The major news from the past week was the deal between JE
Berkowitz and Consolidated Glass Holdings.
This was one of the major rumors that were circulating at GlassBuild so
it came to fruition. It’s a great deal
for Consolidated with the very high profile of Berkowitz and their long track
record of success. This is a game
changer for them. Plus I am sure it was
a great deal for Arthur Berkowitz and his family, as I can’t imagine he’d agree
anything less than the best. And as for
those other rumors? I think a few are
very real and will be happening in the near future, so hold on tight, there’s a
lot more to go.
Elsewhere…
-- So last week I mentioned the Dodge Outlook results and I
have had some time to dig through those results as well as some other points of
information out there. Here are some
tidbits…
Residential growth is positive- single family housing
especially is ticking up 7% in 2016 and 9% is forecast for 2017. In fact residential had its best year since
2005. Why that matters is when residential
starts to tumble, that’s when the warning signs start to show up on the
commercial side. So far, the coast is
clear.
Surprisingly non-residential building did have an off year
in 2016- not sure we felt it in the industry given where we are in the chain
and also the previous bounce backs carrying on from the past years. On this one there are many industry folks who
believe we run a good couple of years behind this metric… So potentially this
could mean we’ll have some weak spots in 2017, but the forecast going forward
is strong- expected up 6% with spending up 8%.
So if we dip, it may not be sustained.
Last the most positive data point for our world? A look back.
When reviewed the amount of infrastructure projects started in 2015 were
more than any time in history- and the analysis says it will generate spending
through 2017 and deep into 2018.
Obviously these are forecasts and they can and do change-
and that certain election in the US will have an effect- just no clue on what
that effect will be!
-- Just a heads up for those of you who deal with submittals
for LEED. Note that the LEED v4 is now
in effect. No new jobs can registered
under the previous standard of LEED 2009.
If the jobs have already been registered, but not started, they can
proceed and finish with that previous standard.
So you’ll still see it- otherwise get yourself familiar with LEED v4 its
now here to stay. A really good resource
online is Guardian’s. They do a nice job
of explaining the two standards, the changeover and then details. Good stuff.
-- Speaking of good stuff.. great blog post from Pete DeGorter
last week. Love that he took the time to
do it and document with pictures. Nice
work there.
-- Ever wonder how the mega sky scraper is built? Really well done and informative piece
here. I just love the thought process
that goes into it.
-- It’s that time of year again to have our Industry MVP
award. Once again lots of great
candidates out there. So this will not
be an easy choice that is for sure. As
always I am open to suggestions so send them my way. What makes the MVP? Someone who works hard
for the industry, communicates well, is involved at the trade level, and is
always looking to advance our cause.
That could be on the technical, education, or innovation side. So who will join Tracy Rogers and Jon
Kimberlain as past winners? I’ll be listing
the runners up on my post week of 12/11 with the winner honored the week of
12/18 on my last blog 2016.
-- Last this week… in the US it’s Veterans Day this
Friday. Please take a moment to
appreciate what the women and men of the military have done (and still do
daily) to protect our way of life. They
are the true heroes. Thank you.
LINKS of the WEEK
-- The Internet of Things is HOT… and also can be Hacked…yikes.
-- Seriously is there anything better than unexpected acts of
kindness?
VIDEO of the WEEK
Fuller House is coming back to NetFlix. I really enjoyed the reboot, fun and light…. And thus here’s
the trailer…
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