Editor's Note
Your vote will help us identify the 2012 Platinum, Gold, and Silver Product of the Year award winners. Simply review the category winners, and then choose your favorite from the drop-down menu. Three lucky voters will be randomly selected to receive a $100 gift check. The voting poll will remain open through 5 p.m. CST on May 25. Please, only one vote per EC&M subscriber. Any votes received from manufacturers, PR firms, or non-EC&M subscribers will not be included in the final tally.
Around the Circuit
Construction employment increased in 171 out of 337 metropolitan areas between February 2011 and February 2012, decreased in 119, and stayed level in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said employment was increasing in many metro areas thanks in large part to growing private-sector demand for construction.
"It is encouraging that the number of metro areas experiencing construction job gains outpaced the number of areas with losses," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "The increases would be even more widespread if not for public sector budget woes and a shaky homebuilding market." To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
The cost of construction materials jumped in March, even as the amount contractors charge to complete projects remained stagnant, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the spike in materials prices continues despite relatively weak overall demand for construction and cautioned that current market conditions could force some firms out of business. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
FMI Corp. recently released its latest whitepaper, "The Federal Construction Sector: Understanding a Transforming Market." Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
February U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $444.06 million according to The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT). This total, as reported by companies participating in the United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) program, was up 9.3% from January and up 35.2% when compared with the total of $328.44 million reported for February 2011. These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
Project Watch
Dakota County Facilities Management Office, Hastings, Minn., is soliciting bids for electrical building maintenance, repair, and installation services at the north and east regions Dakota County buildings and south and west regions Dakota County buildings. A pre-bid meetins is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 26. Bids will be accepted until 2 p.m. on May 3. For more information, visit the Rosemount Town Pages.
The City of Boyden, Iowa, is accepting bids for electrical wiring, connections, and controls for one generator at the city's fire station. Bids are due at 1 p.m. CST on May 7. For more information,visit the city's website.
Web Exclusives
Held on March 21 at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York, the Sixth Annual LEDucation conference, presented by The Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) with the support of the New York Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNA), helped more than 2,000 lighting industry professionals learn more about solid-state light sources, standards, and controls. The meeting offered four seminars and an exhibit area with more than 92 manufacturers and distributors showing their products and services throughout the day and evening. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
EMCOR Group, Inc. recently announced that its subsidiary ConCor Networks, Inc. has been awarded a contract for the installation of low-voltage systems for the National Library within the Museum of George Washington’s Estate in Mount Vernon, Va. ConCor Networks will be responsible for the installation and commissioning of all new low-voltage equipment systems for this retrofit of an historic landmark project. Scope of work includes installation of a communications system, cabling for voice, data and CATV, fiber-optic, and multi-pair copper riser and outside plant cabling, communication room relay racks, overhead cable tray, and access control, closed-circuit TV surveillance, intercom, and audio/visual equipment. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
Faith Technologies recently named Dan Salm as Group Manager – Manufacturing. In his new position, Salm provides the overall management of manufacturing projects and oversees the enterprise’s project management team. Some of his responsibilities include mentoring and providing guidance to project managers to ensure projects are on schedule, within budget, meet safety guidelines, and exceed customer expectations. Salm also supports the enterprise’s business strategy and profitability by providing accurate budgets, effectively managing sales and gross margin, and establishing and maintaining customer relationships. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
Eye on Safety
On April 11, two electricians working at around 2 a.m. in a Best Buy in Niles, Ill., were injured when the electrical box fell and flash-burned them. Fire Chief Steve Borkowski said the men were in good-to-fair condition, with burns, when the Niles Fire Department took one and the North Maine Fire Department took the other to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. "There was some kind of short or spark at the panel," Borkowski said. The electricians did not touch the box after the incident, but were burned when it arced, he added.
Shows & Events
The 2012 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems (I&CPS) Technical Conference will take place from May 20-24 in Louisville, Ky. Papers to be presented at the event include "Evaluation of the Switching Surges Generated During the Installation of Legacy and Smart Electric Metering Equipment," "Impact of Power System Instability on Generator Protection," "Life Monitoring Tool of Insulated Cables in Photovoltaic Installations," and "Modern Protective Device Coordination for Industrial
Power Systems." For more information and to register, visit sites.ieee.org.
For the very first time, the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Conference will be held under the same roof with the biennial World Renewable Energy Congress. The combined event is the World Renewable Energy Forum 2012, scheduled for May 13-17 in Denver. Conference tracks include advancements in renewable energy technologies; energy generation, distribution and transportation; climate change; energy access, social dimensions, and environmental benefits; and energy and gender. For more information and to register, visit ases.org.
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