Nonresidential Construction Index Remains Constant

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RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI announced the release of the 2013 Third Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI score of 60.3 is a .2-point improvement over Q2. Although the numbers aren"t drastically rising, the sustainability and continuing upward movement is encouraging. This score remains the highest score for the NRCI index since Q1 2009. The index for the overall economy rose to 72 points and the combined index sentiment for economies where panelists are doing business rose 3.2 points. Cost of construction materials and cost of labor and productivity continue to hold down the index. Additionally, investments in technology, equipment … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, News

Leopardo Starts Four Municipal Construction Projects

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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Leopardo recently started work on four suburban Chicago, Ill. municipal construction projects. The projects include: West Chicago Community Recreation Center: Ground was recently broken on a new $15.5-million, 70,000-square-foot recreation center at Reed-Keppler Park. The facility (pictured) will be the only large one-story recreation center in the Chicago area, and will feature a three-court gymnasium, three-lane elevated jogging track, large fitness equipment area, dance/aerobic studio and group fitness room and indoor playground. New Lenox Police Department: Work started on a new $11.2-million, 31,000-square-foot police station. When complete, the public safety facility will feature … Read more

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Irwin Tools Launches Wake-up Call About Tradesmen Shortage

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HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — As America's skilled workforce ages, along with the country's infrastructure, too few skilled tradesmen are available to ensure that the nation's home building, industrial construction and maintenance needs are met. Irwin Tools is sending a wake-up call with a multi-million dollar campaign to advocate for America's tradesmen and to encourage men and women to consider careers in the skilled trades. The third annual National Tradesmen Day is Friday, Sept. 20. The nationwide initiative will include TV and digital advertising, media outreach, activation at retail home centers and hardware stores and jobsite events. Irwin Tools initiated National Tradesmen … Read more

Filed under: News, Products

Construction Workers to Pause for Safety Stand Down on Fall Hazards

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is partnering with more than 300 employers and labor organizations to sponsor a safety stand-down beginning at 11 a.m. on Sept. 3 at construction sites throughout Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The focus of the stand down is to raise awareness among employers and workers about the hazards of falls, which are the leading cause of deaths in the construction industry. In 2011, there were 262 fall fatalities out of 738 total fatalities in construction. For more information, visit the OSHA Stopfalls page. “This … Read more

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C.W. Driver Begins Construction on City of Manhattan Beach Library

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MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — C.W. Driver   has broken ground for the new 22,000-square-foot Manhattan Beach Public Library in Manhattan Beach, Calif. This new facility will be a welcome addition to the Manhattan Beach community as it replaces a 43-year-old existing library roughly half the size. This $19-million design-build project will entail the demolition of the existing facility and construction of the new, two-story facility. The building was designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux Architects with Johnson Favaro creating the master plan. The facility is targeting LEED Gold specifications. “All members of the design-build team brought a specific expertise that would … Read more

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