Construction projects are inherently complex, requiring careful planning and execution to ensure success. The most common scheduling method in construction is known as the Critical Path Method (CPM) and it’s broken. This scheduling method has proved itself unsuccessful on vertical construction projects time and time again. CPM was originally created for Dupont Chemical while attempting…
Business
Mental Health & Wellness: Key Components of Safety for Construction Industry
A growing topic of discussion in the industries we serve is mental health. Although safety has long been a core value of the construction industry, wellness is now gaining traction as a much-needed area of focus. Its importance can’t be understated. Nearly 13 percent of workplace injuries are attributed to fatigue, and more than 40…
Five Signs it Might Be Time for a Career Change
How do you know when it is time for a change in your career? Do you recognize when enough is enough? As a Recruiting Specialist in the construction industry, I have daily discussions about this topic. In the conversations I have, people are sometimes surprised when they realize their professional goals will be difficult to…
ABC Construction Backlog Indicator Rebounds in April Due to Infrastructure Category Strength
Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.9 months in April from 8.7 in March, according to an ABC member survey conducted April 20 to May 3. The reading is 0.1 months higher than in April 2022. View the historic Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series. After…
Construction Materials Prices Rise 0.5 Percent In April While Bid Prices Slip, Reversing Recent Pattern And Squeezing Contractor Profits
Double-Digit Annual Cost Increases Persist for Several Materials Despite Recent Price Declines for Some; Association Officials Say Administration’s Approach to Buy America Rules is Contributing to Price Inflation The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction increased 0.5 percent from March to April, while an index that measures contractors’ bid prices declined 0.3 percent,…
Markets
Several Major Industries Making Efforts to Meet Net Zero Goals Through Carbon Credits
Set to be held in November, the UN’s Conference of Parties conference (“COP27”) has been set with a goal of seeking clarity and concrete guidelines for Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) players. Last year’s COP26 conference in Scotland ended with 632 of the world’s largest 2000 public companies by revenue announcing plans to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts are being made across…
International Race for Lithium Heats Up as Auto Giants Invest in Mining Space
An international scramble for lithium is fully underway, with some of the world’s largest automakers now jockeying for position in the mining space to secure supplies for the battery metal moving forward. The latest to throw its hat in the lithium ring is General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), which announced a $650 million equity investment in Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) (TSX:LAC) in connection…
Albemarle Corporation Announces New U.S. Lithium Mega-Flex Processing Facility in South Carolina
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a global leader in providing essential elements for mobility, energy, connectivity and health, today announced plans to locate its previously announced lithium hydroxide Mega-Flex facility in Chester County, South Carolina. Plans for the facility include an initial investment of at least $1.3 billion to help meet the surging demand for domestic and international electric vehicles…
Cirba Solutions to Build World-Class EV Battery Materials Facility in South Carolina
Cirba Solutions, the most trusted and comprehensive battery materials and management company for end-of-life batteries and gigafactory scrap, announced today a phase I investment of more than $300 million into a world-class, lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling flagship facility in South Carolina. With over 30 years of experience, Cirba Solutions has paved the way for a sustainable…