Architecture
Architecture Billings Index Robust Growth Continues
Architecture firms reported increasing demand for design services in June according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for June remained at an elevated level of 57.1 in June (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). During June, the new design contracts…
Asheley St. John, 1×1 Design: Architectural Underdog
When Asheley St. John opened her own architecture firm, 1×1 Design, she started small — now, the firm boasts 10 years of success. “It started with just me and a house.” That’s all St. John had when she started 1×1 Design in her hometown of Columbia, S.C. She’d been a professional architect for years but…
Architectural Billings Continue to Contract in 2021
WASHINGTON – Feb. 24, 2021 – A slight improvement in business conditions has led to fewer architecture firms reporting declining billings, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 44.9* compared to 42.3 in December (any score below 50 indicates a…
Contracting
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Plummets in August; Contractor Confidence Down
Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell sharply to 7.7 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 19 to Sept. 1. The reading is down 0.8 months from July 2021 and down 0.3 months from August 2020. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins…
Dodge Momentum Index Loses Steam in August
The Dodge Momentum Index dropped 3% in August to 148.7 (2000=100) from the revised July reading of 154.0. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a…
Nonresidential Construction Spending Weak in July, Says ABC
National nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.1% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $786.7 billion for the month. However, spending was down on a monthly basis in six of 16 nonresidential subcategories. Spending in…
Energy
Duke Energy Awards $3.2 million to Innovative Education Programs
Duke Energy announcedit is awarding $3.2 million in grants to support 131 innovative K-12 education programs across the communities served by the company. “Bright futures begin in the classroom, and every child deserves a fair chance at academic success,” said Cari Boyce, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “The grants we are making today are…
USGBC Launches LEED Zero Certification for Net-Zero Buildings
USGBC’s new certification program encourages net-zero operations for carbon emissions, water and energy use, and waste management. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched LEED Zero, a new program that will address net zero operations and resources in buildings. “Net zero is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward,” said Melissa Baker,…
Dominion Energy Seeks Solar and Onshore Wind Generation Proposals
Dominion Energy is seeking bids for up to 500 megawatts of solar and onshore wind generation as part of a plan to develop 3,000 megawatts of additional solar and wind power under Virginia’s new Grid Transformation & Security Act (GTSA). The GTSA, which became law on July 1, 2018, paves the way for the largest…
Engineering
Thomas & Hutton Names Five New Shareholders, Three in South Carolina
Thomas & Hutton is pleased to announce the addition of five new company shareholders: John Garceau, PLA, Chad Grass, PE, Ryan Page, PE, Brad Sanderson, PE, and James Thomas, PE. Three of the five new shareholders are based in South Carolina. “Considering growth and our future, Thomas & Hutton announces five new shareholders,” says Sam…
Thomas & Hutton Makes Zweig Group’s 2021 List of “Best Firms to Work For” in AEC Industry
June 2, 2021 — The Zweig Group annually recognizes outstanding workplaces across the United States in the architecture, engineering, environmental, planning, and construction industry (AEC) in their Best Firms to Work for Awards. Thomas & Hutton is pleased to announce that they have been named one of the Top 25 companies to work for in…
Davis & Floyd CEO Shares Insight About Company’s Success
Engineering a solution to a problem or tackling a massive infrastructure project often times requires an innovative approach. In this one-on-one interview, Davis & Floyd President and CEO Stephen L. Davis gives insight into how the company has literally laid the groundwork in South Carolina and built a framework for generations to come. WHAT IS…
Equipment
Absolute Powerhouse: Next-Generation 2022 Toyota Tundra
With a plethora of adventure-ready, go-anywhere, been-anywhere vehicles cementing its foundation, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is born from a lineage of trucks and SUVs rooted in quality, durability and reliability. Its predecessors hit the million-mile mark on more than one occasion thanks to a team of engineers who built the truck above and beyond…
Caterpillar to Expand Hydrogen-Powered Solutions to Customers
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced it will begin offering Cat® generator sets capable of operating on 100% hydrogen, including fully renewable green hydrogen, on a designed-to-order basis in late 2021. More immediately, the company will launch commercially available power generation solutions that can be configured to operate on natural gas blended with up to 25% hydrogen. These…
The Manitowoc Company to Acquire H&E Equipment’s Crane Business
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW) (the “Company” or “Manitowoc”), a leading global manufacturer of cranes and lifting solutions, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the crane business of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (“H&E”) (NASDAQ: HEES), one of the largest rental equipment companies in the U.S. Under the terms…
Facilities
Eight Reasons Why You Need to Have Annual Plumbing Checks
Running a business can be a daunting feat. New problems will catch you off-guard and sometimes all you can really do is take the bull by the horns, and hope that everything will return to normal. Even a short business interruption can mean losing thousands of dollars! A business owner keeps an eye on the…
Five Electrical Safety Tips for Commercial Buildings
To some, a workplace may feel like a second home. It’s a place where employees form bonds and battle hardships together. Whether you’re a company CEO, a higher-up, or the owner of a commercial building, keeping your establishment a safe place for everyone will increase their productivity and give you peace of mind as well….
8 Reasons Why You Need to Have Annual Plumbing Checks
Running a business can be a daunting feat. New problems will catch you off-guard and sometimes all you can really do is take the bull by the horns, and hope that everything will return to normal. Even a short business interruption can mean losing thousands of dollars! A business owner keeps an eye on the…
Maintenance
Culvert Rehabilitation Project Features InfraSteel
The InfraSteel culvert rehabilitation solution is chosen by the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina for its Booker Creek Culvert at Elliot Road Rehabilitation Project. The InfraSteel slip-liner will preserve the existing failing bridge structure and avoid a road closure. According to InfraSteel executive Cullom Walker, “Elliot Road is busy and intersects heavily traveled US…
Products
Cree Buildings, Walbridge Partnership Brings Sustainable Timber-Hybrid system to U.S.
A milestone partnership will allow Walbridge to utilize Cree Buildings’ timber-hybrid system in projects throughout North America. Austria-based Cree Buildings, with a range of successful projects throughout Europe and Asia, is a system for timber-hybrid buildings that utilizes prefabricated components. Focusing on sustainable construction, the license agreement with Detroit-based constructor Walbridge will support major customers…
Concrete – the World’s Most Widely Used Material – Targets Carbon Neutral Future
Forty of the world’s leading cement and concrete companies today unveiled a joint industry ‘2050 Climate Ambition.’ The ambition statement demonstrates the commitment of the industry across the globe to drive down the CO2 footprint of the world’s most used man-made product, with an aspiration to deliver society with carbon neutral concrete by 2050. Launched by…
Tindall Corporation’s Utility Division Provides Precast Bridge for Chestnut Mountain Ranch
“Tindall is a company who has a heart for serving others,” said Steve Finn, Founder and Executive Director of Chestnut Mountain Ranch. “Their team’s leadership is always looking for opportunities to make things better than the way they found them, and we are beyond grateful for their partnership and contributions that support the mission of…
Suppliers
LafargeHolcim to acquire Firestone Building Products from Bridgestone Americas
The Real Cost of Using the Lowest Cost Carrier
After all you’ve been through in 2020, you’d probably do just about anything to see life go “back to normal.” It’s safe to say we’ll establish a “new normal” at least in the short term. Transportation challenges will likely arise that you haven’t seen before — or at least not to this degree. Pressure on…
Lowe’s Launches Nationwide Tool Rental Program
Tool rental is now coming to Lowe’s. The company announced today that it will begin rolling out tool rental departments nationwide, creating a one-stop shop for all the tools and equipment Pros and DIY customers need to complete home improvement projects. Lowe’s Tool Rental will begin a multi-year national rollout with its first space opening…
Supply Chain
Construction Partners, Inc. Completes North Carolina Acquisition
Construction Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROAD) (the “Company” or “Construction Partners”), a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways across five southeastern states, today announced that it has acquired R.P.C. Contracting, Inc., an asphalt and paving contractor based in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The transaction adds two hot-mix asphalt plants to the…
“Fireside Chat” with Patrice Gilmore, National Supplier Diversity Lead, DPR Construction
Patrice Gilmore, CCA, is the latest Triangle-area woman to be honored by Chix Dig It – Celebrating Women in Construction, a Raleigh-based non-profit dedicated to attracting the best and brightest women to the architectural, design and construction field – professional and craft. GroundBreak Carolinas is pleased to present this “Fireside Chat” with Patrice, part of the “Evolving Women in AEC”…
Sustainability
USGBC Readies the Green Building Industry for a LEED Positive Future During Greenbuild
Last week concluded the annual Greenbuild Conference & Expo, presented by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and owned and operated by Informa Connect. Throughout this year’s virtual event, USGBC delivered key updates intended to help push the industry closer to a regenerative future as outlined through LEED Positive, while prioritizing solutions that promote social equity, resilience…
USGBC North Carolina and USGBC South Carolina Share Sustainable Business Awards Winners
Winners were announced at the virtual Carolinas Green Gala on Oct. 29. The Sustainable Business Awards given by the USGBC North Carolina and USGBC South Carolina communities promote and recognize excellence in sustainable design, environmental stewardship and community impact, and highlight the green building initiatives and achievements of local projects, organizations and individual leaders. Given in several categories, our project awards…
Concrete – the World’s Most Widely Used Material – Targets Carbon Neutral Future
Forty of the world’s leading cement and concrete companies today unveiled a joint industry ‘2050 Climate Ambition.’ The ambition statement demonstrates the commitment of the industry across the globe to drive down the CO2 footprint of the world’s most used man-made product, with an aspiration to deliver society with carbon neutral concrete by 2050. Launched by…
More Operations
Absolute Powerhouse: Next-Generation 2022 Toyota Tundra
With a plethora of adventure-ready, go-anywhere, been-anywhere vehicles cementing its foundation, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is born from a lineage of trucks and SUVs rooted in quality, durability and reliability. Its predecessors hit the million-mile mark on more than one occasion thanks to a team of engineers who built the truck above and beyond…
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Plummets in August; Contractor Confidence Down
Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell sharply to 7.7 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 19 to Sept. 1. The reading is down 0.8 months from July 2021 and down 0.3 months from August 2020. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins…
Dodge Momentum Index Loses Steam in August
The Dodge Momentum Index dropped 3% in August to 148.7 (2000=100) from the revised July reading of 154.0. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a…
Nonresidential Construction Spending Weak in July, Says ABC
National nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.1% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $786.7 billion for the month. However, spending was down on a monthly basis in six of 16 nonresidential subcategories. Spending in…
