Loading Up on the Web: 4/3 – 4/9

As we close out our first month on the web, it’s pretty clear that The Machine Works blog has been generating buzz in the industry. The proof is in the Twittering. For nearly every blog that goes up, our crew of CE bloggers chirp out a twit and tweet. If you haven’t joined us as a follower, be sure to check us out @ http://twitter.com/compactequip. This week, our blogs have been re-tweeted by the likes of CONEXPO-CON/AGG and referenced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The CE crew would like to extend our thanks to all of our readers and supporters over the past month as we look forward to more blogs to come. As always, if you have an comments, concerns, criticisms or questions, feel free to post comments and let us know what’s on your mind. Without further adieu, here are the top stories of the week, just in case you missed them.

DOT, EPA Set Aggressive National Standards for Fuel Economy and Emission Levels for Light Trucks: Responding to one of the first major directives of the Obama Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today jointly established historic new federal rules that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions standards and will significantly increase the fuel economy of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States.

Only Ten Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs Between Feb. 2009 and Feb. 2010: Only 10 out of 337 metropolitan areas added construction jobs between February 2009 and 2010, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reported today citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even worse, 230 metro areas experienced double digit declines in construction employment while only two cities experienced a double digit increase, association officials noted.

Wells Fargo Construction: Is the Industry Turning a Corner?: “In January, we released the results of our annual Construction Industry Survey and its Optimism Quotient [OQ],” John Crum, National Sales Manager for Wells Fargo Construction wrong in his opening letter. “After coming off a record low OQ of 38 in 2009, the measurement bounced back to a 66 for 2010. While sentiment may not be considered overly optimistic, it is definitely up from last year. More executives than in 2009 said they plan on acquiring new and/or used equipment.”

Komatsu America Corp. Announces Tier 4 Diesel Engine Technology: Komatsu America Corp.’s new diesel engine is the next generation of engine technology designed to meet US EPA non-road Tier 4 interim emission regulations (while still pleasing customers). Based on Komatsu proprietary technologies developed over many years, the new diesel engine reduces exhaust gas particulate matter (PM) by more than 90 percent and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by more than 45 percent — when compared to current Tier 3 levels — while still consuming less fuel.

Checking Out the Card Check Legislation: Don’t let the name fool you — the Employee Free Choice Act is not a good Bill for contractors.  Nicknamed “Card Check” legislation, the Act, if passed, would essentially eliminate private ballot voting, put government regulators in charge of private business decisions and unfairly punish businesses for violations during the union recognition process.

Bauma 2010 Anticipating Historic Numbers for the Mammoth Equipment Trade Show: In a year where expectations are low, we’re so very pleased that the forecast for this year’s bauma is looking quite high. Bauma is the largest trade show in the world in size, and the biggest in attendance in the equipment industry, held in Munich, Germany, every three years. This year’s bauma is the 29th International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment, and it’s hoping to set a new record in the number of exhibitors. A total of 3,150 exhibitors from 53 countries are currently setting up their stands and exhibits on 555,000 sq m of exhibition space.

Comments are closed here.