The culture of the construction industry is a hypermasculine one, where it is frowned on to be vulnerable and to ask for help. This particular emotional profile is a recipe for disaster when it comes to suicide. There are also many alpha males in the industry, which can create an atmosphere that makes discussions of suicide prevention difficult.

Federal, state and even city and county agencies have special programs that give qualified minority- and woman-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) and other disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs), such as service-disabled veterans, a chance to bid on and win certain construction projects ranging from small to mega.

If it seems that certain areas of the United States are benefiting more than others from the country's current construction boom, it's because they are, according to a new report from research firm GlobalData. In fact, of the more than 11,200 U.S. projects the company is tracking - public and private, in development and under construction - 10 states have captured about 60% of the $3.7 trillion those projects represent.  

When an industry is called out in The Wall Street Journal, investors take notice. Last week, the Journal proclaimed that venture capitalists are “pouring money” into startups that leverage technology to make commercial and residential construction faster and easier. Quoting from a recent report from research company CREtech, the Journal reported that investment in private contech firms increased from $352 million in 2016 to more than $6 billion in 2018.

New technologies are redefining how to plan, build and deliver the full spectrum of construction projects. Automation, software and new processes are changing the construction industry in unprecedented ways, and construction management is evolving along with it. Construction companies are adapting - using innovative tools and resources, joined by more aggressive risk management and decision-making methods.

In simple terms, a lien waiver is like a receipt for payment, but a little more involved. Lien rights are legal rights guaranteeing payment. A lien waiver is a legal document saying the signer gives up the right to file a mechanics lien - essentially giving up their right to get paid. These are routinely exchanged on construction projects.

We’re experiencing a rapid technological revolution to the way we move money in the 21st century. As we grow more comfortable with these payment innovations in our personal lives and are more expectant of the benefits they provide, the corporate entities we comprise are starting to follow suit.

Millennials are slowly taking over the workforce as baby boomers are exiting. By 2024, it is projected that three in four U.S. workers will be millennials. This is particularly impactful for the construction industry, with more than 40% of the current construction workforce likely to be retired by 2031. This change is creating a labor gap that must be filled, but the problem is attracting millennial workers to the industry.

Ensuring the workers on your jobsites stay safe during the hot weather months means understanding and managing the risks. In an article written for Safeopedia.com, Jessica Barrett, Honeywell Industrial Safety, took a look at some of the top summer safety hazards and how to address them.

When long term care is needed, there are only a few options available to pay for those types of expenses. Genworth Life Insurance Company and CISCA are working together to provide members with access to long term care insurance protection.

AD, the largest member-owned contractor and industrial products wholesale buying/marketing group in North America, welcomed over 180 attendees from 114 AD member/owner distributors and service providers - representing nine industries and two countries - to the second-annual AD Finance & HR Summit. The Summit took place from June 3-5, 2019 in St. Paul, Minn.

With the introduction of DESIGNFlex™ for Formations™ Acoustical Clouds, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions is offering architects and designers a new angle for incorporating acoustics into their ceiling designs. The clouds are offered in 18 easy-to-order installation kits that create unique geometric cloud visuals without the guesswork.

According to an Associated Press report, the U.S. Commerce Department has decided to again apply tariffs on fabricated steel imports from Mexico, a move that is likely to further stoke concerns within the construction industry of the rising cost of building materials. The U.S. agency said the decision came after an investigation into whether subsidies were being used by the Mexican, Chinese and Canadian governments to unfairly assist companies exporting fabricated structural steel products to the U.S.

The benefits to a subcontractor or general contractor to make consistent use of CPM scheduling software to enhance their company’s abilities can be absolutely astounding. Someday in the future, contractors and subcontractors that ignore the benefits of CPM scheduling will simply fade away.