Construction + Economy

Info on electrical contractors from the 2007 Economic Census, and official government projections for electrician needs in 2018–printed in six 2010 issues of tED magazine–was recently posted to The EleBlog, operated by a guy I’m proud to call friend and colleague, Joe Salimando, a freelance writer/editor for TED. “After the December issue posted, I noticed [...]

NEMA’s index for incandescent lamps declined 17.2 percent for the third quarter, registering a record low reading of 46.5. The index showed a year-over-year decline of nearly 19.0 percent. Shipments of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) waned as well, with the index dipping 18.2 percent to 168.8—a level not seen since 2006. Moreover, CFL shipments decreased [...]

Following the first positive reading since January 2008, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped nearly two points in October. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the October ABI score [...]

NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index (LSI) ticked 0.9% higher on a quarter-to-quarter basis during 2010Q3. On a year-over-year basis, the index showed a 5.6% gain compared to the third quarter of 2009. Although the LSI has trended higher since hitting a cyclical (and all-time) low during the second quarter of 2009, aggregate lighting equipment demand remains [...]

On behalf of its 80,000 members nationwide, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently sent letters to each member of the new 112th Congress, congratulating them on their election and promising to work with both political parties to foster policies that encourage job creation in the hard-hit design and construction industry. “As community leaders, architects [...]

Data from NEMA’s monthly survey on the electroindustry business environment showed a slight decline in business conditions in October, but an improvement in expectations for future conditions. The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions fell to 48 from 53.6 in September. A reading above 50 indicates more panelists than not [...]

For the first time since January 2008, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicated a growth in design activity in September, increasing for the fourth straight month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects [...]

Still not entering into the positive phase, the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) increased for the third straight month in August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The AIA reported the August ABI [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions rebounded in September, rising 7.3 points from August to 52.6. A reading above 50 indicates more panelists than not reported improved conditions during the month. Moreover, the survey’s measure of the intensity of change in current North American conditions suggests that conditions improved [...]