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 ...

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 ...

Hexagon’s Mining division has been recognized for Excellence in Safety in the 2020 Mining Technology Excellence Awards. The awards celebrate innovation and excellence within the mining sector and aim to “provide a platform to the individuals and companies that are driving change and achieving remarkable feats in a time of crisis and uncertainty”. Judged by ...

“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 ...

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 ...

  Source: Safety Law Matters By Erik Dullea on September 23, 2020 Posted in Enforcement updates, MSHA Coal mine operators could face a dilemma with the annual proficiency and training requirements of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act (Miner Act) and the regulations Subpart Mine Rescue Teams for Underground Coal Mines conflicting with ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

Prairie Dawg Practical by Tim Holmberg Why in the world would I need a magnet in my mining or aggregate producing operation? Is this a spoof or something serious I need to look further into? What kind of magnet(s) would I be looking at to install? Where would I use such a thing and for ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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. ...

Prairie Dawg Practical by Tim Holmberg, DEMI Equipment Can I weigh the productivity of my efforts while processing aggregate materials, even as I stockpile it on the ground? How accurate can a weighing system be, and will someone I’m producing or working for be able to confidently pay me without either of us wondering if ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Elliot N. Dinkin: State-level opposition to a proposed Department of Labor overtime ruling leaves employers uncertain about current and future labor costs. PITTSBURGH,PA —The attorney general (AGs) of 14 states and the District of Columbia have announced their opposition to a proposed Department of Labor (DOL) ruling that would increase the number of workers eligible ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Mark W. Hendrickson Recently, a student came to me in a state of perplexity. His liberal friends were insisting that President Obama deserves much credit for today’s favorable economic news of higher GDP ...

NSSGA President & CEO Michael W. Johnson sent a letter to President Trump and Congressional leaders on Tuesday in advance of their White House meeting on infrastructure to take place Wednesday, May 22. In the letter, Johnson urged the leaders to fix America’s infrastructure. “Tomorrow is an opportunity for leadership of historic proportions to fix ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. WASHINGTON, DC – Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) president Dennis Slater issued the following statement supporting the Trump Administration’s decision to end tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico: “We are encouraged ...

WASHINGTON, DC — Associated Builders and Contractors President and CEO Michael Bellaman commented recently on President Trump’s new immigration proposal, which would create a “merit-based” visa system to address the workforce needs of U.S. industries like construction. Bellaman said: “With a systemic labor shortage impacting ABC member companies of all sizes and an estimated 440,000 ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. by Andy Gipson Should out-of-state interests decide what’s best for a rural Mississippi town of about 3,000 people, or should the local community decide? You’d think the answer to that question would be obvious, but ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. by Rep. Buddy Carter From addressing climate change to achieving American energy independence, there are many reasons I believe we need to be focused on supporting a wide variety of innovative energy sources. ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Source: Faithandfreedom.com. by John A Sparks   Periodically, those who do not think that the U.S. Constitution is “democratic” enough set out to repudiate the document’s genius. The Electoral College is often the ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Aldous Hicks, CEO & co-founder of ReCircle Recycling Does recycling have a future? And can it really solve our waste problem? Aldous Hicks, CEO and Co-founder of ReCircle Recycling discusses the issue. The ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. By Dennis Slater, AEM President It has been over a quarter century since NAFTA was negotiated. A lot has changed since then. The internet was born, the world population has grown by two ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. AEM continues to work on behalf of the industry to urge the Trump administration against implementing additional Section 232 tariffs or quotas. This week, AEM joined seven other trade associations in a letter ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. How to rebuild Interstates through tolling and shift from per-gallon fuel taxes to per-mile highway user charges.  LOS ANGELES, CA — A new Reason Foundation study finds Congress and states need to utilize toll ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. On Tuesday, March 26, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) held a hearing to explore options to improve our nation’s airport infrastructure. During the hearing titled “The cost of doing nothing: Why investment ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. WASHINGTON, DC – With tariffs continuing to take a toll on U.S. businesses, farmers, communities, and families across the country, a new report by IHS Markit released today outlines the impact of tariffs on ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Source: The Hill Regardless of your political ideology or where you fall on the environmental spectrum, we can agree on one thing: American public land needs healthy forests and the more public and ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Source: thehill.com A recent Business Roundtable study found that $737 billion in public investment over 10 years would set us on the path toward reviving our national infrastructure. While those numbers seem daunting, the report ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Source: RoadsBridges.com. BY DENNIS SLATER, AUDREY COPELAND, PH.D., P.E., AND MICHAEL W. JOHNSON, IOM / FEBRUARY 11, 2019 Industry leaders call on Congress to act on infrastructure funding Our nation’s infrastructure is the ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. by Dr. Mark Hendrickson Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has proposed raising the legal minimum wage to $12 per hour on July 1, 2019, and then an additional 50 cents per year until the ...

WASHINGTON, DC — American Road & Transportation Builders Association President & CEO Dave Bauer issued the following statement relating to President Trump’s State of the Union address: “Good public policy is most often achieved when there is common ground. “New public opinion research finds that 90 percent of the American people want the Democratic leadership in Congress ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Modern construction equipment needs telecoms networks. While there is significant machine-to-server activity there is far less vehicle-to-vehicle communication than many people think. In this article Michele Mackenzie, principal analyst for M2M (machine to ...

WASHINGTON, DC – While a new national poll shows only 43 percent of likely voters support using federal dollars to build “a wall or physical barrier along parts of our southern border to make it harder for people to enter our country illegally,” almost 90 percent believe “the Democratic leadership and President Trump should work together ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Source: E-SCRAP NEWS posted July 25, 2018 by Clayton Miller   The concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR) is spreading and evolving around the world. And with recently passed legislation, the Canadian province ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. by Dr. Glenn A. Marsch  On Christmas Eve, 1968, three humans in the cramped Apollo 8 command module slingshot around the moon. They were the first human beings ever to be in the ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. Stig Engström / CEO and founder, Engcon The tiltrotator that was the start of engcon back in 1990 came about because I wanted to solve a technical problem. Looking back a few decades later, ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. by Dennis Slater, AEM president (Dec. 13, 2018) During this year’s midterm elections, there were a lot of issues debated and promises made. Post-election polls widely show the top issues that were on ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. By Avi Meyerstein on January 6, 2019 Safetylawmatters.com POSTED IN MSHA, OSHA As the calendar pages turn over to a new year, many wonder what to expect from workplace safety and its regulators ...

Editor’s note: The opinions and views expressed in the association’s commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Lee Newspapers Inc. and RockRoadRecycle. by Dennis Slater, AEM president (Dec. 13, 2018) During this year’s midterm elections, there were a lot of issues debated and promises made. Post-election polls widely show the top issues that were on ...