Groundbreak Carolinas

GroundBreak Carolinas

Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas

Contracting

Today’s Cyber Risk Landscape for Architecture, Engineering and Construction

You may not immediately recognize the need for data security, password management or disaster recovery as an organization in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, but COVID-19 has led to more malicious activity and a sharp increase in cybercrime.  Eighty percent of firms have seen a rise in cyberattacks this past year. The FBI…

The Construction Project Manager’s Early Warning System

The construction project manager’s job gives new meaning to the term “multitasking” and each person multitasks differently. Effective project management needs to be standardized to effectively keep track of the smallest details while never losing sight of the big picture for a construction company. Construction project management is an in-the-weeds job at the project level…

Fluor Sells AMECO North America to One Equity Partners for $73 Million

 Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced today the divestiture of its North American equipment and fleet services business, AMECO, to One Equity Partners for $73 million. This transaction is another significant step in completing the AMECO divestiture announced by Fluor in September 2019. Fluor previously sold its AMECO Caribbean business in Jamaica in August 2020 and is actively marketing its…

Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 1.3% in February, Says ABC

National nonresidential construction spending declined 1.3% in February, 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 $789.5 billion for the month. On a monthly basis, spending was down in 13 of 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending…

With the Ides of March Upon Us, What’s the Economic Situation?

With 2021’s first two months under our belt, a new administration in the White House, and better virus news at hand, what can we say about the economic situation, especially as it relates to the Carolinas and our region?  More specifically, what do the soothsayers predict for national GDP growth, interest rates, and inflation?  Will…

Monthly Construction Input Prices Rise 2.1% in February, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2021 — Construction input prices rose 2.1% in February 2021, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 2.1% for the month. Construction input prices are up 7.6% from February 2020, and nonresidential construction input…

Monthly Construction Input Prices Surge 2.5% in January, Says ABC

Construction input prices increased 2.5% in January 2021 compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices rose 2.1% for the month. Construction input prices rose 4.8% from a year ago. Nonresidential construction input prices…

New “PRO Act” Will Hurt Construction Workers, Undermine Their Privacy And Make It Hard For The Economy To Recover, Official Warns

Measure Denies Workers Absolute Right to Secret and Fair Union Elections, Forces Them to Become the Victims of Union Disputes, Will Unleash Strikes and Disruptions that Will Kill Jobs, Hurt Recovery The Associated General Contractors of America’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the introduction in Congress today…

Ten Tips To Upgrade Your RFI Process in 2021: Part Two

This is part 2 of 10 helpful tips for developing your RFI process to manage and handle RFIs from the Field Crew to your Office Staff. Construction projects average hundreds of request for information (RFIs) each year, making it essential that project stakeholders maintain an efficient RFI process in the field. Additionally, it is essential…