Monthly Construction Input Prices Rise in June, Says ABC

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Construction input prices rose 2.2% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released recently. Nonresidential construction input prices rose by 2.3% for the month. Among the 11 subcategories, six experienced monthly increases. The increase in prices was driven primarily by energy, with the largest increase coming from crude petroleum, which rose 71.9%. Unprocessed energy materials rose 16.8%, while the price of natural gas fell 18.4%. Softwood lumber experienced an 11.0% increase in June. “For many contractors, lack of demand for their services has emerged as the leading … Read more

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Routine Maintenance during COVID-19 Shutdowns Helps Extend Sports Stadium Life, Prepare for Fans’ Return

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Large crowds and the elements can make any sport played in a stadium that much more exciting. But while stadiums remain vacant due to current COVID-19 restrictions, now is an ideal time for facility managers and owners to perform maintenance on these important structures in preparation for the fans’ return. Most sports stadiums in the United States are made up of reinforced concrete with steel seating supports and railing. Unfortunately, an even more universal characteristic is their openness and vulnerability to the elements — in addition to the wear and tear they receive from fans. All of these forces combine … Read more

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Proposal Activity for Q2 Construction Released

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According to a recent report released by PSMJ Resources, proposal activity for architecture, engineering and construction firms sank to its lowest quarterly level in over a decade in the 2nd quarter of 2020, as the coronavirus-related downturn trimmed backlog and reduced revenue for firms coast to coast. PSMJ Resources’ Quarterly Market Forecast reported a near-record-low net plus/minus index of -22% for proposal activity in the latest quarter, substantially down from the +17% recorded in the 1st quarter. Backlog slid from an NPMI of +6% in the 1st quarter to -24% in the 2nd, while the revenue NPMI dropped from +9% to … Read more

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American Society of Concrete Contractors to Hold Virtual Annual Conference

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The American Society of Concrete Contractors will be replacing its 2020 Annual Conference with a virtual conference the same week, Sept. 21-25. The conference will feature seminars, roundtable (breakout) sessions on a variety of timely topics, a sponsor show case and two award receptions, one to recognize safety achievements and a second to recognize outstanding decorative concrete projects. Speakers will include ASCC technical director Bruce Suprenant, P.E., PhD., FACI; ASCC decorative concrete specialist Chris Sullivan; Jeffrey Coleman, The Coleman Law Firm and ACI president; Kevin MacDonald, Beton Consulting Engineers; Chris Plue, Webcor and Sherry Perdue, Safety Performance Solutions and Philip Donovan, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, who … Read more

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SEAA Names Person of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Recipients

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David Deem, president of Deem Structural Services, Longview, Texas and Bob Beckner, retired senior VP of Peterson Beckner Industries, Inc., Dallas, Texas, were recently honored by the Steel Erectors Association of America. Deem was named SEAA’s 2019 Person of the Year, and Beckner, who recently stepped down from the SEAA board of directors in anticipation of retirement, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award. “David Deem is a strong advocate for the advanced of industry quality and safety standards. In addition to work with our organization, he also actively works to educate personnel through AISC and NISD programs,” said Tom … Read more

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