ABC: Construction Layoffs Fall to All-Time Low in August

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The construction industry had 251,000 job openings on the last day of August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 48,000 last month but are up by 38,000 from the same time last year. “The August JOLTS data indicate that both the demand for and supply of construction workers are decreasing,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Job openings fell to the lowest […]

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ABC Survey: 1 in 6 Members Perform Data Center Work; Backlog Rebounds in August

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rebounded to 8.5 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 20 to Sept. 4. The reading is up 0.5 months from July and unchanged on a year-ago basis.  Only the largest contractors experienced a decline in backlog in August. On a year-over-year basis, backlog gains are concentrated among the smallest contractors (those with less than $30 million in annual revenues). ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and profit margins increased in August, while the reading for staffing levels fell. The readings for all three components […]

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Construction Materials Prices Jump Again in August

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Construction input prices increased 1.2% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 1.2% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 8.9% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 8.8% higher. Prices increased in 2 of the 3 energy subcategories last month. Crude petroleum prices expanded 5.2% and unprocessed energy materials prices rose 1.5%, while natural gas prices were down 11.6% in August. “Construction input prices surged again in August, and […]

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ABC: July Nonresidential Construction Spending Growth Entirely Due to Data Centers

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National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.286 trillion. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 8 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential construction spending was up 0.4%, while public nonresidential spending was down 0.2% in July. “The increase in nonresidential construction spending that occurred in July was entirely due to data centers,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Excluding that booming category, nonresidential spending fell for the second straight month and […]

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Former Maryland Secretary of Labor Named ABC VP of Workforce and Safety Policy

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Associated Builders and Contractors announced that Tiffany Robinson has joined the association as its vice president of workforce and safety policy. Robinson brings deep experience in executive leadership, workforce development, public policy and infrastructure to ABC. As a member of ABC’s executive leadership team, Robinson will lead research, policy and strategic initiatives designed to strengthen the construction workforce, advance health and safety and help expand America’s capacity to build critical infrastructure. She will work closely with ABC’s 67 chapters and 24,000 members to identify emerging workforce and safety challenges and develop proactive, research-driven solutions. Prior to joining ABC, Robinson served […]

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