Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Obama Looks at Construction Spending as one way to Boost Jobs

Obama looks to spur private sector hiring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Limited in his ability to create jobs through direct spending, President Barack Obama is considering measures to encourage the private sector to free up its cash reserves and hire more workers to ease the nation's unemployment crush.

As Obama prepares to unveil a new jobs agenda next week, his aides are reviewing options that would provide tax incentives to employers who expand their payrolls. That approach is a more indirect effort to spur the economy and relies less on government intervention and massive public works projects.

Among the proposals circulating in the White House is a $33 billion tax credit that Obama first proposed early last year but that Congress whittled into a smaller one-year package.

Under one version of the plan, employers would receive a tax credit of up to $5,000, subtracted from their share of federal payroll taxes, for every net new hire. White House officials caution that the overall jobs plan is still subject to change.

The tax credit, however, is a relatively untested idea. Congress passed a version in March 2010, known as the HIRE Act, which provided $13 billion in tax credits to qualified employers who hired new workers. But there is no government data to track its success.

"The HIRE Act was very small," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics and an occasional adviser to Democrats and Republicans. "It really didn't add to payrolls."

"It would have to be bigger," he added. "Something more along the lines that the Obama administration proposed in 2010."

While promising a major jobs package, Obama is hamstrung by budget cuts and a tight debt ceiling that he had a hand in negotiating.

As a result, economists predict that while the president's initiatives could eliminate some drag on the economy and maintain the status quo, they won't be enough to propel it to new heights

Still, Obama on Wednesday predicted his plan could push the economy to grow 1 percent to 1.5 percent faster.

"That could mean half a million to a million additional jobs," he said Tuesday in an interview with radio talk show host Tom Joyner.

Obama's jobs package is designed to supplement other proposals already in the pipeline, including free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama and the renewal of a highway construction bill.

On Wednesday, Obama will call on Congress to pass federal highway legislation before the current law expires Sept. 30. Seeking to blunt congressional partisanship, Obama will be joined by the leaders of two occasionally warring factions — AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and David Chavern, chief operating officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

At a minimum, the president's jobs plan will call on Congress to extend current payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits, spend money for new construction projects and offer incentives to businesses to hire more workers.

"We don't have magic bullets, but what we do have, I think, is the capacity to do some things right now that would make a big difference," Obama told Joyner.

The labor movement is wary.

"This is a moment that working people and quite frankly history will judge President Obama on his presidency," Trumka said last week. "Will he commit all his energy and focus on bold solutions on the job crisis or will he continue to work with the tea party to offer cuts to middle class programs like Social Security all the while pretending that the deficit is where our economic problems really lie."

Obama faces a divided Congress, where Republicans, demanding fiscal austerity, reject the notion that short-term infusions of taxpayer money into the economy can prod a sluggish recovery. Moreover, a large package even half the size of the $825 billion stimulus Congress approved in 2009 would move the government closer to its new debt ceiling before the November 2012 election, something Obama is determined to avoid.

The president is certain to call for extending a one-year payroll tax cut for workers and unemployment benefits that expire in January, at a combined cost of about $175 billion.

Obama also has promoted the creation of an "infrastructure bank," a fund that would be seeded by the government but fed by private investment to pay for major road, bridge and other public construction. Even advocates of the plan, however, say that proposal probably would not be in place to generate jobs for about two years.

"A big chunk of the loss of employment was in the construction industry," Obama said on Joyner's talk show. "Well, the fact of the matter is that although the housing market is going to take some time to recover, we've got a lot of stuff that needs to get done. There are schools all across the country that right now you could put people to work fixing up. There are roads and bridges right now that need to be improved."

Among other measures under consideration, but not yet decided:

— A major school construction initiative of up to $50 billion. Its advocates include Vice President Joe Biden's former chief economic adviser, Jared Bernstein, who monitored progress of the 2009 stimulus. Bernstein said school construction and renovation would be far more labor intensive than some of the public projects paid for by the stimulus. "We kind of thought during the recovery act that we would see 50 hard hats and 10 machines, and it ended up being the other way around at some of these sites," he said.

—Encouraging corporations to bring into the United States some of their foreign sources of income at preferential tax rates in exchange for job creation measures. Some White House officials are not too enthusiastic about this idea, however, because they believe it can be easily abused.

—Tying unemployment insurance payments to on-the-job training. Obama has applauded a program under way in Georgia in which jobless benefits go to employers who hire the unemployed as trainees.

A New Use for Masonry: Chicken Under a Brick

By John DeLucie

Ingredients
  • 1 whole 3- to 4-pound chicken, trimmed of excess fat, rinsed, dried and split in two
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, optional
  • 1 brick
  • tin foil
Preparation

Place the chicken on a cutting board, skin side down, and using your hands, press down hard to make it as flat as possible. Mix together the rosemary leaves, salt, pepper, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and rub this all over the chicken. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for up to a day (even 20 minutes of marinating boosts the flavor).

When you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Preheat an ovenproof 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Press rosemary sprigs, if using, into the skin side of the chicken. Put remaining olive oil in the pan and wait about 30 seconds for it to heat up.

Place the chicken in the skillet, skin side down, along with any remaining pieces of rosemary and weight it with another skillet or with one or two bricks, wrapped in aluminum foil. The idea is to flatten the chicken by applying weight evenly over its surface.

Cook over medium-high to high heat for 5 minutes, then transfer to the oven. Roast for 15 minutes more. Remove from the oven and remove the weights; roast 10 minutes more, or until done (large chickens may take an additional 5 minutes or so).

Nissan Forklift '12 Engines Receive CARB Certification

Nissan Forklift Corporation earned California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification for its 2012 model year, large spark-ignited engines, making it the first forklift manufacturer to gain certification for its own line of industrial engines.

The CARB-tested Nissan Forklift engines for compliance with California environmental standards. These engines were rigorously tested and monitored for low-emission level performance within the guidelines set by the Air Resources Board.

The Nissan Forklift Platinum II and GO4 series, with capacities from 3,000 to 11,000 pounds, offer CARB certified LPG or dual-fuel (gasoline/LPG) engines. The CARB certification on these engines provides confidence that the forklifts produce low emissions to help protect the environment. Environmental certifications such as CARB, help employers provide cleaner working environments for their employees.

The California Air Resources Board is a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, an organization which reports directly to the Governor’s Office in the Executive Branch of California State Government. CARB’s goal is to promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the state.

Taking the Heat

Here in the South, we are experiencing our normal, 90-degree-plus temperatures. Extreme heat and humidity are typical to our summers. But for many of you around the country, record-setting heat has plagued your already-sweltering days on the jobsites. It sounds like a no-brainer, but staying cool and hydrated isn’t only a way to be more comfortable; it’s a way to stay alive.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to these almost unbearable high-temperature environments as “heat stress” situations. The administration addressed heat stress in its Protecting Workers from Heat Illness document.

The document says that factors contributing to heat stress can include high temperatures and humidity; direct sun or heat; limited air movement; physical exertion; poor physical condition; some medicines; insufficient hydration; and an inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces.

You should be aware of the major factors that can lead to heat stress, especially dehydration. Hydration is a “continuous process for the body and should be done consistently and continuously throughout the day.”

Remember that alcohol can dehydrate you, and food does not equal water (even fruits). Sodas and juices also do not equal water. Only water can do the job of replenishing lost moisture from your body.

SUBHEAD: Symptoms

Heat exhaustion symptoms include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, along with muscle cramps or pain; paleness, weakness and moist skin; mood changes such as irritability or confusion; and upset stomach or vomiting.


Heat stroke
symptoms include flushed, dry, hot skin with no sweating; mental confusion, dizziness or loss of consciousness; and seizures or convulsions.

Preventing heat stress begins with
knowing the signs/symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and monitoring yourself and your coworkers. Block or stay out of direct sunlight or other heat sources, use cooling fans or air-conditioning, and rest regularly. Of course, drink lots of water – one cup every 15 minutes. Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes, and avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals.

To address a heat-related illness,
OSHA says to call 911 (or your local emergency number) at once, and then move the worker to a cool, shaded area. Loosen or remove heavy clothing, provide cool drinking water, and fan and mist the person with water.

You can learn more about surviving the heat on the jobsite by visiting www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf. Stay cool and hydrated, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

CalStar Adds Oversized Brick to Offerings

CalStar Products has introduced an oversized facing unit to complement its line of sustainably manufactured masonry. The facing unit can be used as a design element for base courses at grade and for contrast bands. The units contribute to multiple LEED credits on applicable projects.

CalStar says it uses proprietary technology to produce bricks that offer unique environmental benefits. The process incorporates 40 percent post-industrial recycled material as the binder, and avoids the energy-intensive kiln firing required for clay bricks. The manufacturing process uses 85 percent less energy and generates 85 percent less CO2, compared to traditional fired brick.

The oversized facing unit is 4 X 8 X 24 inches in size, and is equivalent to a nine-brick soldier course, resulting in time-saving, simple installation. For more information, visit www.calstarproducts.com.


Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against USGBC

The United States District Court in New York City today dismissed in its entirety the lawsuit brought against the U.S. Green Building Council by Henry Gifford and others, holding that none of the plaintiffs in the action had alleged or could allege any legal interest to be protected by their lawsuit.

The Court dismissed the federal false advertising claims "with prejudice," meaning that the Court's dismissal of those claims is final and that plaintiffs are barred from filing a new suit based on those claims. The Court's ruling simultaneously dismissed plaintiffs' state law false advertising claims.

"This successful outcome is a testament to our process and to our commitment to do what is right," says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "Thousands of people around the world use LEED because it's a proven tool for achieving our mission of transforming the built environment. We're grateful that the Court found in our favor so we can give our full attention to the important work before us."


Sunday, August 28, 2011

LATICRETE Donates to Haitian Hospital

LATICRETE donated a large amount of tile installation product to a major hospital construction project in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The National Teaching Hospital in Mirebalais, Haiti, is being built under the direction of Partners in Health, a not-for-profit, Boston-based organization that specializes in providing health services and facilities to those in need worldwide.

In addition to the LATICRETE materials contributed, more than 70,000 square feet of floor tile and 40,000 square feet of wall tile were provided by manufacturers Fiandre, American Ceramics and Dal-Tile.

LATICRETE, which supplied 100 percent of the tile installation materials needed for the hospital project, donated more than $50,000 worth of product. This included 816 LatiPatch to skim the substrate; 86 LatiLevel self-leveling for floor preparation, and a number of pallets of both 4-XLT adhesive thin-set and PermaColor Grout.

Monday, August 22, 2011

States Powering New Green Building Policy

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released a report highlighting positive green building policy advancements being made in all 50 states. The report, "Advancing Green Building Policy in the States: 2011 Victories from Alabama to Wyoming," showcases actions that states are taking to transform the market, despite a struggling economy.

"This report is a goldmine of creative approaches to driving a green economy where super efficient buildings become the norm rather than the exception," says Roger Platt, senior VP of global policy and law, USGBC.

"Given the public's demand that government do more with less, well targeted investments at the state level can actually inspire innovation, unlock efficiency and promote public health all while creating and maintaining jobs," Platt adds.

Among the hundreds of strong ideas that have been initiated by state legislatures and regulatory authorities this year, 25 states have taken another step forward. The newly adopted policies are wide ranging, covering energy efficiency finance, investments in high-performance schools and incentives for green homes and manufacturing facilities, in addition to new minimum codes.

Highlights include:

  • A "cool schools" bill was adopted in Oregon, which would allow the state to repair and retrofit aging schools to reduce operational costs and create jobs. This will also promote human and environmental health in the buildings where 20 percent of America spends its time.
  • A bill in Connecticut established the nation's first state-managed "green bank" - also known as the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority - which leverages government dollars to provide financing for clean energy and efficiency projects across the state.
  • A new law in Colorado now provides incentives for homeowners to improve both the energy efficiency of their existing home and also to purchase a "highly efficient new home," such as one that is LEED certified.
  • In New York, a new law establishes a revolving loan fund that enables property owners to access financing for retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades and to repay the loan with savings earned on utility bills.
  • A Maryland act now enables the adoption of a national model green building code by all local governments across the state.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

MVMA Announces 3rd Annual Design Awards

The Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA) announced its third-annual MVMA Design Awards, a program created to recognize the work of industry professionals who are setting trends by featuring manufactured stone veneer in their projects.

“Our goal is to recognize leaders in the manufactured stone industry by highlighting their design successes,” says Mike Fischer, MVMA general manager. “This year’s theme of Natural Beauty Fashioned in Stone aims to showcase the beauty and authenticity of manufactured stone.”

Entering is free, and all entries should be submitted online at www.MasonryVeneerDesignAwards.com by Dec. 31, 2011. Submissions require high-resolution images of the completed project. An independent judging panel will announce winners at the MVMA Design Awards in February 2012.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Creating a Website for Your Masonry Company

By Ron McArthur

Owning a masonry company is all about access to the right customers, the right leads and the right information that will help you excel in your sales. One of the most pivotal access points for buyers is a website that boasts a clean design, easy navigational layout and sharp, engaging content. With more than 200 million people around the country using the Internet, the right website is vital for any business’ success. An effective site can help a potential client decide if he or she wants to use your company or a competitor. Take some time to open up your earning potential this month with these Internet marketing tips provided by WSI president Ron McArthur.

1. Deal the Deals

It’s likely visitors to your website are looking for key pieces of information, such as the latest deals on brick or details on repair or restoration projects. Avoid information overload and keep the copy clean and concise. Also consider featuring your company’s promotions and specials prominently on the website. Think about what sets you apart from the competition—your customers want to find the ways that are going to save them the most money in the long run.

2. Take Things Personally

It’s important to shape a positive image of your brand through other people’s words. For instance, layering client reviews and testimonials can help paint a better picture of your company’s strengths. Other examples include creating a blog that will record interesting things happening within your business (remember to link the blog to your website). This will also give customers an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on what you’re doing. But ultimately, it will open doors for new business.

3. Virtuosity

Think “a brick is just a brick?” Think again. Many of your customers are savvy when it comes to the differences in choosing a brick. Instead of telling them about some of the products available, it’s important to show their differences graphically on the screen—especially if you are exclusively an online dealer. And if you operate out of a showroom, your customers will have a better idea of the services they are looking for before they even walk in the door, which saves everyone time and money.

4. Built to Last

Brick and stone build structures that are meant to last. That’s why the design of your website is imperative to the continued success of your business. Consider the color scheme and icons you use on your site. Are they reflective of the products you are selling? And when it comes to design, remember that simple is always best. Internet users are lazy, and they want their information to be easily accessible. Implement the one-click rule: With no more than one click of the mouse, your potential customer should be able to find what is needed.

5. Buzz it Up

Make sure your website is hooked into the Internet social circuit of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. By linking it to as many social networking sites as possible, you’ll bring more traffic to your site and ultimately more clients. Of course no business is complete without its own Facebook and Twitter profile where you can feature all facets of your company. To really spread the word, consider visiting relevant blogs and posting comments along with a link to your site. Making sure your website is mobile phone compatible is also essential in the age of Internet 2.0.

6. Need for Speed

Nobody has time to wait around for clunky web pages to load. Your users want to know the deals available, the hours of operation and probably be on their way. Proper technical support is essential. Frequently check external links and make sure they are actually linking the reader to another site. Keep up to speed on industry buzz or new products available and update the content regularly. Engaging other masonry companies in the industry and attending annual conventions are a great way to keep your content sharp and speedy for users.

Bottomline

As a bricklayer, you may want to hire outside help for your website. Regardless, it’s important to hire a company that has the industry knowledge and marketing background to not only drive traffic to your site but convert visitors to customers. Once you’ve found the right fit, stay close to the source and heed their advice. Make sure they know the end result you want, but be adaptable and roll with the changes they might recommend. In the end, you may open more doors to success than ever before.

Ron McArthur is the president of WSI, a provider of digital marketing solutions to small- and medium-size businesses. He can be reached at 888-678-7588 or rmcarthur@wsicorporate.com.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Suffolk Construction Enrolls in SPI's Green Building Certification Program

Suffolk Construction has enrolled the Sustainable Performance Institute's Certification program for evaluation and recognition of Suffolk's capability to deliver consistent, high-quality sustainability services.


Today's leading design and construction firms are fighting a battle for survival to differentiate their green services and be a part of the climate solution. The McGraw Hill Green Outlook 2011 report says, "Once an emerging trend or a niche sector, green building has become a significant part of today's construction industry and is expected to keep growing."


In addition, the building industry is responsible for nearly half of U.S. CO2 emissions, and this number is only expected to grow.


"At Suffolk, we are proud of our commitment to be a green, environmentally-conscious company that will set a new standard in sustainability for the construction industry," says Mark DiNapoli, president and GM of Suffolk Construction's Northeast region. "We are confident that working with SPI will help ensure we meet our ambitious sustainability goals and demonstrate how we continue to build smart. Once achieved, Suffolk's SPI Certification will raise the visibility of our corporate green initiatives and position Suffolk as leader in instituting environmentally friendly business practices."


SPI Certification provides a road map for continuous improvement to help firms understand, set and monitor their sustainability goals. Certification offers differentiation and metrics to evaluate claims of sustainability. It addresses recognized standards and certifications such as LEED, Living Building Challenge, and Architecture 2030, but goes beyond these specific guidelines to look at overall organizational capacity.


Some firms have completely institutionalized sustainable approaches and simply benefit from third-party validation; others are just beginning their sustainability efforts; most are somewhere between and need to understand and address their gaps. Wherever a firm falls on this spectrum, SPI Certification provides a roadmap to ever-higher levels of quality.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Cranes not for Lifting People

In a recent statement, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) welcomed the position paper issued by the FEM Product Group for Cranes and Lifting Equipment, which states that cranes should not be used for lifting people, except in exceptional circumstances where safety requirements have been fulfilled and undertaken at the specific responsibility of the user.

FEM (Fédération Européenne de la Manutention) is the European manufacturers’ association for material handling equipment. In its position paper released in May (document FEM CLE MC N 0284), the FEM Product Group for Cranes and Lifting Equipment states that: “Mobile cranes shall never be used for entertainment purposes, e.g. lifting of persons for shows, bungee jumping, dinner-in-the-sky or lifting of other structures with people on the structure or underneath (e.g. lifting of tents)! Mobile cranes are not intended to lift persons; they may be used to suspend personnel in man baskets only in unique work situations when it is the least hazardous way to do the job.”

The position paper echoes an earlier statement from the U.S.-based AEM Power Crane and Shovel Association (PCSA), which states that: “Cranes are not designed, manufactured, or intended to handle personnel for either construction work or recreational activities. They are designed to lift objects, not people.”

The PCSA is one of the product groups of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which has more than 800 members. These statements come in response to a potentially dangerous trend, where some entrepreneurs have used cranes to lift people to great heights for recreational purposes, such as dinner-in-the-sky and bungee jumping. Several crane manufacturers clearly prohibit such usage of equipment, as seen in these excerpts from crane operator manuals:

“Improper use includes…usage for any kind of sport or recreation event, especially for bungee jumping.” (Grove/Manitowoc Crane Group)

“It is expressly forbidden to use the crane for jumps with rubber ropes (bungee jumping)! Using the crane for such jumps represents a misuse of the crane and entails extreme danger for life and limb!” (Terex)

“Non-destined use is…using the crane at sports and recreational events, especially for bungee jumps…. The destined use of the crane is lifting of loads! Lifting of personnel is not considered to be destined use of the crane!” (Liebherr)

Welcoming the clarification from FEM, IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman said: “Purpose-built powered access equipment is an infinitely safer and more precise method of providing access to carry out temporary work at height. Compare this with a basket suspended from a single crane rope which may well blow around in the wind. As these manufacturers have made clear, cranes should be used for lifting loads, not people.”

Monday, August 8, 2011

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association: June New Business Volume Up 33% Y-O-Y

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity for the $521 billion equipment finance sector, showed overall new business volume for June was $7.3 billion, up 33 percent from volume of $5.5 billion in the same period in 2010. Compared with May volume, June volume increased by 30 percent. Year to date, new business volume is up 28.5 percent over last year.

Credit quality is mixed. Receivables over 30 days decreased 14 percent to 2.5 percent in June from 2.9 percent in May, and declined by 24 percent compared to the same period in 2010. Charge-offs increased 38 percent in June from the previous month, and decreased by 35 percent from the same period in 2010.

Credit standards eased in June as the credit approvals ratio increased to 79 percent from 76 percent the previous month. Sixth-three percent of participating organizations reported submitting more transactions for approval during the month, a decrease from 68 percent in May.

Finally, total headcount for equipment finance companies in June showed no significant change month to month and year over year. Supplemental data shows that the construction and trucking sectors and small and medium-sized enterprises continued to lead the underperforming sectors.

Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for July is 56.2, up 6.8 percent from the June index of 52.6. The MLFI-25 is a time series that reflects two years of business activity for the 25 companies currently participating in the survey.

MLFI-25 Methodology

The ELFA produces the MLFI-25 survey to help member organizations achieve competitive advantage by providing them with leading-edge research and benchmarking information to support strategic business decision making.

The MLFI-25 is a barometer of the trends in U.S. capital equipment investment. Five components are included in the survey: new business volume (originations), aging of receivables, charge-offs, credit approval ratios, (approved versus submitted) and headcount for the equipment finance business.

The MLFI-25 measures monthly commercial equipment lease and loan activity as reported by participating ELFA member equipment finance companies representing a cross section of the equipment finance sector, including small ticket, middle-market, large ticket, bank, captive and independent leasing and finance companies. Based on hard survey data, the responses mirror the economic activity of the broader equipment finance sector and current business conditions nationally.

ELFA MLFI-25 Participants:

ADP Credit

BancorpSouth Equipment Finance

Bank of America

Bank of the West

BB&T Bank

Canon Financial Services

Caterpillar Financial Services

CIT

De Lage Landen Financial Services

Dell Financial Services

EverBank Commercial Finance

Fifth Third Bank

First American Equipment Finance

GreatAmerica

Hitachi Credit America

HP Financial Services

John Deere Financial

Key Equipment Finance

M&I Equipment Finance

M&T Bank

Marlin Leasing

Merchants Capital

PNC Equipment Finance

RBS Asset Finance

Siemens Financial Services

Stearns Bank

Susquehanna Commercial Finance

US Bancorp Equipment Finance

Verizon Capital

Volvo Financial Services

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance