CHARLOTTE, NC — Messer Construction Co. announces Taylor Interiors, LLC as the inaugural recipient of the Peter S. Strange Economic Inclusion Leadership Award.

The award — named in honor of retired Messer CEO Pete Strange — recognizes an outstanding supplier, subcontractor, or vendor that displays leadership, innovation, community service, and …

HOLLISTON, MA — An electrical subcontractor throughout New England and the Southeast for over 45 years, Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. (Griffin Electric) recognizes women in construction. With the industry recently recognizing Women in Construction Week, and with March marking National Women’s History Month, Griffin would like to highlight the …

TAMPA, FL — Sims Crane & Equipment Co., the largest private crane rental and rigging service company in Florida, recently hosted a 65th company anniversary event with a day of activities to celebrate the company’s continued expansion and honor its 1,400 dedicated employees. The festivities were held at the …

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program, releases its annual list of Top 10 States for LEED. For the first time ever, New York ranked No. 1, based on LEED-certified gross square …

HUNTSVILLE, AL — Turner Construction Company, a general contractor with offices in Huntsville since the 1950s, is inviting local small, disadvantaged, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses to an eight-week workshop designed to grow their business and find opportunities to work on major construction projects in the area.

The program, …

HOLLISTON, MA — Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. (Griffin Electric) and its employees once again teamed up to participate in several charitable causes in order give back to its local communities during the holiday season. An electrical and telecom subcontractor throughout New England and the Southeast, Griffin Electric's entire workforce …

ATLANTA, GA — For the first time, Georgia was named the top state for construction in Associated Builders and Contractors’ annual Merit Shop Scorecard. The scorecard, released yearly since 2015, ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on policies and programs that strengthen career pathways in …

ATLANTA, GA — Founded in Georgia in 1943, Allison-Smith Company is celebrating a milestone — 80 years in business. As it sets its sights on a centennial legacy, Allison-Smith continues to thrive, beating the odds that state less than 12% of companies last more than 26 years.

The company is …

TAYLOR COUNTY, FL — When Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend area of Florida and caused extreme damage in areas like Taylor County, veteran-led humanitarian organization Team Rubicon began spinning up a response operation within hours. But they knew it would be a months-long effort that would require a lot …

ATLANTA, GA — Ferrovial, a global infrastructure operator, and the Georgia Institute of Technology announce a long-term partnership focused on advancing innovation in transport infrastructure. The partnership will allow for joint research activities, providing new educational and development opportunities for students and enabling Ferrovial to create a more sustainable …

ATLANTA, GA — Swinerton, a general contractor with offices nationwide, is adding another construction expert to its team and extending its inroads within the Atlanta commercial construction arena. Katayoon "Kat" Alavian joins the Atlanta office as Director of Special Projects just in time to set up shop this fall …

It’s been on the news time and time again — a window washer crew or a crew utilizing some form of suspension scaffold is trapped in mid-air stories above the ground. Their work platform has failed in some way, and the workers are dangling from their safety lifeline. With no …

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Heroes on the Water announces a partnership with Alta Equipment Company in the state of Florida. The partnership will provide opportunities for Heroes on the Water to expand their kayak fishing programs while giving Alta Equipment employees a chance to volunteer and positively impact their community.

“Our …

TULSA, OK — Tulsa-based Manhattan Road & Bridge Co., Manhattan Construction Group’s heavy highway infrastructure subsidiary specializing in bridge construction, acquires the assets and select project contracts of Jensen Construction Co. (South Division). Jensen specializes in overwater bridge construction and is the oldest operating subsidiary of The Rasmussen …

RACINE, WI — Tidewater Equipment, a CASE Construction Equipment dealer with locations in southern Georgia, Enterprise, Alabama, and portions of the Florida panhandle, has donated equipment and support for Team Rubicon's recent tornado disaster response and recovery efforts in Selma, Alabama.

On January 12, 2023, multiple tornadoes hit the …

WINDERMERE, FL — Halff, an employee-owned, diverse, and multidiscipline professional engineering and architecture firm in Central Florida for more than 35 years, has opened an office in Orange County in Windermere, Florida.

Duane Booth, an Orlando native, will oversee the Windermere office as Operations Manager. He brings 36 …

DOTHAN, AL — Construction Partners, Inc. (CPI), a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways across six southeastern states, announces that it has acquired the Huntsville, Alabama, operations of Southern Site Contractors, an excavation, grading, and utilities contractor.

"We are pleased with this …

TULSA, OK — Manhattan Construction Company (Manhattan) announces it has earned a National Pinnacle Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), presented at the 33rd annual Excellence in Construction Awards during ABC Convention 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

Manhattan won the Pinnacle Award for its forward-looking safety program. This is the …

DULUTH, GA — KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices throughout the United States, announces the acquisition of Armeni Consulting Services, LLC, a Georgia-based consulting firm providing a full range of estimating, scheduling, and constructability analysis for all types of bridges and heavy-civil infrastructure projects.

Founded …

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Halff employees and local community members recently celebrated the grand opening of a new office space in Jacksonville, Florida. The larger office accommodates the significant growth the firm has experienced during the last four years. Halff, an engineering and architecture firm, currently has 35 employees at its …

A vital component of an effective environmental, health, and safety (EHS) program is the team of safety trainers who educate employees at every level in the company, from executives to team members in the field. Learn what you should expect from the best safety trainers. When selecting a safety trainer …

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Superior Construction, a family-owned infrastructure contractor, is unveiling the latest evolution of the Superior brand identity as the company celebrates its 85th year in business. The milestone year and new visual identity come on the heels of a record-breaking year of success in 2022.

The newly …

ORLANDO, FL — UES, a national engineering and consulting company, acquires Faulkner Engineering Services, an environmental services, geotechnical engineering, and construction materials testing firm in Tampa, Florida.

Founded in 2005 by David W. Faulkner, P.E., Faulkner Engineering Services is dedicated to protecting public safety and helping clients …

RICHARDSON, TX — Halff announces a refresh of its brand. An employee-owned engineering and architecture firm started by Dr. Albert H. Halff in Dallas in 1950, Halff has grown to 1,400 employees in 28 offices in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Halff also has seven Florida locations: Chipley, Crestview, …

CHATTANOOGA, TN — Hoar Construction announces the opening of a larger office in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to cement the firm’s presence in the eastern part of Tennessee, Northwest Georgia, and Northeast Alabama and expand capabilities with this new space. Chattanooga was the second Tennessee-based office for Hoar Construction — joining their …

Safety professionals come to their roles with different backgrounds and knowledge levels, so they might not always agree about the best approach for a particular situation. But one thing you will find agreement among all safety professionals is the common belief if they can get workers on the site to …

FORT MILL, SC — Sunbelt Rentals, an equipment rental company, has been recognized with three awards for its efforts to recruit and retain military veterans in North America and globally.

For the first time, Sunbelt Rentals has received the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE …

NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) releases the 2022 Report Card for Tennessee's Infrastructure, with 13 categories of infrastructure receiving an overall grade of a C, the same grade given by the section in its 2016 report. That means Tennessee’s infrastructure is …

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Superior Construction, an American family-owned infrastructure contractor, received the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's National Contractors Safety Award for its safety program.

Superior was one of four contractors to receive the award nationwide and won in the mid-size category for companies with one million …

FORT VALLEY, GA — CASE Construction Equipment names Terry McNair and his landscaping company Real Turf Solutions of Fort Valley, Georgia, the recipient of the CASE Kickstart business development program for 2022.

"We salute Terry for his entrepreneurial spirit, people-first approach and dedication to his entire team," said Terry Dolan …

HOLLYWOOD, FL — H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Hollywood, Florida rental branch, its 10th in the state of Florida. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and is capable of handling a variety of construction and general industrial equipment …

Two months after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, cleanup and rebuilding efforts are still ongoing throughout the state. The Category 4 hurricane went down as the fifth largest hurricane in U.S. history, with a death toll of more than 100 Floridians and upwards of $40 billion in …

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Safe Site Check In, a construction management software company for jobsite productivity, announces an integration with Procore Technologies, Inc., a global provider of construction management software. Safe Site Check In quickly and accurately integrates field data into the Procore Construction Platform to help boost …

An active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) since 1983, Karen J. Ohland has recently begun her term as the 141st President of the society. She is an ASME Fellow and the Associate Director for Finance and Operations at the Princeton University Art Museum.

Ohland has also …

At the center of any construction alternative power discussion is diesel. Diesel remains the go-to power on jobsites. According to the Diesel Technology Forum, 98 percent of construction's energy use in the United States comes from diesel.

But with global initiatives underway to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by …

Construction workforce shortages are affecting nearly all construction firms, undermining the industry’s ability to complete projects on time and on schedule and threatening the success of new federal investments in infrastructure and manufacturing, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and …

MILWAUKEE, WI — Drones — the aerial eye of the jobsite — have become a very versatile tool for earthmoving operations. Among the benefits: increasing efficiency, productivity, and accuracy on jobsites. In addition, drones help reduce unplanned costs and rework throughout a project by providing a steady stream of jobsite …

MILWAUKEE, WI — Preventive maintenance “is a very broad term,” said George MacIntyre, Product Manager at CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibitor CASE Construction Equipment. “It can be as formal as the critical practice of performing regular service, as prescribed by the manufacturer of the machine, throughout the machine’s life. Or it …

ATLANTA, GA — SmithGroup has opened its first office in the southeastern United States in Atlanta. The office in the Midtown neighborhood of the city is the firm’s 19th location worldwide, expanding the company’s footprint in the higher education and health care markets.

The Atlanta office is led by Robert …

ENTERPRISE, AL — CASE Construction Equipment dealer Tidewater Equipment Company has expanded its construction equipment footprint in the southeastern United States with an all-new full-service location in Enterprise, Alabama — delivering equipment sales, parts, and service support to southern Alabama. This is Tidewater’s sixth construction equipment operation, and the company …

From dropping out of college to running one of the largest blasting companies in Tennessee, Johnny Coleman has always preferred to do things his own way.

“I was a sophomore in college majoring in business when my father called me about a job opportunity,” recalled Coleman, Owner of Mid-State Drilling …

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Fecon announces the addition of Linder Industrial Machinery as a new stocking distributor for the full lineup of Fecon mulching tractors, forestry mulchers, and attachments in the states of Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They have 16 locations in Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, Plant City, Ft. Myers, …

KOHLER, WI — All Kohler diesel-fueled engines are approved to use HVO in the United States, in line with ASTM D975 standard. This confirmation comes just a few months after European compliance was announced. In February, in fact, Kohler had announced approval to use HVO for all its diesel engines …

LAKELAND, FL — H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its new Lakeland, Florida, rental branch, its ninth in the state of Florida with many more planned. The facility includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop with six service bays. It is capable …

LEMONT, IL — Architecture and engineering firm Interplan LLC announces a major milestone: celebrating its 50th anniversary. Launched in 1972 in a little red school house in Lemont, Illinois, Interplan now prepares the next generation of young leaders to keep the brand vibrant and relevant while building upon the values …

MILWAUKEE, WI — How do you create an effective safety culture in the workplace when you have an employee base that is so diverse?

It’s an important question for equipment manufacturers to ask and answer, and the latter can’t really be accomplished without a better understanding of what “culture” refers …

MORRISTOWN, TN — Tuff Torq Corporation celebrates a major milestone in its history with the grand opening of the Tuff Torq Test Engineering Center (T-TEC). The 17,000-square-foot facility allows for significant expansion of Tuff Torq’s testing capabilities and supports continued growth of the company.

Tuff Torq Corporation was established in …

No one in the construction industry needs to be made aware of rising diesel prices over the past year. They have felt the pain. Through the first week in July, the average price of diesel fuel was nearly 70 percent higher than the year prior. There is no single magic …

Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, announces the launch of the new safety awareness module in the cloud-based collaboration platform Leica ConX. The integration of Leica Geosystems’ safety awareness solutions with ConX increases safety on construction sites by collecting and visualising data that enhances awareness, speeds up hazard response, …

TAMPA, FL — To support its manatee care and rehabilitation program, ZooTampa has purchased a new Shuttlelift SCD09 carrydeck crane, replacing an older Shuttlelift crane that served the program’s staff for over 20 years.

These increasingly threatened, gentle sea mammals have endured habitat loss, dangers such as cold stress and …

The largest federal climate investment in U.S. history was made on August 16, after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The act aims to fight climate change and address record inflation.

The IRA includes policies that will invest in U.S. energy production, reduce carbon emissions, …

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently made history when the delegates at the 2022 AIA Annual Meeting elected Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, SEED, LEED AP BD+C as 2023 First Vice President/2024 President-elect. As the 100th AIA President, Dowdell will be the first Black woman and first Millennial President. …

When the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed back in November 2021, it expanded Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) coverage to include certain construction materials used on federal-aid highway and transit projects. This was intended to strengthen Made in America requirements by ensuring projects use American-made iron, …

With proposed infrastructure programs being discussed to offset the economic impacts of COVID-19, aggregate materials could see a spike in demand. This progression can lead to increased profits for mineral processing operations. However, maximizing efficiency to capitalize on this opportunity requires the right equipment. It is critical that operations evaluate …

ATLANTA, GA — Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst and members of the city of Brookhaven and the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce joined Burns & McDonnell leadership and employee-owners at a ribbon-cutting and open house event to celebrate the expansion of the firm’s Atlanta office.

Since opening its first Atlanta office in …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The number of traffic fatalities in the U.S. surged by 19 percent from 2019 to 2021. Traffic fatalities began to increase dramatically in 2020 even as vehicle travel rates plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffic fatalities continued to increase in 2021 as vehicle travel returned to …

Most construction jobs run on tight timelines and margins, and to keep everything running on schedule and within budget, fleet managers use telematics to give visibility into their equipment’s location and operating condition any time of the day or night.

Telematics has been around for quite a while, however, it …

Skilled craft professionals continue to earn high wages, according to NCCER’s 2022 Construction Craft Salary Survey. More than 135 commercial, industrial and residential construction companies across the U.S., representing over 337,000 employees, participated in the survey. The individual craft areas reported provide average annual salaries, not including overtime, per …

The ever-growing labor shortage is a universal issue, affecting nearly every business sector that relies on the availability of a workforce. It’s an issue that was happening before the COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are 11.3 million job openings in the U.S., …

The global upheaval of the last few years has undoubtedly rocked the construction industry – and stories of labor shortages driven by COVID-19 abound. Add to that an aging workforce further stressed by current conditions, combined with a lack of skilled replacements, and the current struggle makes sense.

But beneath …

While America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be one of the country’s greatest historical accomplishments, as well as the lifeblood of the American economy, the system itself continues to have serious challenges during the last two decades.

This is mainly due to the rise in traffic congestion which has ensnarled hundreds …

Most hazards you’ll find on a construction site are big and generally obvious. It might be the inherent danger of certain power tools, the possibility of an electric shock, or the potential for a fall. Because workers recognize these hazards, they can take steps to avoid or minimize them.

But …

Most people in the construction industry will say that on any given work site, there is always an amount of waste that could have been avoided. Whether it be poorly handled materials, re-work, weather damage, or working from out of date documents, there are plenty of ways that humans can …

KENNESAW, GA — Liquid asphalt must compete with other products that are refined from crude oil, and energy prices are currently soaring due to inflation. Imagine bidding today’s cash price and the cost of the hedge instead of guessing at some future price. The solution is a new app that …

MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) releases the 2022 Report Card for Alabama’s Infrastructure. Alabama civil engineers gave 12 categories of infrastructure an overall grade of a C-, the same grade the state received in its 2015 report, meaning Alabama’s infrastructure is …

Most companies understand that safety is an important part of today’s workplace, but they may not realize why ongoing safety programs are critical to their organization’s well-being.

Some companies view safety as a “check the box” kind of activity, believing that once they’ve addressed safety topics, they’ve done what they …

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Associated Builders and Contractors and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention announce a collaborative partnership to address mental health and suicide prevention throughout the U.S. construction industry.

The goals of the partnership are to improve the mental health of construction workers through effective suicide prevention education, intervention, …

Many of the most famous structures of ancient times were constructed from a material we often think of us as modern. The workers who built them needed a material that could be shaped into blocks and other forms more easily than carving from stone. Finally, someone concocted a mixture of …

Companies develop safety programs for reasons that may seem obvious: they want to prevent injuries of all kinds, so workers don’t suffer the physical effects and both workers and companies don’t endure negative financial or operational impacts. In addition, safety programs can also minimize the potential for damage to facilities …

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Associated Builders and Contractors recently released its seventh annual Merit Shop Scorecard, a ranking based on state policies and programs that encourage workforce development, grow career and technical education, strengthen careers in construction, and advocate for fair and open competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects.

Florida returned to …

While Ring Power Corporation – headquartered in St. Augustine, Florida – may be best known for being North and Central Florida’s Caterpillar equipment dealer for 60 years, they also carry allied brands to provide more specialized equipment for their customers.

Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services Inc., a niche manufacturer …

The future is looking bright for the construction industry, with project pipelines full and the promise of infrastructure spending infusing the industry with confidence and optimism. But as we face another year of supply chain issues and crippling workforce shortages, it’s possible that our industry’s biggest challenge could be too …

Stress has been a part of human lives from the beginning. In the past year, we’ve seen additional attention placed on stress and its effects thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and highly publicized statements from top athletes and celebrities. Because stress can have a profound effect on the well-being of …

WASHINGTON, DC — As vehicle travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and federal transportation funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) begins to reach states, it will be critical that states make additional investments to improve the efficiency and condition of the nation’s freight network to minimize supply chain …

ATMORE, AL — Rolin Construction was named as the 2021 Diverse Business of the Year award winner by the Associated General Contractors of America, association officials recently announced. The association also awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards, sponsored by Willis Towers Watson, to Austin Commercial, Gilbane Building Company …

Most utility companies have stepped up their safety efforts in recent years, and the decline in safety events and minor injuries provides positive proof that safety programs are an effective way to protect workers.

However, there’s a disturbing trend underlying this success: despite all the progress in worksite safety, the …

A nation’s buildings stand as a visual representation of its history. In New England, that history is written in stone and red-brick facades overlooking century-old neighborhoods. Recent trends are bringing people and businesses back to these urban centers, forcing developers and city managers to find ways to reimagine spaces to …

BIM (building information modeling) is an intelligent 3-D model-based process that gives architecture and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage projects.

Forgoing the traditionally siloed architecture, engineering and construction disciplines using BIM can develop more integrated workflows to improve collaboration through the …

For over a decade, the team at Rays Electrical Services in Elgin, Illinois has worked diligently to earn the reputation of being a quality residential and commercial electrician for the greater Chicago area. Since Ray Sakolari opened the company in 2008, he’s made a commitment to employees, customers, and family …

Heavy equipment theft of everything from forklifts, skid steers, and trucks to bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, and wheel loaders can be a serious issue for business owners, whether at the rental yard or jobsite. Stealing batteries, catalytic converters, and entire vehicles can be a relatively low-risk, high-reward opportunity for thieves unless …

A few years ago, I worked with a warehouse stocker named John who had injured his back and was looking to get back to full duty. His job was important to him because he had a family to support, which included taking care of an adult son with special needs. …

Construction professionals have a golden retrofitting opportunity as commercial facilities expand their precautions against viruses: an effective new type of “germicidal” LED fixture that can be quickly and easily installed in existing structures. This specialized, enclosed LED fixture draws in air and irradiates it with ultraviolet light (UV), significantly improving …

Few things bring construction projects to a sudden halt quite like the surprise discovery of a gas pipe, electrical line, sewer tile, or water pipe. While digging a trench, the backhoe crew makes an unfortunate discovery. If they’re lucky, they spot the problem before any damage is done, or are …

In the aggregate industry, efficient screening is critical to achieve not only high production but also accurately sized product for particular applications and projects. However, two of the most common production bottlenecks – screen blinding and plugging – must be minimized to run an effective, profitable operation.

Blinding occurs when …

As California concludes another hot, dry summer, the state faced another historic wildfire season. Not only are residents subject to unhealthy levels of smoke and significant property destruction as a result of the wildfires, but they must also face damage to public infrastructure caused by the fires or other related …

Heavy equipment dealers’ profitability depends on efficiently renting out their assets and keeping it in good working order for the long term, whether that involves tractor trailers, semi-trailers, or moving trailers; buses or RVs; backhoes, bulldozers, cranes, excavators, scrapers, graders, dump trucks, or all-terrain forklifts.

To maximize profitability, dealers need …

There’s no doubt that self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), are much safer than the average person-manned vehicle. In fact, more than 90 percent of serious crashes are due to human error, which means autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce the number of collisions and save lives.

However, …

When David Gordon joined the Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) as Executive Director in December 2020, he focused on one main goal.

“As we continue to grow our membership, we have to continue providing year-round value,” he said. “Our mission is to help our members be more profitable and successful …

The adoption of technology in the construction industry in 2020 hit a record high, outpacing even the most aggressive forecasts and there are no signs of this momentum slowing. In fact, the annual Global BIM Industry Report has projected the global building information modeling (BIM) market will grow from $4.5 …

Landscapers and dedicated green industry professionals know that the key to success lies in their machines. Whether operating a ride-on trencher or walk-behind machine, it’s the performance parts – the chain, teeth and sprockets (CTS) – that often determine the productivity of an operation. In other words, when faced with …

Finding a level surface with plenty of room to load a trailer on today’s congested jobsite is challenging. Towing and recovery operators have it even worse – struggling to move dead equipment, often singlehandedly, while also contending with traffic, poor visibility and soft shoulders. Operators in the towing and recovery, …

ORLANDO, FL — The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects recently celebrated work from the utilitarian to the sublime at its annual AIA Florida/Caribbean Region Design & Honor Awards at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando.

The Design Awards, judged by a jury based in New York City …

When companies try to predict costs for projects, they tend to concentrate on visible items such as materials. All too often, less tangible items – such as worker safety – become an afterthought and may not be budgeted adequately.

There are two primary ways in which safety affects the bottom …

Electrical safety awareness isn’t just for electricians. Believe it or not, non-electrical workers actually run the largest exposure to electrical hazards. Without the electrical training that licensed electrical professionals receive, one careless mistake can turn into a big accident – or worse.

By paying attention to the small details, you …

The pandemic has driven general contractors (GCs) to diligently record who is at their job sites and headquarters. This primarily includes workers, subcontractors, developers, realtors, and property managers. With so many different people coming onto a job site and staying anywhere from 30 minutes to several weeks or months, it …

Vacuum excavators are one of the fastest growing machine segments in the underground construction industry. Originally popularized by their role in daylighting existing utilities on directional drilling jobs, these machines are now being used for irrigation installation, landscaping, and even nursery tasks.

One reason for this growth is that vacuum …

Aiming to create a high-performing, energy-efficient global headquarters building, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) renovated an Atlanta-metro, 1970s-era structure, which now serves as an exemplar and industry best practice.

“We hope others follow suit and renovate existing buildings,” says Ginger Scoggins, Chair of the …

For contractors responsible for sewer, storm and sanitary line cleaning, hose nozzles are an essential tool that directs pressurized water to clear out obstructions such as silt, sludge, grease, mineral buildup, and tree roots as part of required maintenance or to prepare pipes for re-lining. In this way, the nozzle …

In the construction industry, the quality of cast-in-place concrete foundations, superstructure, slabs, stairs, and architectural features, along with the speed of project completion, can largely depend on getting moisture measurement right – and the same is true with the masonry mortar used to build brick, block, or stone walls.

Water …

It’s become a fact of life: When you need to work for extended periods of time in high, hard-to-reach places, you turn to mobile elevated work platforms, or MEWPs (also known as aerial work platforms). Over the years, two of the most popular MEWPs – scissor lifts and boom lifts …

Hitachi continues to provide customers with efficient, reliable and durable equipment featuring advanced technology – the newest being factory-integrated Solution Linkage 2D and 3D Grade Control.

“We gave a sneak peek of Hitachi’s grade control technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG last year,” said Justin Steger, Solutions Marketing Manager, Site Development and …

Water is an essential component of any construction or roadbuilding project. From dust control to site prep and compaction, thousands of gallons of water are required every day. How it is hauled and applied can significantly impact overall productivity and safety. Though water tanks appear basic, certain factors can have …

When it comes to loading containers or truck bodies onto a truck chassis, regions around the world have traditionally opted for different equipment. The North American waste and recycling market usually favors the cable hoist, while the hooklift has been more prominent internationally.

One trend that all customers are impacted …

The work truck industry includes some of the largest motor vehicle businesses in the world supplying truck chassis (incomplete vehicles) that will be completed by upfitters, using specialized bodies and equipment. These companies are all part of the complex process of producing work trucks, which starts with vocational fleets ordering …

For fleet owners looking to standardize their operation, selecting a trailer manufacturer might feel more like picking a favorite sports team than a strategic move to maximize hauling equipment investments. To some extent, it is. Teams with dedicated fans play smart and deliver results year after year. Similarly, original equipment …

As debates about global warming get more intense and energy prices climb, there is growing interest in the advantages of geothermal energy. Such energy involves using heat generated by the Earth itself to condition spaces and generate electricity. While geothermal energy has not caught on in a big way in …

Heavy equipment dealers, rental companies, and service centers with underground waste disposal systems – floor drains or sinks in service bays that connect to a septic system or dry well (i.e.- catch basins) – are regulated by the EPA.

During normal vehicle repair and maintenance, fluids such as engine oil, …

It is obvious that knowing the condition of underground sewer and water infrastructure is necessary to properly maintain essential services, and today’s CCTV (closed circuit television) inspection systems visually identify structural and maintenance issues like cracks, broken or collapsed pipe, infiltration, grease, and roots, as well as other issues.

Mainline …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the U.S. Interstate Highway System reaches 65 years old, it is congested, carries significant levels of travel — particularly by large trucks — and lacks adequate funding to make needed repairs and improvements. America’s most critical transportation link will need to be rebuilt and expanded to …

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the City of Maryville, a suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee, is going through a growth spurt. With a population of nearly 30,000 people and climbing, the town has experienced a big spike in utility development within the last two to three years. …

Demolition, like every industry, is constantly evolving. To keep ahead of the curve, contractors seek out the machines and methods that increase productivity while decreasing the physical toll on workers.

Concrete sawing is viable option for fast, effective removal. However, savvy contractors are finding that adding remote-control demolition robots to …

Let’s face it, road widening, aggregate placement, backfilling, and other road construction tasks have always been messy, backbreaking operations. Busy road construction seasons, limited budgets, and a number of other elements have constrained equipment innovation for decades. This has left road crews in the dust, relying heavily on traditional methods …

A construction site can be a bad back waiting to happen.

Whether it’s a brick mason, concrete finisher, roofer, or any other necessary occupation for a job site, workers are at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) because of the nature of the job – the awkward postures, repetitive lifting, …

There’s been considerable excitement and energy around machine control and autonomous operations in the construction space in recent years. And rightfully so – big machines that can grade a site to centimeter tolerances on the first go without operator assistance is worthy of celebration.

But what about the tools and …

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT — The employee-owners of PC Construction have prioritized hunger relief in their corporate giving, announcing that the company will give a total of $60,000 to hunger-fighting organizations in 2021.

The company also gave to hunger relief in 2020, as the number of Vermont families struggling with food …

HOLLISTON, MA — An electrical subcontractor throughout New England and the Southeast, Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. encourages each employee to be in the driver’s seat of his or her career. For over four decades and throughout all levels of the company, women have played an important role at Griffin …

Skid steer and compact track loaders are pivotal machines on any jobsite, offering compact convenience and robust power to operators of all skill levels. With the ability to tackle a variety of jobs and applications, adding the versatility of an attachment can make all the difference in the capabilities of …

Hitachi Construction Machinery recently announced two new programs aimed to help customers increase productivity and cost-savings. Dedicated to providing customers with efficient, reliable, and durable machines, Hitachi Construction continues to provide the latest technology and product offerings to help customers get the most out of their Hitachi machines.

As we transition into the warmer months, demand for a variety of landscape, hardscape, tree care, utility installation, and overall construction-grade tasks begin to rise. While stand-on skid steers have been used primarily as loaders in the past, they are becoming more popular in a wider array of jobs in …

Spring is just around the corner and that means land clearing contractors will be out in full force. While many jobs can be fulfilled using a standard compact track loader (CTL) with a simple bucket, overgrown areas with thick brush and trees require heavier-duty forestry attachments. And powering these attachments …

For many highway and heavy contractors, it’s not only the machines used on-site that drive project productivity – it’s also the attachments.

From buckets, hammers, and cutters to rippers, brooms, and grabbers, these heavy equipment accessories are designed to enhance the use of big (and little) iron while driving productivity …

Telehandlers are a popular choice for a wide range of material handling applications on job sites due to the variety of attachments they can be equipped with. The versatility of these machines allows operators the ability to perform a variety of job site tasks. Unlike forklifts, which rely on a …

Change has always been a constant in the construction and demolition industry. Contractors, workers and project managers pushing for safer, more productive solutions have transformed the modern jobsite from a buzzing hive that relied predominantly on manual labor to a streamlined operation dominated by hard-hitting machines.

In today’s competitive market, …

Demolition and recycling equipment is evolving and is going to change quickly in the next five to 10 years. Manufacturers are leading this effort with input from their customers.

Advances are happening in wireless technology, microchips, machine learning, artificial intelligence, automation, cameras, sensors, touch screens, and batteries. These technologies are …

Like the air we breathe, sound is an important, yet often overlooked, part of our daily lives. And, just as air quality and its effects on health have become an important part of the safety conversation, the negative effects of sound exposure on employees and the public are a growing …

Communications towers have long been a part of the landscape, but if you think you’re seeing many more of them, you’re not mistaken. The rapidly increasing demand for wireless communication and private communication networks has triggered a significant increase in the construction of towers.

The growing presence of towers means …

The demolition process involves an unimaginable breadth of products and services to meet the needs of clients and communities. From structural demolition and dismantlement to industrial recovery and C&D recycling, from specialized rigging and landfilling to insurance services and equipment manufacturing, from general contracting and architectural salvage to facilities decontamination, …

Even though preventive maintenance can be the single most crucial factor in keeping an equipment fleet operating in peak condition, while lowering a machine’s total cost of ownership, it is easy to have an “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. Especially in lean years, maximizing each piece of …

Today, the owners of a growing number of non-standard building designs like museums, arenas, stadiums and structures with atria or large open spaces are turning to performance-based design for substantial cost savings and enhanced safety while maintaining architectural concerns.

As an International Code Council (ICC) accepted alternative, performance-based design allows …

Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and – thanks in part to growing attachment diversity – CTLs can be used for more applications than ever. A strategic purchase of …

Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and – thanks in part to growing attachment diversity – CTLs can be used for more applications than ever. A strategic purchase of …

Renting heavy machinery has become increasingly popular in the construction and mining industries with many companies now opting to rent instead of purchase equipment. In fact, market analysts predict that the heavy equipment rental industry is set to grow by 11 percent over the next three years as construction companies …

Renting heavy machinery has become increasingly popular in the construction and mining industries with many companies now opting to rent instead of purchase equipment. In fact, market analysts predict that the heavy equipment rental industry is set to grow by 11 percent over the next three years as construction companies …

For decades, road and bridge repair contractors have relied on the power and precision of hydrodemolition robots to increase efficiency for concrete removal and surface preparation applications. Traditional methods of bridge deck repair took hours of manual labor using handheld water jetting equipment or handheld pneumatic tools. By switching to …

Despite COVID-19’s tumultuous toll on urban living, there will come a day when normalcy returns to large metropolitan areas. Human beings are resilient; they will continue to work, learn, live, and play following economic downturns and unprecedented times that temporarily rid cities of normal activity. Downtowns have a future, and …

Whether it’s on the front lines of a battlefield, a supply chain or a construction site, culture is a fundamental aspect of human existence. Culture keeps us bonded to groups of people – whether it’s within the context of our families, our communities or even our workplaces – and allows …

While there’s a big difference between investigating a workplace incident and finding someone to blame for it, companies frequently confuse the two concepts. When something goes wrong, they work hard to identify those at fault, and that’s where the investigation ends.

Most workplace incidents are not that clear-cut. An individual …

There’s an old adage that says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s applicable to many situations, but especially so when it comes to workplace safety. Safety professionals have long recognized the value of prevention, and the well-known Heinrich model clearly illustrates that value. For every …

ATLANTA, GA — Takeuchi-US, a manufacturer of compact equipment, has expanded its North American dealer network with three Crystal Tractor Supercenter locations in Chiefland, Spring Hill, and Ocala, Florida. These locations will now carry the full line of Takeuchi excavators, compact track loaders, and wheel loaders. They will also …

There was an estimated 600 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated in the United States in 2018 alone, which is more than double the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (i.e. normal garbage). Concrete accounted for the largest portion of this C&D waste (67.5 percent), followed by asphalt …

What’s better for clearing snow, a skid steer or a compact track loader? The common perception is that a wheeled machine would fare better, and it’s often true with many track loaders. It’s why many compact track loaders are parked for the winter while their wheeled counterparts keep working. However, …

Traditionally, vacuum excavators have been used by contractors for daylighting buried utilities, minimizing disruption to the impacted area, and leaving behind a negligible mess. Today, the benefits of soft digging – the process of using a combination of suction and high-pressure water and air to remove dirt and other materials …

When it comes to bridge design and construction, concrete is the material of choice. It’s easy to make, affordable, and can withstand a tremendous amount of compressive stress. However, concrete is not naturally flexible. It’s weak in tension, which can cause deflection on bridges and lead to cracks, which opens …

It has been almost a year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and unfortunately, we don’t have an answer as to when life will go back to normal, or even what the “new normal” will look like. Disruptions in the hard-hit construction industry – such as supply chain shortages and …

Safety sounds like a simple concept, but when it comes to workplace safety, that isn’t always the case. As our professionals interact with companies and workers in many industries, they frequently hear things that may sound plausible, but that really aren’t true. We’ve collected several of the most common here. …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation recently launched a new demonstration program to establish several Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (Accelerators), which will expedite delivery of transportation infrastructure projects through finance and delivery methods. The department’s Build America Bureau (the Bureau) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity to solicit applications …

Despite chronic difficulties sustained by contractors and others with securing human capital in January 2020, the nation added 214,000 net new jobs. It followed that up with an even more blistering 251,000 jobs in February.

For 113 consecutive months, the nation had added jobs – an unprecedented winning streak in …

HOLLISTON, MA — Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. (Griffin Electric), an electrical subcontractor throughout New England and the Southeast, recently participated in the sixth annual U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week. The federal initiative provides Griffin Electric an opportunity to showcase its in-house Apprenticeship Training Program and celebrate the …

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announces a new partnership with Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc. (ACS) to recruit and train veterans for careers in the construction trades, addressing a national workforce shortage. Together, the two organizations will identify and enroll veterans with military occupational specialties in an apprenticeship program that can lead …

The longest U.S. economic expansion since the end of the Second World War came to an abrupt end earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down the economy. Following an unprecedented plunge in Q2-2020 – real GDP nosedived at an annualized rate of 31.4 percent – economic activity …

The 2020 elections appear to have delivered simultaneous rebukes to both President Trump and the liberal agenda. While he performed better than most polls predicted, as of writing, the President’s ongoing efforts to contest the election appear to have little chance of success. Yet enough down ballot elections broke Republicans’ …

DENVER, CO — Process innovation specialist to the AEC industry, MG AEC Technology Partners (MG), invites the industry to The Power of Where, an online symposium illuminating the intersection of BIM and GIS technologies. Sponsored by Autodesk and GIS industry leader, Esri, the January 26, 2021 virtual conference will …

Transportation construction activity is forecast to decline 5.5 percent in 2021, as transportation authorities, state, city, county, and local governments face unprecedented revenue shortfalls, budget pressures and lower demand for travel and freight services, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) model shows. The 2021 market will reflect the …

Workers in all sorts of industries use, or may become exposed to, various types of hazardous chemicals and other substances on a regular basis. Sometimes those hazards are part of a production process, while in other instances it may be something used to clean a worksite.

That’s why OSHA requires …

After a difficult 2020, many of us are looking for things to turn around with the new year. Significant progress on a vaccine and the possibility of new funding for infrastructure projects has many in the construction industry optimistic that 2021 will put the U.S. economy back on track. We’ve …

For aggregate producers, efficient and accurate sizing of material during processing is essential to profitability. One renowned screening expert has termed plant screening stations as the "cash box" of the operation. Square opening, woven wire screen is still the media of choice in most aggregate operations. However, carryover of prime …

Like many cities with a long history, the skyline of San Diego, California, has changed significantly over the centuries. Even in the modern era, demolition and construction continue to transform California’s second-largest city. However, with growing populations and congested urban environments, demolition contractors are forced to find safer ways to …

For construction firms with significant fleet vehicle and equipment assets needing to be protected from theft or vandalism, fully integrating the latest capabilities of physical security and access control systems can drive down costs significantly.

This “virtual” approach combines video surveillance, access control, and information technology (IT) integration to replace …

If there is any one thing to be said about 2020, it’s that uncertainty ruled the day in many ways and in many aspects of life. The construction industry was no exception, as contractors in all segments juggled the unknowns of an election year, a global pandemic, and everything else …

JASPER, TN — After 29 years in the steel form and manufacturing industry, Richard (Rick) Lail of Lookout Mountain has created a new firm — Lail Bridge Forms. The move is intended to serve existing customers more efficiently, with elevated technology, and to garner new business with a now …

MIAMI, FL — CEMEX USA announces that its philanthropic arm, the CEMEX Foundation, has awarded grants to more than 15 nonprofit organizations across Florida with the funding expected to assist in providing food, housing, safety, education, and other vital support to communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are honored to …

No one can argue that 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic have created major stressors in our personal and professional lives and have caused many of us to experience greater levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. Even before COVID-19, one in five Americans suffered from a mental health condition and …

It happens on nearly every jobsite and nearly every day. A worker performs a task without using the proper safety procedures and a safety professional walks up to correct him. The mood becomes tense, the worker’s resentment is obvious, and the safety pro becomes defensive in return.

The safety professional …

Construction managers, general contractors, and building owners are certainly familiar with safety netting systems and the reasons to install them, which include protecting workers and debris from falling from structures, as well as façade and ceiling containment. They also believe these passive systems create and maintain a safe work environment. …

DALLAS, TX — A recipient of the women’s safety harness grant from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Autodesk, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) is piloting a new women’s safety harness design across it’s Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta-area project sites. The safety harness grant was created by …

‪‪‪‪‪‪‪‪‪‪LAKELAND, FL — US LBM, a distributor of specialty building materials in the United States, announces the recent opening of a new full line building materials location in Lakeland, Florida. The ‬yard ‪is the fifth new location US LBM has opened this year.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

‪‪‪‪‪‪‪‪‪‪"Central Florida continues to be a …

The construction worker offers much for which to be celebrated. They transform blank canvasses of earth to create spaces for work, education, or play and build structures to cross bodies of water that connect communities. Bottom line, the construction worker helps to build a country’s future.

Driving this ability is …

When it comes to horizontal directional drilling (HDD), simple training is not enough – it needs to be the right training. Because HDD is an art and a science, the right training, education, and experience is a critical combination in knowing the right balance between the two.

As HDD expands …

Tires are witness to everything that goes on in a truck and are filled with information that can tell you a great deal about your fleet.
There are many reasons tires are removed from service outside of normal wear – ranging from driver- related behavior, to running the wrong type …

More and more, concrete repair contractors are turning to robotic hydrodemolition, and the reasons why are simple. The method provides faster, safer, and more efficient removal than traditional means. Recent technological advances have also made hydrodemolition machines more versatile, compact, and durable than ever before. But, one important question still …

The construction industry has proven to be one of the most difficult industries to revolutionize. Many aspects of constructing a building have not changed for centuries. It is becoming increasingly difficult to build in downtown urban settings where sites are tight, streets are crowded, and skilled labor is difficult to …

Humanitarian, hero, and three-time heavyweight champion of the world, Mohammed Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Revered for his accomplishments in the ring and beloved the world over for his sharp wit and big heart outside of it, Ali’s …

AUSTIN, TX — Leaders from the Construction Industry Institute (CII), the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT), and the Engineering and Construction Contracting Association (ECC) are exploring the establishment of a unified, industry alliance to capture benefits of increased content collaboration, better sharing of research, and benchmarking learnings to improve application, diversifying …

JACKSONVILLE, FL — In a time of social, economic, and environmental upheaval, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) took a moment to celebrate and honor its local USGBC Florida community for the progress it has made toward a healthy, equitable, and prosperous future. The Central Florida chapter honored several leaders …

Near the Kansas City International Airport lies a well-traveled stretch of road that connects NE Cookingham Drive to I-435. A 20-mile jaunt separates the airport from downtown Kansas City, and while some drivers might make their way via the direct I-29 route, others choose the I-435 route that might take …

The AEC industry has been experimenting with the use of virtual reality (VR) for well over 20 years, and the medium has successfully provided value and Return on Investment (ROI). However, for many projects, the form factor, technical requirements and user friction for delivering walkthroughs has prevented the medium from …

When we think winter maintenance, we start thinking about cooling systems and antifreeze, fuel systems and fuel storage, engine oil, Hydraulic oil and systems, batteries and all the fluids, components and systems that suffer the ravages of cold and freezing temperatures. If its equipment, it needs winter maintenance. If operates …

One of the most time-consuming tasks while auger boring is pulling augers to check line and grade and adjust steering constantly,” said Walter Keyes, a 25-years auger boring veteran and Team Leader/Superintendent with S.J. Louis Companies. “Typically, on large-diameter sewer jobs, crews will pull augers every 20 feet, …

As we look ahead and try to make predictions about the future of construction, some aspects are murky. No one would have predicted the situation we found ourselves in during 2020, with a global pandemic bringing the economy to its knees, delaying construction projects nationwide, and changing the way we …

Mining and quarrying are deep-rooted businesses. The oldest known mine is located in Southern Africa and was active, quite appropriately, during the Stone Age – an astounding 43,000 years ago. Possibly even more incredible are the ancient mines that are still producing.

Fast forward to today, where we find an …

HOUSTON, TX — LJA Engineering has once again been recognized as a Best Firm To Work For in 2020 by the Zweig Group. The Best Firms To Work For awards honor the best architecture, engineering, planning, environmental, and construction firms (AEC) to work for in North America.

"With recruitment …

It’s a small number that carries a huge impact for a contractor’s business. It affects their ability to stay competitive and maintain profitability, and it gives owners and construction managers powerful insights into the contractor’s business philosophy. It says so much that owners and CMs use it to decide whether …

RICHARDSON, TX — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), an engineering/architecture consulting firm, announces the acquisition of the Tavares, Florida-based firm BESH, Inc. BESH will do business as BESH Halff.

BESH is a multidiscipline civil engineering firm under the leadership of Principals Duane Booth, Robert Ern Jr., and Charles …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Twenty-six teams of undergraduate students from colleges and universities nationwide put their construction project leadership skills to the test during Associated Builders and Contractors’ annual Construction Management Competition, which was held virtually for the first time. The four-person teams, which were assigned to complete the same …

At 64 years old, an age at which many Americans are approaching Medicare eligibility and reduced workloads, the Interstate Highway System is deteriorating, its traffic load of cars and trucks continues to increase, and the system lacks an adequate long-term care plan.

The Interstate Highway System remains the workhorse of …

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Alabama Associated General Contractors (Alabama AGC) is helping pave the way for the construction industry’s future.

In 2019, Alabama AGC held a significant role in launching the Hoover city school system’s Skills Trade Academy at the Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3), a program designed to advance youth …

Traditionally, moisture tests require laborious effort and are slow to return results from the laboratory.  The risk of damage increases during transit of the materials potentially altering or destroying the entire sample, making this option much less practical for construction sites.  Industry innovators have developed a simplified approach with testing …

When Robert “Bob” Lanham, Jr., P.E., started his tenure as 2020 President of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), he set three main goals: expand member engagement, increase federal investment in construction, and reduce and reform federal regulations on construction and development.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. …

Heavy-haul trailers trek thousands of miles during their service lives and encounter many challenges – from rocks and ruts to bumps and jolts, no trailer gets out unscathed. To get the most from trailers, here are some tips to prevent costly damage and keep your trailers in top shape.

KNOXVILLE, TN — The Christman Company donated more than 200 toys to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital so that patients have new stuffed animals, books, and games during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For health and safety reasons due to the pandemic, toys can not be shared by the hospitalized children because of …

ORLANDO, FL — The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) announces that it will host the damage prevention industry’s official Conference & Expo from March 2-5, 2021, in Orlando. The 2021 CGA Conference & Expo is designed to focus on cross-industry, multi-stakeholder collaboration to develop concrete actions to address the challenge of …

SCHAUMBURG, IL — As the AED Foundation (AEDF) continues to address the industry's skills gap through its Vision 2024 plan, the soon-to-launch Construction Career Aptitude Test aims to help address the workforce shortage starting at the high school level. More specifically, the Construction Career Aptitude Test is designed for students …

WILMINGTON, NC — Balfour Beatty’s US Civils team safely achieves more than four million hours without a lost time incident in the southeast operating region. This safety milestone and record celebrates five years of safely delivering construction projects and the company’s commitment to its Zero Harm culture to protect …

The Construction Industry Institute (CII) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently held a webinar called “Roundtable on Perspectives and Best Practices in Owner-Contractor Collaboration During COVID-19” to provide updates on a variety of industry topics concerning the virus. The panel for the webinar featured two CII owners, …

Given the excitement with SpaceX and NASA’s recent historic manned launch, many people are looking to the stars. To many, space means rockets and satellites. However, every major component of these missions are built, designed, tested, launched, and controlled in one or more ground-based facilities. And every one of those …

The history of the construction excavator goes back quite some time. The very first excavator is said to have been built in 1882 by Sir W. G. Armstrong & Company in England, where it was used in the construction of Port of Hull docks. Unlike today's excavators that use hydraulic …

Infrastructure repair is a hot topic today, and rightfully so. From potholes to deteriorating bridges, keeping up with repairs – and finding the money to do so – is a constant struggle. In an effort to complete jobs faster and win more bids, contractors are always looking for ways to …

All project businesses essentially operate the same way. Whether you are in the construction, engineering or architecture industry, the overarching commonality is that your company delivers goods and services to your customers through projects, making your company a project business.

Only by recognizing your company as a project business are …

Accelerator for America recently hosted a webinar with some of the country’s most determined mayors to discuss the organization’s New Partnership on Infrastructure (NPI) initiative.

Founded by CEO Rick Jacobs, Accelerator for America is an organization led by an advisory council of mayors and other local leaders from across …

As restrictions are being lifted across most states in the country and with warm weather upon us, it is important for truck drivers to consider proper management of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) used in most diesel-powered trucks.

DEF is made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water …

It’s a common situation: Your equipment isn’t working as effectively as it was the day it came off the manufacturing line. With most tools and machines, regular maintenance and replacement of worn-out parts can be the key to restoring it back to maximum power. Earth drills are no exception. Knowing …

Once again, the U.S. economy has hit a crossroads. Even before the current COVID-19 outbreak, the predictions for the coming year were mixed at best.

On the one side, the Association of Equipment Managers (AEM) said that “Steady and solid growth is likely to continue for the construction sector. As …

HAILEY, ID — The POWER Foundation, a nonprofit arm of Hailey, Idaho-based engineering and consulting services firm POWER Engineers, recently pledged to send $150,000 directly to schools to help alleviate challenges with distance learning and connectivity.

“The added pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic have really illuminated the challenges …

WICHITA, KS — Berry Companies, Inc. announces the acquisition of Bobcat of Atlanta and Bobcat of Huntsville. The addition of these dealerships expands Berry Companies' dealer network to eight divisions in eight states.

“I am pleased to share that we have closed on the acquisition of Bobcat of Atlanta …

Creative thinking and the willingness to take a new approach is often what sets innovators apart from their peers. These qualities are also the fuel that propels industry forward. Construction is one of the oldest industries, but thanks to continuous advancements in technology, techniques and materials, today’s structures have come …

The economy in Garden City, Kansas, is strong with the recent opening of a Dairy Farmers of America plant. Approximately 4 million pounds of milk from regional farmers make its way to the dairy plant each day, which has led to expansion for many other companies throughout the area. To …

The hardest part of a project for most contractors is the bid. Balancing customer specs with overhead costs to produce a number both sides are comfortable with takes skill and a deep understanding of an operation’s capabilities. Partnering with industry-leading OEMs to provide efficiency-optimizing equipment can give contractors an edge …

Let’s face facts, the construction industry does not do well when it comes to completing projects on time and within budget. Approximately 98 percent of megaprojects suffer cost overruns of more than 30 percent and 77 percent are at least 40 percent late, according to a McKinsey & Company report. …

Aiming to improve traffic flow, alleviate congestion and enhance safety, the Alabama Department of Transportation is constructing the state’s first diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 10 and State Road 181 in Daphne.

“The interchange sits just south of a large shopping center and adjacent to many eateries, commercial developments, schools, …

There is no doubt that technology has increased project management efficiency and safety in the construction industry. Case in point: construction worker illnesses and injuries went from 10.9 incidents (in 1972) to 2.8 incidents (in 2017) per 100 people, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, there are …

Construction was recently listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America by CNBC. So when it comes to day-to-day operations, what can construction managers do to ensure workers receive the information they need to produce quality work and stay safe on the job? One company, MindForge, is …

MIAMI, FL — The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) announces a donation of $3 million from North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), to support specific and urgent research on the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to treat COVID-19-related inflammation. The gift will accelerate needed clinical trials.

On April …

HOUSTON, TX — As organizations and community members face significant challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, Burns & McDonnell is providing additional resources and services to communities, clients, and employee-owners throughout the U.S.

To bolster the support of those on the front lines providing critical resources to those who need it …

SPARTANBURG, SC — As millions of Americans work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, City Electric Supply (CES) branches are assisting the telecommunications industry. Stores are providing support and materials to wireless and telecom businesses in their areas to help them continue operations. CES Gaffney in South Carolina and …

GLASTONBURY, CT — The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM), a national architectural firm, announces the strategic acquisition of five CBRE | Heery architectural design practices focused on healthcare, sports facilities, and justice, which will be known as Heery Design, a SLAM Studio.

CBRE, which acquired Heery in 2017, will retain full …

ORLANDO, FL — In the midst of a skilled labor shortage impacting Orlando and the entire United States, the American Rental Association (ARA) recently hosted ARARentalWorks Day at The ARA Show in Orlando, Florida. The event at the Orange County Convention Center educated hundreds of local trade and technical students …

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, PE issued the statement below following Governor DeSantis’ 2020 State of the State Address, which further emphasized the Governor’s vision for transportation in Florida.

“Governor DeSantis continues to have bold plans for Florida’s infrastructure, and the department is …

FRANKLIN, TN — The Franklin Bridge Golf Club was the center stage for the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) of Middle Tennessee Chapter Year End Celebration. Members gathered to recognize the 40 founding members and present Donnie Mingus of Team Construction as the first NUCA of Middle Tennessee Ditchdigger of …

ATLANTA, GA — After announcing the city achieved LEED Silver certification, Atlanta once again hosted the 2019 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, presented by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), at the LEED Gold Georgia World Congress Center. The world’s largest event dedicated to green building featured four days of …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices remained unchanged on a monthly basis in October but are down 2.2 percent year-over-year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.1 percent for the month and are …

ARLINGTON, VA — Eighty percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by Autodesk and the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the …

MOLINE, IL — Among professional construction contractors who rented equipment in the past year, a majority expects to increase reliance on rental in the year ahead, according to a comprehensive survey of contractors released by the American Rental Association (ARA).

The “Rental Customer Needs Study,” conducted by RSG, an independent …

VICTOR, NY — The Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) is a self-regulating organization dedicated to advancing the goals of independent used equipment dealers and related businesses worldwide. The IEDA's website is a vital part of its mission to help equipment dealers build more profitable relationships, and to provide its members …

ARLINGTON, VA — Construction employment increased by 4,000 jobs in May and by 215,000, or 3 percent, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience fell to a record low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of …

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Somerset CPAs and Advisors will be launching their 2019 Construction Industry Financial Performance and Salary & Benefits Survey. This industry-specific survey provides information about the financial standing of the national construction community, outlining salaries and benefits by position, balance sheets, statements of operations and other information as …

BOYNTON BEACH, FL — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with the University of South Florida, SafetyFlorida Consultation Program, H.J. High Construction and the Haskell Co. to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the City of …

HUNTSVILLE, AL — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with the University of Alabama Consultation Program, the United Association of Journeymen Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada Union, and Holder Construction to promote worker safety and …

MIAMI, FL — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with the University of South Florida Safety and Health Consultation Program and Shawmut Design and Construction Co. to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the 39,700-square-foot Ransom …