The CISCA Ceilings Systems Handbook, the authoritative guide to ceiling installation, safety and tools for modern ceiling installation, has been fully updated and revised for 2019. This is an excellent resource for those new to the industry, as well as educators, contractors or anyone needing a detailed overview of proper, safe procedures for installing ceilings. Purchase and download today!
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It takes a lot to capture the attention of Generation Z — Americans born between the mid-1990s to early-2000s. This group of digital-savvy young people have grown up with social media, streaming video and online shopping. A new outreach effort aimed at curbing the construction labor shortage takes an “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach with a campaign aimed to sell construction careers via a slick marketing package.
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It’s easy to forget that the 2008-2009 recession was just a decade ago. Today, the national unemployment in the United States sits at just 3.7% — a far cry from the record high 10% hit in 2009. Although there is no stock-buying mania on Main Street like there was in 1999, and no economic promise that "this time is different," we cannot forget that millions of Americans learned their lessons the hard way.
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Employee burnout is now an officially diagnosable condition. According to the World Health Organization, which recently updated its definition, employee burnout is not a medical condition. Instead, the WHO calls burnout an “occupational phenomenon." But what does this mean for employers? Are they now liable for employee burnout in the workplace? Can burnout be considered a safety hazard?
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As most contractors become more comfortable with technology, project management solutions like Procore Project Management and Autodesk's BIM 360 have emerged as some of the industry’s most valuable tools. As it turns out, though, the benefits of using this software can be lessened when owners adopt their own project management systems without coordinating that decision with their contractors.
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There is a lot of discussion about the technical skills that are required in the construction industry. Construction firms put a premium on candidates with degrees in engineering or construction management, and it’s increasingly important for construction workers to be comfortable with various types of software and other technology as the industry evolves. But construction companies and employees alike should not lose sight of the non-technical skills that are critical to their success.
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Anyone regularly reviewing construction contracts has run across those dreaded liquidated damage clauses. They require contractors to make significant payments to compensate an owner for late completion of work - $100 to $500 to $1,000 per day wouldn’t be unusual. But are these big dollar payment demands enforceable?
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The construction industry continues to face a substantial hurdle: a labor shortage. Many contractors are experiencing an issue of not having enough people to do the work, and it’s created problems with being able to take on new projects, meet deadlines, and contain costs. However, as daunting as the challenge to recruit and retain skilled workers can be, the solution could be in the palm of your hand.
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Construction input prices fell 0.6% in September and are down 1.7% year-over-year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.7% for the month and are down 1.4% compared to the same time last year. Much of the year-over-year decline can again be explained by falling energy prices, as crude petroleum (19.2%), natural gas (34.6%) and unprocessed energy materials (21.3%) all plummeted.
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Project bidding is one of the central activities of successful construction contractors. It is an intricate art that is mastered with experience. It takes time and diligence to get comfortable in the field, but it allows contractors to work on exciting private and public projects. While certainly important and beneficial, placing bids on construction projects also hides substantial risks for a business. Knowing them is essential, as only an informed approach can help avoid the potentially unpleasant consequences.
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A new report from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) shows that of all U.S. industries, construction has the largest gap between skilled workers who primarily speak another language and the number of managers who can speak those languages. Of the contractors who responded to survey, 40% reported a huge gap in foreign language skills on their jobsites.
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Industries with high volumes of frontline workers are often late to the game when it comes to digital transformation because the effort to change can seem daunting. The familiarity of paper processes, ease of ad hoc processes, potential for worker pushback and hesitation to change keeps leaders from making the switch to digital solutions.
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Many in the construction industry consider a project that costs $1 billion or more a megaproject. However, there are a number of U.S. developments underway that make $1 billion seem like small change. And not all of them are massive energy or public works projects. Private money is also driving behemoths.
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The Hilti Group, a world-leading manufacturer and provider of construction tools, technology and productivity solutions, is collaborating with Procore, a leading provider of construction management software, to help strengthen digital workflows and drive productivity on jobsites. As part of the joint effort, Hilti ON!Track asset management system will become compatible for Procore platform users. The announcement was made during Procore’s Groundbreak 2019, one of the largest construction conferences in the U.S.
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Nelson’s Architectural Metals Division designs, engineers and manufacturers all types of architectural metal products for virtually any commercial or institutional application. This includes wall and ceiling panels, column covers and unique, custom architectural furnishings - all offered in painted steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Nelson’s portfolio of projects includes customized installations at transit facilities, stadiums, airport terminals, universities, commercial buildings and many other applications throughout Canada and the United States. Nelson is proud to announce the completion of another train station ceiling assembly, Vaughan Metropolitan Station in Ontario, Canada.
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Within only four years of its launch, AD is announcing its 100th member is now live on eCommerce powered by AD eContent Service. AD, the member-owned contractor and industrial products wholesale buying and marketing group, launched the initiative in 2016 to support members along the complex journey of creating their digital presence, developing and refining content, setting up web storefronts, getting expert consultation and partnering with expert service providers. AD’s eCommerce program is one more way to help independent distributors stay competitive and relevant.
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