Dodge Momentum Index Stumbles in September

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index fell 4.3 percent in September to 129.0 from its revised August reading of 134.8 (2000=100). The 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 decline in September was the result of a 5.3 percent drop in institutional planning and a 3.6 percent decrease in commercial planning, retreating from the strong performance in August which benefited from an influx of large projects ($100 million+) into planning. September’s decline … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

Contractor Confidence Dips in First Half of 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The average contractor is less confident regarding business prospects for the next six months, but the nonresidential construction recovery is anticipated to remain in place, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Confidence Index released recently. The diffusion index measures forward-looking construction industry expectations in sales, profit margins and staffing levels, with readings above 50 indicating growth. According to the most recent survey, during the first half of 2016: Sales expectations fell from 67.0 to 64.1 Profit margin expectations fell from 62.8 to 61.1 Staffing level intentions rose from 63.9 to 64.9 Although two indices fell, … Read more

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Skanska USA Building, Smartvid.io Forge Collaboration to Implement Machine Learning

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Smartvid.io, a cloud-based platform for analyzing photos and videos from industrial environments, has collaborated with construction management firm Skanska USA Building. The business announcement, made at the Commercial UAV Expo, will also be discussed at the joint Skanska USA Building and Smartvid.io presentation, New Age “Reality Capture:” Leveraging Machine Learning and BIM to Organize Field Data. The business relationship is made possible by the Skanska Innovation Grant Program, which has been designed to foster applications of new technology to unlock value for Skanska and its clients. The pilot program will support the use of the Smartvid.io … Read more

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Pepper Construction Selects Asta Powerproject

CHICAGO, Ill. – Pepper Construction Group has selected Asta Powerproject for its project scheduling system. The company, with nearly 1,000 employees and clients in the commercial and private sectors, has long used technology to drive efficiency and, ultimately, a better finished product. More than 100,000 schedulers worldwide rely on Asta Powerproject every day to create and update precise project schedules, collaborate across the enterprise, manage resources and costs and report progress to owners and clients. Catalyst, the Chicago, Illinois-area reseller for Asta Powerproject, completed the sale and will provide training. For more info on Asta Powerproject, visit: http://astapowerproject.com.

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NAWIC Installs 2016-2017 National President, New Board Members

FORT WORTH, Texas – The National Association of Women in Construction installed Connie Leipard, CIT, as its 62nd National President during NAWIC’s recent Annual Meeting and Education Conference. Leipard, owner of Quality Drywall Construction, has been a member of NAWIC’s Central Missouri Chapter since 1995. Leipard’s goals for the upcoming year include providing training resources for chapter leaders and individual members to promote personal, professional and association growth, continuing succession planning for the upcoming retirement of NAWIC’s executive vice president and implementing a national marketing program. Leipard’s theme for her year in office is “Support – Encourage – Grow.” This … Read more

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