The Portland Cement Association (PCA) released its annual Fall Forecast which predicts moderate growth for cement consumption through 2019 and into 2020. PCA Market Intelligence expects cement consumption will grow by 2.4 percent in 2019, 1.7 percent in 2020, and 1.4 percent in 2021. “Public construction continues to receive the …
Read More »Leigh Kelly Wins 2019 Waller Scholarship
Donations Fund the Future of Fire Protection Each year, the Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE) and the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) jointly award the Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship to one junior or senior enrolled in the Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology (FPSET) program at Oklahoma State …
Read More »Contractors Plan for Strong Demand in 2020 AGC Survey Shows Firms Concerned about Worker Shortages and Quality
AGC Survey Shows Firms ConcerNed About Worker Shortages and Quality Despite signs the overall economy may be slowing, most construction firms expect demand for their services and hiring will expand in 2020, yet even more firms are worried about their ability to find qualified workers to hire, according to survey …
Read More »Builders, Buyers Optimistic About Housing
Brighter Outlook than Originally Forecast Renewed activity in home sales along with low-interest rates and a more positive forecast for the economy in the year ahead have boosted builder and buyer confidence in the housing market. While price increases and a shortage of inventory have hamstrung purchases of existing homes, …
Read More »Is a Recession Coming?
Five Ways to Prepare Your Business Much has been said about the state of the United States’ economy and its long-term forecast. Is it bullish or bearish? Trade wars. Inverted yield curves. Despite record employment, there are signs that the U.S. economy is weakening and that a market correction—perhaps not …
Read More »ABC Forecast: Momentum Persists
Chief Economist Advises Overall “Wait-and-See” Approach Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu forecasts continued momentum for the construction sector next year but advised an overall “wait-and-see” approach based on leading and lagging indicators and economic uncertainties, according to a 2020 economic outlook published in Construction Executive magazine. …
Read More »Have Issues with ITM?
Members Save Time and Money with Informal Interpretations The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age address inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) issues. Informal interpretations are prepared by the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Technical Services Department— John August Denhardt, PE, FSFPE, vice president of Engineering & Technical …
Read More »Merit Shop Scores Released
Florida Tops Rankings for Second Year in a Row Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has released its 2019 Merit Shop Scorecard, an annual ranking based on state policies and programs that encourage workforce development, career and technical education, job growth, and promote fair and open competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects. …
Read More »Headrick Wins National Apprentice Competition Top
Talent Competes During AFSA38 The stage was set. It was October 4, 2019, and hundreds of onlookers flooded into the bustling exhibit hall at AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Diego, California, to witness the 26th Annual National Apprentice Competition hosted by the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). …
Read More »Industry Forecast Looks Good for 2020
Avoiding Recession… for Now It seems rumors about a pending recession were swirling as 2019 drew to a close and as forecasters gazed into their crystal balls for 2020. Those fears seem to have been held off for at least another year, according to construction industry experts and the contractor …
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