Nonresidential Construction Spending Declines in March as Pandemic Halts Projects
National nonresidential construction spending fell 0.1% in March and is up 2.0% compared to the same time last year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $802.6 billion for the month. Among 16 nonresidential subcategories, […]
Utility Carts
Nu-Wave Manufacturing has released another addition to its line of lean construction utility carts. With a 3,200 lb. load capacity, the 22XL’s platform is 48" L x 19" W. This is a supersized cart built for the toughest of jobs. Nu-Wave uses only superior materials for structural soundness providing top-notch quality and, like all its […]
Dodge Momentum Index Trips on COVID-19 in April
The Dodge Momentum Index moved 6.0% lower in April to 135.9 (2000=100) from the revised March reading of 144.5. 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 […]
Safety: Dealing with a Pandemic
An article on safety had already been planned for this issue of AWCI’s Construction Dimensions, but a new angle suddenly took front seat: How to deal with a pandemic! Even though this article was written mid-April with the pandemic situation still very much in flux, we wanted to share the successes, […]
Architecture Billings Index Points to Major Downturn in Commercial Construction
Reflecting the deteriorating conditions in the overall economy, demand for design services from architecture firms recorded a record fall, according to a report on April 22 from the American Institute of Architects. AIA’s Architecture Billings Index score of 33.3 for March reflects a decrease in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any […]
COVID-19 & Construction in Canada: Is Trouble Brewing?
Construction has continued to operate in most of Canada through the era of coronavirus, and while that is seen as good news for most workers on one hand, the nature of the work in many sectors has created a nervous and sometimes frightened workforce on the other. And for good reason. […]
Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry Confidence Plummets in April
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s April 2020 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry shows that overall, confidence in the equipment finance market fell to a historic low in April of 22.3, decreasing from the previous low of 46.0 in the March index. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative […]
Construction Quality Award 2020: Ceilings
The Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry’s Excellence in Construction Quality Awards demonstrate the craft and management expertise of AWCI contractors, the products of AWCI manufacturer members and the procurement skills of AWCI supplier members. Along with AWCI’s award partners—the Gypsum Association, the Steel Framing Industry Association and the EIFS Industry Members Association—AWCI and […]
U.S. Economy Falls 4.8% in 1st Quarter of 2020 Due to COVID-19
The U.S. economy contracted at an annualized 4.8% rate during the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the ongoing global pandemic, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released April 29 by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The decline in GDP is largely a reflection of the final three […]