Care to guess the top 2013 revenue makers in the commercial construction sector? High-profile projects helped bring in huge revenues for these companies. For example, the firm that built the Hoover Dam (Bechtel Corporation) had $30.7 billion in revenue last year. The company that constructed the new Yankee Stadium (Turner Construction) brought in…(Read More)
“About 7.1 million Americans were employed in construction-related occupations last year—and only 2.6 percent were women,” according to a recent story from the Associated Press. “That percentage has scarcely budged since the 1970s, while women have made gains since then in many other fields.” One group rising to meet the challenge…(Read More)
Safety issues on jobsites aren’t only about falls from ladders and speeding traffic in work zones. Many people in the construction industry are overweight and use tobacco products. “A recent study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that about one in five workers in construction and mining smoke or chew…(Read More)
Success leaves clues. Women who thrive in male-dominated fields typically describe themselves as persistent, tenacious, and goal-oriented. What traits have helped the women profiled in this article succeed? Read about how they have learned to overcome challenges and the advice they offer to other women in the industry. http://www.lowesforpros.com/Construction…(Read More)
Building and development in Manhattan is busier than ever, so why are companies losing millions of dollars? Some architects are blaming the Department of Buildings, which has 500 inspectors and too many requests for their expertise. The New York Post says few applicants have the required background as a construction supervisor. Currently, inspectors have to…(Read More)
How can 4D CAD building modelling improve various phases of projects? It can help construction pros, engineers, and architects visualize scheduling and improve coordination between various departments and entities. It can also advance documentation and communication. A review of 4D modelling on Archinect.com addresses some potential limitations to 4D. One is the necessity of…(Read More)
Nearly 40 percent of women with engineering degrees either leave the field after five years or never work in it at all. The research was presented at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference. “Among women who left less than five years ago, two-thirds said they pursued better opportunities in other fields while a…(Read More)
The head of the New York Building Congress predicts construction spending in New York City will jump 10 percent in 2014 to $31.5 billion. It would be the first time construction spending has exceeded $30 billion since 2010. Richard Anderson, president of the New York Building Congress, says there is a lot of confidence…(Read More)
Employers will want to keep an eye on this story. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is mulling over new rules that to prohibit companies from discouraging or penalizing employees from reporting injuries and illnesses. That includes threatening to fire or discipline them. TheHill.com reports that the public has 60 days to comment on…(Read More)
The remainder of 2014 looks promising for the construction industry. Leaders from the Associated Builders and Contractors and the American Institute of Architects are among those predicting economic improvements will last into 2015. Low interest rates and surging energy production are two of the factors driving the uptick. http://www.constructionmagnet.com/rural-builder…(Read More)