Sunday, April 24, 2016

Up and Down Index

This past week we had two major construction related indexes release reports that featured some interesting takeaways. First from the General Contractor level, the results were not very rosy and somewhat surprising.  The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Confidence Index (CCI) is a study/survey that takes 6 months into account and looks at the business in a few different areas- Sales, Profit Margin, and Staffing.  So for the latest CCI, tracking the last 6 months of 2015, all three indicators were actually down.  I can see staffing as a challenge but I have to admit that Sales and Profit being off is a shock.  And those of you dealing with GC’s each day probably agree.  Now the numbers are obviously much better than they were in 2012, but still interesting to see that the end of 2015 was not a major success for this side of the world- at least according to the index.  Meanwhile the monthly Architectural Billings Index (ABI) was released and it ticked up again coming in at 51.9.  New project inquiries were down slightly but they are still in a very healthy territory and regionally only the Midwest did not crack the break even mark of 50, finishing slightly under at 49.8.  So overall the ABI continues to be a source of positivity as we keep our eyes glued to 2017.  2Q usually sees a boost in new project inquiries, so we’ll see if that indicator starts moving that way or not.

Elsewhere…

--  Environmental Product Declarations is an area I am admittedly weak on. So I have been trying to educate myself and I came across this excellent article that provided solid insight.

--  If you somehow missed the great blog post by Kris Iverson on last week’s e-glass weekly, here’s the link.  Hiring is so incredibly hard; so any additional help is always appreciate.

--   Via Facebook I saw the news on changes at Vos Glass in Western Michigan.  Vos is one of those very respected brands and I am a big fan of Linda Vos-Graham who ran the company until now with a new team taking over.  I hope Linda is able to stay involved (if she wants) in the industry- her smarts and perspective were huge parts of events like the Glazing Executives Conference. 

--  We are about a month from the next event that many in the industry will participate in one way or another.  The 2016 AIA show is in Philadelphia this year and given its location and timing (better in May than in June) I have a feeling it could be very busy.  The fact it’s busy is not usually a guarantee for the exhibitors of a good show though since the event is so vast and education is still the priority, but the potential is there. 

--  Last this week… Prince passing away.  I’m a fan, have listened to his music for years.  What I did not expect was how many people were HUGE fans and the outpouring of love and respect for him.  It was Michael Jackson like including wall-to-wall coverage on the cable news channels.  Tough run for music superstars with David Bowie and now Prince passing away in such a short time.

LINKS of the WEEK

--  I love my FitBit and good to know that it can also potentially save my life… for now it reminds me that I suck at working out.  Ha Ha

--  Beware what may happen when you take sleeping pills.  You may buy a cow.

--  Wild story on a real life cast away luckily saved by a reality tv crew.

VIDEO of the WEEK

The first trailer for the new movie “The Founder” is out.  This is the story of Ray Kroc who built the McDonald’s empire.  The movie looks amazing…







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