Construction Materials Prices Drop in December

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The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials edged down 0.2 percent in December but climbed 5.3 percent from a year earlier, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the amount contractors charge to construct projects remained largely flat for the month and is up only between 3.3 and 4.7 percent for the year, cutting into contractor earnings and adding to the challenges the hard-hit industry is facing, association officials said. “Any relief contractors might get from the recent declines in materials prices is being offset … Read more

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American Institute of Architects Announces 2012 Legislative Agenda

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Four Legislative Priorities Focus Exclusively On Creating Jobs in Design, Construction Sector WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Institute of Architects unveiled a 2012 legislative agenda focusing on creating jobs in the hard-hit design and construction industry. “Architects are by and large small businesspeople: ninety-five percent of architecture firms in the United States employ 50 or fewer people,” said AIA President Jeff Potter, FAIA, himself a small business owner. “Meeting the challenges our communities face — lost jobs, outdated and unsafe infrastructure, abandoned buildings and neighborhoods, rising energy costs, and distressed main streets — demands a strong design and construction industry that is … Read more

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Kitchell Contractors Names Dan Pierce President

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PHOENIX, Ariz. — One year after being promoted to senior vice president at Kitchell, Dan Pierce has taken the helm as president of Kitchell Contractors, Inc. “Dan is a natural leader with a deep knowledge of our industry and a keen sense of how to move our business forward,” said Kitchell Corporation President and CEO Jim Swanson. “He has been a part of growing our business for the past 30-plus years, and is the right person to move Kitchell forward and focus on enhancing our core business.” Pierce takes the helm of KCI as Kitchell Corporation closes one of its … Read more

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New Hampshire Federal Correctional Institution Wins DBIA Award

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BERLIN, N.H. — The Design-Build Institute of America recently bestowed a national merit award on the Federal Correctional Institution—Berlin project at its annual awards dinner. A joint venture of Heery and Bell Corporation designed and constructed the $245-million project and successfully overcame numerous challenges presented by the rural Northern New Hampshire weather and site, which included three years of record snowfalls. The team adapted the Federal Bureau of Prison’s design standards to account for heavy snows by adding sloped roofs and an interior corridor. It also surmounted extreme weather conditions, a six and one-half-foot thick frost line and a demanding … Read more

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ASSE Approves Two Key Safety Standards for the Construction, Demolition Industry

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DES PLAINES, Ill. — The American Society of Safety Engineers announced that the American National Standards Institute has approved two new ASSE A10 construction and demolition standards aimed at enhancing safety. The two new standards approved are the ANSI/ASSE A10.1-2011 Pre-Project and Pre-Task Safety and Health Planning for Construction and Demolition Operations and the ANSI/ASSE A10.26-2011 Emergency Procedures for Construction and Demolition Sites. The new A10.1-2011 standard establishes the elements and activities for pre-project and pre-task safety and health planning for construction. Its primary purpose is to assist in making pre-project and pre-task safety and health planning a standard part … Read more

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