The yellow hard hat, what could be a more iconic symbol of the construction industry? Hard hat design has been so iconic in fact, that its design was relatively unchanged for many decades until very recently. Helmets can look similar to the traditional hard hat but can be much safer for particular applications and are making their way onto more and more construction sites. The Difference Hard hats only protect the crown of the head. […]
The biggest difference between these two methods may be in how your client reacts psychologically to seeing his project portrayed in your proposal. If you can present the proposal to mirror the client’s priorities, you will have a better chance of success. There are also very practical arguments for and against each method. So what do you do when you write up a proposal for a project? Do you itemize all parts and labor,? You […]
Worker Shortages Give Trades Workers New Power. January’s construction industry employment data showed decreasing demand for jobs. However, February saw the number of job openings grow, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors. * The good news is that the industry has enough projects to grow actively. The bad news is that there aren’t enough qualified workers. The pandemic slowdowns led to many skilled workers retiring early or moving to other industries where they could […]
April’s 24-hour shutdown of ports in LA and Long Beach highlights a threat to the supply chain that remains despite being in a post-covid era. Labor negotiations at the ports have struggled to find common ground, and the threat of a full-blown strike has grown. During the pandemic, it was common to see dozens of ships waiting outside the LA area harbors, often for several weeks. Shortages of parts, supplies, and tools for construction sometimes […]
If you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vehicles is only for Tesla drivers, you may be shocked to know that autonomous trucks are already making deliveries nationwide. Autonomous truck makers are experimenting with different approaches to making self-driving trucks a normal part of daily life. Currently, they are deploying the technology to test and perfect limited-use cases to prepare for more complex driving challenges and broader commercialization. Long Haul Limited-use cases provide a good testing […]
The dramatic government takeovers of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank and the imperiled position of First Republic have led to a crisis of confidence in the banking system. Despite the government’s actions to shore up the system and regain confidence, the impact on the construction business and home mortgages has yet to be determined. The direct impact of SVB’s failure on construction should be insignificant, except that other regional banks are going to […]
We’re Hiring Driver-Operators! Job Description • Drop off and pick up equipment for customers • Operate construction equipment, such as semi-trucks and trailers (“low boys”) consistent with DOT classification CDL-A • Maintain driver’s logs and complete pre-trip inspections • Must also be able to operate Scissor lifts, Boom lifts and Forklifts. • Adhere to all safety requirements particular to equipment including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations • Other duties assigned as needed Benefits include medical, […]
Last year, after months of price increases, there was finally relief at the end of the year. Construction and nonresidential input prices recorded their biggest drop in over two years of 2.7% in December. * That decrease appears to be short-lived as January readings already indicated increases of over one percent. Contractors rank material costs as one of their top concerns for 2023. The Federal Reserve is also concerned about an elevated producer price index. […]
A look at the most recent job numbers sheds light on what’s happening in the construction industry. Also, proposed legislation would empower immigrant workers. The Fed has been aggressively raising interest rates over the last year in order to tame inflationary pressures. Multiple large (.75%) rate increases have given way to the most recent and smallest quarter-point increase on Feb 15th. It’s the eighth straight increase since last March. One of the Fed’s biggest concerns […]
Elite Construction Equipment is excited to announce the availability of advanced mobile surveillance systems for our customers! Construction-site theft and vandalism cost the industry millions every year. Now you can have access to affordable, proven solutions. Elite features surveillance units with remote video technology and advanced recognition software to identify, track, and evaluate potential security threats. And once a threat has been confirmed, these mobile surveillance solutions can take the next step by activating on-site […]