Construction Backlog at Highest Level in Nearly Two Years

New findings from the Associated Builders and Contractors show a significant increase for both large and small contractors. The housing slowdown and looming impacts to cost increases due to pending tariffs remain but right now the backlog remains strong, the association said in a survey taken in the period of late April to early May. It […]

Ace Aces First Quarter but Warns of Potential Tariff Issues

The big specialty store operation reported a 4.2 percent gain for the period, even as net income declined. As an indicator of the strength of the DIY home improvement and remodeling sector, Ace’s results are encouraging in a retail environment that still remains challenging for the overall building business.  First quarter revenues were $2.2 billion, […]

He Was the Most Famous Builder Ever in American Residential Construction

A new book on the man behind Levittown shows how William Levitt changed the way the country builds new homes.  Over a career spanning decades and stretching from the former potato fields on Long Island to as far away as France, William Levitt claims to have built 140,000 new homes, becoming the Henry Ford of […]

Georgia-Pacific Closing Virginia Plywood Facility

The big building materials company is blaming the slow housing market for the decision to close the plant this summer. The Emporia, VA plant, which employed 550 people, is scheduled to permanently close on July 1, Georgia-Pacific said, noting that “normal operations” have already ceased. The company says it will provide all affected employees with […]

Stanley Black & Decker Price Increases Could Be First of Many

The big tool maker is taking steps to address the current tariff situation which also includes moving some production out of China. In announcing its first quarter results that saw a small decline in revenues but a substantial increase in earnings, Stanley Black & Decker said it had raised prices by “high single digits” in April and was looking […]