Construction Equipment Owner

U.S. Transportation System Failing

The U.S. transportation system has gone from being the envy of the world to “Fourth World” status, Rep. Peter DeFazio said during a hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Referring to surface transportation, DeFazio said in the U.S. 150,000 bridges that are obsolescent, either functionally obsolete or structurally deficient, and 61,000 lane miles in poor or fair condition on the national highway system, reports The Trucker.

Largest Wind Project of Any Manufacturer in U.S. Gets Green Light

The largest wind project of any manufacturing company in the United States won final approval and is expected to start construction next month. Darien, CT-based hair-care manufacturer Zotos International Inc. got the green light for a $7 million, 3.3 MW on-site wind power project for its manufacturing plant in Geneva, NY.

Modular Construction – a Greener Way to Build?

With the increased awareness of green construction practices, there is a growing acceptance of the environmental advantages of the modular construction process. Modular facilities are built to the same codes and specifications as conventional construction, just built off-site in a quality-controlled environment. Due to this process, several green advantages result.

Volvo Rents Offers iPhone App

With this free app, Volvo Rents customers have access to important rental equipment information including equipment make, model number and equipment specification information hard-coded within the application. For example, customers can access detailed rental product information on over 100 aerial work platforms and reach forklifts items.

Turning Butter into Eco-Friendly Diesel Fuel?

In the search for new raw materials for making biodiesel fuel, scientists have now closed in on an unlikely farm product – butter. In a new study, researchers have claimed that butter could be used as an eco-friendly feedstock, or raw material, for making diesel fuel.

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Time to Rebuild Our Infrastructure

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says it’s time to investigate a National Infrastructure Bank. Such a bank, he says, would leverage federal dollars in the form of grants and loans with private sector investments to fund major projects of regional and national significance. Not only would it provide greatly needed investment to cash-strapped cities and states, it also would provide the transparency and accountability needed to prevent.

Contractor to Congress: We Need a Long-Term Highway/Transit Bill Now

Kevin Gannon, vice president of Northeast Asphalt Inc., Appleton, WI, delivered a message during a recent House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing on implementation of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Gannon said that true economic recovery for the transportation construction industry will only be realized when Congress and the Obama Administration address the nation’s infrastructure challenges head on and pass a robustly-funded highway and transit investment bill.

Wind Farm Construction Grinds to a Halt

Construction of wind farms has fallen 71% nationwide this year and has ground to a halt in Iowa, reports the Chicago Tribune. Industry officials say the slowdown will continue unless Congress enacts a national renewable-electricity mandate to reassure investors that there will be a market for additional wind power.

ABC Praises Senate Rejection of the DISCLOSE Act

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) applauded the U.S. Senate’s rejection to debate the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act (S. 3628.) This legislation was designed to offset the effects of a January Supreme Court decision lifting many of the restrictions on corporate political campaign contributions.

NextMail Now Available on All Sprint Devices

NextMail allows contractors to instantaneously send a recorded voice message to up to 50 e-mail addresses, or also send the voice message via text message to up to 50 mobile devices and receive a “Listen to” notification. It’s a quick and simple way to record, document and share information from the field – no more need for handwritten notes or thumb-typing on small keypads.

Optimism Building in Construction Industry

Many building contractors in Ohio say things are slow now, but that hopefully will change soon. “We’re optimistic, it’s going to get better it always does,” said Colleen Barth of Barth Builders & Supply. “A lot of people are doing repairs rather than building at this time. We’re doing a lot (repairs) right now.” Chris Switzer of All American Custom Building said everyone in the industry is hoping new construction will increase. “We have, for the last three years, held steady,” she said, adding that things are starting to look up.

Construction Labor Policy Changes You Should Know About

Recent developments in construction labor policy will change the labor practices of construction contractors who work on federal projects. Although Congress is unlikely to enact new labor legislation anytime soon, federal agencies are changing labor policy by adopting new regulations and reinterpreting existing regulations, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce – Oregon.

Green Building is Growing

“The green building market has basically tripled for the last two years, which is a good sign that it’s flourishing,” said Rick Van Diepen, 2010 president of the Nevada chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, to the Las Vegas Business Press. “Developers and owners are seeing the value in green building as a competitive differentiator. The bottom-line decisions are becoming paramount in terms of lowering operating costs.”

Construction Jobs Drop in Most Metro Areas

Construction employment declined in 285 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2009 and June 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The employment figures demonstrate how weak overall demand for construction is outpacing the benefits of the stimulus’ $135 billion in construction-related investments, association officials noted.

Obama: No Gas Hike, Fees

The Bond Buyer reports that the Obama administration is opposed to a gasoline tax increase or mileage fee to generate revenue for the next multi-year transportation bill. He would, however, support a number of public and private options, including bond-related financing, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

Mike Rowe Is Hitting the Dirt with Cat Customers, Dealers

Caterpillar Inc. is partnering with Mike Rowe, the creator and star of the Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs and founder of mikeroweWORKS.com. The two have joined forces to highlight the important and essential work contractors perform every day.

Philadelphia-Area Construction Firms Build Up for Busier Days

Construction firms around the Philadelphia region say they are rebuilding, regrouping, and retraining now for busier days in the future, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. Skanska USA Building Inc., of Blue Bell, for example, insists the currently miserable construction situation of stalled projects, sidelined backhoe loaders, and laid-off construction employees, offers opportunity.

Hispanic Construction Worker Says He’s Hurt by Illegal Immigration

Armando De Alba lost the house he bought after his plastering business went under, and blames illegal immigrants. De Alba said he hired only well-trained, licensed workers who earned $25 an hour, twice that of many illegal immigrants. “The contractor hires illegals to do the job,” he said. “They outbid us. They’re people who aren’t licensed, bonded, insured, who don’t pay taxes.”

Rally Calls for 30% Minorities, Women in Construction Jobs

In St. Louis, more than 100 unemployed workers, area clergy and social activists rallied for more construction jobs for members of minority groups and women, reports stltoday.com. Workers at construction sites, such as those building the new Mississippi River bridge, don’t reflect the community, said Troy Buchanan, jobs task force chairman for United Congregations of Metro-East. About half the residents of St. Louis, and nearly 99% of those in East St. Louis, are members of minority groups.

Risk-Based Methodology Needed to Prioritize Bridge Repair Needs

With nearly 150,000 of America’s bridges in need of repair, numerous reforms to the Highway Bridge Program (HBP) are necessary to help ensure accountability and that states are investing in replacement and rehabilitation of those bridges that are most critical to public safety, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) told Congress.

Senate Panel Keeps Tight Spending Levels in Transportation-HUD Bill

A Senate Appropriations subcommittee approved a $122.5 billion fiscal 2011 transportation and housing spending measure, as panel members voted to provide less money than their House counterparts and less than the president’s request.

Construction Stimulus Drives New Projects

In San Francisco, an uptick in building-permit applications filed this month suggests that a 3-week-old local construction stimulus program is working, reports the San Francisco Examiner.

Construction to Begin on Chicago to St. Louis High-Speed Rail Route

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has announced that construction will begin in early September on the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail route. An agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Union Pacific Railroad will allow upgrades to be made on an initial 90-mile segment of Union Pacific track to prepare it for high-speed rail.

Sweeper Raises City’s Awareness of Silt Pollution

If you want clean streams, you need clean streets. That’s the message Brian Giles, sweeper product manager for Elgin Sweeper, shared with the municipal officials and consulting engineers who comprise the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup of The Conservation Foundation. The Chicago-area organization focuses on helping local governments understand and apply best practices in environmental stewardship.

Companies Fined for Clean Water Violations

Subject to court approval, three related real estate development, construction and engineering companies will pay a $150,000 penalty for illegally discharging polluted stormwater from multiple Massachusetts construction sites. In addition the companies will perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) valued at approximately $300,000 which will further reduce stormwater pollution to the environment.

Volvo CE Rebounds Strongly in Second Quarter

The global construction equipment industry is recovering faster than earlier predicted, evidenced by Volvo CE’s significantly improved second quarter 2010 financial results. Strongly driven by the BRIC markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China – which increased by 63% during the quarter – the total world market for heavy, compact and road equipment increased by 43% during the period when compared to last year.

CNH Global Posts Profit in Q2, Tops View

Agricultural and construction equipment maker CNH Global N.V. (CNH) reported a profit in its second quarter, compared to prior year’s loss, reflecting strong revenue growth on higher volume and better pricing.

In related news, Caterpillar’s second-quarter profit was up 91%, and sales and revenues increased 31%.

Top 100 North American Strategic Infrastructure Projects Named

CG/LA Infrastructure LLC, a world leader in infrastructure project identification and development, announced the release of the Top 100 Infrastructure Projects in North America. The total estimated value of these projects is nearly $465 billion with a potential to create nearly 7 million full-time employment positions over the coming 5 years.

United Rentals to Participate in Congressional Briefing on Infrastructure Investment

United Rentals Inc. will participate in a congressional briefing in Washington D.C. to underscore the need for increased investment in the nation’s vital but deteriorating water and wastewater infrastructure. The Capitol Hill briefing will focus on the establishment of a Clean Water Trust Fund that would provide a deficit neutral funding mechanism to support water and wastewater projects.

Construction Workers Agree to End Strike

Laborers and heavy equipment operators in the Chicago region have ended their strike against construction companies after coming to terms on a tentative three-year contract.

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The construction jobsite is an environment full of risk and where safety can be compromised. Because of this, construction contractor insurance rates can be a significant expense and limit the margins achieved on a job.

So how can you lower you rates, obtain maximum coverage without paying premium prices and create a better working relationship with your insurance provider? For answers to these questions, we spoke with Elaine Freeman, a Commercial Insurance Sales Executive with EG Bowman on the latest episode of the Construction Business Podcast.

Guest: Elaine Freeman, Commercial Insurance Sales Executive
Website: EG Bowman

Nonresidential Construction Recovery Possible by Latter Part of 2011

Even with modest improvements in the overall U.S. economy, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decrease by more than 20% in 2010 with a marginal increase of 3.1% in 2011 in inflation adjusted terms, according to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters.

Groups Working to Close “Loopholes” in Engine Certification Requirements

Navistar International Corporation said from a workshop that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) presented preliminary proposals aimed at the compliance loopholes found in current 2010 liquid-based SCR systems.

Webcast on Social Media Best Practices for Construction

The Construction Marketing Association (CMA) announces a Webcast Panel Discussion: Social Media Best Practices for Construction on September 15. The free webcast will feature panelists from such leading construction brands as Caterpillar, USG and Emerson Electric.

Ohio Testing ‘Green’ Highway Noise Wall

Ohio transportation officials said they are testing a highway noise wall made from vegetation as an alternative to concrete. The 400-foot Green Noise Wall will consist of 70-pound bags stacked atop one another that will sprout plants and grass, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Deere Offers New Standard Warranty

With a down economy still challenging Deere’s customers, the company has responded by increasing standard warranty coverage on new construction equipment in the U.S. and Canada. The free, basic warranty has changed from six to 12 months – protecting customers twice as long.

Construction Employment Shows Signs of “Stabilizing”

Construction employment edged closer to stabilizing in June, as half the states either added construction jobs or kept the same number as in May, the Associated General Contractors reported in an analysis of federal employment data. Compared to June 2009, construction employment rose in six states, the largest number of states to post year-over-year increases since October 2008.

Home Construction Sinks to Lowest Level Since October

Home construction plunged last month to the lowest level since October as the economy remained weak and demand for housing plummeted, reports the AP. Driving the June decline was a more than 20% drop in condominium and apartment construction, which makes up a small but volatile portion of the housing market. Construction of single-family homes, the largest part of the market, was down slightly. It dropped 0.7%.

Backlog of Nonresidential Construction Continues to Rise

The Construction Backlog Indicator, a forward-looking indicator that measures the amount of nonresidential construction work under contract to be completed, is up 27% since January, according to new data from Associated Builders and Contractors. The CBI now points to an average seven-month supply of backlogged projects nationwide, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce.

Construction Equipment Management Program Comes to Atlanta

The Construction Equipment Management Program (CEMP) four-day course on maximizing your equipment owning and operating costs, presented by fleet management experts Mike Vorster and Andy Agoos will be held Sept. 20 through Sept. 23, 2010, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA.

Voters Say National Jobs Policies “Not Working”

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) released details of a non-partisan nationwide poll about voter attitudes on the economy, manufacturing and transportation infrastructure. When asked how much of the $800 billion economic stimulus package was used to create jobs by rebuilding and improving highways, roads and bridges, 2-out-of-5 voters incorrectly guessed 25%.

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I’ll be glad when the November elections are over. My hope is that our elected officials will then be willing to tackle the highway bill legislation we’re anxiously waiting for to keep the stimulus infusion going.

With the elections on the horizon, incumbents running for reelection have made it clear they would not vote in favor of raising the federal gas tax to support the new highway bill. How irresponsible would it be to raise taxes during this challenging economy, or how would a politician explain it to the folks back home to be more precise?

You might consider telling your constituents that an increase in the federal gas tax would help fund the creation of additional jobs. That really has to be the message and the impetus behind a new highway bill. Creating jobs and economic growth are the two things all Americans want right now.

Most of the unemployed who are currently waiting for Congress to approve another extension on their unemployment benefits would rather go back to work. They can make more money and receive benefits if they go back to work. More importantly, they can regain their dignity by not having to rely on a government handout.

This country’s transportation infrastructure desperately needs substantial funding. The population of this country will continue to grow and that means more goods to support that growing population will need to be shipped across the country.

If we’re not making the investment today and tomorrow, the economic growth we want and need will certainly be stymied.

So the sooner the elections are over and the winners feel a little more secure about their future, hopefully they’ll be willing to make decisions that will benefit all of us.