Category Archives: Op-Ed

  • President Biden’s tax plan would hit small and family-owned businesses the hardest: ABC

    President Biden’s tax plan would hit small and family-owned businesses the hardest: ABC

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to reports that President Biden will tonight announce tax increases as he details his American Families Plan, Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement: “The president’s anti-growth tax increases will not only fail to raise the revenue needed to support his new government programs but will also hit our […]

    Construction adds 110,000 jobs in March

    Construction adds 110,000 jobs in March

    The construction industry added 110,000 jobs in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added 931,000 jobs since April 2020, recovering 83.6% of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction unemployment rate fell to […]

    Safety must be made a top priority

    Safety must be made a top priority

    “Optimistically, I believed that all of us in the contract and construction industry considered safety as the single most important issue. That safety tops profitability and efficiency,” Stig Engström, owner and founder of Engcon. Unfortunately, the reality is different. In 2020, 30 people were injured at work in Sweden, which is proof that we have […]

    Just where was your employee injured and why it matters: Workers’ comp and the “Coming And Going” rule

    Just where was your employee injured and why it matters: Workers’ comp and the “Coming And Going” rule

    On the Front Lines with Fisher Phillips by Jerry Cline Think of the typical office employee who commutes to their job by driving to and from work every day. Say this unfortunate employee gets into a motor vehicle accident on the way to or from work. Is this a compensable workers’ compensation claim? Typically, the […]

    Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act makes significant changes to the forgiveness provisions of PPP Loans

    Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act makes significant changes to the forgiveness provisions of PPP Loans

    Getting to the bottom line with Dannible & McKee, LLP Michael J. Reilly, CPA/ABV, CVA, CFF, CDA Managing Partner The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), enacted as part of the CARES Act, is a lending program designed to provide funds for small businesses to hold on to current employees and bring back workers who have been […]

    VOLVO CE Dealer Cowin Equipment Company weighs in on short-term outlook: “We’re coming back”

    VOLVO CE Dealer Cowin Equipment Company weighs in on short-term outlook: “We’re coming back”

    MILWAUKEE, WI — “All things considered, we’re confident we’re coming back out of it.” The way Matt McGowan sees it, there’s really no overstating the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on Cowin Equipment Company over the course of the past few months. No aspect of the organization went unaffected, forcing the Volvo CE dealer and Birmingham, Alabama-based company, which […]

    Four things that do not change for recruiting and hiring during a crisis

    Four things that do not change for recruiting and hiring during a crisis

    by Jeremy Eskenazi Unfortunately, there will always be another “crisis” to deal with.   Whether it’s a health concern, a business concern with vendors, customers and/or employees, or an economic concern– it looks like these crises may be here to stay for a while. While companies spend time in their ‘war rooms’ making important decision about […]

    “The sound of silence” – What mine operators should expect from MSHA during pandemic

    “The sound of silence” – What mine operators should expect from MSHA during pandemic

    On the front lines with Fisher Phillips by Christopher G Peterson Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most mine operators have been waiting for MSHA to release some health and safety guidance regarding the outbreak and how to safeguard the safety and health of their miners. After a protracted period of silence, on its […]

    Taking command of your internal controls

    Taking command of your internal controls

    Dannible and McKee LLP by Benjamin A. Sumner, CPA Internal controls are an essential part of every business to help reduce misstatements in finances due to fraud or error. Companies throughout the construction industry are vulnerable to this threat because they are often reactive to incidents that occur, as opposed to proactive in putting controls […]

    Equipment financing options when cash flow is tight: Tips from Terex Utilities

    Equipment financing options when cash flow is tight: Tips from Terex Utilities

    WATERTOWN, SD — During a recent conference call President Donald Trump held with state governors regarding the financial impact of the coronavirus, some expressed concerns over state revenue shortfalls. Telecom and utility providers are critical to our infrastructure, but many co-ops and municipalities are faced with making short-term decisions focused on cash management. A recent […]

    9 tips to make working remotely work for you and your employer

    9 tips to make working remotely work for you and your employer

    by Jill J. Johnson The concept of remote working has been around for a long time. Many entrepreneurs have mastered the ability to work virtually, but it is often a major challenge for those who normally work in a busy office setting to shift to working outside their traditional office environment. Working remotely can feel […]

    NSSGA Member Alan Parks’ op-ed on water rule published in Bloomberg News

    NSSGA Member Alan Parks’ op-ed on water rule published in Bloomberg News

    INSIGHT: Trump’s clean water rule will bolster local infrastructure The new Waters of the United States rule released Jan. 23 by the Trump administration is a big deal for the economy and many industries like mine that deal with infrastructure, development, and agriculture. Sand and gravel, also known as aggregates, are the most mined materials […]

    Mini machines, big business: The electrifying rise of compact equipment

    Mini machines, big business: The electrifying rise of compact equipment

    At the center of some of the most influential technological transformations in recent years, compact machines have proven to be a breeding ground for innovation and application versatility. The product experts at Volvo CE explain why they continue to be the most popular segment on the market. The global compact construction equipment market — consisting […]

    Beyond workforce development — workforce solutions

    Beyond workforce development — workforce solutions

    Are you tired yet of pulling from the same employment pool? If the answer is yes, then you are ready to explore the new world of veteran recruitment. If you think that you’ve tried it, it doesn’t work for you or there is no one to recruit in your area, then you simply aren’t up […]

    Five trailer sizing tips for excavators

    Five trailer sizing tips for excavators

    Selecting the right excavator isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. Research is required to find the machine that fits an operation’s needs. It’s a long process, but the end result is (hopefully) a machine that will safely increase productivity for years to come. Selecting a trailer to transport an excavator is an equally important […]

    Merging traditional trade-in fundamentals with current trends to maximize the power of equity

    There are core fundamentals to optimizing heavy equipment trade-in value that construction business owners typically operate under. However, in today’s environment of varied warranties, catered payment programs and innovative technology, there is a balance to considering many trade-in factors when it comes to maximizing the value of your equipment. The fundamental building blocks First and […]

    Can the government blacklist contractors for safety violations?

    On the front lines with Fisher Phillips by Travis Vance and Patrick Dennison Dr. David Michaels, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, recently tweeted a suggestion that the government ban a construction contractor from work on public lands after the company pleaded guilty on charges related to the death of a worker. This is […]

    The real reason construction companies fail

    The real reason construction companies fail

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) identifies a huge failure rate among start-up companies: Roughly 20 percent fail in the first year Roughly 50 percent fail within five years Roughly 66 percent fail within 10 years Construction companies have an even uglier track record. Roughly two-thirds go out of business within five years. The owners of […]

    Haver & Boecker portable and washing equipment Q&A

    Haver & Boecker portable and washing equipment Q&A

    Answers by Duncan High, processing equipment division manager, Haver & Boecker and Michael Honea, process engineer, Haver & Boecker Q: What’s taking place in the market that’s driving some of the current innovation in the arena of portable plants? DH: We’ve seen increased interest in portable equipment, with more of our customers asking about it […]

    New truck scale instrument helps meet increased product performance expectations

    Companies are looking to increase profitability and efficiency by increasing the number of weighments they can make over a given time. One way to achieve this is by integrating weighing functions more closely with daily production and business activities. New truck scale instruments are being developed that fit in with today’s culture and business environment, […]

    Preventive maintenance servicing for vehicle scales saves time and money

    Preventive maintenance servicing for vehicle scales saves time and money

    The goal of any vehicle scale service program should be to ensure that equipment stays in working order with minimal downtime between service visits or the life of the product. The losses to revenue due to a scale failure can exceed the cost of maintenance. Adopting a comprehensive preventive maintenance program ultimately saves money over […]

    Should I lease or should I buy?

    Should I lease or should I buy?

    Getting to the bottom line With Dannible & McKee, LLP by Brian W. Johnson CPA, CFE, CCIFP One of the age-old dilemmas a company faces is whether it makes more sense to lease construction equipment or to purchase it outright. The answer depends on your individual circumstances, as both directions have distinct advantages and disadvantages. […]

    Seven things construction companies can do to improve employee retention

    Seven things construction companies can do to improve employee retention

    MILWAUKEE, WI – Today’s workforce is different. The society they live in is different. With low unemployment and worker shortages in many occupations, today’s workforce has a lot of leverage in the job market. And in most cases, it takes more than good pay to get employees to stick around. “Employers have to view the […]

    Hey Prairie Dawg, “Let’s talk wash plant maintenance.”

    Hey Prairie Dawg, “Let’s talk wash plant maintenance.”

    Prairie Dawg Practical by Tim Holmberg, DEMI Equipment What do you do to maintain a materials wash plant? Do these plants require only minimal maintenance since they aren’t being used to crush rock down to size? Do they require little housekeeping to keep them clean and clear of rogue material and debris? Does utilizing a […]

    A ten-year global view

    A ten-year global view

    Electric machines, emission regulations and market domination in the construction, agriculture and mining sectors  With the advent of electric vehicles entering the construction, agriculture and mining sectors (CAM) what does the future hold for the industry and what effect will this have on the used machinery market globally. Peter Clarke, founder and CEO of heavy […]