Results from the Q1 2019 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index (Index) indicate the labor shortage continues to pose major challenges to the industry, causing firms to ask skilled workers to do more work (81%), struggle to meet deadlines (70%), increase costs for new work (63%), and reject new projects (40%).

Stucco accounts for about 20 percent of the current residential siding market, and while the material is durable, it will inevitably require maintenance. Quikrete, the leading manufacturer of pre-blended commercial-grade cement and concrete products, has made stucco repair easier, faster and more effective with its new Quikrete FastSet Stucco Patch.

Controlling an area light shining over the entire jobsite can be tricky when it’s strapped to the rafters. That’s why Bosch is introducing the future of connected lighting. The Bosch GLI18V-1200C 18V Connected LED Area Light with Bluetooth offers users full control over the smart light using a mobile device. Pros can now turn the light on and off remotely, dim the light to the desired brightness, put it on a timer and even check the battery – all from the free Bosch Toolbox App.

General Equipment Company, manufacturers of extreme duty light construction equipment, is pleased to announce Greg Kunderman has joined the company as National Sales Manager where he will have responsibility for the development and coordination of sales for national and independent accounts. He will also oversee long term sales strategy development as well as General Equipment’s sales representative organizations for North America.

Husqvarna Construction Products, headquartered in Olathe, Kan., has expanded with a brand new 150,000 sq ft distribution center. The center, located in Lenexa, Kan., is only a mile away from our present headquarters and central warehouse.

Husqvarna Construction Products’ compaction and concrete placement equipment helps support customers from the ground up.

The Connecticut Ready Mixed Concrete Association was awarded the 2018 State Affiliate of the Year award by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association at the annual luncheon for state affiliate organizations March 6th, 2019. The award ceremony was part of the annual NRMCA convention held at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa Florida.

Forty-four states added construction jobs between January 2018 and January 2019, while 33 states added construction jobs between December and January, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials cautioned that the employment gains may not last without an increase in the number of people trained for construction careers.

A fire erupted at the Hodge-Hieronymus Square Development in Iowa City, causing an estimated $1 million in damage. The result of the fire marshal’s investigation on Wednesday revealed that the fire was caused by a liquid propane-fueled radiant heater that came in contact with combustible sub-floor adhesives. Though the project was originally slated for completion by the end of this year, the fire could result in significant delays.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has elected Johannes Schulze Vohren, Regional President North America for Wacker Neuson, to the AEM CE Sector Board and Jeremy Yoder, Executive VP and COO of DISTek Integration Inc., to the AEM AG Sector Board to fill unexpired terms.