Industry News

Cross Country Infrastructure Services opens new location in Carrizo Springs, Texas

Cross Country now has 20 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Construction and factory jobs surge in March

Construction added 110,000 jobs in March; Manufacturing employment rose by 53,000.

Dodge Momentum Index moves up in March

1.7 percent increase brings Index to highest level since mid 2018.

Northern Tool + Equipment acquires Jacks Small Engines

Maryland-based e-commerce parts powerhouse bolsters Northern Tool’s parts and service business.

Simpson Strong-Tie launches national pergola design contest

Contest will find the best pergola design project designed with Simpson's Pergola Planner Software.

Marketing: Makita takes to the road to deliver a truly hands-on cordless product experience

A fleet of custom promotional trucks allows dealers and end users nationwide to demo the world’s largest line of 18V lithium-ion cordless power tools first hand.

JLG launches “Access Your World” experience

Online program features virtual jobsites filled with JLG products and services across multiple applications and stages of construction.

IRCG reviews 2020 Pandemic Revenue Index

Index authors look back at 2020, an unstable year for distributors.

Applications: Mobile home anchoring made easy

The proper tools can make mobile home anchoring a breeze.

GSSI offers in-person and online GPR training

Programs cover correct ground-penetrating radar equipmnent usage in the field.

Road Widener names two new RSMs

Todd Dohnal will serve the eastern U.S. and Europe and Jack Nate will manage the central U.S. and Canada.

U.S. construction spending dips 0.8 percent in February

However, YOY spending tracks at 4.9 percent over February 2020.

ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure and Neenah Foundry partner to secure underground infrastructure

New In-fraLOCK high security locking system is designed specifically to protect the nation’s underground infrastructure.

Topcon names Curtiss Dorr senior government and strategic business development manager for North America

Dorr brings Topcon more than two decades of managerial, sales, training and construction industry operations experience.

Eagle opens 12th DC in NJ/NYC

Jobsite safety product, debris netting, tarp, enclosure and containment solutions leader will speed service to projects in NYC metro market.

Cyber Security: Is the construction industry the next big cybercrime target?

68% of construction executives have no cybersecurity measures in place.

Cool Stories: Concrete sculpture gardens showcase Wisconsin's outsider artists

From the 1930s to the 1960s, homegrown concrete artists flourished across the midwest.

ABC partners with Milwaukee Tool

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) strategic partnership with Milwaukee will provide ABC chapters and members with solutions for safer, profitable and more productive jobsites.

Dynabrade names Buffamonti president

Michael Buffamonti steps up from CFO.

AGT Products acquires Rhino Carbon Fiber Products USA

Acquisition expands AGT's concrete strengthening and repair portfolio.

NetPlus Alliance welcomes Emily VanDerEems as marketing specialist

VanDerEems is a recent graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo.

Motion celebrates 75 years

Launched by two veterans in 1946, Motion Industries now employs more than 7,000 people.

The Crosby Group names new Managing Director

Wim Fabricius will lead Crosby's business in Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Kenzen launches worker body heat tracking dashboard

System enables companies to identify and address challenges and opportunities related to work in hot and humid conditions.

Weiler Consumable Productivity Program helps manage spend and improve productivity

Step-by-step assessment gathers data related to abrasives cost weighed against output.

NCCER announces multi million dollar commitment

Funding will allow expanded training and certification programs and faster delivery.

CNH Industrial Reman announces portable compressed air program

Sullair Certified Reman products now available through the CNH dealer network.

HBS Systems announces telematics integration with Kubota

System provides dealers with unit tracking, geo-fencing, usage and maintenance data and more.

February new home sales slide 18.2 percent for month

The average sales price was $416,000.

Air Systems International releases 2021 Fire / Rescue catalog

New catalog contains Air Systems' most popular and newest product additions.

Walter releases steel finishing white paper

New paper covers three easy steps to achieve desired finishes.

MAX USA recognizes top sales representatives

Ron Pedzinski wins accolades as top regional salesperson; Gary Tharp, is lauded for best territory sales growth.

Caldwell rebrands and launches new website

New site features Caldwell's full catalog plus a SmartSpec digital product configuring tool.

Dodge: Construction starts stumble in February

Increase in nonbuilding construction starts is not enough to offset a decline in buildings.

PTI Study: Not all Lithium-ion batteries are created equal

Power Tool Institute promotes awareness of tested, listed OEM batteries.

Tigre USA announces Guilherme Bornholdt as new GM

Bornholdt will head up Brazilian PVF manufacturer's U.S. office in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Privately-owned housing permits and starts slide 10 percent in February

However, housing completions advance 2.9 percent for month.

NAW CEO shares how distributors have managed the pandemic

SmartBrief talked with NAW's Eric Hoplin about what distributors learned from last year.

Husqvarna acquires HTC: Combines the best of both worlds

Rebranded range, “The Orange Evolution,” is enhanced with the launch of brand new products.

NetPlus Alliance members forecast significant post-pandemic gains

Two-thirds of member respondents expect moderate to significant gains this year.

Little Giant Ladder and NAHB team up for ladder safety webinar

March 31 webinar is free for NAHB members. 

Gemtex Abrasives issues 2021 catalog

New 64-page download catalog covers the entire Gemtex line of abrasive, surface prep and finishing products.

Fast Company founder, William Taylor, to keynote STAFDA’s Orlando convention

Taylor will headline relocated convention's General Session on Monday, October 25.

STAFDA’s fall convention relocates to Orlando

The 2021 convention and trade show will take place Oct. 24-26 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Curb Roller appoints Jesse Smith as GM

Smith joins Curb Roller from ag industry coop operations management.

Statista: World economy to return to pre-pandemic output in 2021

OECD expects global GDP to grow by 5.6 percent this year, and continue with 4.0 percent growth in 2022.

New study predicts strong years ahead for off-highway market

Interact Analysis study expects sector to see 6.5 percent growth this year and CAGR of 3.6 percent through 2029.

Viega donates press tools to Texas relief effort

Donated tools part of company drive to help repair and replace plumbing systems damaged in freeze.

IFS launches IFS Cloud

Cloud-based platform integrates enterprise resource planning, customer relations, HR, asset and field service management.

Radians salutes Women in Construction Week with giveaway

Win women’s PPE gift packages during Women in Construction Week.

All America Threaded Products hires Danielle Maze

Maze joins AATP as new Northeast Regional Account Manager.

MAX USA names Dan Durant VP of Sales Eastern North America

Durant has been with MAX since 2015.

Dynabrade president/CEO Hamann to retire

President and chief executive officer Hardy Hamann to retire March 31 after four decades in the industry.

Mallory and Dirteeze win contract in San Diego

City buses and all fleet vehicles in the police and fire departments are currently using this “Best in Class” wiping solution.

Mule-Hide promotes Steven Litaker to Territory Manager – West Central and Southwest Florida

Litaker joined Mule-Hide in 2019 from ABC Supply.

Point of Rental announces David Austin as Global Operations Manager

Austin joins Point of Rental from ECI Software Solutions.

Wooster Products celebrates 100th anniversary

Company fetes a century of safety leadership.

Huttig Building Products announces Q4 and full year 2020 results

Company sales grow 2.3 percent in Q4 but slip 2.4 percent YOY.

John Randall is named new Sullair president and CEO

Current Sullair president and CEO Charlie Takeuchi will become President of Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems.

The Engineered Wood Association announces new president

Mark Tibbetts takes role as Ed Elias plans to retire.

Marcum JOLTS Analysis: Construction Labor market tightness persists

Shortage has driven average hourly earnings of construction employees to their highest level on record in January.

GAF taps Alma Garnett to lead Commercial Roofing sales

Garnett formerly was President of Convoy Supply and served as Interim President of the Western Division of Bothwell-Accurate.

JLG joins ALI’s Ladder Safety Month initiatives

American Ladder Institute (ALI) hosts the 5th annual National Ladder Safety Month, February 22-March 31.

Western Specialty Contractors hires Kourtney Graham as Business Development Manager of Special Projects

Graham previously worked for Western as a Project Manager and Business Development Manager since 2016.

Topcon partnership with CyArk bolsters cultural site archival efforts

Cyark has produced 3D digital documents of more than 200 sites around the world.

Osborn hires new CEO

Brian Cassady was president and CEO of Municipal Parking Services, Inc.

U.S. construction spending advances 5.8 percent in January YOY

Private and public construction spending both rise 1.7 percent for the month.