April 1, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Once again the actual heavy/highway construction permits recorded in the past 30 to 60 days up and down the State of California show the rather anemic condition of the industry.

Although there is a trickling back-on of the CalTrans and Public Works faucet that Gov. Schwarzenegger had turned off a few months ago-- due to the State budget crisis—there is still a back-log of projects waiting in reserve.

Here are some highlights compiled from Burbank, CA-based Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB):

March 30, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

This Sunday’s Orange County Register has an excellent article about whether federal stimulus dollars are yet affecting construction in Southern California’s Orange County, one of the wealthiest areas of the state.

Sukut Construction, Inc. www.sukut.com was highlighted, being one of the largest earthmovers/contractors in California. See the entire article “Government Fuels Construction...Read More

March 27, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Typical of what is currently receiving funding for construction in California cities is this project, as relayed in a recent press release:

Ledcor Constrcution, Inc., a leading Southern California general contracting firm with U.S. headquarters in San Diego, has been awarded the contract of a new five-story, 119,392-square-foot Public Safety Center with an attached 161,259-square-foot parking structure in downtown El Cajon, San Diego County, CA.

The project is being funded with money generated from a half-cent sales tax increase that was approved by El Cajon voters in 2004.

The 6.7-acre planned Public Safety Center will house the City of El Cajon Police Department's employees and operations. The lower two levels will accomodate 12 detention cells, evidence storage space, and an indoor shooting range. 

The next two l...Read More

March 25, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

By 2014, California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires final Tier 4 level technology to be in place on off-road equipment. The following short video was taken at the John Deere test facility near Phoenix, AZ, recently.

Joe Mastanduno, Deere’s Engine/Drivetrain marketing manager describes the after-market gear that seems to be as far as anyone has gotten for meeting Tier 4 requirements.

Here is the video (make sure your volume is set at high...Read More

March 18, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

That is the title of an article written by Glenn H. Matteson at FMI Management Consulting and Investment Banking aimed at construction companies. Just letting employees go is not always the best long-term answer.  How many cost-cutting/saving ideas have you thought of? I run out of ideas at about 20.

Take a look at the article www.fminet.com for all 100. Here is just a sample of good ideas from the first two categories listed among many:

...Read More