HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — To celebrate tradesmen’s skill and contributions, IRWIN Tools has several initiatives planned across the country to salute and honor ‘The Hands that Build America and Keep it Running Strong’ as the inaugural National Tradesmen Day draws near. IRWIN will invite 250 professional tradesmen to give the command for drivers to start engines as they serve as “Grand Marshals” during pre-race ceremonies at the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 27. IRWIN will also give away 1,000 grandstand tickets to tradesmen to experience The World’s Fastest Half-Mile and show the company’s appreciation for … Read more

CHICAGO, Ill. — Rush University Medical Center is nearing the completion of a unique partnership with OSHA that has enhanced work site safety during the construction of its new hospital building and other facilities. The partnership has helped protect more than 4,500 men and women who have worked on these buildings. As many as 700 workers were onsite at one time during the busiest periods of construction over the last three years. The end of the partnership will come with the conclusion of construction of Rush's new 14-floor, 806,000-square-foot hospital building. The new hospital, scheduled to open in January 2012, … Read more

The amount contractors pay for construction materials and charge for completed projects both increased in July, as firms were finally able to charge more for work, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said, however, that it was too early to tell whether contractors will continue to be able to raise prices in the face of declining public sector investments in construction. “Contractors will have a hard time increasing, or even holding the line on bid levels if the federal government continues to cut investments in infrastructure and … Read more