Market Outlook AGC Sees 2012 Funds Up for Education, Down for Highway Construction contractors see a mixed picture for 2012, says a Jan. 23 Associated General Contractors survey of 1,300 members. About 34% of respondents foresee more demand for higher-education-related construction, but 40% say highway funding will fall and 38% say the dollar volume of public-buildings work will decline. Even so, 32% of firms say they plan to add jobs in 2012, and only 9% foresee layoffs. Last year, 37% said they cut payroll. AGC says the number of new positions "are likely to be modest at best." Most firms
PHOTO COURTESY OF INFUSION HEALTH British Columbia is completing a major P3 project in the public health care sector. Related Links: P3 Special Report: U.S., Canada and U.K. Push Ways to Refine Projects Transport P3s Take Lessons Learned Into New Unknowns U.K. Takes Hard Look at Cost of Private Finance Initiative Alternative finance is gaining traction in North America on "social infrastructure" projects such as public health-care, education and justice facilities. Their key focus is maximizing long-term life-cycle value.The nearly complete $426-million expansion of two central British Columbia hospitals, the largest health-system investment in the Canadian province's interior, is the
Related Links: Global Construction to Grow 3% to $6 Trillion, says IHS Global Insight Full report: KPMG Global Construction Survey 2012 Urban growth around the world will generate big demand for new infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. But uncertain economic conditions, added project risk and workforce skill gaps will challenge engineering and construction firms to take advantage of new opportunities, says a survey of 161 CEOs and top executives of large global industry companies. In its 2012 global construction survey, released Jan. 30, management consultant KPMG International says respondents report some performance improvements over the past year, with 56%
The CH2M Hill Cos.-led team that was short-listed, but not chosen, for an estimated $2-billion contract to support U.S. Antarctica research has protested the National Science Foundation's selection process.
Boston-based construction management firm Shawmut Design and Construction has elevated Les Hiscoe to chief operating officer and executive vice president. He was vice president of development in the firm's New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region and also oversaw its national retail and gaming group. Shawmut ranks at No. 80 on ENR's Top 400 Construction Firms list, with $558.1 million in 2010 revenue.AREVA Inc., the Bethesda, Md.-based North American unit of the French nuclear and alternative energy developer, has named two new senior vice presidents. Tom Franch joins its reactors and services business group, based in Charlotte, N.C., overseeing areas
Describing one participant in his pioneering construction leadership program, Brent Darnell says, "He was a very tough guy, a driver of results and a valuable employee, but he was leaving dead bodies in his wake."
Skanska USA, the New York City-based contractor, has named Denny L. Quinn executive vice president of its new Midwest region based in Evansville, Ind. The role follows the firm's Dec. 29 acquisition of Industrial Contractors Inc., also based there. Quinn had been president of ICI. Skanska says the firm, which specializes in industrial and energy markets, will be integrated into its Skanska USA Civil unit under the name Industrial Contractors Skanska. Alan Braun, ICI chairman and CEO, becomes chairman emeritus and an advisor to Skanska. He is a 48-year firm veteran. Skanska also acquired three ICI affiiliate firms: Professional Consultants
The CH2M Hill Cos.-led team that was shortlisted, but not chosen, for an estimated $2-billion contract to support U.S. Antarctica research, is protesting the selection process by the National Science Foundation.
Related Links: SOURCEBOOK: Firms Get Creative To Weather Economy ENR Top 400 Contractors 2011 Seeking to expand into new territory and market segments, Skanska USA, New York City, has acquired Evansville, Ind.-based Industrial Contractors Inc., a leading midwest industrial and energy contractor. The $135-million cash deal, announced Dec. 29, also includes three ICI-affiliated companies. Skanska will integrate the units into its Skanska Civil operation and intends to use the new base to expand its transportation services into the Midwest, says Richard Cavallaro, Skanska Civil president and CEO.ICI ranks at no. 173 on ENR's list of the Top 400 Contractors, with
Melinda B. Peters has been appointed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to head the state highway administration. She is the first woman to run the agency, one of the state's largest with an annual budget of $1.1 billion and a staff of 3,100. A civil engineer who joined the agency in 1995, Peters had been, since 2006, project director of the $2.5-billion Intercounty Connector (ICC). The 18-mile, six-lane toll road, the largest single highway construction project in Maryland's history, opened in late November. Peters was named an ENR Newsmaker (ENR 1/17 p. 36) for her achievements on the project,