BreakingNews

April 9, 2014

Market News

The Master Builders' Association announced its Commercial Contractors' Condition Index (C3) on April 10 and the MBA contractors gave the industry a solid 'C' grade of 2.12 out of 4.0. That's the highest quarterly grade in the two-year history of the C3 Index. View the MBA's press release.

Increased bidding activity during the past 60 days offset the lower backlog levels and the lower sentiment about the current business conditions - including low margins. Several contractors even expressed that they were being more selective in what they were bidding.

Project News

Companies serving the heavy/highway market in western PA will have the chance to compete for what may be the largest project to bid in that sector in 2014. A 3.5 mile section of the Turnpike just west of the Harmarville exit will be resurfaced. Bids for that $50 million-plus project are due May 14. Penn Trafford Schools will have the next large public building project out to bid. According to Massaro CM, the $25 million project should be advertised in mid-May.

One mini-segment of the market that is seeing a boom is the food storage/logistics industry. Gordon Foods is under construction on its 450,000+ sq. ft. warehouse in the Findlay Business Park. As we reported recently, Paragon Foods is taking design/build proposals for a $12 million warehouse in Lawrenceville. And Aldi's is going through the approval process on a 110,000 sq. ft. expansion of its warehouse at the Victory Business Park in Saxonburg.

Massaro CM was selected by Penn State to manage its $20 million renovation of the Materials Research Facility on Main Campus. WVU's Law Center $12 million renovation is out to bid, due on April 24. Baker Hughes awarded A. Martini & Co. a contract for a $2 million expansion of its Clarksburg WV facility. Martini was also chosen for the expansion of the Sewickley Porsche dealership.

Follow BuildingPittsburgh for more project news.

People on the Move

Facility Support Services has hired Beth Cheberenchick as director of business development.

Don Lampus, Jr., president of R. I. Lampus Co., announced the purchase of the assets of Pittsburgh Brick and Stone (PBS) in February. Darren Bagaley, previously president of PBS, joined Lampus, along with Stacey Huet and Lori Wilson joined R. I. Lampus Company. Huet will concentrate on residential builders, while Wilson will expand the R. I. Lampus Company efforts in commercial building.

Burns & Scalo has completed the acquisition of David Hood & Sons, Inc., a 90-year-old roofing company located in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.This strategic acquisition will bolster the geographic footprint of Burns & Scalo's residential market and complement the growth trend of its commercial business unit.

Not feeling up to speed on the market? Check out the March/April.BreakingGround or go to BuildingPittsburgh.com.

Coming Events

LEED AP Test Prep Training

The last day for the Current LEED AP and LEED Green Associates Exam is June 15, 2014. In an effort to help those industry people looking to get their certification before the June 15 deadline, Jendoco Construction Corporation is offering free LEED Green Associate and LEED AP Test Prep Training. This offering is limited to 25 people per class and is being offered on a first come-first served basis. Classes will be on Tuesday's from 4:00 - 6:00 and will be taught by Chris Klehm, Jendoco VP and noted LEED Faculty member. Workshop materials and study guides will be provided to all attendees.

LEED Green Associates Classes begin on Tuesday April 15 and run for 4 weeks, April 15, 22, 29 and May 6.

LEED AP Classes begin on Tuesday May 13 and run for 4 weeks, May 13, 20, 27 and June 3. To register, please e-mail Chris Klehm..

LEED Existing Buildings Operations: Waste Management, April 16

Join GBA and the Pittsburgh 2030 District Partners for presentations and a panel discussion on the business model of waste management. The afternoon will consist of four 15-minute presentations from our selected panelists, with discussion and panel for the second portion. After the lively discussion, please join us for appetizers and refreshments in the lobby! April 16, 2014 from 3:00 - 6:00PM at 11 Stanwix St. Pittsburgh PA 15222. Learn more & register.

AIA-MBA Joint Committee: Legal Year in Review, April 23

The April 23 AIA-MBA Joint Committee meeting is open to the industry. The evening's presentation will be the 2013 Legal Year in Review by Babst Calland, reviewing current hot topics as Mechanic's lien law, P3, contractor-subcontractor payment act, and pipeline construction. AIA CEUs are available. The agenda is:

4:00-5:30 pm - Welcoming Reception -networking & hors d'oeuvres.

5:30-7:30 pm - Joint Committee business meeting and presentation

If you plan to attend please RSVP to the MBA.

Meet the MBA, April 24

The Master Builders' Association will be present for the annual minority business open house on April 24 at the Hill House Kaufman Center, 1835 Centre Ave. MBE/WBE subcontractors and suppliers can meet MBA contractors from 9:00 AM until Noon.

Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh Rebuilding Day, April 26

If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring a house, please contact our Project Manager Joshua by email or 412-922-0953.

Rebuilding Pgh logo

NAWIC Spring Forum, May 16-17

Pittsburgh Chapter of National Association of Women in Construction is hosting a Regional Forum on May 16-17 at the Doubletree by Hilton in downtown Pittsburgh. Attendees will come from NAWIC chapters in Baltimore, DC, Wilmington DE, Philadelphia, NY (Long Island & Westchester Chapters), and Hartford CT. Click for more information about the forum or to register. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more about sponsorship.

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Tall Timber Group is the publisher of BreakingGround and DEVELOPINGPittsburgh magazines and the Pittsburgh Homebuilding Report, and is a consultant for contractors and designers serving the construction and real estate market. For more information about our services, contact Jeff Burd or call:

Tall Timber Group
506B McKnight Park Dr.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237
412-366-1857

www.talltimbergroup.com

Learn more about GBA events.