Drop in April Construction Input Prices Could Help Stabilize Nonresidential Construction Sector, Says ABC

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Construction input prices fell 4.4% in April from the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices declined 4.2% for the month. Among 11 subcategories, nine experienced monthly price declines. All three energy subcategories considered in this release were lower in April, with crude petroleum down 48.9%, unprocessed energy materials down 27.5% and natural gas down 20.4%. The only subcategories that didn’t experience monthly price decreases were plumbing fixtures and fittings, which remained virtually unchanged, and concrete products, which increased 0.1%. “There has been […]

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COVID-19 Cuts Nonresidential Construction Employment in March, Says ABC

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Construction industry employment declined by 29,000 in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction employment declined by 24,600 in March. All three nonresidential segments registered job losses, with the largest decrease experienced in nonresidential building (-10,700) followed closely by heavy and civil engineering (-10,200). Nonresidential specialty trade lost 3,700 jobs on net. The construction unemployment rate was 6.9% in March, up 1.7 percentage points from the same time one year ago. Unemployment across all industries rose from 3.5% in February to 4.4% last month, a direct […]

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ABC Announces New Construction Technology and Innovation VP

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Associated Builders and Contractors announced that Matthew Abeles has been appointed to the newly created role of vice president of construction technology and innovation. In this position, Abeles will spearhead efforts to integrate construction technology and innovation into all aspects of ABC’s strategic initiatives, particularly total human health, world-class safety and workforce development. “As technology and breakthrough innovations continue to transform the construction industry, we’re thrilled to have Matt’s expertise and counsel,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC’s president and CEO. “In the last decade, construction technologies have revolutionized how we connect through the design, build and delivery processes, but our industry […]

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Nonresidential Construction Falls Again in December, Says ABC

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National nonresidential construction spending declined 1.2% in December 2019 but is up 4.4% on a year-ago basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $779.6 billion in December. Private nonresidential spending fell 1.8% on a monthly basis and is down by 0.1% compared to December 2018. Public nonresidential construction spending also slipped in December, falling 0.4% for the month. On a year-over-year basis, public nonresidential spending is up 11.2%. “The transition from a private construction-led recovery to a public construction-led recovery is complete,” […]

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ABC’s Greg Sizemore Appointed Vice Chair, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

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Associated Builders and Contractors announced that Greg Sizemore, the association’s vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development, has been appointed vice chair of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. In this role, Sizemore will help support the alliance’s mission to address suicide prevention as a construction health and safety priority and reach a zero-suicide industry. “I am honored to be a part of this mission committed to raising awareness and equipping all levels of our workforce with the tools and education necessary to reduce the risk of suicide in the construction industry,” said Sizemore. “It is our […]

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