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On the heels of a modest uptick in December, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped to a historic low level in January. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time... Read More.

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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and its members are asking the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to support legislation that would extend and expand the 25C tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements, including... Read More.

Builders say shell or envelope materials, including windows and doors, have the most “green” value, according to Market Resource Associates. Inc. The market research firm recently concluded a focus group with custom and semi-custom single family home... Read More.

http://www.stlouiscnr.com/columns/article/a_review_of_three_unique_consensusdocs_forms/ Read More.

The International Code Council Board of Directors has revised the Code Development Process after several years of input from membership and industry. This new plan is available for review on our website. Highlights of the plan include: Maintaining... Read More.

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U.S. demand for lumber will drop 14.4% in 2009 from last year to total just 35 billion board feet, the lowest consumption rate since 1982, the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) forecasts. WWPA based its new forecast , issued Jan. 6, in part... Read More.

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In moves that will surprise no one who has followed the barrage of grim economic news, architecture firms across the country are laying off workers at unprecedented levels. Over the past few months, Perkins Eastman, one of the country’s largest firms,... Read More.

An estimated two-thirds of the nation's non-residential construction companies are planning to cut their payrolls, according to new employment and business forecast figures released Thursday by the Associated General Contractors of America. All told,... Read More.

Spending on U.S. construction projects fell less than half as much as forecast in November, reflecting gains in commercial and government building that partially cushioned the slump in residential real estate. The 0.6 percent decline followed a 0.4... Read More.

Business conditions at architecture firms continue to deteriorate, with the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) posting its lowest level since the survey began in 1995 for the second month in a row. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity,... Read More.

While 2008 was a brutal year for the construction industry, 2009 promises to be even more troublesome. 2008 saw unemployment rates climb as the housing rate slowed; 2009 will bring an even higher rate with loans hared to come by and fewer project starts.... Read More.

The U.S. construction sector slashed 82,000 jobs in November, the biggest monthly loss in nearly two years, as financing for many commercial projects dried up because of the financial crisis and homebuilders further scaled back development amid a... Read More.

New starts dropped an eye-popping 18.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 625,000, the lowest since the Commerce Department began keeping records in 1959. According to similar records kept elsewhere, it's the slowest pace of construction in the... Read More.

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its 2009 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry. “While the industry experienced a mixed bag in 2008, do not expect the same story in 2009,” said ABC Chief... Read More.

“This may be the worst housing report ever,” said Patrick Newport, U.S. economist with IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass. “Not only did housing starts, housing permits and single-family starts plunge to all-time lows, the double-digit drop in permits... Read More.

Federal agencies may have to make significant process changes to meet the mandated 30 percent energy reduction in federal building by 2015, according to a new report. Produced by attendees of a workshop held by representatives of the Federal Facilities... Read More.

U.S. - November housing starts (released December 16) slipped 18.9% to 625,000 (SAAR). Total single family starts declined 16.9% to 441,000 (SAAR), while the multi-family sector decreased to 166,000 (SAAR), a decrease of almost 27% from September.... Read More.

On the heels of a six-point drop in September, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) plummeted to its lowest level since the survey began in 1995. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month... Read More.

Commercial building construction costs increased 4.9 percent over the past year, according to Turner Construction Co. During the fourth quarter, material and energy prices declined but labor costs went up, causing construction costs to stay flat. That... Read More.

Corporate real estate (CRE) executives are less likely to be willing to pay a premium for green office space than they were a year ago, even though more of them see energy and sustainability as a business priority, according to a new survey conducted by... Read More.

Despite the concerns about the availability of credit, 75% of the commercial real estate executives surveyed said they would not be any less likely to construct “green” buildings. Green buildings are designed to be more efficient in their use of energy,... Read More.

Green buildings cost, on average, less than 2 percent more to build than conventional non-green buildings, according to a study of 150 green buildings across the U.S. and in 10 countries. Sponsored Links: Most green buildings cost 0 percent to 4... Read More.

The U.S. Green Building Council reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Standard 189.1 P, which will be America's first National Standard developed to be used as a green building code when completed. Created specifically for adoption by states,... Read More.

LEED 2009 has passed member ballot and will be introduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings. The newest version of the green building certification program includes a series of technical... Read More.

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USG announced they have received ICC's ES Report to address all suspension systems. Also included in the report are installation methods used in seismic zones D,E& F. Read More.

The Architectural Billing Index (ABI) has dipped again... http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek08/1024/1024b_otb.cfm Read More.

The flagship rating system for green buildings is getting a major upgrade next year to make climate change and energy efficiency even higher priorities. The U.S. Green Building Council will soon roll out its new Leadership in Energy and Environmental... Read More.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the EnergySmart Schools program have released a new Guide to Financing EnergySmart Schools . The guide addresses perceived and real financial barriers associated with construction of new high-performance... Read More.

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September housing starts slipped 6.3% to 817,000 (SAAR). Nationally, single family starts slid 12% to 544,000 (SAAR), while the multi-family sector decreased by 16.4%. Regionally, starts contracted in the Northeast (-20.9) and West (-16.8). The South... Read More.

McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), today released its 2009 Construction Outlook, which forecasts a drop in overall U.S. construction starts for next year, as the tough funding environment continues, construction... Read More.

Reed Construction Data (RCD) announced today that the year-to-date value of construction starts through September 2008, excluding residential contracts, totaled $221.3 billion, a 2.8% drop versus the same period last year. Summer-quarter starts were 5.9%... Read More.

Following three consecutive months of signs of greater stability in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell precipitously, dropping more than six points. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an... Read More.

With Congress poised to leave Washington for the year having failed to extend vital tax incentives for energy efficiency, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) urges Congressional leadership to pass legislation that will ensure that these federal... Read More.

In its Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the third quarter, 2008, FMI reports that contractors were experiencing increasing project delays and cancellations due to owner financing difficulties. Sixty-five percent of construction industry... Read More.

With shrinking budgets and recession affecting construction starts through the beginning of this year, commercial modular construction markets are still outperforming traditional sectors. Well know for speed-to-completion and insulation from high labor... Read More.

Washington, D.C., September 17, 2008 — While conditions have improved somewhat for three consecutive months, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to point to unfavorable conditions for the nonresidential construction market. As a leading... Read More.

Two recent private surveys and other reports indicate a mixed outlook for construction. New construction starts slipped 3% in August, seasonally adjusted, and were down 15% year-to-date (YTD) in January-August 2008 compared to the same period of 2007,... Read More.

Latest Quarter-over-Quarter (Annualized) Change in Construction Costs is 18.5% The latest annualized quarter-over-quarter percent change in construction costs in the United States has been an alarming 18.5%, according to RSMeans’ July 2008 Construction... Read More.

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Construction spending took a bigger-than-expected tumble in July as housing activity dropped to the lowest level in seven years - and nonresidential activity fell for the first time in seven months. The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that... Read More.

Office construction has declined slightly so far this year with further small declines expected over the next year but office development has a small amount of growth left in this building cycle as soon as growth resumes in the domestic economy next... Read More.

The subpar economy and the recent surge in construction materials cost are progressively depressing education construction spending. The inflation adjusted value of education construction spending has dropped 3-4% since last fall. Above budget costs are... Read More.

Tens of thousands of students across the country will go back to school this fall to find their halls and classrooms turning green – as in environmentally sound and healthy, energy efficient and high performing. Hundreds of thousands of additional... Read More.

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U.S. inflation soared to a 17-year-high annual rate in July, a government report showed, led by gains in food, energy, airline fares and apparel. With energy and commodity prices on the retreat this month and the U.S. dollar strengthening, the... Read More.

Home construction plummeted during July in an expected reversal of an odd, misleading surge in the previous month that masked the condition of the ailing housing industry. Housing starts decreased 11.0% last month to a seasonally adjusted 965,000... Read More.

Taking Steps to Make Sure Your Builder Won't Go Bust With more firms in financial trouble, Buyers Could be Left Holding the Bag. 35 "Major" and 27 "Tiny" U.S. Builders Have Already Imploded with More Expected Through 2009. Washington DC - It's always... Read More.

Alan Greenspan usually surrounds his opinions with caveats and convoluted clauses. But ask his view of the government's response to problems confronting mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and he offers one word: "Bad." In a conversation this... Read More.

Nonresidential construction activity continues at a high level but has not expanded since last fall, after adjusting for project cost inflation. However five markets continue to expand. The growth in construction spending from November to June is 19% for... Read More.

Turn and open. Sounds simple, but for decades Building Teams have been pushed to make door knobs, locks, and related door hardware as cost-effective, efficient, and good-looking as the rest of the building. And with so many bells and whistles now... Read More.

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Despite having its highest score since January, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to point to difficult conditions for the nonresidential construction market. There have been six consecutive months with negative scores, indicating that... Read More.

The construction industry continues to exceed even the elevated rise in the overall producer price index (PPI). On August 19, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the PPI jumped 1.2% in July, seasonally adjusted, and 9.8% over 12 months, the... Read More.

Anticipating positive impacts of newly enacted housing stimulus legislation, single-family home builders registered some improvement in their outlook for home sales in the next six months, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells... Read More.

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We are now seeing the beginning of the seasonal summer slowdown in demand in the US. In addition, those domestic producers heavily involved in the auto sector are finding it more difficult to fill their order books. The rate of steel transaction price... Read More.

Toll Brothers (TOL) said Wednesday the nation's housing woes continue to hammer the luxury builder's business, leading to a steep decline in new home contracts and sales. The Horsham, Pa.-based company released its preliminary fiscal results for the... Read More.

U.S. foreclosure activity in July rose 55 percent from a year earlier as a slump in once-sizzling housing markets forced yet more borrowers to default on their mortgages, according to a monthly report. Foreclosure filings -- default notices, auction... Read More.

July housing starts slipped 11% to .965 million (SAAR). Nationally, single family starts slid 2.9% to 0.641 million (SAAR), while the multi-family sector decreased by almost 24%. Regionally, starts contracted in the Northeast (-30.4), South (-8.2%) and... Read More.

U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday signed into law a sweeping rescue package aimed at resurrecting the housing market from its worst slump since the Great Depression and stabilizing the two largest mortgage finance companies. The new law... Read More.

The nation's home builders are confident that a new temporary $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers included in a landmark housing bill enacted into law last week will get buyers back into the marketplace and help end the current cyclical downturn... Read More.

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) rebounded almost three points in June, after dropping two points the previous month. However, this is the fifth straight month that the index has remained below the 50 threshold, indicating that business levels at... Read More.

Mission Viejo, CA - Gypsum wallboard prices in the United States hit cycle bottom in January 2008. Since that time there has been three announced price increases (i.e. February, April and June) that have resulted in nominal price improvement less than... Read More.

The International Code Council Board at its July 19 meeting approved the creation of a Sustainable Building Technology Committee (SBTC) to support its many ongoing efforts in green, sustainable and safe construction. “I am proud that the Board... Read More.

With the economy continuing to spiral downward, it’s only natural for construction companies that are feeling the pinch to focus on the negative. While industry experts agree these are troubling times, some businesses are using this as an opportunity to... Read More.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) wants the nation’s hospitals to improve energy efficiency by 20 percent at existing facilities and make new hospitals 30 percent more efficient than expected. To that end, the DOE has started its EnergySmart... Read More.

New construction starts in June retreated 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $552.0 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonresidential building fell 12% after its elevated May pace, pulling... Read More.

The June Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 1.6% from 2007 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.6% compared to a year earlier. Compared to May, the unadjusted June... Read More.

Home prices in 20 U.S. metropolitan areas fell at a faster pace in May, and consumer confidence stayed near the lowest level since 1992 this month, posing a threat to household spending. The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index dropped 15.8 percent... Read More.

As the nonresidential sector has experienced cutbacks in demand for new space, the projections for construction activity for new nonresidential facilities are for a mild decline in 2008, with a more significant downturn in 2009. The forecasts are more... Read More.

June housing starts rose 9.1% to 1.066 million (SAAR). The increase in total starts was driven by a surge in multi-family permits in the Northeast region (see note below). Nationally, single family starts were down 5.3% to 0.647 million (SAAR). The... Read More.

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ASSA ABLOY has acquired Rockwood Manufacturing Company, a leading US producer of standard and custom decorative and speciality door hardware. Rockwood Manufacturing Company is a family owned business established in 1946 and headquartered in Rockwood,... Read More.

When Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed a comprehensive green building law in April, Los Angeles became the largest American city to date to enact strict environmental standards on private-sector construction. It joined a growing list of U.S. cities that... Read More.

Healthcare construction spending declined about 3% during the first quarter of 2008, following a 32% increase during the previous two years. Reed Construction Data attributes the decline to a drop in project starts, and expects the decline to be brief,... Read More.

Since 2003 the number of counties with green building programs has risen from eight to thirty-nine for an increase of 387.5%. In an effort to examine the eco-friendly initiatives of U.S. counties, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) commissioned a... Read More.

Mary Pat McKay, a physician in the emergency department at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., has been slapped, grabbed, spat on, and kicked—all while trying to render medical assistance to patients in the ER. She has narrowly... Read More.

Turner Construction Company, the nation’s leading general builder, today announced that construction costs increased 1.57% over the First Quarter 2008 and 6.61% over the Second Quarter 2007. Turner has issued this quarterly forecast for more than 80... Read More.

A quick story from stltoday.com http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/columnists.nsf/joewhittington/story/2FCA50B8BD768BB986257474000BE0C5?OpenDocument Read More.

Following a slight rise in April, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell two points in May, prolonging the downturn in design activity at architecture firms. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine... Read More.

Hager Companies, a leading manufacturer of commercial door hardware, recently announced a new series of value-added Architectural Hardware Consulting (AHC) services to architects and hardware specifiers, all free of charge. Hager’s list of value-added... Read More.

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $557.8 billion, new construction starts in May were essentially unchanged from April, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonresidential building in May registered a... Read More.

May housing starts fell 3.3 percent, to 0.975 million (SAAR). The decrease in total starts was driven by weakness in both components: the volatile multi-family sector was down eight percent while single family starts were down one percent to 0.674... Read More.

McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), has released its annual Construction Outlook Midyear Update, providing insight into the performance of the construction industry through the end of 2008. The major findings of... Read More.

Residential fire sprinklers and improved energy efficiency are just a few of the code change proposals expected to draw lively debate during the International Code Council’s Final Action Hearings at the Code Council’s 2008 Annual Conference. Held... Read More.

The good news about the economy is that the real Gross Domestic Product showed stronger growth for the first quarter of 2008 than was originally estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. This news prompted at least one forecaster to revise... Read More.

The U.S. Green Building Council has opened the first public comment period on LEED 2009, the next evolution of the LEED green building certification system. The LEED 2009 Green Building Rating System focuses on energy and carbon performance of... Read More.

McGraw-Hill Construction (MHC), a part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), today presented the findings of its latest market research investigating “green” home building, focusing on changes in green building activity between 2001 and 2007, the... Read More.

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Green building is the subject of the new white paper in the Research Series of the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry. The publication, Green Building: Understanding, Bidding and Building Green, will be mailed to all AWCI members next month and... Read More.

After sinking to its lowest level ever in March, indicating a rapid slowdown in billings at U.S. architecture firms, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) rose slightly in April. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an... Read More.

The U.S. Green Building Council has re-launched its Greenbuild365 Website. Visitors will find increased educational offerings, podcasts and expanded resources, along with year-round access to plenaries and master speaker presentations from USGBC’s... Read More.

Government agencies are looking at price adjustment mechanisms, and many more, at the federal and state level are eying use of indexes, including steel. Contractors and subcontractors can look to ConsensusDOCS to protect themselves against risk. For... Read More.

The value of new construction starts in April climbed 9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $553.5 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Much of the increase came as the result of a strong... Read More.

New construction starts retreated 8 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $518.5 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonresidential building in March fell back after the elevated... Read More.

The American Institute of Architects has released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07 and LEED NC 2.2) and assesses their effectiveness in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement. In late... Read More.

According to statistics compiled by the Gypsum Association, Washington, D.C., the United States gypsum board industry shipped a total of 6.785 billion square feet of material during the first calendar quarter (January–March) of 2008. During the same... Read More.

The International Code Council has issued warnings about phony building re-inspection letters. On the heels of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region, government and code officials warned homeowners about a likely wave... Read More.

U.S. consumer confidence tumbled to a 28-year low this month as rising prices strained household finances, while another drop in single-family housing starts underscored problems still plaguing the economy. Friday's data showed consumers' short-term... Read More.

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Home construction turned up unexpectedly in April and showed surprising vigor, making the biggest increase in two years. However, the increase was driven by a surge in multi-family housing, while single-family starts dropped. Economists surveyed by... Read More.

A new caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives has formed to raise awareness of and promote the benefits of green schools and their ability to foster learning, protect students’ and teachers’ health, save school districts’ money, and reduce their... Read More.

Fast-Rising Steel Prices Set Back Big Projects Relentless increases in the price of steel are halting or slowing major construction projects world-wide and investments in shipbuilding and oil-and-gas exploration, setting the stage for a potential... Read More.

If you were unable to attend the AWCI Opening Session and Awards Presentation Brunch held during AWCI’s Annual Convention, or if you were there and just want to relive the great moments, visit AWCI’s Web site, www.awci.org , to view video highlights of... Read More.

Global demand for drywall will grow 4.5 percent annually through 2012 to 9.75 billion square meters, according to an industry report. Where will growth be strongest? In the Asia/Pacific region, according to The Freedonia Group. The dominant North... Read More.

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FMI’s U.S. Markets Construction Overview 2008 predicts a “fairly strong” year for the construction industry as well as ongoing “rebound through 2011;” however, the organization tempered its forecasts when it released its First Quarter 2008 Outlook. ... Read More.

The US electronic security products and systems market is expected to increase 7.8 percent per year to $15.6 billion in 2012. Growth for electronic security systems continues to be driven by a high perceived risk of crime, despite a long-term trend of... Read More.

Billing rates among architecture and engineering firms increased only slightly over the past year, a new report shows. According to ZweigWhite's newly released 2008 Fee & Billing Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental... Read More.

While new home starts have finally gotten to a point that is less than new home sales, the current 9 1/2 month supply of homes on the market (note: 6 month supply is considered balance)combined with the increasing amount of foreclosures, new home sale... Read More.

Gypsum wallboard demand of 6.785 billion square feet in the United States during the January-March 2008 quarter compiled by The Gypsum Association represents a decline of 13%-14% vs. the same time period 2007. With continued declines in new residential... Read More.

Inquiries for new projects also drop to historic low For Immediate Release Washington, D.C., April 23, 2008 — Emblematic of the various struggling sectors in the overall economy, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped two points in March and... Read More.

While the building materials industry has enjoyed a long run of increasing starts and larger driving demand, astute companies have also noticed and building smaller unit sizes in the future when doing demand forecasting. While there is still some... Read More.

While increasing steel framing costs were clearly expected through the first half of 2008 (see GypsumToday.com "Industry News" article below from January 9, 2008) it is now looking like steel framing prices may continue to increase into the 3rd quarter.... Read More.

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"We are currently going through a paradigm shift in how we think about our species and our planet," says Jean Ponzi, program manager at the EarthWays Center for Resource Efficiency. That shift has resulted in skyrocketing interest in "green" or... Read More.

US construction spending was down again in March, but only after across-the-board revisions by the Commerce Department showed an interruption in the industry's long-running decline with a small February increase. Total US construction fell 1.1 pct... Read More.

The Federal Reserve delivered its seventh interest rate cut since the credit crisis began last July but signaled the aggressive rate cutting campaign will likely pause for now. The Fed, as widely expected, cut its target for the federal funds rate,... Read More.

Following a stretch of 3 months with an increase in demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped precipitously in January. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve... Read More.

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New-home construction continued to lag in March, according to the latest figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department. Total housing starts fell nearly 12 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 947,000 units for the month, while... Read More.

Reflecting the deteriorating conditions in the housing market and overall economy, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) tumbled almost nine points in February. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine... Read More.

Washington, D.C. — "Red-hot steel prices, combined with record diesel fuel costs, are making construction unaffordable," Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said today. Simonson was commenting on the... Read More.

March housing starts fell 11.9 percent, to a 17-year low of 0.947 million (SAAR). The decrease in total starts was driven by weakness in the volatile multi-family sector, which was down almost 25 percent. Single family starts were down 5.7 percent to... Read More.

The number of idled U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits surged last week, rising to its highest level in more than two years, a government report said Thursday. Initial claims for jobless benefits increased by 38,000 to 407,000,... Read More.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined sharply in February, fell further in March. The Index now stands at 64.5, down from 76.4 in February. The Expectations Index declined to 47.9 from 58.0. The Present Situation Index... Read More.

Even as federal and state governments come under growing pressure to respond to the mortgage crisis, new data show that the pace at which mortgages are going delinquent is speeding up. A new report by Equifax, the credit bureau, and Moody's Economy.com... Read More.

Total construction spending decreased by 0.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.122 trillion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. January spending dropped by 1.0%; originally, the government said spending that month fell 1.7%. The last time... Read More.

Steel prices continue to soar. A Minnesota-based construction-products manufacturer reported on Thursday that on April 1, 14-gauge zinc-coated steel sheet went from $0.415 per pound to $0.515/ lb. and 14-gauge cold-rolled steel sheet from $0.375/lb. to... Read More.

Small-business owners' confidence in the economy is plummeting, prompting cutbacks in hiring and expansion plans, a new survey shows. The National Federation of Independent Business said its index of small-business optimism fell 3.3 points in March... Read More.

Steel prices in the U.S. continue to soar due to higher material costs, but prices outside the U.S. are spiraling even higher, slowing the flow of low-cost import steel to the domestic market. In the most recent Purchasing poll, 82% of steel buyers... Read More.

A third-straight sharp drop in U.S. payrolls confirmed Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's recent warning that the U.S. economy may be in recession, as the unemployment rate moved sharply higher. The data suggest additional interest rate cuts by... Read More.

St Patrick’s Day is known as the green holiday, when parades fill the streets, people fill the pubs, rivers are dyed green and shamrocks abound. Perhaps because of its proximity to the beginning of spring or images of the green hills of Ireland where... Read More.

If you want to be ahead of the game when it comes to cold-formed steel, a few slots are still open to register for Steel-Doing It Right taking place in Charlotte, N.C., later this month. Developed by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry... Read More.

During the past five years, it has been tough to hold the line on construction costs, and unfortunately relief appears to be nowhere in sight for 2008. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, Arlington, Va., cost inflation for... Read More.

The home building industry as a whole may be months away from recovery from its most serious downturn in recent history, but in recent weeks, many builders are experiencing an emotion they haven't felt in quite some time-optimism. In reports from... Read More.

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Is it real? Or is it Memorex? Those of us old enough to remember that ad slogan may have found an eerie similarity in an important debate that has raged over the past decade: Is it global warming? Or is it natural cyclic climate change? While I have... Read More.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- CertainTeed Corporation, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain of Paris, the world's leading producer of gypsum products, announces the introduction of ProRoc(R) Moisture and Mold Resistant Gypsum Board with M2Tech(TM)... Read More.

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Builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes remained unchanged in March, according to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The HMI held firm at 20, which is near its historic low of 18 set in December of 2007 (the... Read More.

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Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 2,458,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February 2008, including 1,905,000 NT of finished steel (down 8 and 14 percent,... Read More.

Consumer confidence nosedived in March to the lowest level since the start of the Iraq war, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index released Tuesday, and the portion of the index that looks at consumers’ short-term expectations was at... Read More.

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February housing starts decreased 0.6 percent to 1.065 million (SAAR). The decrease in total starts was muted by the strength in multi-family housing, which was up 14 percent, while single family activity fell 6.7 percent to 0.707 million (SAAR).... Read More.

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For the second month in a row, the Commerce Department reported a decline in spending on nonresidential construction -- which includes everything from hospitals to office parks to shopping malls. The report yesterday showed construction spending fell... Read More.

Following the most recent February 2008 price increase efforts, major wallboard manufacturer(s) have announced another 10% price increase for gypsum wallboard for all U.S. markets. While it is still unclear how much of the February price increase... Read More.

U.S. recession fears mounted Friday as employment fell in February at its fastest rate in five years, suggesting that the housing and credit crunch is gripping the broader economy. The data further cemented Wall Street expectations for additional... Read More.

Home foreclosures soared to an all-time high in the final quarter of last year, underscoring the suffering of distressed homeowners and the growing danger the housing meltdown poses for the economy. The Mortgage Bankers Association, in a quarterly... Read More.

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Housing starts showed some signs of life last month, particularly in the multi-family segment, though builders still are holding back in an uncertain market. As HCN reported yesterday, the U.S. Department of Commerce said January housing starts rose... Read More.

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Global steel prices could hit new peaks in 2008, thanks to skyrocketing raw material, energy and freight costs, coupled with tighter supplies because of falling exports from China. A looming recession in the United States poses a risk for demand, but... Read More.

The economic environment for construction worsened significantly over the last month and is almost certain to deteriorate further in the next few months. Recession fears are the reason for the weaker business conditions. Builders and developers are now... Read More.

In January 2008 there were 233,001 foreclosures filed which is 57% higher than last year. January's level was 8% above December's results, and is just 4% below the total amount of foreclosures filed in August 2007, which represented the highest single... Read More.

New home sales across the country have dipped to their lowest levels in nearly 13 years. A new U.S. Census Bureau report shows January sales of single-family homes came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 588,000, down 2.8 percent from 605,000... Read More.

The National Association of Home Builders launched the NAHB National Green Building Program, an education, verification and certification program that will allow builders anywhere to build green homes. "This is great news for our members and for all... Read More.

Consumer confidence plunged in February as Americans worried about less-favorable business conditions and job prospects, a business-backed research group said Tuesday. The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 75 this month from... Read More.

Following a stretch of 3 months with an increase in demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped precipitously in January. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve... Read More.

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New Residential Construction Outlook The slack economy has weakened the housing market even further. All of the latest market reports were negative. Permits, starts, sales and pending sales declined. Home prices declined further and the inventory of... Read More.

Reed Construction Data announced today that the value of construction starts in January 2008, excluding residential contracts, totaled $21.347 billion, down 13.1% from January 2007 and 8.0% below December. Monthly starts totals have been ebbing since... Read More.

The U.S. Green Building Council is planning to revamp its popular Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system in an effort to make it more user-friendly. USGBC hopes to create, with some exceptions, one LEED system instead of having LEED... Read More.

January housing starts increased 0.8 percent to 1.012 million (SAAR). The increase in total starts was due to the strength in multi-family housing, which was up 22 percent, while single family activity fell 5.2 percent to 0.743 million (SAAR).... Read More.

The value of construction spending in 2007 was $1.16 billion, 2.6 percent below the total of $1.19 spending in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Spending in December sank to the largest decline in 15 months, according to American... Read More.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more jobs, 49,000, were lost in the construction industry in December, continuing an unfortunate trend in 2007. Needless to say, a large percentage of the 195,000 construction jobs lost in 2007 affected... Read More.

The Architecture Billings Index recorded another healthy score in December 2007. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to 12 month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.... Read More.

New construction starts tumbled 8 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $522.8 billion, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. The continuing slide for residential building was joined... Read More.

For the second year in a row, a survey of safety professionals has found that noncompliance with personal protective equipment protocols continues to be an issue in the workplace. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they had observed workers... Read More.

The technical committee of the Gypsum Association has recently reviewed and revised three of the Association’s technical documents. The updated documents are GA-224, Installation of Predecorated Gypsum Board; GA-226, Application of Gypsum Board to Form... Read More.

The 90th annual convention of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, March 23–27 at the Paris/Bally's Las Vegas hotels in Las Vegas, Nev., will focus on education and networking—the elements that all attendees use to boost company... Read More.

For the past several years, as residential construction nearly collapsed, commercial construction continued to grow, helping to keep contractors busy and regional economies growing. Now, nonresidential construction spending may be headed for a decline. ... Read More.

New NAHB study of consumers reports that 51 percent willing to pay up to $11,000 more if energy costs are reduced $1,000 annually. Home buyers are willing to pay for energy efficiency, prefer smaller homes with high-quality products and amenities, and... Read More.

Hit by higher costs and strong demand world-wide, steel giant ArcelorMittal said it would raise steel prices 10% to 15% in the U.S. and Europe. Chief Executive Officer Lakshmi Mittal said prices could go even higher if mining companies impose, as... Read More.

A new professional designation program from the National Association of Home Builders will soon provide home buyers with additional assurance that the builder or remodeler they’ve chosen is authentically “green.” The Certified Green... Read More.

With the U.S. economy technically very close to recession, today's report of higher unemployement claims should be a major concern. Over the next few months and quarters our overall unemployement rates and consumer confidence will most likely drive our... Read More.

U.S. employment unexpectedly tumbled last month for the first time in more than four years, fueling worries that the U.S. economy which already limped into 2008 might soften further or even slip into recession in coming months. But there were some... Read More.

With domestic steel mills announcing successive increases, steel framing vendors and dealers face rapidly rising metal stud and accesory costs in the near term. Most of the current steel framing rises are due to the rising costs of raw materials, scrap,... Read More.

In addition to higher Steel Framing Costs and Focus on Industry Compliance (i.e. all material meeting current code requirements), it now appears several of the leading Steel Framing Manufacturers are making efforts to implement pricing policies that are... Read More.

Homebuilder D.R. Horton, Inc. swung to a fiscal first-quarter loss amid a further $245.5 million in inventory and land charges, and the company expects the "challenging" environment to continue. The largest U.S. residential builder by volume reported a... Read More.

Quiet Solution, a market and technology leader in high performance sound systems, announced that it has shipped over 1,000,000 panels of QuietRock® wallboard. QuietRock cost effectively delivers high performance noise reduction which has helped... Read More.

Seeking to nip an incipient recession in the bud, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second time in nine days, in one of its most aggressive campaigns in decades to boost the nation's economy. In its statement accompanying the move, the... Read More.

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Fixed-rate home mortgages fell in the latest week to their lowest levels since the spring of 2004, according to a Freddie Mac survey. The national average interest rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 5.48% in the week ended... Read More.

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New home sales posted the biggest drop on record in 2007, according to the government's latest look at the battered housing market released Monday, as a year that saw a meltdown in the mortgage market and a drop in home values ended with yet more signs... Read More.

Building Teams pursuing certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System now have the opportunity to view the Innovation & Design Credit Catalog – a listing of... Read More.

A full 16 percent of schools districts’ controllable costs is spent on energy. A new publication written specifically for K-12 school buildings will aid design teams in constructing energy-smart schools using off-the-shelf technology that can cut energy... Read More.

The Steel Index weekly reference prices for steel coil products in the U.S. have surged to 12-month highs and continue to rise sharply. Prices for steel coil products in the U.S. have hit their highest levels for more than a year, according to the... Read More.

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At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $518.4 billion, new construction starts in December were essentially unchanged from November, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Modest declines were reported for... Read More.

The worst housing financial crisis in decades is only going to get worse, a Merrill Lynch report said Wednesday. The investment bank forecast a 15 percent drop in housing prices in 2008 and a further 10 percent drop in 2009, with even more... Read More.

After a fall rebound from a summer slowdown, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded another healthy score in December. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month lag time between... Read More.

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The Federal Reserve, confronted with a global stock sell-off fanned by increased fears of a recession, cut its target for the federal funds rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 3.5%, the biggest single cut in interest rates since August 1982. ... Read More.

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Prices for some construction materials such as lumber and finished items are at a two-year low due to weakening demand for building supplies around the U.S. and a seasonal downturn in local construction activity. According to the National Association... Read More.

Consumer spending, the critical bulwark that has kept the country out of a recession, is showing signs of cracking. Retail sales plunged by 0.4 percent last month as consumers battered by a sinking housing market, rising unemployment and the credit... Read More.

Steel buyers who had been patient before the holidays were paying the price of inactivity as they forayed into the US steel market Wednesday, concluding deals at least $30/st higher for hot-rolled coil and $20/st more for cold-rolled coil. The Platts... Read More.

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New-home sales retreated during November, sinking to the lowest annual rate in 12 years. Home prices also receded, a further negative sign for consumer spending and the economy. Sales of single-family homes decreased by 9% last month to a seasonally... Read More.

U.S. house prices "likely would have to fall considerably" to return to a normal relationship with rents, says a study by one former and two current Federal Reserve economists. The study, which doesn't necessarily reflect the views of Fed policy... Read More.

Sales of previously owned homes nudged up in November, but that didn't improve the broader picture of a feeble housing market racked by record-high foreclosures and harder-to-get credit. The National Association of Realtors reported Monday that sales... Read More.

A key measure of U.S. manufacturing contracted sharply in December, in a sign that recent strength in export-related businesses is being swamped by problems in housing and other parts of the domestic economy. Until now, factories have shown resilience... Read More.

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) is forecasting that the housing market could reach bottom by the second quarter of 2008, with a "pretty good expansion" occurring once again in 2009. The top builder association shared the news during a... Read More.

Market analysts warn that more U.S. businesses are likely to hang "going bankrupt" signs on their doors next year as the twinned blows of slower economic growth and pricey commodities force the weakest companies to seek refuge from creditors. In a... Read More.

November housing starts decreased 3.7 percent to 1.187 million (SAAR) with single family starts down 5.4 percent to 0.829 million (SAAR). Single family activity was the lowest since April 1991. Regionally, starts were down in three regions: Northeast... Read More.

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MANY commercial real estate players may be ready to turn the page on 2007, in light of the continuing credit crisis and weakening economy. But they may not see a major turnaround throughout most of the country during the new year, according to one... Read More.

In order to help offset rising homeowner utility costs and lengthening commuting times, homeowners are looking for neighborhoods and communities designed to include greater access to public transportation, recreation, commercial and entertainment... Read More.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Guide for Health Care recently announced their agreement to work together on tools, educational programs and activities to support green health care building. "The healthcare industry is by far... Read More.

Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies announced that Tim Eckersley has joined the sector as president, Commercial Americas. In his new leadership position, Eckersley has the overall responsibility for the profit and loss for all commercial products and... Read More.

The November Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 0.1% from 2006 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.1% compared to a year earlier. Compared to October, the... Read More.

Recent declines in both short-term and long-term interest rates should help to put some canceled remodeling projects back on track, according to Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard... Read More.

Construction costs have weakened quickly in the last few months under pressure from the 10% drop in construction activity since the February 2006 peak level. The 40% drop in single family construction spending has more than offset still rising... Read More.

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have partnered to create the first nationwide green residential remodeling guidelines for existing homes. The guidelines, comprised of best practices... Read More.

The surge in office development is ebbing, but office construction spending will expand 12% in both 2008 and 2009, on top of 19% gains experienced in the previous two years. While the value of office construction starts is up 27% year-to-date through... Read More.

Turner Construction Company, the nation’s leading general builder, today announced that construction costs increase in the Fourth Quarter. According to the Turner Building Cost Index, the Fourth Quarter 2007 Index value is 876 which represents a 1.51... Read More.

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October housing starts increased three percent, to 1.229 million (SAAR). The 44.4 percent increase in multi-family starts was the main reason as single family starts were off 7.3 percent. Regionally, starts were up in three regions: Northeast 8.5... Read More.

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The producer price index (PPI) for inputs to construction industries and for every industry segment decreased in October and in the past three months combined, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data posted on November 14 ( www.bls.gov/ppi ).... Read More.

Following a six point decline in August, the Architecture Billings Index for September dropped to its lowest level since June 2006, the American Institute of Architects announced. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI... Read More.

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Congratulations to all of the winners! Read More.

With Christmas only about eight weeks away, shoppers are feeling more forlorn about the economy than they have since hurricanes Katrina and Rita battered the Gulf Coast two years ago. The New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer... Read More.

Though there appears to be no let-up to the current housing downswing, economists participating in the NAHB Construction Forecast Conference in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 24 said they expect the industry to bottom out and to start turning around in 2008. ... Read More.

Gains in spending on commercial and public construction projects offset another decline in spending on housing projects in September, pushing overall construction spending 0.3% higher, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Private... Read More.

Serious Materials today announced that it has closed $50 million in additional investment, led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Foundation Capital, along with Rustic Canyon Partners. Serious Materials develops and manufactures sustainable green... Read More.

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The International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) (www.worldsteel.org) forecasts global steel consumption to rise from 1.121 million metric tons in 2006 to 1.198 million metric tons in 2007, an increase of 6.8 percent. Projections for 2008 show a similar... Read More.

September U.S. new home sales, lifted by demand in the West, recovered a bit from an August plunge that was even worse than previously reported. Sales of single-family homes increased 4.8% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 770,000,... Read More.

The percentage of U.S. homes that are vacant and for sale remains at around a four-decade high, according to census data released Friday, reflecting overbuilding and rising foreclosures in the housing market. The homeowner vacancy rate, which... Read More.

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United States Gypsum Co. Inc. said it plans to cut about 50 workers at year's end when it stops making Sheetrock brand wallboard at its eastern New Orleans manufacturing plant. The company blames a national slowdown in new home construction. The... Read More.

Dozens of architects, PTA presidents, school board members, school superintendents, and others from across the country are ready to begin a grassroots effort to further the vision of green schools for every child within a generation. Some 64 “Green... Read More.

Nonresidential builders and their subcontractors added 10,000 more jobs in September after two months of no net hiring according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Homebuilding jobs fell another 20,000 bringing the decline in... Read More.

As part of its commitment to provide a better way to build, the Green Building Initiative (GBI) has released a new and improved interactive platform for its Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system. The updates reflect feedback from... Read More.

Construction spending increased 0.2% in August from July with a strong gain in non-residential building projects more than offsetting another steep decline in homebuilding activity. This may be the end of a 16-month decline in total construction... Read More.

Following a six point decline in August, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) for September dropped to its lowest level since June 2006. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month lag time... Read More.

Turner Construction Co. recently published its Building Cost Index, forecasting that construction costs in the U.S. building industry are continuing to increase in the third quarter. According to the index, the third quarter in 2007 shows a... Read More.

Many architects and builders are using FSC-certified wood in their projects as a means of demonstrating their own commitment to the environment. The LEED Green Building Rating System and other types of green building programs around the country help to... Read More.

Housing starts in the U.S. plunged more than forecast to a 14-year low in September, keeping the real-estate market the Federal Reserve's top concern. The 10.2 percent decrease to an annual rate of 1.191 million followed a 1.327 million rate the... Read More.

The confidence of U.S. home builders has been shaken to its lowest point since records began 22 years ago, a housing trade group said Tuesday. The National Association of Home Builders' index for sales of new, single-family homes decreased to 18 this... Read More.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson offered a sobering view Tuesday of the pressure the housing market was having across the country, saying the decline stood "as the most significant current risk to our economy." Mr. Paulson even acknowledged that... Read More.

D.R. Horton Inc. posted a 39% drop in fiscal fourth-quarter net orders as the cancellation rate at the nation's largest home builder continued to surge and challenging conditions are expected to persist. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, the Fort Worth,... Read More.

Your 2007 entries for the Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association (WCCA) (St. Louis Chapter of AWCI) Finishing Touch Awards are due by Oct 26th, 2007. Print out the attached document for entry. Read More.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled satisfaction that the central bank's recent actions have cushioned the economy from market turmoil, but he offered no clear signal on whether officials are inclined to cut rates again at their next policy... Read More.

Why Gold Bond® Brand XP® Gypsum Board has become the choice for mold and moisture resistance Even great products sometimes replace themselves with superior technology. The new wet area code change (IRC & IBC) of 2006 has leading... Read More.

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This report analyzes the most pertinent data to answer questions about supplies of labor, materials and capital such as: will the Federal Reserve’s half-point cut in interest rate targets help keep nonresidential construction going? Or was the move too... Read More.

The Stanley Works announced this week it has, through an undisclosed subsidiary, entered into a definitive agreement to buy OSI Security Devices, a wireless access control manufacturer based in Sunnyvale, Calif. OSI's most popular brand is Omnilock.... Read More.

DORMA Group North America has named Gerald B. Hendrick President of DORMA Automatics, Inc. He will be responsible for all of the division's products and services. In his new role, Hendrick will also oversee the Crane Revolving Door and Carolina Door... Read More.

The 0.5% cut in interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board on September 18th produced an instant drop in the price of long-term Treasury Bills and a corresponding instant rise in long-term interest rates. This rise reflects the changed expectations for... Read More.

When this magazine moved to 7 World Trade Center this past spring, we were pleased to be settling into the first New York office tower to score a "gold" for environmental sustainability from the United States Green Building Council, or USGBC. Buildings... Read More.

When Allison Friedman, a mother of two in Weston, Mass., set out to "green" her home two years ago, she came at the project with a lot of eagerness and energy -- and not much knowledge. "My contractor was reasonably receptive," she recalls, "but... Read More.

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Worthington Industries Inc. said Tuesday a consolidation plan for a subsidiary will result in the loss of about 165 jobs. The Worthington-based steel processor said it will close four of its 26 Dietrich Metal Framing plants, and reduce the size of... Read More.

The world's steelmakers could face significantly higher costs as raw-materials prices rise, threatening the industry if it can't successfully pass on the costs to various industries ranging from car makers to construction. The industry is set to... Read More.

After three months of substantial growth, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) in August receded to a figure more in line with the scores seen throughout the spring. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate... Read More.

August housing starts decreased 2.6 percent, to 1.33 million (SAAR), the lowest level in twelve years. Single family starts were down even more, off 7.1 percent to 0.988 million (SAAR). Regionally, starts were split: off in the Northeast (-37.7 percent)... Read More.

National Gypsum, one of the world’s leading producers of gypsum wallboard and related products, has just sealed an innovative three-year marketing partnership and it all hinges on…a red grasshopper. Say what? Hispanic television legend “El... Read More.

Construction spending during July 2007 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,169.1 billion, 0.4 percent (±1.6 percent) below the revised June estimate of $1,173.2 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of... Read More.

Demand for gypsum products in North America is forecast to grow about 2 percent annually through 2011, exceeding 52 million metric tons, according to research released by the Freedonia Group. Nonresidential building markets will offer the best... Read More.

The Education and Certification Department of AWCI has announced the lineup of fall 2007 - winter 2008 EIFS education seminars with testing for certification as an EIFS Inspector, Industry Professional or EIFS Mechanic. The schedule is as follows: ... Read More.

The Steel Recycling Institute announced that the recycling rate for the world’s, and America’s, most recycled material—steel—is 68.7 percent. This means more than 72 million tons of domestic steel scrap was charged into furnaces, both in the United... Read More.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final, revised rule that limits the safe harbor for employers that unknowingly employ an alien not authorized to work in the United States. Announced Aug. 10 and published Aug. 15, the new regulation... Read More.

On Aug. 15, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published several employment verification changes, particularly related to hiring illegal immigrants. In effect, the final revised rule released by DHA limits the safe harbor for employers that... Read More.

AWCI’s Academy 2008, Feb. 1–2 in Denver, again offers must-have educational opportunities for middle and lower levels of management in the construction industry. Academy 2008 will feature two tracks, one managerial and one technical. The management... Read More.

Sales of new single-family homes were up 2.8 percent in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 870,000 units as new-home sales rebounded from weak sales figures in June, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Aug. 24. The July sales pace was 10.2... Read More.

When asked what construction material they would prefer for framing their house if living in an area that could be affected by hurricanes 71 percent of southern state residents prefer steel as their material of choice for framing their home after... Read More.

ICC has released its report on a wall angle seismic clip to the industry. This eliminates the 1-1/2” wall angle requirement. Specifying this clip eliminates the need for proprietary systems when specifying suspended s ceilings. Below is the ICC report. Read More.

Steel prices around the world are likely to increase faster than predicted if China, as expected in October, moves to reduce or end the incentives that effectively encouraged steel exports into other markets and kept prices in those markets from rising... Read More.

New construction starts in June advanced 8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $662.4 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. The construction start data for June lifted the Dodge Index to... Read More.

Steel prices around the world are likely to increase faster than predicted if China, as expected in October, moves to reduce or end the incentives that effectively encouraged steel exports into other markets and kept prices in those markets from rising... Read More.

Action in late August by the Federal Reserve to ease the credit crunch appears to have alleviated some of the turmoil in the financial and credit markets; however, the construction industry is still expected to sustain some negative impact. According... Read More.

Up slightly from the 59.3 mark in June, the Architecture Billings Index in July reached the second highest mark since the survey’s inception in 1995, according to the American Institute of Architects. As a leading economic indicator of construction... Read More.

One thing is for certain in Marshall County: there’s an industrial revolution taking place. American Electric Power’s new scrubber stack is up-and-running at the Kammer-Mitchell Power Plant, burning high-sulfur Ohio Valley coal, which means miners will... Read More.

U.S. construction spending unexpectedly tumbled in July as outlays for housing plunged, the government said Tuesday. Total spending decreased by 0.4% at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.169 trillion, the Commerce Department said. Spending rose... Read More.

Builders, contractors and homeowners all agree that corner cracking is unsightly--and that this small but annoying problem can easily damage hard-earned reputations. Yet a simple solution exists to combat corner cracking and to help builders and... Read More.

CertainTeed Begins Production of Suspended Ceiling Grids in North America CertainTeed further strengthens its suspended ceilings product portfolio with the opening of its first manufacturing facility in North America dedicated to the production of... Read More.

Up slightly from the 59.3 mark in June, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) in July reached the second highest mark since the survey’s inception in 1995. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to... Read More.

Although Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification (LEED) is a growing trend in other industries, sustainable building leaders say the 24-hour and high energy nature of health care make the standards difficult to meet in that field. ... Read More.

Problems in Financial Markets Cause RCD to Lower Construction Forecast The risks to construction from the subprime mortgage market collapse are growing, but still appear to be containable. However, it is not yet certain that it will be contained with... Read More.

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NAHB’s forecasts for home sales, housing starts and Residential Fixed Investment have been revised downward (again) for 2007-2008, and we’ve run the short-term forecast through 2009. We’re now expecting home sales to trail downward through all of 2007 and... Read More.

Highly visible problems in the housing finance system are contributing to a wait-and-see attitude among prospective home buyers and reducing builder confidence in the single-family housing market, according to the latest National Association of Home... Read More.

The value of new construction starts fell 11% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $588.1 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonresidential building returned to a pace more typical of... Read More.

Worldwide thermal insulation market is substantially large, multifaceted and encompasses a comprehensive range of materials that find major applications in industrial and construction sector. The need to save energy and maintain ambience are principal... Read More.

Home builders slowed groundbreakings during July, pulling construction to its lowest rate in 10 years as sales keep tumbling and credit tightens, a government report said Thursday. Housing starts decreased by 6.1% to a seasonally adjusted 1.381... Read More.

The worsening housing finance market appears likely to have varied impacts on construction. Lenders have tightened credit standards and raised rates for some—but not all—mortgage applicants. Yesterday, Freddie Mac reported that this week’s average... Read More.

Remodeling activity slowed slightly in the second quarter of 2007, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The current market conditions component slipped from 46.1 to 44.8 on a seasonally adjusted... Read More.

Metal processor Worthington Industries Inc. on Thursday said its profit will likely decline below analyst expectations in the fiscal first quarter due to lower-than-expected sales volumes and selling prices in its metal framing segment (i.e. Dietrich... Read More.

Although statistics show the Construction industry is safer than ever, it also tops the list for most on-the-job deaths with 1,200 deaths, a rise of 3%, in 2006. Total work fatalities equaled 5,703, with a rate of 3.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers... Read More.

Housing is still in a slide. Public works projects have tempered the housing slump and a projected growth of 10-15% in this segment will keep the industry as a whole above water. Public projects have posted dramatic gains of up to 25% in specific areas... Read More.

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The economic environment for all construction markets continued to improve over the last month, with more slow-but-steady improvement expected through next year. The only negatives, all impacting the housing market, were a 20-basis-point rise in fixed... Read More.

If you are a developer or contractor who does not want to see your profits converted into litigation costs, you should follow these key rules: Know your rights and obligations, get your financial house in order before breaking ground, organize your time... Read More.

One of the world's largest commercial real estate trade organizations has challenged its 16,500 members and the industry at large to dramatically improve their energy efficiency. This morning at its annual conference in Manhattan, Building Owners and... Read More.

With local governments being in an ideal position to advance the green building movement, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has adopted a resolution supporting the American Institute of Architects (AIA) SustAIAnability 2030 Challenge that calls... Read More.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had dipped in June, rebounded in July. The Index now stands at 112.6, up from 105.3 in June. The Present Situation Index increased to 139.2 from 129.9 in June. The Expectations Index rose to 94.8 from... Read More.

American Home Mortgage Investment Corp., the 10th-largest mortgage lender in the U.S., teetered on the brink of bankruptcy on Tuesday after saying it can't pay its creditors, potentially becoming the first big lender outside the subprime mortgage... Read More.

The number of U.S. homes facing foreclosure surged 58 percent in the first six months of the year, the latest sign of mounting problems in the mortgage industry, a data firm said Monday. In all, 573,397 properties across the nation reported some sort... Read More.

The Gypsum Association (see link on left side of www.GypsumToday.com ) has recently reported that total U.S. wallboard demand is down approximately 18% to just under 16 billion feet during the first half of 2007 as compared to industry shipments in... Read More.

New home sales took their fifth fall in six months during June, while a measure of inventory rose and the median price dropped, the government said Thursday. Sales of single-family homes decreased by 6.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of... Read More.

Reed Construction Data (RCD) announced today that the year-to-date value of construction starts through June 2007, excluding residential contracts, totaled $152.2 billion, 19.7% higher than in first-half 2006. A decline in year-to-date residential starts... Read More.

To breathe new life into its LEED for existing buildings program, the USGBC is making the application process more user-friendly. With existing structures comprising about 99% of the nation's building stock, LEED for existing buildings (LEED-EB)... Read More.

A statistical model based on ADP estimates suggests that construction employment could fall another 246,000 by the fourth quarter of 2008. According to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by June of 2007 employment in the construction industry... Read More.

The June Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was up 0.5% from 2006 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 1.5% compared to a year earlier. Compared to May, the unadjusted June... Read More.

Following an almost three point spike in May, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) zoomed up more than four points in June reaching its highest mark of the year. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine... Read More.

Centex CEO Tim Eller today (July 25) said during a conference call with analysts that the company will be exiting Columbus, Ohio and the Triad area of North Carolina, each of which did roughly 500 units in 2005, and he indicated that further pullbacks... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, June 12, 2007 – Negwer Materials Inc. has added Shelley Hammann as a marketing assistant in its St. Louis office. In her new position, Hammann coordinates Negwer’s marketing efforts, including designing print advertisements and direct mail,... Read More.

June housing starts increased 2.3 percent to 1.467 million (SAAR), but the growth was due entirely to a 12.5 percent increase in the multi-family sector. Single family starts were flat (off 0.2 percent). The real story is the 7.5 percent drop in permits... Read More.

The National Association of Home Builders reported today (July 17) that its NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell four points to 24 in July, its lowest level since the recession of 1991. The measure of builder confidence was well below what was... Read More.

Pulte Homes expects to post second-quarter losses of between $2 and $2.10 a share, it said in its preliminary earnings release after market close Tuesday. Contributing to the loss were closings that fell 40% year-over-year as well as impairment and... Read More.

The Labor Department's payroll survey has missed up to 139,000 construction layoffs, a new analysis of underlying payroll data has concluded. The new report released Monday by Macroeconomic Advisers LLC, based on data supplied by payroll processor... Read More.

HydroMax(R), an advanced gasification technology being developed by Diversified Energy Corporation (DEC) and licensed from Alchemix Corporation, was selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) from a pool of 1,318 applicants for research and technology... Read More.

D.R. Horton Inc., the largest U.S. home builder by number of units, said it will report a third-quarter loss as orders plunged 40% for the period. "We expect the housing environment to remain challenging," Chairman Donald R. Horton said. During the... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, July 9, 2007 – Negwer Door Systems Inc. has added Steve Clark as an estimator. In his new position, Clark bids door systems for construction projects. His major projects at Negwer include estimating the new Pfizer research building,... Read More.

U.S. employment posted a solid rise last month on strong hiring in health care and government and previous months' gains were revised sharply higher, suggesting labor market conditions remain very supportive of economic activity at midyear. The figures... Read More.

The number of homes on the market in 18 major metropolitan areas continues to grow. Total listings of homes in these metro areas at the end of June was up 2.5% from May, according to figures compiled by ZipRealty Inc., a national real-estate brokerage... Read More.

Washington DC - The Department of Commerce released its report on construction spending in the month of May on Friday, showing that spending increased by much more than economists had been expecting. The report showed that construction spending rose 0.9... Read More.

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Certification for LEED green buildings has new requirements. USGBC members passed the requirement that all LEED certified projects must now achieve two or more Optimize Energy Performance points. This new requirement will improve new construction energy... Read More.

Mission Viejo, CA - With a relatively strong commercial construction market and most major manufacturers hemoraging (see GypsumToday.com industry news article of 3/29/07 titled - Steel Framing Segment "Broken"), GypsumToday.com expects a significant... Read More.

Washington DC - Existing-home sales fell during May to their lowest level in nearly four years, while inventories climbed and prices fell a 10th straight time. Home resales fell to a 5.99 million annual rate, a 0.3% decrease from April's revised 6.01... Read More.

Zacks Analyst Interview Highlights: D. R. Horton CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zacks.com releases the latest Analyst Interview. Today’s interview is with senior analyst Mario Ricchio, who discusses D. R. Horton (NYSE: DHI). A synopsis of today’s Analyst... Read More.

Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest home builders, swung to a fiscal second-quarter loss as results were hurt by continued deterioration in the housing market and the company warned of further market weakness in the current quarter. President and... Read More.

May housing starts decreased 2.1 percent to 1.474 million (SAAR). Single family starts were down 3.4 percent to 1.17 million SAAR, while multi-family activity was up 3.1 percent. Although total permits were up three percent, this was due to the 16.5... Read More.

In February Home Depot announced it would be exploring strategic alternatives for the HD Supply business, which was a controversial growth vehicle driven by former CEO Robert Nardelli. The alternatives being considered for the supply business were a... Read More.

Cambridge, MA - The U.S. housing market continues to struggle under a cloud of sharp drops in housing demand and an oversupply of stock according to this year's State of the Nation's Housing report from the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing... Read More.

Emeryville, CA Growing inventories of unsold homes continue to weigh on the U.S. housing market, portending more downward pressure on prices, the latest data show. The number of homes listed for sale in 18 major U.S. metropolitan areas at the end of... Read More.

Washington DC - Economists are giving up on the idea that the U.S. housing slump will be quick and relatively painless. Instead, more are concluding, the downturn that began nearly two years ago will last at least through the end of 2007, remaining a... Read More.

Mission Viejo, CA - Lumber prices are showing signs of life in the last three weeks, but it's due to the fact that mill closures are finally starting to slow supply rather than increased lumber demand, analysts say. With the Gyspum Industry currently... Read More.

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Rise in Home Inventory Continues to Hurt Prices Emeryville, CA Growing inventories of unsold homes continue to weigh on the U.S. housing market, portending more downward pressure on prices, the latest data show. The number of homes listed for sale... Read More.

A code change recognizing cold-formed steel framing as a primary form of termite protection within the International Residential Code was recently passed by an overwhelming majority of the International Code Council's voting members. The code change... Read More.

U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls Grow by 157,000 Jobs, Consumer confidence solid and interest rate cut hopes diminished. Washington DC - U.S. employment posted a solid increase last month led by health-care, business-services and leisure industries, providing more... Read More.

Homeowners Get New Way to Knock Out Noise Between Rooms QuietRock 516 Soundproof Drywall is Only Product ‘Tuned’ for Single-Family Homes Sunnyvale, CA - (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Quiet Solution announced today a new product to help families sleep easier,... Read More.

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading economic indicator of construction activity, continues to reveal solid demand for nonresidential design activity. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI rating was 52.7 (any... Read More.

The value of new construction starts fell 5% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $565.1 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Both nonresidential building and residential building... Read More.

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April housing starts increased modestly 2.5 percent to 1.528 million (SAAR) from a downwardly revised March number. Single family starts were up 1.6 percent to 1.225 million SAAR, while multi-family activity was up 6.3 percent. The starts number is a... Read More.

Home-builder stocks gained ground in early trading Tuesday after a government report said housing starts and building permits both rose 0.8% in March, higher than economists had expected. The sector was also helped by a separate report showing U.S.... Read More.

Sheet steel prices have moved upward from $508/ton in February and probably will be around $600 June—which won’t be as high as the $640/ton the mills have targeted. The analysts have been forecasting as high as $600 in May based on what Aldo... Read More.

While most in the industry are very well aware of 1) the ongoing displacement of older, slower, smaller higher cost wallboard plants by new, high speed, large low cost facilities across the country and 2) the continued rise of cost effective and... Read More.

Difficulties in the subprime mortgage market have prolonged the current housing downturn and have raised some uncertainties for the future, but economists participating in the NAHB Spring Construction Forecast Conference in Washington, D.C. on April 26... Read More.

Steel sheet mills have been increasing prices higher because of higher scrap costs despite reduced manufacturing activity, and that's got steel buyers steamed. More than half of the buyers polled in April are paying more for steel already this year and a... Read More.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased by only 88,000 in April, seasonally adjusted, half the March gain of 177,000, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. Over the past year, employment increased 1.4%. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.5%... Read More.

Through recently extended provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, home builders, commercial builders and commercial building owners can lower their energy costs and their federal tax liability by constructing highly-efficient properties and making... Read More.

US March construction spending up 0.2 pct, February revised sharply higher Washington DC - US construction spending rose slightly in March, while spending in February was revised sharply higher, the Commerce Department said today. Construction... Read More.

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Mission Viejo, CA - The Gypsum Association has recently reported that overall gypsum wallboard demand in the United States during the 1st quarter was down approximately 19% to 7.7 billion square feet. All Regions of the United States showed lower demand... Read More.

Washington DC - Existing-home sales took the biggest tumble in 18 years during March as poor weather struck demand. Meanwhile, U.S. consumer confidence fell significantly in April, with a reverse in consumer optimism about present conditions leading... Read More.

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment by state increased in 47 states and dipped less than 0.1% in the District of Columbia, Mississippi, Nebraska and South Carolina from February to March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today.... Read More.

NAHB leaders are preparing for intense debate over mandatory fire sprinklers during the International Code Council Final Action Hearings May 21-26 in Rochester, N.Y. At issue is whether to move sprinkler requirements from the appendix into the main... Read More.

Mission Viejo, CA - James Hardie is now being battered with takeover talk, with investors driving its share price by 11 per cent yesterday. Shares climbed 94 cents, to $9.31 on speculation Owens Corning, the world's largest fibreglass manufacturer, may... Read More.

Washington DC - Housing starts in the U.S. unexpectedly rose for a second month in March, bolstering expectations the worst housing slump in 15 years may be easing. Builders broke ground on new homes at an annual rate of 1.518 million last month, an... Read More.

CLARKWESTERN Building Systems announces the introduction of their new steel framing RedHeader RO™ rough opening system. This innovative labor saving system reduces the number of framing components required to frame a rough opening and significantly... Read More.

Ft. Worth, TX - D.R. Horton Inc. said fiscal second-quarter orders fell 41%, as the home builder continues to struggle in a depressed housing market. Horton, of Fort Worth, Texas, said it had orders of $2.6 billion for the quarter ended March 31,... Read More.

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U.S. payrolls jumped last month and the jobless rate fell, boosting the odds of moderate, consumer-driven economic growth and lowering the chances of any near-term reduction in official interest rates. Outside of manufacturing, payroll gains were... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. payrolls jumped last month and the jobless rate fell, boosting the odds of moderate, consumer-driven economic growth and lowering the chances of any near-term reduction in official interest rates. Outside of manufacturing,... Read More.

National Gypsum introduced Gold Bond® BRAND SoundBreak™ Gypsum Board, a cost-effective, acoustically enhanced panel that answers the growing demand to reduce the transmission of airborne sound between living spaces within buildings such as... Read More.

Dietrich and Quiet Solution Announce Soundproof Drywall for UltraSTEEL® Framing QuietRock® Technology Enhanced for Use with UltraSTEEL Studs Orlando, FL - Dietrich Metal Framing and Quiet Solution announced at INTEX today that they have... Read More.

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St. Louis was host to the ninth annual NAHB Green Building Conference last week, drawing more than 1,000 attendees who learned that the once unconventional sustainable building products and techniques are progressing into the mainstream. And NAHB plans... Read More.

STEEL FRAMING SEGMENT ''BROKEN'' WITH DIETRICH EARNINGS Mission Viejo, CA - Along with the reported Dietrich earnings announcement released earlier today it is the opinion of GypsumToday.com that the steel framing segment can be declared officially... Read More.

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Reed Construction Data (RCD) announced today that the year-to-date value of construction starts through February 2007, excluding residential contracts, totaled $47.804 billion, 28.8% higher than in 2006. However, preliminary estimates suggest that this... Read More.

After three consecutive months of unexpectedly high scores, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading economic indicator of construction activity, dropped more than five points in February. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the... Read More.

The February Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was up 2.3% from 2006 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.0% compared to a year earlier. Compared to January the unadjusted... Read More.

Turner Construction Company, the nation’s leading general builder, today announced that construction costs are projected to increase in the First Quarter of 2007. According to the Turner Building Cost Index, the First Quarter 2007 index will show a 1.59... Read More.

Cold weather and the housing slowdown put a damper on nationwide construction jobs in February, according to an official from the Associated General Contractors of America. "Calendar and climate quirks combined to chill construction employment in... Read More.

February housing starts snapped back nine percent, to 1.525 million (SAAR) while single family starts were up 10.3 percent to 1.22 million (SAAR) and the more volatile multi-family sector was up 4.1 percent. Partly a reflection of bad weather, the... Read More.

Today, architects, interior designers and construction specifiers are asked to create buildings that not only are efficient, but also designed to promote health, productivity and sustainability. USG can help meet these requirements with our cast (formerly... Read More.

AK Steel is again raising prices on its carbon flat-rolled products as well as some extra charges for cold rolled and coated sheet. The Ohio steelmaker is raising hot-rolled sheet prices $30/short ton, effective with 1 April shipments. At the same... Read More.

ORLANDO, FLA. — Supplies of key construction materials stabilized or increased within the past year, easing concerns about escalating costs for home builders and commercial construction companies. Part of the explanation: The slowdown in residential... Read More.

Hold on to your assets. The deepest housing decline in 16 years is about to get worse. As many as 1.5 million more Americans may lose their homes, another 100,000 people in housing-related industries could be fired, and an estimated 100 additional... Read More.

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Washington DC - U.S. payrolls expanded last month at their slowest pace in two years as a steep drop in construction payrolls offset strength in the service sector. However, employment in previous months was revised higher, the unemployment rate fell... Read More.

Fort Worth, TX - D.R. Horton Inc., the second-largest U.S. homebuilder by revenue, said the housing market will remain in a slump and the company will close on fewer homes in 2007 than last year. "I don't want to be too sophisticated here, but 2007 is... Read More.

March 5, 2007 - Remodeling activity remained steady in the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The current market conditions index edged up slightly from 47.8 to 48.2 on a... Read More.

Presenter Scott Starzyk informed the crowd of nearly 100 attendees of ASSA ABLOY's electrified door hardware options during the AIA-accredited presentation on March 8 at the Engineers' Club. Read More.

Calabasas, CA - Countrywide Financial Corp., the largest U.S. home mortgage lender, reported sharp increases in late payments, including loans by borrowers with relatively strong credit records. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the... Read More.

Washington DC - New-home sales plummeted in January, an indication that turbulence in the housing market will continue weighing on the nation's economic growth and housing-related businesses in the months ahead. Sales of new homes plunged 16.6% to an... Read More.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded Quiet Solution United States Patent Number 7,181,891, issued on February 27, 2007. The patent is titled ŒAcoustical sound proofing material and methods for manufacturing same’ and includes four... Read More.

UltraSTEEL(R) is an internationally patented process that alters the characteristics of the base strip steel, providing higher strength capacity from lighter gauge material. The process effectively work-hardens the steel and increases the effective... Read More.

Atlanta, GA - PRNewswire-FirstCall - Caraustar Industries, Inc.(Nasdaq: CSAR), the world's largest independent producer of gypsum facing paper, has developed a new mold, mildew and moisture resistant product, SafeFace MR(TM), for the wallboard industry. ... Read More.

It is only a matter of time before housing begins to recover from its first major downturn in about 15 years, said industry economists speaking last week at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., and fundamental improvements in the... Read More.

Two private indicators of construction starts provide conflicting views of nonresidential segments. This afternoon, McGraw-Hill Construction reported that the value of new construction starts that it tracks fell 8% in January, seasonally adjusted, and... Read More.

The construction industry has played a powerful role in sustaining economic growth, in addition to producing structures that add to productivity and quality of life. Construction is a significant source of jobs. The industry provides jobs for 7.7... Read More.

Temple-Inland Inc., which has long been in the front of East Texas landscape, announced Monday, Feb. 26 plans to separate itself into three stand-alone public companies and sell its timberlands. As part of the breakup, Temple-Inland will retain its... Read More.

The producer price index (PPI) for construction materials and components rose “only” 3.3 percent in the 12 months through January 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently. While that compares favorably with the 6.1 percent increase in 2005... Read More.

What: MiTek, building component supplier Where: 301 Fountain Lakes Industrial Drive, St. Charles More information: www.mii.com MiTek, a worldwide company providing services to the building component industry, has opened its doors in St.... Read More.

Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said the U.S. housing slowdown may be coming to an end, citing sales of new homes. "I think the worst is behind us,'' Greenspan, 80, told a Toronto conference today, during a speech broadcast live via... Read More.

U.S. home builders' confidence rose in February to its highest level since June 2006 as low mortgage rates and sales incentives helped boost demand, the National Association of Home Builders said on Thursday. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index... Read More.

Growth of U.S. economic output (real Gross Domestic Product) has slowed from the above-trend rates recorded earlier in the expansion, although overall GDP growth has held up reasonably well in recent quarters even as the housing production component... Read More.

The Federal Reserve held monetary policy steady at the Jan. 30-31 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). Indeed, the Fed has held its target for the federal funds rate at 5.25% since mid-2006, a level that’s around a “neutral” monetary... Read More.

Reed Construction Data announced today that the value of U.S. construction starts, excluding residential projects, totaled $26.5 billion in January 2007, 28.7% more than in January 2006. Starts increased 3.8% from December 2006 on top of an 18.2% monthly... Read More.

Following the Census Bureau report indicating that January housing starts fell to their lowest level since 1997, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading economic indicator of construction activity, showed positive conditions across all... Read More.

The January Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was up 2.7% from 2006 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.2% compared to a year earlier. Compared to December, 2006 the... Read More.

A home builder can use a wide variety of materials to build a house that is durable, but virtually none of those choices will build a house that is sustainable. At a time of bulging landfills, record construction and enormous third-world needs for... Read More.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has established a policy requiring all campus construction be built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED® Silver standard as part of AASHE’s support of... Read More.

Washington DC - Home construction fell to its lowest point in nearly 10 years during January in an unexpectedly large decrease that erased hopeful gains posted in two prior months. A separate report showed wholesale prices fell last month, after two... Read More.

Lancaster County, PA - Armstrong World Industries emerged from bankruptcy last October as a new but still independent company. It might not stay that way. Lancaster-based Armstrong said today "it has initiated a review of its strategic alternatives"... Read More.

(Valley Forge, Pennsylvania) – CertainTeed Corporation, North America's leading manufacturer of interior and exterior building products, announces today that it will be the primary sponsor in 2007 on Joe Nemechek's No. 13 Chevrolet during the 2007 NASCAR... Read More.

Has the housing industry hit bottom? David Seiders, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, says yes, for home sales. But David Berson, chief economist for Fannie Mae, and Frank Nothaft, chief economist for Freddie Mac, sees the... Read More.

The National Association of Home Builders and the International Code Council announced their intention today to develop a residential green building standard. The efforts of NAHB and the ICC, an association dedicated to developing codes used to... Read More.

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Pemko Manufacturing Company, a leading North American producer of door components. Pemko Manufacturing Company designs and manufactures door components for sealing doors. Pemko is a family owned business established in 1952 and... Read More.

The nonresidential construction market is expected to increase by almost seven percent in 2007 in inflation adjusted terms, following the growth of near six percent in 2006. With balanced growth in the commercial / industrial and institution sectors,... Read More.

New construction starts increased 2% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $626.9 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Residential building edged upward, and greater activity was reported... Read More.

Today, McGraw-Hill Construction (MHC), part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) , releases the latest issue of its SmartMarket Report(TM) series, detailing its findings of market research into green building in the education construction sector. The... Read More.

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Life Cycle Assessment working group has developed initial recommendations for incorporating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of building materials as part of the continuous improvement of... Read More.

CHICAGO, February 7, 2007 - Whether it's a basement, bathroom or any other commercial or residential environment with incidental or intermittent moisture exposure, construction professionals and homeowners alike have a new weapon in the fight against... Read More.

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Washington DC - U.S. payrolls increased at a healthy pace last month after closing 2006 on a very strong note, while the jobless rate ticked slightly higher and wage growth slowed, suggesting the favorable mix of solid economic growth and low inflation... Read More.

Washington DC - Overall construction spending fell unexpectedly in December to its lowest level in more than a year as private home building fell for the ninth month in a row, the Commerce Department said today. Construction spending fell by 0.4 pct... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. consumer confidence was flat in January from December amid softer expectations for the economy's outlook, a report Tuesday said. The Conference Board said that its consumer confidence-index for January moved to 110.3, from the... Read More.

Ingersoll Rand (IR) Security Technologies announces three of its multitechnology card reader models have received Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 201 (FIPS 201) compliance. The models are: Schlage Mullion reader (SXF1100-PIV),... Read More.

Washington, D.C., January 17, 2007 — Following a six point jump in November, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) increased even more in December and finished 2006 with its highest score. The commercial / industrial sector recorded its highest reading... Read More.

Reed Construction Data announced that the year-to-date value of construction starts through December 2006, excluding residential contracts, totaled $281.1 billion, 9.2% higher than in 2005. Allowing for construction cost inflation, the real volume of new... Read More.

The December Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was up 2.8% from 2005 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 1.9% compared to a year earlier. Compared to November the... Read More.

The price of lumber is down about 10 percent from this time last year. That's good news for the home construction industry. The bad news is that almost all other key materials for residential and nonresidential construction are flat or up from a year... Read More.

The USGBC, based in Washington, has set up benchmarks by which developers can win ''green'' status for buildings, or LEED certification -- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Factors measured include sustainable site development, water... Read More.

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Higher scrap prices are causing steel prices to rise again in February and March. Nucor offset a $25 per short ton scrap surcharge increase with a $10/s.t base price cut, resulting in a $15/s.t transaction price rise for next month’s deliveries. The... Read More.

When one thinks of Harley-Davidson, "tree-hugger" is not the first thing that comes to mind. So, when a Harley dealer in Mid-America elects to go for the U.S. Green Building Council's L.E.E.D. certification, you know that green buildings have arrived. ... Read More.

Springfield, IL, home of the Abraham Lincoln Lincoln Presidential Museum, is about to get another national museum. The 47,000-square-foot Korean War National Museum will be located one block west of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The Korean... Read More.

December housing starts were up 4.5 percent, to 1.642 million (SAAR). Single family starts were down 4.1 percent to 1.23 million (SAAR), but the more volatile multi-family sector was up 42 percent. All regions were up with the exception of the South... Read More.

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The early-bird registration deadline for the February 22-24 STEEL-Doing It Right seminar in St. Louis, MO has been extended to February 13. STEEL Doing It Right is an education program organized by the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industry and... Read More.

Those who purchase full registration tickets for AWCI's Annual Convention and Intex Expo in Orlando, Fla., April 1–5, 2007, can also attend any of the education sessions hosted during the Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association’s... Read More.

Just before the holidays, as we were heading to press, builders of new single-family homes continued to believe that the worst of the downswing in home buying was behind them, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing... Read More.

Land development trends around the country point to continued mixed-use of land to maximize returns on investment. A survey conducted by the National Real Estate Investor and Retail Traffic magazines in the fall of 2006 noted that mixed-use is the... Read More.

While going green is still considered costly in some quarters, many companies, schools and public agencies are incorporating energy- and environment-saving innovations in their building plans. Examples include Citigroup, Bank of America, Wal-Mart, GM,... Read More.

Revisions to ASTM C645 Standard Specification for Nonstructural Steel Framing Members, have been approved, and the document is in the process of being published. The official date of the revision is Jan. 1, 2007, and the designation will now be C645-07. Read More.

The American Institute of Architects has released AIA Contract Documents software, version 3, an update to its successful software application widely used in the design and construction industry. The revised software, responding to what the AIA heard... Read More.

Payrolls Grow by 167,000 Jobs; Unemployment Rate Holds at 4.5% Washinton DC - U.S. payroll and wage growth were strong in December, a surprising sign of economic resilience amid the nation's housing slump. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 167,000 jobs,... Read More.

Washington DC - Construction activity showed further weakness as spending on homes dropped for a record eighth consecutive month. The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that building activity edged down 0.2 percent in November to a seasonally... Read More.

Reed Construction Data’s latest regional starts show the Midwest (+24.6%) leading in terms of percentage gain in non-residential buildings January through November of this year versus the same period last year. Second place goes to the South (+11.2%),... Read More.

CertainTeed(R) Brand Now Includes North America’s Most Comprehensive Line of Interior and Exterior Building Products Valley Forge, PA – CertainTeed Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of gypsum wall board and ceiling tiles to its... Read More.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported today that sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 3.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.05 million units in November. Sales also were revised upward for the three previous months. The latest... Read More.

November housing starts reversed the downward trend of the past ten months, increasing 6.7 percent to 1.588 million (SAAR). Single family starts were up 8.1 percent to 1.281 million (SAAR). There were large regional differences: The South, where almost... Read More.

Washington DC - Housing starts increased by 6.7% to a seasonally adjusted 1.588 million annual rate, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The government raised its original estimate for October starts. Construction fell by 13.7% to 1.488 million in... Read More.

The Association of the Wall and Ceilings Industry (AWCI) has three more EIFS Education and Certificate Programs for Mechanics, Industry Professionals and EIFS Inspectors. These two day seminars focus on generic EIFS installations according to industry... Read More.

Heading into the holidays, builders of new single-family homes continue to believe that the worst of the downswing in home buying is behind them, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for December.... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. payroll growth accelerated during November, while worker wages grew slightly less than expected and the unemployment rate ticked higher. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 132,000 after growing a revised 79,000 in October and 203,000 in... Read More.

Washington DC - The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which edged down in October, declined further in November. The Index now stands at 102.9, down from 105.1 in October. The Present Situation Index decreased to 123.6 from 125.1. The... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. construction spending took its biggest tumble in five years during October as the housing slump reduces home-building. Total spending decreased 1.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.178 trillion, the Commerce Department... Read More.

As most of you are aware ASTM C645, Standard Specification for Nonstructural Steel Framing Members, contained a ballot item regarding dimpled steel. In the last round of balloting, five negatives were recorded, but four of the negatives were withdrawn. ... Read More.

Construction Spending Tumbles By JEFF BATER Washington DC - U.S. construction spending took its biggest tumble in five years during October as the housing slump reduces home-building. Total spending decreased 1.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate... Read More.

Washington DC - Sales of single-family homes decreased by 3.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.004 million, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. September sales climbed 3.7% to 1.037 million, revised from a previously estimated 5.3% advance... Read More.

Suggesting stabilizing conditions in the nation's single-family housing market, home builder confidence in November edged up for the second consecutive month, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI),... Read More.

Washington DC - The worst of the housing bust is over, economists said by nearly 2-to-1 in the latest economic forecasting survey. But they still predict that the average selling price of a house will fall in 2007. After several years of double-digit... Read More.

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Bi-state area construction firms, who responded to a new quarterly business survey from the RCGA, are optimistic about revenues and hiring in the coming year. Of the 30 construction firms that responded to the survey, over 90% expect their revenues to... Read More.

The latest market introduction from Fry Reglet, Graph, has hit the latest publication geared to architects and designers with a splash. ARCHITECT, Hanley-Wood's newest publication, reaches 60,0000 practicing architects and designers in the top 23,000... Read More.

The glow of the World Series Championship may be fading, but St. Louis continues to garner national recognition for innovation in construction. Last week, the national spotlight again focused on local contributions to brownfield redevelopment, workforce... Read More.

October housing starts retreated by a larger than expected amount, falling 14.6 percent to 1.486 million (SAAR). Single family starts were down almost 16 percent to 1.177 million (SAAR). There were large regional differences: the South, where almost 45... Read More.

Despite softening home sales, nonresidential construction spending still remains red hot. Although the U.S. Census Bureau reported home construction dropped 1.1 percent in September, nonresidential work rose, also 1.1 percent, for the fifteenth... Read More.

Chicago, November 15, 2006 - USG Corporation (NYSE: USG) announced today that with its newly reformulated ceiling panels, it is the first manufacturer to offer formaldehyde-free ceiling panels and the highest level of antimicrobial protection available... Read More.

Zinc prices on London Metal Exchange rose to a record after its inventories dropped to the lowest level in past 15 years to 99,550 tons. Zinc for delivery in three months rose by $60 or 1.4% to $4,490 a metric ton at 1:32PM on the LME. LME... Read More.

Building-materials companies that sought bankruptcy-court protection under the weight of massive asbestos claims are emerging in trimmer, fighting form. Their timing could scarcely be worse. Makers of wallboard and insulation -- after decades of... Read More.

As expected, growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) slowed further in the third quarter, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Commerce Department on Oct. 27. Third-quarter growth slipped to an annual rate of 1.6%, marking the second... Read More.

According to statistics released Tuesday by the American Iron and Steel Institute US’s crude steel production was 1.899 million short tons during the week ending October 28, lowest so far during 2006. Output for last week was down 0.5% from the 1.91... Read More.

Home sales are expected to hold fairly steady in the months ahead, according to the latest reading on pending home sales published by the National Association of Realtors(R). The Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in September,... Read More.

There is little doubt the economy is slowing. What is unclear is how long the decline will last or how deep it will be. The latest evidence of a slowing economy came Wednesday in reports showing a dip in the rate of growth in the manufacturing sector... Read More.

Denver, CO - Johns Manville and Insulate America have partnered to meet strong demand in the market for house wrap as a new value-added service from insulation contractors. With this announcement, Johns Manville becomes the preferred supplier of... Read More.

Through the annual Keystone Awards, the AGC honors the most outstanding and innovative construction projects completed in the St. Louis area this year. Each project is a monument to the dreams, ingenuity and hard work of the men and women who make... Read More.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) granted approval to the recently revised Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) standard I.S.1A-04 Industry Standard for Architectural Wood Flush Doors. WDMA holds and maintains ANSI-approved... Read More.

With residential building quickly cooling off, construction's growth party could be winding down even as business in most other segments remains steady to robust, according to a forecast by McGraw-Hill Construction. Institutional and public buildings... Read More.

Non-residential construction spending during September was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $577.5 billion, up just 0.5% from August and up 15.7% from a year earlier, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Read More.

Based on activity levels through August 2006, Reed Construction Data (RCD) now expects total U.S. construction activity to increase +5.2% in both 2006 and 2007 versus +10.5% in 2005. (Both 2006 and 2007 have been revised downward from RCD’s previous... Read More.

According to a new study by PinnacleOne, one of the nation's leading construction consulting firms, almost half (48%) of public owners in the United States have implemented construction projects with energy efficiency designs in the past year. More... Read More.

A new national report, Greening America’s Schools, reveals that building energy-efficient schools results in lower operating costs, improved test scores and enhanced student health. The report, produced by Capital E and co-sponsored by The American... Read More.

WASHINGTON — The federal government wants to fill a gap in fire safety at nursing homes by requiring that about 3,500 older homes install sprinkler systems. A rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would end an exemption in... Read More.

Sales of new single-family homes rose 5.3 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.075 million units, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. The increase followed downward revisions to the sales rate... Read More.

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The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) kicked off Build St. Louis Week 2006 with a special ceremony Monday at the construction site of St. Louis's newest gaming and entertainment complex, the Pinnacle Entertainment St. Louis City Casino... Read More.

BY SANDRA GUY Construction dust -- that fine, chalky, endlessly aggravating-for-its-reappearance white powder -- drives obsessive-compulsive neatniks into a screaming fit. USG, the hometown wallboard manufacturer that emerged stronger after... Read More.

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Washington DC -The Commerce Department Wednesday said housing starts rose 5.9% in September, better than the 1.2% decline expected. But building permits fell 6.3%, and construction slid 4.9%, indicating home builders are cutting back on their operations. ... Read More.

A groundbreaking testing and certification program, for windows, glass doors and curtain walls exposed to blast conditions, has been introduced by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). This new program responds to the dangers of... Read More.

The September Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was up 4.9% from 2005 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.8% compared to a year earlier. Compared to August the unadjusted... Read More.

Washington, D.C., October 18, 2006 — The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading economic indicator of nonresidential construction activity, showed more modest growth in September following a surge in the August figures. Demand for commercial /... Read More.

The design and installation of an access control system raises a host of issues beyond the technology itself. The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 made high-rise security a prominent issue for building owners. But it would be a mistake for building owners to... Read More.

Which type of electrical or electronic lock to use depends on the door and the application, and may already be decided by the time the dealer/integrator receives the job. The options for electrical or electronic locking of doors usually operated by... Read More.

Investors drove up shares of the major U.S. homebuilders Oct. 10 after JP Morgan upgraded DR Horton (DHI), Toll Brothers (TOL), and Standard Pacific (SPF), citing stabilized inventories, while the Dallas Fed president suggested fears of a housing... Read More.

Americans 55 and older will head 40% of the nation’s households by the year 2012, according to new research from NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council discussed during an Oct. 11 teleconference held in conjunction with National Aging in Place Week (October 8-14).... Read More.

Sheetrock® Brand Lightweight All Purpose Joint Compound Plus 3™ with Dust Control is formulated to reduce less airborne sanding dust. It binds fine residue during sanding to form heavier particles that simply drop to the floor instead of... Read More.

Through a grant from USG Corporation, Chicago, The Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition was launched this year at the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show. USG Corporation is the most recent member to join the Alliance... Read More.

The recent declines in interest rates and energy costs certainly are positives for housing demand, and home sellers now are offering a variety of price and non-price incentives to bolster sales and limit cancellations. On the other hand, the slowdown... Read More.

Both the Federal Reserve and financial market participants have been able to stomach the recently elevated core inflation rates, relying on the evolving economic slowdown and retreating energy prices to relieve upward pressures on core inflation down the... Read More.

Report by AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson, September 2006 The Construction Inflation Alert is the third in a series of continuing economic reports educating contractors and owners on construction materials prices. To view this informative report,... Read More.

Sales of new single-family homes rose 4.1% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.050 million units, following substantial downward revisions to the sales rate for the previous three months, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce... Read More.

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Gorilla Wrap™ housewrap, one of the latest building science solutions from Johns Manville, is an innovative translucent housewrap that strengthens your ability to build better homes and offers superior performance of the building envelope. ... Read More.

Owens Corning Ranks among Top 100 Most Innovative Companies on InformationWeek 500 List: A strong pattern of information innovation secures Owens Corning a spot on the Top 100 List. Toledo, OH - PRNewswire-FirstCall - Owens Corning (OTC Bulletin Board:... Read More.

All Reuters News WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has increased its stake in USG Corp. to 19 percent after acquiring another 1.1 million shares, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. Berkshire, which... Read More.

U.S. Nonfarm Payroll Growth Slows; Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.6% Washington DC by Campion Walsh - U.S. payrolls growth slowed last month much more than expected, but the prior month was revised up and the unemployment rate fell. Nonfarm payrolls... Read More.

Washington DC - By Brian Blackstone and Benton Ives-Halperin - The U.S. housing sector is undergoing a "substantial correction," which is a factor in an overall moderation in economic activity, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday. ... Read More.

Housing starts declined 6 percent in August, while permits fell 2.3 percent. The August 2006 permit level was the lowest in 4 years. Sales of new single-family homes, however, were up 4.1 from July, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but were still... Read More.

Two high profile developments in the St. Louis market have shown signs of trouble in recent weeks. Just south of Clayton in Richmond Heights, Pace Properties canceled a $63 million condo project at The Boulevard, marring what was once intended as a... Read More.

Washington DC, By Jeff Bater: New-home sales unexpectedly climbed during August, breaking a string of three declines as the median price for a house compared to a year earlier was lower. Sales of single-family homes increased by 4.1% to a seasonally... Read More.

New York, NY - Sales of previously owned homes in the U.S. fell less than expected in August to a 6.30 million annual rate, a 0.5% decrease from July's unrevised 6.33 million annual pace, as prices fell compared with a year earlier, the National... Read More.

After hovering around the no growth mark for the past three months, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) jumped in August to its highest mark since July 2005. Demand for commercial / industrial projects continues to lead the way for increased... Read More.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- National Gypsum Company, a leading manufacturer of gypsum wallboard, announced t it plans to more than triple paper manufacturing capacity at its Oxford, AL plant. The expansion will include installing a state-of-the-art paper machine... Read More.

June U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $322.68 million, according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. The total was down 0.4 percent from May but up 26.7... Read More.

Washington, DC - Housing starts fell for the fifth time in the past six months, dropping 6.0% in August to a seasonally adjusted 1.665 million annual rate, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Regionally the only increase registered was in the... Read More.

WTCA's Cold Formed Steel Council (CFSC) is pleased to announce the creation of its website, www.cfsc.sbcindustry.com . The website contains many valuable resources, so be sure to check it out. You can find information on CFSC including membership... Read More.

Homeowners face a long period of stagnation in housing sales and prices -- perhaps as long as a decade -- in the aftermath of the five-year housing boom that doubled or tripled home prices in Washington and other coastal cities, federal officials... Read More.

The downswing in housing market activity will continue to detract from economic growth over the balance of this year and in the first half of 2007. However, stronger performances from other sectors, including non-residential construction, should keep the... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 11, 2006 – Negwer Materials Inc. has added Travis Stevener as an acoustical sales representative. Based in St. Louis, Stevener focuses on sales for Negwer’s acoustical division. His duties include entering orders, performing project... Read More.

New Construction starts tracked by McGraw-Hill Construction through the first half of this year totaled $344 billion, 7% more than the same period a year ago. Homebuilding has slowed to just a 1% annual increase but year-to-year gains of 17% in... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. jobs grew last month consistent with Wall Street expectations, and jobs growth in the previous two months was revised higher. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell slightly last month. Nonfarm payrolls increased 128,000 last... Read More.

Mission Viejo, CA - While details of specific commitments and plans are not available yet, Marino/Ware based in South Plainfield New Jersey and Cemco who is based in City of Industry California recently announced an alliance between their two companies. ... Read More.

New York, NY, By Michael Derby - Consumer confidence suffered a major blow in August amid rising anxiety over the state of the economy, and fell to its lowest level since last fall. The Conference Board, a private research group, reported Tuesday that... Read More.

Washington DC - Sales of single-family homes decreased by 4.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.072 million, the Commerce Department said Thursday. June sales fell 0.9% to 1.120 million, revised from a previously estimated 3.0% decline to 1.131... Read More.

Washington DC - Housing starts fell by 2.5% to a seasonally adjusted 1.795 million annual rate, the slowest pace since 1.782 million in November 2004, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. Building permits dropped the ninth time in a year. The median... Read More.

Reacting to their perception of increasing consumer uncertainty over the new single-family home market, builders polled for the Wells Fargo/NAHB Housing Market Index (HMI) this month tempered their views on current and expected sales activity, pushing... Read More.

Staff turnover causing concern as employees use strong market for new opportunities by Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA Chief Economist After small declines in May and June, billings at architecture firms rebounded modestly in July. The overall score... Read More.

While the number of fatal work injuries in private construction continued to be the most of any industry sector, the number of fatalities was 4% lower in 2005 than 2004. The private construction industry accounted for 1,186 fatal work injuries, the... Read More.

By RICHARD METCALF The law of supply and demand has caught up to the building boom. Virtually all of the construction material needed in the current boom, from concrete slab to roofing, has gotten more expensive and, in some cases, more difficult to... Read More.

Washington DC - Housing starts fell by 2.5% to a seasonally adjusted 1.795 million annual rate, the slowest pace since 1.782 million in November 2004, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. Building permits dropped the ninth time in a year. The median... Read More.

Lancaster, PA (PRNewswire-FirstCall) - Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ("AWI"), a global leader in the design and manufacture of flooring, ceilings and cabinets, announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Eduardo Robreno issued a decision confirming... Read More.

William E. LeBaron Named President of Owens Corning Construction Services TOLEDO, Ohio - Owens Corning (OTC Bulletin Board: QWENQ.OB) named William E. LeBaron president of the Owens Corning Construction Services business (OCCS). Effective today, Mr.... Read More.

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve, after engineering the longest unbroken string of interest rate hikes in recent history, has finally hit the pause button. The big question now is whether the reprieve for millions of borrowers will be temporary or a... Read More.

By Noelle Knox The proportion of home builders who are dangling goodies to buyers -- from free swimming pools to granite kitchen counters to vacations -- is the highest in at least seven years. The reason was made vividly clear Thursday, when the... Read More.

Mission Viejo, CA - According to information compiled and reported by the Gypsum Association (see link under Industry Links on negwer.com homepage), U.S. demand for gypsum wallboard was 6.9% higher than 2005 record setting levels in the... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. payrolls posted their fourth-straight tepid gain last month and the jobless rate spiked higher, likely giving Federal Reserve officials all the evidence they need to pause their two-year tightening campaign at next week's meeting of... Read More.

Residential Construction Falls Slightly in June Washington DC - Total construction spending increased 0.3% in June to a seasonally adjusted record annual rate of $1.217 trillion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Spending was flat in May, revised... Read More.

New York, NY -All Associated Press News(AP) - The stocks of home improvement retailers, already hurt this year by the slowdown in the housing market, are taking another beating because many people have decided to forgo remodeling their homes. Since... Read More.

By Campion Walsh and Benton Ives-Halperin Washington DC - U.S. new-home sales fell in June as end-of-month inventories reached a record high, and the May sales rate was revised down, according to government data released Thursday. Jobless claims... Read More.

In the wrong place at the wrong time, many new residential communities in the West are going to have a tough time weathering the current housing downturn, John Burns, of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, told a PCBC audience in San Francisco last month.... Read More.

Pittsburgh, PA (AP) - Chemical and plastics maker Nova Chemicals Corp. and Dietrich Metal Framing, a division of Worthington Industries, said Thursday they formed a joint venture to develop and manufacture composite construction products and systems. ... Read More.

Washington DC - One of the primary factors behind the slowing economy, said Federal Reserve Chief, Mr. Bernanke, is the cooling housing market. Investors got some more evidence that housing is on thin ice from the Commerce Department, which said June... Read More.

NVR Home Orders Down, Indicating Slower Market Washington DC - By Kirstin Downey: NVR Inc., the Reston home building company, yesterday reported that its profit rose in the second quarter, but investors instead focused on new evidence of a slowing real... Read More.

Despite claims to the contrary, controlling mold begins by controlling moisture through best building practices. Adding the right protection in the right places is the other critical aspect of the equation. That’s where USG can help. Only USG offers a... Read More.

A newly released American Society for Testing and Materials standard, Guide for Readily Observable Mold and Conditions Conducive to Mold in Commercial Building (ASTM E2418), aims to provide a common language to quantify mold problems by standardizing the... Read More.

According to Turner Corporation's Building Cost Index, construction costs will show a 2.75 percent second quarter rise over 2006's first quarter results and a whopping rise of almost 12 percent from the second quarter of 2005. Turner Vice President Karl... Read More.

Construction expenditures in China will increase 11.6 percent annually through 2010, reaching ¥5.8 trillion. In real terms, spending will grow at a 9.7 percent annual rate. Although growth in Chinese construction expenditures will moderate from a... Read More.

The value of new construction starts increased 4 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $688.7 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Moderate gains were reported for nonresidential... Read More.

Jurisdictions around the country are adopting the most current building safety and fire prevention codes to safeguard their residents and businesses. So far this year, the International Code Council has recorded more than 650 new code adoptions in more... Read More.

The Steel Framing Alliance, AWCI’s partner in the Steel—Doing It Right program, has an interesting feature on its Web site, www.steelframing.org . It is a searchable database for fire and acoustic data for steel floor and wall assemblies: You can... Read More.

AWCI Industry Executives’ Conference & Committee Week, Oct. 24–28, 2006, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature education sessions on the topics of immigration laws and covering your assets. Immigration Law Changes and the... Read More.

In its first survey directed at small businesses in the construction/contractor industry, the International Profit Associates Small Business Research Board measured and compared overall small business to this important business segment. The IPA Small... Read More.

Despite Weak Jobs Report, Inflation Fears Persist As Economy Seems to Slow,Rising Wages, Oil Prices Create Dilemma for the Fed By RAFAEL GERENA-MORALES and MARK WHITEHOUSE Washington DC - A weak U.S. jobs report sent stock prices tumbling as investors... Read More.

For the ninth consecutive quarter, the nation's overall office-vacancy rate improved, another sign of a recovery that is allowing landlords to continue to raise rents. For 72 office markets, the vacancy rate was 13.8% in this year's second quarter,... Read More.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Gypsum Association announces the 2006 release of its flagship publication, GA-600, Fire Resistance Design Manual (FRDM). The 162-page, 18th edition of the FRDM depicts over 340 systems that may be used for fire-rated walls and... Read More.

Degussa Completes Sale of Construction Chemicals Activities to BASF Degussa AG, Dusseldorf, today completed the sale of its Construction Chemicals activities to BASF AG, Ludwigshafen. The purchase price has been paid, and amounts to EUR 2.2 billion for... Read More.

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Steel prices, which had been expected to taper off in the second half of the year, are now expected to rise nearly 19% from current levels in the third and fourth quarters to offset rising iron-ore costs. Some analysts ratcheted up forecasts for... Read More.

Amid the recent carnage in metals prices, some market watchers see a new risk, and they can sum it up in one word: Plastics. When prices for copper, nickel and other raw materials stay high for long periods of time, big commodity users often look for... Read More.

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With no relief in sight for home builders and contractors, building material costs seem to be soaring out of control. The only remedy: an unlikely global economic slowdown. In the past 12 months U.S. inflation is up 3-4%, while material prices have... Read More.

Total homes sales in Illinois dropped 2.2 percent in May to 17,442 homes sold, the second-highest number on record for total sales in the month. That's according to the Illinois Association of Realtors' report released Tuesday. The May figure for... Read More.

WILMINGTON, Del. (Dow Jones)--Owens Corning (OWENQ) received court approval Friday of a pact with major creditor groups that is a key piece of its renewed push to exit bankruptcy. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Judith Fitzgerald signed off on the plan-support... Read More.

Washington DC - The latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) finds builders further reducing their expectations for the housing industry, with the index now at its lowest reading since April 1995. The HMI... Read More.

For the first time since September 2004, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) posted a negative score in May. The ABI is a leading economic indicator of nonresidential construction activity based on the approximately six to nine month lag time between... Read More.

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U.S. home builders stepped up the pace of new construction in May after three months of declines, a sign that the housing market is softening but not collapsing. The Commerce Department said housing starts rose 5% last month from April to an annual... Read More.

CHICAGO, June 20, 2006 - USG Corporation (NYSE:USG) announced that its Plan of Reorganization became effective today, formally concluding its Chapter 11 proceedings. The Plan was confirmed last week by two judges for the United States Bankruptcy Court... Read More.

In the world of design and construction, with budget concerns prominent in matters of sustainable design - that is, environmentally friendly buildings - there are many green products on the market. No question about it, green is in. And... Read More.

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The U.S. Green Building Council recently announced that its board of directors has told the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design steering committee to address two proposed changes to the wood and biobased materials credits in the LEED... Read More.

America needs more schools. Forty-five percent of the nation's elementary, middle, and high schools were built between 1950 and 1969, according to market research firm ZweigWhite, Natick, Mass. Yet even as the stock of K-12 schools ages and declines,... Read More.

Despite talk about a national building slowdown, the St. Louis region should see continued growth in construction, an economist said Thursday. But it will be slow growth, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General... Read More.

A dozen north american steel companies have joined together under a special initiative to help rebuild the U.S. Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The steelmakers as a group have committed $1.1 million to support a Gulf... Read More.

CHICAGO, (May 1, 2006) – Leading building materials manufacturer USG Corporation (NYSE:USG) has joined the Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments, a group of international companies that since 2003 has been working to educate the marketplace and top... Read More.

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Rising interest rates and high land and production costs will continue to push the cost of housing beyond the means of many American families, and a disproportionate share of the blame for today’s sky-high prices goes to misguided local government... Read More.

Contractors are losing remodeling jobs by the armload. By the time homeowners secure an architect and draw up blueprints, contractors' estimates may jump 50%, leaving a lot of jobs abandoned. Contractors blame the increase on the soaring prices of... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, May 12, 2006 – Venita M. Davis has been promoted to the position of architectural sales representative/interiors consultant for NMI Associates, a division of Negwer Materials, Inc. Davis represents Negwer Materials’ complete product line to... Read More.

In London, zinc rose to a record high while declining stockpiles signaled a strengthening demand from China. On March 22 zinc rose .8% (or $20) to $2,490 per metric ton on the London Metal Exchange (LME). This record-breaking high beat the previous... Read More.

According to statistics compiled by the Gypsum Association, the United States gypsum board industry shipped a total of 9.499 billion square feet of material during the first calendar quarter (January-March) of 2006. During the same period, Canadian... Read More.

John J. Scara has joined Chicago Metallic, Chicago, as vice president of sales. Scara will oversee the sales organization for the company's portfolio of metal and specialty ceiling systems. Scara, who has been in sales for 25 years, boasts more than... Read More.

Available commercial construction and homebuilding jobs have become increasingly abundant in the United States because of what many consider a housing bubble and the demand for qualified employees. Construction and homebuilding positions are not... Read More.

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is promising that the central bank will remain vigilant in fighting inflation. The comments sent shock waves through financial markets hoping the Fed was about to call a cease-fire... Read More.

By John Nolan DAYTON -- It isn't a runaway trend, but the decision to construct socalled "green" or "sustainable," environmentally friendly buildings is gaining steam. Consider these examples in the region: - The Buckeye Trail Girl Scouts Council... Read More.

By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy appears to be shifting into a lower gear, with residential construction falling sharply and manufacturing activity slowing. The big question: Will the slowdown come in time to keep... Read More.

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The NAHB Construction Codes and Standards Committee voted recently to obtain accreditation of the association's Model Green Home Building Guidelines from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The accreditation will affirm the credibility of... Read More.

The question is not whether the hurricane season beginning on June 1 and lasting through Nov. 30 will be above normal, but how much above normal it will be, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is urging... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, May 25, 2006 – Negwer Materials Inc. has added Rich Hargis as operations manager. Hargis brings to Negwer approximately 20 years of experience in building materials management. As Negwer’s operations manager, Hargis oversees the company’s... Read More.

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The boom in commodities prices is showing signs of subsiding to a dull roar, but the shouting may be far from over in economic circles, as analysts weigh the causes and effects of higher costs for everything from copper to zinc. The famously gloomy... Read More.

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Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., Japan's three largest carmakers, said they will be unable to pass on higher steel costs to customers as competition limits their ability to raise prices. Brazil's Cia. Vale do Rio Doce, the... Read More.

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By Joe Bel Bruno NEW YORK - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Thursday that Americans' consumption could taper off somewhat now that the U.S. housing market's "extraordinary boom" has ended. Greenspan, in his first public U.S.... Read More.

The FordLink mobile office is offered jointly by Ford, Microsoft, and Stargate Mobile and is available in Ford Super Duty pickups. The system includes a small, lightweight touch-screen computer loaded with practically everything you need to run your... Read More.

STEELDoing It Right is an education program organized by the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industry and the Steel Framing Alliance. The seminar covers the essential knowledge and techniques for the correct installation of cold-formed steel for most... Read More.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Housing reported earlier today that privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,849,000. The April starts is 7.4% below the revised March... Read More.

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US HOUSING STARTS (in millions) SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUAL RATE (SAAR) ... Read More.

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U.S. Insulation Demand to Reach $9.8 Billion in 2010 Cleveland, OH MARKET WIRE) - Demand for insulation materials in the United States is forecast to advance nearly 5 percent per annum through 2010 to $9.8 billion. Insulation will benefit... Read More.

Gas Prices Pummel Consumers Confidence Washington DC - Higher gas prices are making people gloomier, according to the latest report on consumers' attitudes. Economists said that the University of Michigan's consumer-sentiment index, which is... Read More.

The National Association of Home Builders' index for sales of new, single-family homes fell to 45 in May from 51 in April, marking its lowest point since mid-1995, the association said Monday. The April index was revised up one point from last... Read More.

TOLEDO, Ohio, Owens Corning (OTC Bulletin Board: OWENQ) today announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with the representatives of each of its key creditor groups on the terms of a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. This represents a... Read More.

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BY SANDRA GUY Business Reporter Chicago, IL - USG is selling two drywall finishing knives under its Sheetrock wallboard brand as part of its efforts to diversify and innovate as it emerges from bankruptcy. The tools are being sold in test markets,... Read More.

This increase has just been announced from the manufacturer. Read More.

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Toll Brothers Inc., a leading builder of luxury homes, posted a 32% decline in orders in its fiscal second quarter from the year-earlier period, steeper than the 29% drop-off in its fiscal first quarter. The company, based in Horsham, Pa., said... Read More.

Continuing Education Seminar: Antimicrobial Technology NMI Architectural Solutions, a branch of Negwer Materials, in conjunction with Negwer Door Systems, will host an informative seminar covering unprecedented antimicrobial technology for door... Read More.

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The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading economic indicator of nonresidential construction activity, was positive again in March. The ABI has been positive for eighteen consecutive months and twenty-seven out of the last twenty-eight months. The... Read More.

In recognition of Earth Day 2006, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) have selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.... Read More.

This has been a classic good news-bad news week for construction data. On Monday, May 1, the Census Bureau delivered the good news: construction spending in March set a record for the eighth straight month, $1.2 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual... Read More.

Since May 2002, the United States and Canada have been arguing over softwood lumber. The U.S. Department of Commerce imposed 27-percent countervailing and anti-dumping duties after the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that there was a potential... Read More.

The ETL SEMKO division of Intertek Group plc has launched a tornado-resistant product certification program according to applicable requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA). The... Read More.

EAST CHICAGO -- The accidental spill of 200 tons of molten iron Friday night has disrupted steel production at Mittal Steel's Indiana Harbor West facility for a yet unknown period. The accident occurred when a crane carrying the material to the mill's... Read More.

We are posting this letter from Clark Western to help explain some of the pricing pressures everyone is feeiling currently. Read More.

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After soaring to record levels for three consecutive years, the single-family housing market is gliding toward a “soft landing” in 2006, as rising interest rates, affordability issues and a reduced role for investors and speculators soften demand,... Read More.

Keeping a paw on the pulse of energy conservation, the Pink Panther has been named chief energy officer and has received his very own energy blog from Owens Corning so that he can keep consumers informed of hot button issues and energy-saving tips and... Read More.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Manufacturing cranked up, builders boosted construction spending to an all-time high and consumers opened their wallets wider - fresh signs the economy has snapped out of its end-of-year funk. That was the message coming from the... Read More.

Charlotte, NC - National Gypsum Company, a leading manufacturer of gypsum wallboard, announced plans today to build a state-of-the-art wallboard plant near Phoenix, AZ, doubling its presence in the West. The new plant will be capable of producing one... Read More.

Washington DC - U.S. consumer-confidence levels improved in April to a nearly four-year high as consumers took heart from the healthy state of the labor market. The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday that sales of existing homes edged up 0.3%... Read More.

Washington, DC - According to statistics compiled by the Gypsum Association, the United States gypsum board industry shipped a total of 9.499 billion square feet of wallboard during the first calendar quarter (January - March) of 2006. This is an increase... Read More.

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The steel market continues to remain strong. This means the product is in short supply. The global crude steel output has risen sharply in March — by as much as 7% over March 2005. This is the response to the current buoyancy in the market... Read More.

Washington DC - The latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) declined four points to 50, as builders come to terms with a slowing outlook. All three component indexes slipped this month, with the largest decline... Read More.

Washington DC - Housing starts decreased 7.8% a second straight month, dropping to a seasonally adjusted 1.960 million annual rate -- the lowest rate since March 2005's 1.833 million, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. February starts were originally... Read More.

Housing Starts MILLIONS - SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUAL RATE (SAAR) Revised U.S. TOTALS: March February % CHANGE ... Read More.

Construction Costs Go Up ... Material, labor and energy costs are forcing big decisions in building planning especially in the fastest growing areas of the country, causing many projects to be put on hold or even canceled. And it could get worse when... Read More.

Early registrations indicate that the AWCI Annual Convention and INTEX Expo in Long Beach, Calif., this year may be the largest ever. You can print the registration form below to pre-register for the convention. Read More.

Americans snapping up second homes -- as investments or vacation properties -- accounted for four out of every 10 sales of existing homes last year, a record that helped drive the real estate market to new highs, according to a report being released... Read More.

Released in February, a new study by the NAHB Research Center predicts that zero energy homes could be moving into the mainstream of the nation’s housing market as early as 2012 and hold the potential for reducing the energy consumption of all... Read More.

Under its Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is focusing on the residential construction industry in several areas across the country. Implemented by OSHA’s regional or area offices, the LEPs are aimed at... Read More.

Washington DC - Employers added new jobs to U.S. payrolls at a healthy pace in March, as the unemployment rate slipped to the lowest mark in more than four years and wages grew modestly. The Labor Department said Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by... Read More.

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As attention to environmental issues grows, the construction industry has increased its knowledge on how alternative building materials and different designs can have an effect on the environment. While the percentage of Green or LEED certified buildings... Read More.

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Wilmington, Del. -- A bankruptcy judge in Pittsburgh Monday indicated she would allow USG Corp. (USG) to poll creditors on its plan to exit Chapter 11. In an e-mail, USG bankruptcy lawyer David G. Heiman told Dow Jones Newswires that... Read More.

WASHINGTON - Construction spending rose to a record level in February as home building hit an all-time high despite a weakening in home sales, the government said Monday. The Commerce Department said Monday that overall construction spending rose to a... Read More.

Manufacturing expanded in March but at a slower rate, while February construction spending rose to a record level, together signaling continued strength in the overall economy despite some evidence of inflation. The Institute for Supply Management said... Read More.

AGC’s second Construction Inflation Alert, released at AGC’s Annual Convention in Palm Springs on March 21, shows that construction materials are still rising in price much faster than the overall inflation indexes. The consumer price index has shown... Read More.

Jointly sponsored with the American Society of Professional Estimators, this non-introductory program is designed especially for construction estimators dedicated to the art and science of construction cost estimating. Four classes (The Chief... Read More.

Consumer confidence rose sharply in March, gaining 4.5 points to 107.2, from an upwardly revised February level. This is the highest level since May 2002. The gain was led by the expectations component of the index although the present situation component... Read More.

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Global steel prices have risen by over $130 per tonne in the past two weeks, signalling the market’s entry into what a top industry research body believes is a “phase of shortage”. From its low point in July ’05, the world export price of hot-rolled... Read More.

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Washington DC - The Commerce Department reported that housing starts declined 7.9% to a seasonally adjusted 2.120 million annual rate during February as builders battled frosty weather and slower demand. Starts had surged 15.8% during what was the warmest... Read More.

Reed Construction Data announced today that U.S. construction starts, excluding residential projects, increased 9.5% in the first two months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. The value of non-residential construction starts increased a similar... Read More.

03.09.06 GYPSUM RECYCLING INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN PLANT IN US -MA European Company Set to Open Gypsum Recycling Plant in Massachusetts Gypsum Recycling International, a European company, is seeking to grow its gypsum recycling business by opening and... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, March 9, 2006 – Negwer Materials Inc. is helping area architects and engineers meet their Missouri state continuing education requirements through its new Negwer Knowledge Seminars, sponsored by NMI Associates, Negwer’s architectural solutions... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, March 2, 2006 – William R. Marler has been appointed architectural manager at NMI Associates, a division of Negwer Materials Inc. Based in St. Louis, Marler promotes NMI Associates and Negwer Materials Inc. to architects in all territories... Read More.

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Dietrich Metal Framing Announces Sublicensing of UltraSTEEL(TM); Clark Western Converting Operations to Hadley Technology COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb 27, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Dietrich Metal Framing, a Worthington Industries company , today announced that it... Read More.

Contour Track ™ is a low-cost, high-performance solution for creating non-load bearing intricate curves, bends, variable radii and arches for dramatic and distinctive walls, ceilings and bulkheads Easily hand bends or forms to the desired curve, bend,... Read More.

02.08.06 ASBESTOS BILL CLEARS HURDLE - MOVES TO SENATE DEBATE Asbestos Fund Effort Survives in Senate Lawmakers hope to end years of lawsuits by creating a $140-billion compensation plan for victims of the cancer-causing material. By Jonathan Peterson... Read More.

Press Release Source: Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Steel Prices To Remain High, Roland Berger Predicts Tuesday January 31, 9:30 am ET TROY, Mich., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising steel prices have caused pain for many U.S. industries and... Read More.

02.07.06 BANKRUPTCY EXIT WITH OR WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL ACTION Bankrupt Companies Not Holding Out For Asbestos Rescue: By PEG BRICKLEY Wilmington, DE - Investors salivate over it. Lobbying groups are at war over it. Beltway pundits buzz about the... Read More.

02.03.06 JANUARY UNEMPLOYMENT OF 4.7% IS FOUR YEAR LOW 46,000 NEW CONSTRUCTION JOBS Washington DC - Employers stepped up hiring in January and pushed the nation's unemployment rate to its lowest mark in more than four years, suggesting the economy may... Read More.

02.02.06 SENATE SPONSORS SAY ASBESTOS BILL FACES LAST CHANCE Washington DC (Susan Cornwell)- Co-sponsors of a controversial U.S. Senate bill to create a $140 billion asbestos injury fund warned on Thursday it was the last chance for such a measure to... Read More.

02.01.2006 Electric Dogging (ED) for Advantex and Value Series V4000 Detex Corporation introduces the new Electric Dogging (ED) option for Advantex® and Value Series® V4000. Electric Dogging is designed for entrance and exit doors with panic or fire... Read More.

02.01.06 CONSTRUCTION SPENDING ROSE AS HOME SALES FALL Washington DC - Spending on new construction rose smartly during December, but an index of future housing demand fell and mortgage applications declined. The Commerce Department reported that... Read More.

01.28.06 NAHB ECONOMIST PREDICTS 6% HOME SALES DECLINE IN 2006 Washington DC - The Commerce Department reported Friday that sales of new homes rose 2.9% in December from November, to an annual rate of 1.27 million, failing to recoup November's 9.2%... Read More.

A new piece of research from architects is helping economists forecast construction spending six months in advance. The Architecture Billings Index from the American Institute of Architects measures activity among architects as an indicator... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 17, 2005 – Jody Underwood has joined Negwer Materials Inc. as a yard manager for the company’s Cape Girardeau location. Bringing to Negwer more than seven years of experience in outside sales, Underwood is responsible for... Read More.

Customer service is a phrase that's often used in today's society. For some, it simply means that the customer is always right. For others, it defines a way of thinking. For Pete Wilhelms of Creve Coeur, customer service is indicative of a way of life.... Read More.

Negwer Materials Inc., a St. Louis-based supplier of building materials to general contractors, architects and specialty contractors, has established Negwer Door Systems as a separate division within the company. Because doors have evolved into such a... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, June 27, 2005 – Tom Brennan has been promoted to general manager for central Illinois at Negwer Materials Inc. Scott Negwer, president, made the announcement. Based in Peoria, Brennan oversees all yard operations for the... Read More.

ST. LOUIS, April 1, 2005 – Negwer Materials Inc. has added Karl Klostermann as an engineered product salesperson. Klostermann will serve as the main business development and sales contact for Negwer’s Belleville, Ill., office. In addition to... Read More.