NCCER Awards the 2018 ABC Craft Instructor of the Year

  • Posted on

ALACHUA, Fla. — NCCER recognizes William Fuller, of La Porte, Texas, as the 2018 Associated Builders and Contractors Craft Instructor of the Year. NCCER presented Fuller with the prestigious award and a $10,000 cash prize from NCCER and the Trimmer Construction Education Foundation at ABC’s Workforce Development Conference last month. The Craft Instructor of the Year award is presented each year to an instructor who possesses outstanding creativity, exceptional communication skills, a positive attitude and an unparalleled passion for teaching. The award recipient works diligently to promote lifelong learning and represents NCCER and ABC’s unwavering commitment to training America’s skilled … Read more

Filed under: Movers & ShakersTagged with: , ,

ABC Honors Best at Annual Excellence in Construction Awards

  • Posted on

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Associated Builders and Contractors’ officials announced the winners of its annual awards for best construction projects, safety performance, diversity initiatives and the Contractor of the Year. The awards were presented at the 28th annual Excellence in Construction Awards during ABC Convention 2018. Excellence in Construction Awards ACI Mechanical Named Contractor of the Year National Safety Excellence Awards National Diversity Excellence Awards ABC’s convention also features the National Craft Championships, the Construction Management Competition, keynote speakers and education sessions for ABC members and staff from 70 chapters, technology exhibits, networking opportunities and a national board meeting.

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , ,

Strong Economy, Weaker Dollar Help Construction Materials Prices Recover in January

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Overall construction input prices increased 1.1 percent in January, reversing a slight decline in December 2017, according to a recently released Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Compared to this time last year, overall construction materials prices are up 4.9 percent. Nonresidential construction materials prices are up 4.7 percent year over year and up 1 percent on a monthly basis. The price of natural gas fell 13.1 percent in January and is down 31 percent on a year-over-year basis. In stark contrast, the price of crude petroleum rose 11.6 percent in January … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

Nonresidential Construction Spending Ticks Higher in November, Down Year-Over-Year, ABC Says

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nonresidential construction spending expanded .6 percent in November, totaling $719.2 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite the month-over-month expansion, nonresidential spending fell 1.3 percent from November 2016. Private nonresidential construction spending is down 3.1 percent year-over-year, while public sector spending has increased 1.7 percent over the same period. Spending in the manufacturing and power categories, two of the larger nonresidential subsectors, fell by a combined $21.7 billion over the past year. “The November report represented a stark reversal of preexisting … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

ABC Chief Economist Predicts Stable 2018 Construction Economy

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu predicts stability for the construction industry’s economy and expanding nonresidential construction spending in 2018. While construction project backlog and contractor confidence remain high heading into the new year, Basu warns there are risks to the 2018 outlook as a number of potential cost increases could come into play. “With wage pressures building, healthcare costs surging and fuel prices edging higher, inflation is becoming more apparent,” Basu said. “That could translate into some meaningful interest rate increases in 2018, which all things being equal is not good for construction spending. … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,