Business and Finance

    For the First Time in Forever: Dodge’s chief economist anticipates brighter days ahead, with a little help from Anna and Elsa

    I’m not a huge Disney fan…honestly…I’m not. But these lines stick out to me from the Frozen song I used as a title for this piece: There’ll be actual real live peopleIt’ll be totally strangeBut wow, am I so ready for this change! Our latest national and regional forecast was released to customers at the end of April. On the surface, our forecast for total construction starts is little changed relative to the version released in early February. However, the… Read More »For the First Time in Forever: Dodge’s chief economist anticipates brighter days ahead, with a little help from Anna and Elsa

      Can You Find Certainty in an Uncertain World?

      By Richard Branch, Chief Economist Personally, 2021 has gone way too fast. It seemed like just a few months ago the flowers were peeking through the dirt, the grass was growing, and we were looking forward to a summer of travel, seeing friends, and taking part in other activities that were curtailed by the pandemic. But here we are in the fourth quarter, with less than 90 days left in the year, and in the Northeast, the leaves are falling,… Read More »Can You Find Certainty in an Uncertain World?

        Minds of Steel: How Dave Eckmann Transforms Creative Visions into Innovative Solutions

        When it comes to steel, Dave Eckmann wrote the guide. Literally. Eckmann, Managing Principal for Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA) in Chicago, co-authored “Designing With Structural Steel: A Guide for Architects,” the American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC’s) handbook for architects using structural steel in their designs. That kind of cross-disciplinary project—an engineer helping architects better understand how to use materials—is one example of how innovation comes with every one of Eckmann’s projects. Due to his deep, versatile knowledge of steel,… Read More »Minds of Steel: How Dave Eckmann Transforms Creative Visions into Innovative Solutions

          Introducing Econiq™ – The World’s First Net-Zero Carbon Steel at Scale

          Econiq™ is the world’s first net-zero carbon steel at scale. Produced by Nucor, Econiq was introduced to offer steel consumers emissions-free steel products to help them meet their sustainability goals. The green economy is being built on steel, and the steel it’s made from matters. Econiq is not a specific steel product, but a net-zero certification that will cover all of Nucor’s steelmaking product line, the most comprehensive in the U.S. market. Learn more about this new offering from Nucor… Read More »Introducing Econiq™ – The World’s First Net-Zero Carbon Steel at Scale

            Salesforce Tower Chicago

            Salesforce Tower Chicago is making its debut as the 17th tallest skyscraper in the Windy City.This emerging steel marvel will feature 1.2 million usable square feet and stand 60 stories above the peninsular 333 Wolf Point Plaza. From ground level to the top floor, Salesforce Tower Chicago will boast a glass-clad exterior framed by highstrength steel. The secret to this 25,000-square foot-glass-plated tower’s structural soundness lies within the beautiful synergy of architecture and engineering and the most advanced high-strength steel… Read More »Salesforce Tower Chicago

              The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Help Subcontractors Adapt to Supply Chain Instabilities

              The 82nd annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference will occur on November 3 from 11:00–3:30 (EDT). Although the conference will be virtual this year, due to COVID-19, it remains a cornerstone event for construction industry leaders and the media. Its forecasts offer critical insights into the U.S. economy and the construction market. The conference will feature two keynotes: The 2021 construction industry findings will be presented by Dodge Data & Analytics’ chief economist Richard Branch and will outline the risks and opportunities… Read More »The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Help Subcontractors Adapt to Supply Chain Instabilities

                The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Address Labor Shortages for General Contractors

                The 82nd annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference will occur on November 3 from 11:00–3:30 (EDT). Although the conference will be virtual this year, due to COVID-19, it remains a cornerstone event for construction industry leaders and the media. Its forecasts offer critical insights into the U.S. economy and the construction market. The conference will feature two keynotes: The 2021 construction industry findings will be presented by Dodge Data & Analytics’ chief economist Richard Branch and will outline the risks and opportunities… Read More »The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Address Labor Shortages for General Contractors

                  The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Model Emerging Practices for Building Product Manufacturers to Work With Architects and Engineers

                  The 82nd annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference will occur on November 3 from 11:00–3:30 (EDT). Although the conference will be virtual this year, due to COVID-19, it remains a cornerstone event for construction industry leaders and the media. Its forecasts offer critical insights into the U.S. economy and the construction market. The conference will feature two keynotes: The 2021 construction industry findings will be presented by Dodge Data & Analytics’ chief economist Richard Branch and will outline the risks and opportunities… Read More »The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Model Emerging Practices for Building Product Manufacturers to Work With Architects and Engineers

                    Dodge’s Chief Economist Analyses the August 2021 Construction Starts

                    Richard Branch, chief economist at Dodge Data & Analytics, reviews the latest economic indicators for the construction industry in a new video. Here’s the upshot: Total construction starts fell 9% from July to August. This is the third consecutive monthly decline in activity. All three major sectors fell during the month. Non-building starts fell by 2%. Residential starts fell by 9%. Non-residential starts fell by 13%.

                      In an Eye-Popping First, Rents Increase by Double Digits

                      Between January 2012 and June 2021, 12.3 million households formed in the United States. How many homes were built in the same period? Seven million. That’s a shortfall of more than five million units, according to a realtor.com report. Material and labor shortages stemming from COVID-19 exacerbate the current housing crisis, and contribute significantly to a dramatic decrease in the number of lower-priced homes coming to market. “Homes with a median value of $300,000, which is considered relatively affordable, represented… Read More »In an Eye-Popping First, Rents Increase by Double Digits

                        M&A Highlights: Zweig Group’s 8/30/21 – 9/05/2021 Activity Report

                        By Shirley Che Domestic Transactions DCCM, (Houston, TX) a national provider of design, consulting, and program & construction management services has announced the acquisition of Rochester & Associates (Gainesville, GA). Link to Details National consulting, engineering, and construction services firm, Atwell Group, (Southfield, MI) has announced the completion of a merger with Waldrop Engineering (Bonita Springs, FL). Waldrop is an established planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering company providing professional design and entitlement services. Link to Details Wind Point Partners, (Chicago, IL) a private equity firm, has acquired The Vertex Companies, Inc. (Weymouth,… Read More »M&A Highlights: Zweig Group’s 8/30/21 – 9/05/2021 Activity Report