Help us generate a comprehensive outlook for 2020 by taking the survey today
 
Each year around this time, AGC asks you – our members – to predict what next year will be like for your business.  AGC has partnered with Sage to prepare questions that focus on expectations for market performance, hiring, labor market conditions, etc.  Please take a moment to complete the survey.

 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of private sector worker fatalities in the construction industry. Everyone who works at heights, whether it’s on a roof, scaffolding, or the edge of a tall building, should have properly fitting safety harnesses, yet not all contractors have the supply they need to better protect women in construction. To help address this, Autodesk is funding a grant program with one of the largest construction trade organizations – the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) – to supply select, in-need member contractors with fall protection harnesses sized for women who work at heights.

Check out AGC’s new jobsite tour brochure that will assist you in hosting state and local elected officials on tours of construction jobsites. This brochure provides information on how to successfully plan and execute a successful jobsite visit with an elected official from the invitation to the thank-you notes. As you may know, one of AGC’s advocacy goals this year has been to help member companies host jobsite tours for members of Congress to provide a hands-on learning experience of the construction industry. These events have been successful in discussing workforce development, infrastructure funding, federal regulations, and other issues critical to our members with those who have legislative authority over our industry. While AGC will continue to complete jobsite tours with members of Congress, we hope you will use this resource to host state and local elected officials on your construction jobsites. For more information or additional assistance, please contact Jenni Traver at jennifer.traver@agc.org.

 In the latest episode of AGC’s ConstructorCast, we talk with two leading economists covering the construction sector: Ken Simonson, chief economist for AGC, and Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects. Don’t be put off by their titles, though—these guys speak English! Ken and Kermit provide a fast-paced overview of what to expect in the coming year for different categories of construction spending, labor availability and materials costs. They assess the broader economic environment and how various changes in economic growth or policy could affect contractors.

 

To receive the Data DIGest, Ken’s one-page weekly summary of economic news relevant to construction, email him at ken.simonson@agc.org. Visit AGC’s website at www.agc.org/learn/construction-data for construction-specific data and economic information. Access AIA’s business intelligence resources here: www.aia.org/business-intelligence.

 

Construction employment increased by 10,000 jobs in October and by 148,000, or 2.0 percent, over the past 12 months, while construction spending decreased by 2.0 percent from September 2018 to September 2019, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials said demand for construction is being undermined by uncertainty and tariffs that are part of a series of trade disputes with China, the European Union and other countries.

The latest issue of Constructor magazine is dedicated to military personnel past and present, and highlights a handful of veterans who now are serving their country in a slightly different way: by building the bridges, the roadways, the sports stadiums and more that U.S. citizens utilize every single day. The skills these individuals developed and honed during their time in the military appear to be a perfect fit with construction work, especially when it comes to teamwork and leadership.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most prevalent innovations in the design and construction industry over the past 20 years. It began as a more efficient production tool for design teams to deliver drawings but has grown to encompass nearly every project team member involved in the design and construction of a project, including the owner. The value of the digital representation of the project can extend far beyond the delivery of the project and into the management of maintenance, available space, inventory and future renovations and expansions.

 

There is an old adage concerning timely action about the uselessness of locking the stable after the horse is gone. It is, unfortunately, the story of many construction companies confronting the issue of cybersecurity. They never considered themselves a target until it was too late.
BY STEVEN H. MILLER

The flood of software solutions for construction can be overwhelming, and the first inclination might be to look for one software that can handle everything — but it doesn’t exist. Contractors should look at software technology needs holistically.

 

On Nov. 8, Skanska USA, a member of multiple AGC chapters, celebrated the grand opening of Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. The new five-story, 465,000-square-foot inpatient hospital is Gloucester County’s first hospital to open in 45 years and will help meet growing demand in the region. 

 

Tarlton Corp., a member of  multiple AGC chapters, completed the new $39 million Center for Nursing and Health Sciences at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.

On Oct. 24, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC) held a recognition evening to honor individuals and companies for their outstanding contributions and commitment to the commercial construction industry.