June Construction Jumps 6%

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — New construction starts in June advanced 6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $549.7 billion, the highest level so far in 2014, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial.   Nonresidential building strengthened after pulling back in May, with the lift coming from the start of several large manufacturing plant projects.   Modest gains in June were also reported for housing and nonbuilding construction (public works and electric utilities). During the first six months of 2014, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $254.1 billion, up 1 percent from … Read more

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Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's Survey of Economic Activity: MLFI-25

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  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's Monthly Leasing and Finance Index, which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $827-billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for June was $9 billion, up 5 percent from new business volume in June 2013. Month over month, new business volume was up 30 percent from May. Year to date, cumulative new business volume increased 3 percent compared to 2013.   Receivables over 30 days decreased from the previous month at 1.6 percent, and were up from 1.4 percent in the same … Read more

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Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry Confidence Remains Steady in July

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation releases the July 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 61.4, unchanged from the June MCI-EFI.   When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Adam D. Warner, president, key equipment finance and chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, said, “I don’t believe … Read more

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Momentum Increasing for Architecture Billings Index

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Architecture Billings Index is signaling improving conditions for the overall design and construction industry. 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 June ABI score was 53.5, up from a mark of 52.6 in May. This score reflects an increase in design activity (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 66.4, up noticeably from the reading of 63.2 the previous month and its highest level … Read more

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Strong Man Wraps Itself In a New Name

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POMPTON PLAINS, N.J. — Strong Man, supplier of debris netting and weather enclosure products, is taking on a new name. Established in 1974 as Strong Man Building Products Corporation, the family owned company is celebrating 40 successful years in the industry with a name change that reflects the core of their business. Effective July 27, Strong Man Building Products will now be known as Strong Man Safety Products. “It's a seemingly small change,” notes Strong Man Founder Jay Kinder. “But the fact is, we"re not just in the debris netting business. We"re in the business of selling safety. That's true … Read more

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