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February 2nd, 2010

The Tough Turn to World of Concrete

The Tough Turn to World of ConcreteThe tough really do go to the World of Concrete, and they came rolling into Las Vegas today.  The 2010 World of Concrete (WOC) will showcase 1500 indoor/outdoor exhibitors in more than a half-million gross square feet of exhibit space, not to mention some of the toughest attendees, products and equipment you’ll ever find under one roof, aside from a Monster Truck rally.  Like most tradeshows, you’ll also find demonstrations, competitions and education.

One of the many reasons this show is so highly regarded is because of the education sessions offered.  They offer over 100 skill-building seminars, with 90-minute and three-hour sessions including 13 targeted tracks such as Leadership & Management, Technology for Construction, Green Building, Safety & Risk Management, Finance & Money Matters and more.

greenintel1 The Tough Turn to World of ConcreteThis year you can listen to IMRE partner and executive vice president Shawn Draper and IMRE sustainability director Christine Costa, aka Green Intel, speak on Thursday at 1:30PM.  Their green building seminar is titled “Understanding Authentic Green Messaging: Products and Practices for the Concrete Industry.”

If you’re unable to attend, follow the show on Twitter.  The official WOC feed is providing updates and news.  You can also find updates from attendees and exhibitors if you search for #worldofconcrete.

We received a few pictures today from the show.  It appears that early traffic is encouraging and apparently the weather is nice.  Clouds loomed over the 2010 International Builders’ Show.  If this is a sign, perhaps there are better things in store for the commercial construction industry.  If you’re going to make it to Las Vegas, share with us the trends you observed and the insight you gathered.

dewalt at woc 300x225 The Tough Turn to World of Concrete

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November 4th, 2009

(Not So) Sudden Stimulus Impact

Is the stimulus helping or hurting us?  One thing’s for sure, it’s tough to gauge the return of $787 billion program.  We did some digging around to see what we could find.

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, who understandably has been all over this topic recently, writer Sudeep Reddy investigated the stimulus’ impact, or lack there of.  Unfortunately, there isn’t too much to report.  Eight months after the stimulus was signed, Kansas had only received 2 percent of its allotted funds and much of that money went toward cats and dogs – not the building/construction sector.

© Walter Weissman/Corbis

© Walter Weissman/Corbis

So what’s the ROI?  Good question.  The spending and tax cuts provided by the stimulus are proving difficult to measure.  According to Reddy “part of the challenge is that assessments of the impact often rely on imaging how the economy would have fared if the stimulus money were spent differently, or not at all.”  Most of today’s spending projects only end up being useful in the short term.  The programs provide a brief jolt then fizzle out.  The Car Allowance Rebate System is a prime example.  The $3 billion program allowed auto sales to soar in August, but then they crashed in September.  Many people are concerned about the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers that ends this month.  Chances are good we may see a similar slump.

Officials planned for much of the approved stimulus to kick in during 2010.  According to Reddy some of the stimulus was used as a “quick injection to aid struggling states and the unemployed” and the larger projects, such as bridges and parks, are just getting started.  The largest federal contract awarded to date is over $1.4 billion for the Savannah Nuclear Solutions, LLC in Aiken, SC.

But what is the correlation between the stimulus and unemployment?  Although the economy is improving, millions of jobs have been lost since February, despite the passing of the stimulus.  However, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Just over a quarter of the stimulus money – $195 billion – is already out the door, so we should be feeling the effects over the next couple of months (or at worse, years).  But with the good comes the bad.  As we were putting this post together we stumbled across a Wall Street Journal analysis that found President’s Obama’s administration overstated the number of jobs created by stimulus money by at least 20,000 of the 640,000 claimed.  Not good.

Recipient Reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Recipient Reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics

If you’re interested, you can track the Recovery Act here.  There is a lot of useful data available, including an overview of funding, top contracts, progress to date, top states by jobs created and information on the largest awards.

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October 12th, 2009

Developing for Success in Today’s Built Environment

We don’t spend enough time talking about developers, so today we’re giving Edward J. Fritsch and his team at Highwoods Properties, Inc. their own space here at Build Intel.

Featured in the Fall edition of Development Magazine, Highwoods, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, was recently named NAIOP’s 2009 Developer of the Year.  For those of you unfamiliar with NAIOP (NAIOP is a former IMRE client), the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, they are the “leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate.”  Like the association they belong to, Highwoods is a “leader in both real estate and general business communities, proven by its ability to outperform no matter what the real estate cycle,” said Thomas J. Bisacquino, NAIOP president.

Highwoods Properties

Highwoods Properties

What makes Highwoods one of the most successful developers in the country?  You have to look back to 2005 when Highwoods was well ahead of the curve.  Although the market was booming, Highwoods took a closer look at itself and realized things had to be done differently to thrive over the long haul. This effort led to the development of a 130-page strategic plan that outlined the following key objectives:

  • Retain the company’s best assets in its most desirable submarkets
  • Dispose of all non-core land and buildings at historically high price levels
  • Take the proceeds of those sales and pay down debt to dramatically strengthen the balance sheet
  • Fund a robust development pipeline

The plan was simple: accumulate money when others are buying at higher prices and spend it when others are selling at discounted prices.  As smart as the plan was, it is only part of Highwoods story.  You too should consider the best practices below as you look towards 2010 and beyond.  It doesn’t only apply to commercial real estate developers.  There’s lessons to be learned for everyone in the industry, no matter what role your business or service plays.

  • Using the term “customer.” Highwood does not have a single tenant at any of its properties.  The company refers to them as customers to denote the business and moral responsibility they have to the individual or entity.  Highwoods is dedicated to building a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with their customers.
  • Focus on customer service. Highwoods launched its School of Excellence in 2006 to make sure every employee understands the importance of great customer service and how to implement and exemplify “The Highwoods Standard.”
  • Highwoods breeds creativity and motivation. Every employee is given the tools and latitude for professional growth.  Internal hierarchies that restrict communication are detested and the CEO visits every company office at least once a year for a two-hour working session with employees to discuss the company and its long-term strategic plan.
  • Relationship building. Highwoods has been heavily involved in NAIOP for many years as the association provides a great opportunity for networking with a large number of industry professionals.
  • Supporting the community. Highwoods is engaged in all of the communities in which it works.  The company focuses on programs involving health and welfare and community development.  Associates volunteer their money and time for the good of others.
  • Looking ahead. Highwoods is currently finalizing two buildings for the federal government and is refining master plans of the land it owns to position itself to move quickly when the commercial real estate cycle turns for the better.

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August 26th, 2009

Not So Stimulated Commercial Construction Activity

As you’ve read throughout this blog on numerous occasions the light may be visible at the end of the tunnel for the residential and real estate markets.  Slowly, but surely, things are beginning to look better.  But what about commercial construction?

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chief economist Anirban Basu, commercial construction typically lags economic recovery by several months.  In a recent article from Memphis, Tennessee’s Commercial Appeal, Basu said, “We had a very good sense that shovel ready didn’t mean immediately ready,” referring to the stimulus bills’ advocates who claimed the money would be immediately injected into the economy. “Projects needed to be planned and bid out. It takes time before they are converted into contractual obligations.”  Basu also added, “Many segments of commercial real estate remain in very bad shape.  There is a general lack of financing and job losses lead to decreasing office, retail and hotel occupancy rates.  None of that helps construction.  So although many economists are calling the recession over, the commercial real estate industry has many more months — probably years — before it recovers.”

To get an accurate read on the future, the ABC unveiled its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) just last month. The CBI is a forward-looking measurement tool reflecting the amount of work for commercial and industrial contractors in the months ahead.  In the inaugural report, the nation’s nonresidential construction industry rebounded in May to 6.3 months, up from 6.2 months in April, but still down by roughly 0.8 months since November 2008, when ABC began collecting data.  During the past seven months, nonresidential backlog is down by an average of 24 days.

backlog banner Not So Stimulated Commercial Construction Activity

The rest of 2009 looks bleak according to Building Design & Construction – so prepare yourself.  Things always get worse before they get better.  It’s bad enough over half of Americans think the stimulus as a whole isn’t working.  It’s safe to say Basu may be right.  It won’t be until 2010 at the earliest until we finally see activity pick up within the industry.  For now, plans will remain… well, plans.  Even then, who knows?  Here’s to optimism.

Gallup Poll Results

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August 12th, 2009

Evolution of Facility Management

Buildings are transforming before our eyes.  What was hip yesterday is a thing of the past today.  With all the talk of green building, it’s important facility managers keep up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the industry.  It’s the role of the facility manager to coordinate and oversee the safe, secure, and environmentally sound operations and maintenance of a building in a cost effective manner, improving performance and creating a productive workplace.  Below are a few of the more recent noteworthy trends in building management and maintenance:

Sustainability
It continues to grow in importance, and for many facility managers, it should be the number one priority at the moment.  Energy conservation remains the best method of stretching our world’s limited resources.  Understanding building certifications and rating systems, such as LEED and ENERGY STAR, is virtually a prerequisite for the job now.  The educational component of sustainability is continual.  If green practices and products are implemented, there is no better way to be cost effective.

brengel 300 Evolution of Facility Management

Emergency Readiness
Since 9/11 emergency planning has become a focus in every industry.  Facility management is no different.  Acts of terrorism, natural disasters, pandemics, workplace violence and data protection are a few of the issues that arise.  All facility managers should have their buildings prepared for the worse. Vulnerabilities, protection strategies, training and response plans must all be developed and utilized.

Emerging Technologies
mutaflex 2 300x187 Evolution of Facility ManagementTechnology is making our lives easier.  Automation is a prime example.  Reducing the need of human intervention will allow facility managers to focus on other aspects of management (i.e. sustainability, emergency readiness, etc.).  For example, an automated seating system will allow managers to use a single space as a conference room, theater, cinema, auditorium and banquet hall.  The versatility can help improve probability and reduce dormant space.

Social Media
Because it’s free, effective and virtually everyone has at least dipped their toe in the water.  Facility Management Journal (sorry, we cannot provide a link, login is required) even featured an article in its May/June issue informing readers how to connect online the right way.  Social media channels offer an innovative and efficient communications platform.  The use of these tools will enhance customer service capabilities, and perception.

Where buildings go, so must their facility managers.  Technology and sustainability will change even more in a year’s time.  Stay on top of the trends and continue to educate yourself.  If you choose not to, you’ll be left in the dust looking for a new job, regretting you don’t know how to tweet.

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July 29th, 2009

Mandating Green Building Development

Lawrence Anderson

Lawrence Anderson

Cities and states are now cracking down on how real estate can be developed (sounds like one of those seat belt commercials).  Effective July 1, Baltimore City introduced a new law in effect requiring any new building development, either free-standing, retrofits or additions, must be certified LEED-Silver as recognized by the United States Green Building Council. We live and work in Baltimore and have a Green Building practice, so you can imagine how psyched we are.

Baltimore joins states like Ohio and Hawaii, who both recently passed building laws, enacting similar codes.  In addition, Toronto established a green roofing by-law in May.  According to greenbuildingpress.co.uk, “the move received overwhelming support, and consists of a green construction standard and a mandatory requirement for green roofs on all classes of new buildings.”

We know what USGBC is doing to advance green building, but what does this new law mean for the future of commercial building?  Are these new green laws going to slow urban growth?  Some may say yes, but looking at the bigger picture, this is an opportunity for developers to aid in the development of environmentally conscious cities – a new beginning.

As stated on Green Building Law Update, “as cities, states and federal agencies are mandating LEED certification, you simultaneously have the USGBC ‘raising the bar’ for green buildings by bi-annually updating the LEED rating system to include even more stringent requirements for certification.  The USGBC’s goal is not for every building in the country to be LEED certified.  Instead, the USGBC wants ‘to bring in even greener and greener buildings.’”

Which strengthens the question; what effect will these new building requirements have on development?  As legislation continues in cities and states across the country, it will be interesting to see trends in building and how fast businesses are to adapt. Lets start placing odds on the next city to follow suit…

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June 4th, 2009

Weekend Reading for the Green Inclined

Its no secret that the green market is growing – our government is no longer turning a blind eye and businesses are becoming green or becoming obsolete – even GM’s future is turning a dark shade of green. With this growth, we’ve seen a boom of green blogs, news wires and Web sites. How do you keep up?

We’ve created a little weekend project for our readers, to keep you up to speed and on the edge – of green. Check out the sites below, subscribe to the RSS feeds and you’ll be navigating green at a much higher speed come Monday.

logo greenbiz Weekend Reading for the Green Inclined

Green Biz: The holy grail, there’s really nothing else to say.

bg com header Weekend Reading for the Green InclinedBuildingGreen.com LIVE: A deep dive into the world of green building and design.

jetson green1 300x47 Weekend Reading for the Green Inclined

Jetson Green: Cutting edge green building and design with lots of eye candy

inhabitat Weekend Reading for the Green Inclined

Inhabitat: The idealist’s vision for greener future is given reason to keep believing

logo greenerbuildings 300x37 Weekend Reading for the Green InclinedGreener Buildings: Something for everybody. Builder or contractor? There’s a feed for you. Facilities owner or manager? Something for you too. Architect? A whole area completely dedicated to you.

grist Weekend Reading for the Green Inclined

Grist: When the going gets tough, add a twist of humor – blunt, wry humor grounded in the truth.

cleantech Weekend Reading for the Green Inclined

CleanTecx: Trying to keep up with clean energy? Then keep up with this site. Its THE clean tech aggregator.


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May 4th, 2009

Commercial Building Appeal

Green is everyone’s favorite color these days, and commercial buildings love wearing it. Green buildings are steadily becoming the new norm in the commercial building sector, but what is big today may change tomorrow. But don’t expect this color to go out of style. According to Yudelson Associates, a green building consulting service firm, there are several trends to be on the look out for this year. A few of the notable trends include:

  • Green building will benefit from the new Obama presidency, with a strong focus on green jobs in energy efficiency, new green technologies and renewable energy.
  • The focus of green building will begin to switch from new buildings to greening existing buildings.
  • Awareness of the coming global crisis in fresh water supply will increase, leading building designers and managers to take further steps to reduce water consumption in buildings with more conserving fixtures, rainwater recovery systems and innovative new water technologies.
  • Solar power use in buildings will accelerate with the extension of solar energy tax credits for buildings through 2016 and the prospect of increasing utility focus on renewable power goals for 2015 and 2020.
  • European green building technologies will become better known and more widely adopted in the U.S. and Canada.
Hangar 25 in Burbank, CA

Hangar 25 in Burbank, CA

So what do we make of all this? The government will play a huge role on what goes mainstream. President Obama’s tax credits are aimed to entice green building. The demand and incentive for green building is there – why wouldn’t architects and building owners follow suit? Another reason – commercial spaces are a black hole of energy consumption. According to getsolar.com, “more than 70 percent of total electricity usage and nearly 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States comes from heating, cooling and powering office spaces.” That number alone should convince people how important green trends are.

The green trends will affect everything from building materials to building codes. We may be seeing more cool roofs, perhaps the fastest commercial building trend in the market today according to Commercial Building Products magazine. Although it may not make sense today, according to BuildingGreen.com we may see more wind turbines at the top of most, if not all, commercial buildings in the future. It may be happening slowly (very slowly) but the world is beginning to be restructured before our eyes. Now we just need US government to follow through and make sure it really does happen, the only way it will happen – from the top down.

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April 30th, 2009

Association Members Only

These days, professional remodelers, contractors, builders, architects and product manufacturers alike are all trying to get a leg up on the competition. They’re looking for those differentiators that make potential customers choose them over the long list of competitors. A professional association is one of the best ways to do this. Sure it might be an expensive commitment, but if you do the work, the returns are far greater than the investment.

nari logo Association Members Only No matter how niche your business is, there is most likely an association out there for you. One professional association that has done very well is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Despite economic conditions, NARI continues to grow and provide fresh tools to their membership like marketing programs and a host of internal educational resources.

“NARI recently began a national marketing campaign that aims to drive homeowners to member Web sites and also has taken affiliation with other associations to provide remodelers with the best information possible,” said Renee Rewiski, National Chairman of the Board, NARI.

NARI also works with independent homeowner/service provider matchmakers and has online member resources like The Learning Center that offers virtual study groups and Tuffen’ It Out, a member program for sharing best practices.

Overall, associations, no matter what field or specialty, are the perfect way to gain useful industry insight, promote/grow your business and continue to learn about advancements in the field.

When considering professional association, here are a couple things to keep in mind:

  • What do they do to raise the profile of the trade and member services?
  • Does the group offer meetings, conferences or other opportunities for networking?
  • Is continuing education or other industry certification offered?
  • Can you promote your company through any member outlets?
  • How do they support the community and local businesses?

Large or small, make sure the association serves your business/career needs. And if you’re not sure, ask your peers, or go online and see what others are saying. Believe us when we tell you that there are plenty of people willing to talk.

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April 21st, 2009

Research Reveals Keys to Reaching Hispanic Market

Good news for all building product manufacturers: The Hispanic demographic is highly active online so strategies for selling Home & Building products should be, too. 

Here’s what we know: 

Hispanics will and do participate in online communities

  • 77% of U.S. Hispanic Internet users have accounts on a social networking site
  • U.S. Hispanics over-index non-Hispanics in all categories of user-generated content, especially social networking and online product research (prior to purchasing)
    2006 Hispanics Survey conducted by Media Screen

    2006 Hispanics Survey conducted by Media Screen

Spanish-only environments see less activity

  • Second-generation Hispanics participate less in Spanish-only forums than their less acculturated, first-generation counterparts
  • 63% of Latinos ages 13 to 35 spend 4+ hours per day online, with Google and Yahoo! topping the charts—not Google Espanol and Yahoo! Telemundo

Other Hispanic Internet usage patterns:

  • Downloading: Hispanic Internet Users are avid downloaders. They are more likely than the average Internet User to download numerous types of online content.
  • Broadband: Hispanic broadband connectivity is increasing at the same rate as that of the total Internet population.
  • Mobile: Mobile devices are an important point of Internet entry for Hispanic adults.
  • Online Spending: Average Internet spending among Hispanic Internet Purchasers increased by about 6% since 2006.
  • Local Variations: Internet spending, broadband connectivity and overall online usage will vary depending on where Hispanic adults live.

Sources:
Hispanic Digital
AHAA
Ahorre.com
Hispanics Online
Scraborough Research

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