News
Informing the Industry
Take a look at the top stories, information, and updates our membership needs to know to stay ahead in this competitive industry.
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Progress Meeting Safety Checklist
Phase 1: Post Bid/Job Award All Trade Partners (Project Managers, Safety Managers, and Estimators) Set expectations here. Communication, consistency, and involvement.Engagement from everyone. Establish logistics and master plan for the
Breaking Down Trump’s New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
President Trump has announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s changing and what it means. What’s Happening? On February 10, President Trump declared that
Rockford Construction Announces Leadership Changes
Rockford Construction announced two leadership appointments: Dan Buskirk has been named chief operating officer. He will focus on adopting new technologies and overseeing construction operations. Buskirk has been with the
Functional Performance Testing Required Under New Michigan Energy Code
By Eric DeVries, President of E3M Solutions Michigan is adopting a new energy code for buildings, which will be enforced starting April 23, 2025. Functional Performance Testing (FPT), which is
OSHA finalizes PPE rule, effective January 13th
OSHA has finalized a revision to its personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for the construction industry, which took effect on January 13, 2025[1][2][3]. This new rule explicitly requires construction employers
Expectations of Higher for Longer Rates Weighs on Construction Activity
The construction industry retained a surprising level of momentum in 2024; construction spending currently stands just below the highest level on record, contractors added jobs at a faster-than-economywide-pace throughout the
Inflation Relents, But is Still Making Presence Known on Construction Firms
By Chris Coleman, HUB International Inflation may be moderating in the U.S., but it’s still a force exerting its influence on the construction industry as it heads toward 2025 with
Ritsema Associates Transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Ritsema Associates, an ABC member and interior contractor, has transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Quote from Press Release:“It’s really exciting for our people because we’re creating an
New Jobsite Plumbing Apprenticeship Ratios Coming April 2, 2025
New regulations are coming on April 2, and it’s important for plumbing contractors, apprentices, and construction managers to understand the changes to job site apprenticeship ratios. This blog explains the
A Merit Shop Majority Will Control the Michigan House of Representatives in January
Key Michigan Takeaways In January, the Michigan House of Representatives will operate under a merit shop majority of 58-52. ABC Secured victory in every state seat where we invested resources
Rate Cuts Arrive as Western Michigan Construction Industry Retains Momentum
Thirty months after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates to suppress inflation, it reduced the target range of the Federal Funds Rate by 50 basis points at its September
Raising Awareness and Preventing Suicide in the Construction Industry
By Mark Dyke, Collaborative Counseling Group The Problem Did you know that construction workers face a suicide rate that is 5.5 times higher than the rate of all other fatalities
