Further Contraction in Architecture Billings Index
For the first time since the summer of 2012, the Architecture Billings Index posted consecutive months of a decline in demand for design services. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to 12 month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported […]
September Housing Starts Decline on Multifamily Weakness
The September pace of total housing starts decreased 9 percent due a substantial decline in multifamily production. Single-family construction continues, as expected, along a positive trend. According to estimates from the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, single-family starts increased 8.1 percent to a 783,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate […]
Construction Employment Conditions Vary Widely by Metro between September 2015 and 2016
Construction employment conditions varied widely by metro area between September 2015 and September 2016 as contractors in many areas struggled to find qualified workers while others contending with shrinking public budgets for infrastructure, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released Nov. 2 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said […]
Construction Spending Edges Down in September and Is Up Modestly for the First Nine Months of the Year
Construction spending remained in a yearlong holding pattern in September as declining public outlays offset strong growth in multifamily spending and several private nonresidential categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. AGC officials said declining investments in public infrastructure are undermining the sector’s recovery and urged Congress to act on […]
Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in October
The Dodge Momentum Index grew 4.1 percent in October to 133.6 from its revised September reading of 128.3 (2000=100). The Momentum Index 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 full year. […]
Construction Firms Add 11,000 Employees in October: Sector’s Employment at Highest Level since December 2008
Construction employers added 11,000 jobs in October as employment in the sector is at the highest level since December 2008 despite declines in public sector investments in construction projects, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. AGC officials noted that average hourly earnings for construction workers increased by 3.2 percent compared […]
Construction Industry Injury Rate Dips in 2015
There were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2015, which occurred at a rate of 3.0 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced recently. The 2015 rate continues a pattern of declines that, apart from 2012, occurred annually for the last […]
Global Drywall Demand to Reach 10 Billion Square Meters in 2020

Demand for drywall worldwide is forecast to advance 4.0 percent per year through 2020 to 10.0 billion square meters, a deceleration from the rate of the 2010–2015 period. However, demand growth will vary considerably from region to region due to economic and construction activity. Central and South America is projected to post the fastest demand […]
Routine Standardization (Part 5)
Last month we finished with some comments about UPS efficiencies and the incredible savings realized by rerouting their drivers to turn right, not left. Let’s take a closer look at UPS, some of their innovations and how they relate to RS. What follows is a brief summary and some personal commentary on a section concerning […]