Industry

We’ve all heard the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Often attributed to Benjamin Franklin—one of America’s most well-known founding fathers, who was also the genius behind Philadelphia’s first fire department, the Union Fire Company*—the saying rings true today, just as it has for hundreds …

I enjoy reading annual economic forecasts and from all indications, we are looking forward to a very good 2019. I personally am also very interested in the old-fashioned way of economic forecasting. That is plain old talking to people around the country. How are you doing? Where do you see …

Why Should You Care? “Made in America,” “Buy America,” “Buy America,” American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Made in the USA, Assembled in the USA…why should you care? Are these all the same? What do all of these mean and what is the difference? It can all be very confusing. Some …

Rising Interest Rates, Deficits Factor Into Trend The Portland Cement Association (PCA) Market Intelligence Group forecast for cement consumption over the next two years, shows less growth compared with 2018. This year’s rate of change is 2.9 percent. Growth ebbs to 2.6 percent in 2019 and to 1.6 percent in …

Do You Accept the Challenge? A new year is upon us as we gear up for a fresh start in both our personal and professional lives. We all have a goal that we strive for in the new year – maybe it’s joining a gym and losing some weight, maybe …

Associated General Contractors of America Surveys Contractors for 2019 Construction employment increased by 38,000 jobs in December and by 280,000 jobs, or 4.0 percent, over the past year, while the industry’s average pay accelerated and unemployment decreased to a historic low, according to an analysis of new government data by …

ABC Reports Momentum Will Persist for Several More Quarters U.S. economic performance has been brilliant of late. Sure, a considerable volume of negativity has surrounded issues such as the propriety of tariffs and shifting immigration policy, but the headline statistics make it clear that domestic economic performance is solid. Nowhere …

Review and Forecast for the Fire Sprinkler Industry As everyone is settling into the New Year, professionals in the fire sprinkler industry are reflecting on 2018 and looking for predictions on 2019. With overall construction growth slowing down over the last few years, 2019 looks to follow the same pattern. …

CLSE and AFSA Award $4,000 to OSU Student Each year, the Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE) and the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) come together to award the Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship to one junior or senior enrolled in the Fire Protection and Safety Technology program at Oklahoma …

AFSA Virginia Chapter HelpsBurn Survivors Fire is one of the most devastating tragedies a family can endure. The loss of one’s home, property, and treasured memories is shattering, but losing a loved one or having a loved one sustain injuries changes everyone’s life forever. According to the American Burn Association …