IRVING, Texas — According to survey results released today by GE Capital, Equipment Finance, participants in the construction equipment industry are more optimistic about 2013, with 75 percent saying they expect retail sales of construction equipment to increase by at least three percent this year, up 10 percentage points over last year's survey. Within this group, 24 percent say they expect sales to increase six to eight percent. “Although there are a handful of U.S. economic issues that may create uncertainty and temporarily hamper growth in the first half of the year, it appears that retail construction is picking up, … Read more

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers now offers its popular Aerial Work Platform Safety Manual in e-book format, allowing equipment operators and others to conveniently access safety information via their mobile devices. AEM began developing safety e-books in response to industry requests for additional ways to provide workers with safety information. AEM also offers e-book versions of its safety manuals for agricultural sprayers and hydraulic excavators, with more in development. All AEM safety e-books feature user-friendly options such as variable type, the ability to embed and email notes, bookmarking and highlighting, content searching and a low-light reading format. The e-book format … Read more

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, Mo. and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md., have published Checklist for Concrete Producer — Concrete Contractor Fresh Concrete Performance Expectations.   The document is in keeping with an initiative to facilitate a construction industry change from prescription specifications to performance specifications. The checklist is intended for use in a pre-contract meeting between the producer and contractor to clearly define the responsibilities of each party for the performance of the fresh concrete, according to Bev Garnant, executive director, ASCC.   It applies only to the … Read more

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Robert Bosch Tool Corporation and the Ram Truck brand recently announced a partnership at the 39th annual World of Concrete trade show naming Ram the “Official Truck of Bosch Power Tools and Accessories.” The world’s leading manufacturer of professional power tools and accessories is launching the strategic U.S. alliance with Ram Truck to focus on the needs of the building and construction professional by delivering greater productivity in a package of best-in-class power tools and trucks. Together, the two companies will jointly pursue sales and marketing opportunities in the automotive and tool markets.  “At Bosch, we’re … Read more