Hot mix asphalt (HMA) remains the most widely used paving material for road construction and pavement maintenance across North America. Achieving durable, long-lasting asphalt pavements requires careful attention to material selection, production methods, placement techniques, and ongoing maintenance. Professionals working in the asphalt industry understand that every stage of the process, from the initial mix […]
When an industry loses one of its most knowledgeable and respected figures, the void is felt across every corner of the trade. Paul Schubert, a 40-year veteran of the equipment rental industry, was that rare individual whose influence reached far beyond his own business. As the founder of Pro-Cut Products, a columnist for Rental Product
As construction operations demand greater efficiency, uptime, and driver retention, the choice of truck transmission has become one of the most consequential decisions facing fleet managers and contractors. Just as solar energy systems are reshaping how buildings generate and consume power, modern automatic vocational transmissions are transforming how construction trucks deliver torque and reliability on
Efficient workforce allocation stands as one of the most significant challenges facing construction contractors today. Managing crew assignments across multiple job sites, tracking employee availability, and ensuring the right people are working on the right projects requires careful coordination. Traditional spreadsheets and manual scheduling methods often fall short when projects multiply and teams grow. Understanding
The construction equipment rental industry is experiencing one of the most dynamic periods in its history. Market forces, technological advancements, and shifting labor demographics are reshaping how rental businesses operate, compete, and serve their customers. For rental professionals, understanding these changes is not optional it is essential for survival and growth. This period of transition,
The construction industry has long awaited meaningful tax reform that would lower corporate rates, simplify compliance, and unlock capital for equipment purchases and workforce expansion. Yet despite repeated promises from policymakers, comprehensive tax reform has remained frustratingly out of reach. Understanding why requires looking beyond campaign rhetoric at the structural and political obstacles that have
The United States economy demonstrated notable resilience in the second quarter as gross domestic product bounced back to a 2.6 percent annual growth rate, recovering from a sluggish first quarter that registered only 1.2 percent expansion. This rebound comes despite headwinds in the housing sector, where residential fixed investment fell sharply after an unusually strong
When the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) convened in July 2017, the construction industry was watching closely. The central bank voted unanimously to hold the federal funds rate at 1 to 1.25 percent, signaling a pause in its tightening cycle while laying out plans to reduce its $4.5 trillion balance sheet. For builders,
Real estate markets do not move on fundamentals alone. They are driven just as powerfully by sentiment, and shifts in collective mood often precede measurable changes in construction activity. For builders and developers, reading these signals early can mean the difference between breaking ground at the right moment and committing capital just before the cycle
The housing market has long served as a reliable bellwether for the broader economy, and current data suggests another period of positive contribution is on the horizon. While monthly figures can fluctuate, the underlying trends point toward a market that is positioned to lift GDP growth, particularly in the fourth quarter. For builders and construction
