Architecture
Architectural billings continue to contract in 2023
Fewer architecture firms report declining billings in January compared to billing activity in December, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 49.3* compared to 48.4 in December (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings). Last month’s score…
AIA South Carolina Recognizes the State’s Best with 2022 Design Awards
The American Institute of Architects, South Carolina Chapter (AIASC) recently announced the 2022 recipients of the annual AIASC Design Awards, which encourages and recognizes design excellence throughout South Carolina, and promotes public awareness of the role architects play in shaping the quality of life in their communities. Honor Awards | New Construction Merit Awards |…
Architecture Billings Continue to Decline
Demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms continued to contract in December, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The pace of decline during December slowed from November, posting an Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 47.5 from 46.6 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings)….
Contracting
Construction Input Costs Rise 0.4 Percent In February, Outpacing Bid-Price Increase Of 0.1 Percent, As Wide Variety Of Materials Posts Price Gains
Large Increases Hit Price Indexes for Flat Glass, Metals, Cement, and Paving Materials; Association Officials Urge Federal Leaders to Ease Proposed Rules that Will Make Products Even More Expensive The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction increased by 0.4 percent from January to February, outpacing the 0.1 percent increase in contractors’ bid…
Construction Adds 24,000 Jobs in February
The construction industry added 24,000 jobs on net in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 249,000 jobs, an increase of 3.2%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 11,600 positions, with growth registered in…
CONEXPO-CONAGG 2023 Set for Biggest Show Ever
CONEXPO-CON/AGG, already recognized as the largest trade show in North America, has officially sold all available exhibit space, guaranteeing the 2023 edition of the show will be the biggest in history. “The addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of…
Energy
The Built Environment Blunder Causing Significant Carbon Emissions
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that, as of 2021, buildings consume 39.1% of U.S. energy and 75% of electricity,(1) which accounts for 16% of carbon emissions.(2) Creating a comfortable indoor environment by providing adequate light and temperature control uses most of this energy. Buildings that effectively insulate from moisture and wind while allowing fresh…
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,…
Engineering
CRB Opens New Office in Jacksonville to Meet Rising Life Sciences Needs in Florida
Florida’s rapidly expanding biopharma marketplace is a major contributor to advances in pioneering patient therapies and technology-focused health solutions. In order to support the state on this mission, CRB – a leading global provider of engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions to life sciences and food and beverage clients – today announces the opening of its new Jacksonville office. The…
Coulter Jewell Thames, P.A. Combines with Thomas & Hutton to Serve Expanding Raleigh-Durham Market
Durham, North Carolina, October 20, 2022 — Thomas & Hutton (T&H), a Southeast-based professional consulting firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Durham’s Coulter Jewell Thames, P.A. (CJT) to the team. With offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, T&H’s addition of CJT increases its presence in the Raleigh-Durham region. The combination…
Latest Study Shows Civil Contractors Cautious in Expected Revenue and Profit Margin Changes
Dodge Construction Network’s latest Civil Quarterly study reveals notable percentage change in expectations from previous quarter The latest edition of The Civil Quarterly (TCQ) from Dodge Construction Network reveals that contractors continue to expect an increase in revenue and profit margins, but notably less since last quarter, potentially due to acute supply chain issues and potential economic downturn. The…
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
Building, Supporting, Maintaining: Harper Announces New HarperXS Division
Harper General Contractors has long been a leading innovator in construction services in the Southeast. As they continue to evolve, Harper has seen the importance of pursuing new opportunities to grow and provide even more value to their clients and community. In 2015, Harper leadership saw a need to provide their current and future clients…
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
Titan America Completes Full Conversion to Low Carbon Cement Production
Titan America LLC is proud to announce the full conversion of its cement plants to the production of Type IL portland-limestone cement, a low-carbon construction material. TITAN Cement Group has committed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C and deliver net zero concrete by 2050. Titan America is the first US based cement company to fully convert to…
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…
Suppliers
Colony Hardware Announces Acquisition of New South Construction Supply
Colony Hardware, Corp. (“Colony” or the “Company”), a leading direct-to-jobsite distributor of construction materials and jobsite supplies, has announced the acquisition of New South Construction Supply, LLC (“New South”), a South Carolina-based value-added distributor of rebar, concrete, masonry, waterproofing products, and contractor supplies. “Bringing New South Construction Supply and Colony Hardware together is impactful in…
Ingevity to acquire leading pavement marking materials business, Ozark Materials
Ingevity Corporation (NYSE:NGVT) today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire privately-owned Ozark Materials, LLC and Ozark Logistics, LLC (“Ozark Materials”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $325 million. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, and Ingevity expects to close on the transaction by early Q4 2022. Ozark…
Markel Announces Investment in Metromont
Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) and Metromont LLC announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Markel to acquire a majority interest in Metromont. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additional terms were not disclosed. Operating as a third-generation family business,…
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
Nuveen Survey: Investors Want More Information From Companies About ESG Issues
More than 80% of U.S. investors say that companies need to more openly communicate the risks and opportunities that shape their standing as “responsible investments” – and 73% also say they are more likely to invest in a company that shares with investors its plans for effectively managing those factors. Those are among the key…
What Construction Firms Need to Know about ESG
While the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement started with institutions and financial firms, it has become increasingly relevant for the construction industry. Many project owners and financiers are now requiring construction companies to report on ESG measures because activities completed by contractors are considered part of the owner’s value chain and must therefore be…
Duke Energy Carolinas Requests Rate Review by North Carolina Utilities Commission to Build a Cleaner, More Reliable Energy Future
Duke Energy Carolinas today asked North Carolina regulators to review its rates as the company continues to strengthen the electricity grid to improve reliability for customers and facilitate a cleaner, more secure energy future in a manner that supports economic development across the state. The rate case includes a three-year plan to fund system improvements, including nearly $4.2…
More Operations
Construction Input Costs Rise 0.4 Percent In February, Outpacing Bid-Price Increase Of 0.1 Percent, As Wide Variety Of Materials Posts Price Gains
Large Increases Hit Price Indexes for Flat Glass, Metals, Cement, and Paving Materials; Association Officials Urge Federal Leaders to Ease Proposed Rules that Will Make Products Even More Expensive The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction increased by 0.4 percent from January to February, outpacing the 0.1 percent increase in contractors’ bid…
Construction Adds 24,000 Jobs in February
The construction industry added 24,000 jobs on net in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 249,000 jobs, an increase of 3.2%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 11,600 positions, with growth registered in…
Colony Hardware Announces Acquisition of New South Construction Supply
Colony Hardware, Corp. (“Colony” or the “Company”), a leading direct-to-jobsite distributor of construction materials and jobsite supplies, has announced the acquisition of New South Construction Supply, LLC (“New South”), a South Carolina-based value-added distributor of rebar, concrete, masonry, waterproofing products, and contractor supplies. “Bringing New South Construction Supply and Colony Hardware together is impactful in…
CONEXPO-CONAGG 2023 Set for Biggest Show Ever
CONEXPO-CON/AGG, already recognized as the largest trade show in North America, has officially sold all available exhibit space, guaranteeing the 2023 edition of the show will be the biggest in history. “The addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of…
