and school construction. “Green building is … Read more

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