Economy: Page 2

Biden announces actions to boost US supply chain resiliency

"​​​​​Now that we have seen how vulnerable these lines of global commerce can be, we cannot go back to business as usual," the president said at the G20 Summit in Rome.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 3, 2021

These 3 construction-related majors provide the most bang for the buck

A new analysis of college degrees with high salaries and strong job security shows several of the best bets are in the construction industry.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 3, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Locking in materials costs and trade partners early helps A&P mitigate shortages

Adolfson and Peterson is securing materials and subs before projects begin, according to division president Will Pender.

By Leslie Shaver • Nov. 2, 2021

US, EU reach agreement to ease steel and aluminum tariffs

Despite the good news, Canadian lumber tariffs are still driving up costs for builders, NAHB Chair Chuck Fowke said.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 2, 2021

Granite posts flat revenue amid competitive bidding environment

The California-based contractor said issues such as high material costs, uncertainty over public funding and labor shortages are creating a dim outlook.

By Joe Bousquin • Oct. 29, 2021

Is 'Striketober' the moment construction unions have been waiting for?

The convergence of worker shortages, supply chain snarls and vaccine mandates could give labor the upper hand at the bargaining table, experts say.

By Joe Bousquin • Oct. 28, 2021

Construction's career crisis: Recruiters target young workers driving the Great Resignation

An increasing number of job seekers are open to something new. The trouble is, few are likely to set their sights on construction.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 25, 2021

Backlog inches lower as material, labor worries weigh on contractors

Shortages of components such as copper and PVC pipes are slowing the industry's growth, according to new economic reports.

By Leslie Shaver • Oct. 22, 2021

HITT hands out COVID-19 bonuses of up to $10,000

The company said that the checks were gestures of appreciation for its employees, who worked in-person throughout the pandemic.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 21, 2021

The country's top 25 specialty contractors

Pandemic-related impacts, high materials prices and labor shortages led to a loss of $5.4 billion in revenue, per a new analysis of the subcontractor market.

By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 20, 2021

After years of 'Made in China,' suppliers look to alternatives

The risks of single sourcing from China have been brewing for years, but they bubbled up even more during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 19, 2021

Pricing insanity: Material costs escalate, driving contractor desperation

Amid unprecedented supply chain challenges, firms locked into contracts based on last year's prices are feeling the heat.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 18, 2021

Steel, roofing materials shortage hamstrings construction

Rising costs, tight supplies and monthslong lead times have pushed companies to delay projects or find substitutes.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 12, 2021

The top 10 home building companies of 2021

Residential construction is booming. Here is where it's the hottest and which contractors are cashing in the most.

By Jennifer Goodman • Oct. 11, 2021

Intel breaks ground on 2 Arizona chip plants worth $20B

The company plans to gain ground via U.S-based manufacturing in the face of a massive semiconductor shortage.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 6, 2021

Alabama to use COVID-19 relief to help construct $1.3B worth of prisons

Gov. Kay Ivey has received sharp criticism for her use of American Rescue Plan funds, including an appeal to the Treasury Department to halt the move.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 6, 2021

FMI predicts design-build will continue to grow, despite tough economic environment

Increased demand and spending is on the horizon for the delivery method, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, a new study found.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 5, 2021

Construction's top stories by the numbers

From top commercial contractors to tax-saving strategies and the priciest sports venues of all time, here is a roundup of nine of Construction Dive's most-read stories this year.

Oct. 1, 2021

The 7 biggest megaprojects that have broken ground this year

Each of these builds, ranging from office towers to arenas, cost over $1 billion.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 1, 2021

Shortages have created a 'traffic jam' in construction: Lennar

A lack of labor and items, including vinyl siding and wood windows, are delaying production and creating "a game of whack-a-mole" for the industry.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 27, 2021

Contractors lost $1.8 trillion globally in 2020 due to bad data, new report says

Bad data also may have caused 14% of all rework, accounting for $88 billion in losses, per Autodesk and FMI Consulting's survey.

By Matthew Thibault • Sept. 22, 2021

Contractors find new ways to cope with elevated lumber prices

Although material price fluctuations have wreaked havoc on construction, labor has become the dominant source in driving costs, experts say.

By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 16, 2021

Delta variant 'significantly' slowing construction recovery, economist says

Two new reports point to the pandemic-related factors that have caused commercial construction spending to decline 4.2% since last year.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 2, 2021

Why recovery won't come easily for small and medium-sized construction firms

Contractors must invest in digital technologies and clean up their balance sheets in order to benefit from the coming post-pandemic boom, writes a contech executive.

By Zaid Rahman • Sept. 1, 2021

Keeping workers safe on civil jobs

Infrastructure work, especially for projects involving moving traffic, is dangerous. It's crucial to recruit workers who are committed to safety.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 31, 2021