Page 72 โข February 5, 2011 โข www.constructionequipmentguide.com โข CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Construction Employment Expands in 29 States
Construction employment expanded in 29 states between September and October, while fewer people are working in construction compared to last year in 39 states, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released by the Labor Department. The new figures continue a nearly yearlong trend of ups and downs in construction employment as the industry performs stimulus-funded work yet grapples with broad market uncertainty. โConsidering that most states adding construction jobs in October had shed workers in September, it is safe to say that construction employment remains volatile,โ said Ken Simonson, the associationโs chief economist. โConstruction is no longer in free fall, but the industry remains fragile as improvements vary greatly by state and project type.โ Arizona (4.4 percent, 5,000 jobs) experienced the largest one-month seasonally adjusted percentage increase and Texas (2.3 percent, 8,800 jobs) the largest one-month total increase in construction employment between September and October. Other states adding large numbers of construction jobs during October included Illinois (1.5 percent, 3,000 jobs); Washington (2.1 percent, 3,000 jobs); South Carolina (3.2 percent, 2,500 jobs); and Colorado (1.6 percent, 1,800 jobs). Simonson noted 20 states plus the District of Columbia lost construction jobs during the past month, while construction employJohn J. Vranches will lead the companyโs initiative to establish continued market ment remained unchanged in Rhode Island. leadership within the compact construction equipment industry segment.
Takeuchi Appoints Vranches National Sales Manager Takeuchi Manufacturing US has appointed John J. Vranches as national sales manager of its North American sales operations division. Vranches, an industry veteran, will lead the companyโs initiative to establish continued market leadership within the compact construction equipment industry segment. Previously, Vranches was a regional business manager of both the companyโs mid-atlantic and northeast division and stems from a strong retail background with both Volvo CE NA and Hitachi Construction Machinery. โTakeuchi is a multimillion dollar
worldwide company that is poised to reach its potential in North America. Outstanding people, superior product, and corporate investment commitments promise to deliver the kind of value our customers require to sustain profitability during all cycles of our economy. I am looking forward to fully supporting our regional staff and dealer network in this unique time and continued growth in Takeuchi history,โ said Vranches. Vranches replaces Mike Ross, who now serves as Takeuchiโs director of operations. For more information call 706/693-3600 or visit www.takeuchi-us.com.
cent, minus 1,800 jobs); and Massachusetts (minus 1.4 percent, minus 1,500 jobs). Eleven states and D.C. added construction jobs for the year, Simonson added. The largest year-over-year percentage increase was in Kansas, where construction employment rose 9.0 percent (5,100 jobs),
โConstruction is no longer in free fall, but the industry remains fragile as improvements vary greatly by state and project type.โ Ken Simonson
Associated General Contractors of America
followed by Oklahoma (8.1 percent, 5,400 jobs); Arkansas (5.1 percent, 2,600 jobs); D.C. (4.6 percent, 500 jobs); and West Virginia (3.3 percent, 1,100 jobs). Among the 39 states that lost construction jobs over the past twelve months, Nevada experienced the largest percentage decline (minus 19.5 percent, minus 14,500) while California lost the most jobs (minus 45,700, minus 7.9 percent). Other states experiencing large declines for the year include Idaho (minus 15.2 percent, minus 5,000 jobs); Vermont (minus 13.4 percent, minus 1,800 jobs); Montana (minus 10.5 percent, minus 2,500 jobs); and Missouri (minus 10.3 percent, minus 11,900 jobs). Stephen E. Sandherr Association officials said Associated General Contractors of America that temporary stimulus funding has helped the industry, but that most firms Minnesota (minus 2.7 percent, minus were worried about business levels for next 2,300 jobs) lost the highest percent of con- year. They added that private, state and local struction jobs for the month while Florida demand for construction remains weak, lost the most jobs (minus 2.4 percent, minus while long-term federal infrastructure pro8,600 jobs). grams and tax rates remain in limbo. Among other states losing construction โWe wonโt see sustained job growth until jobs between September and October were the private sector picks up and long-term Pennsylvania (minus 1.0 percent, minus federal plans are clear,โ said Stephen E. 2,200 jobs); Maryland (minus 1.3 percent, Sandherr, the associationโs chief executive minus 1,900 jobs); Georgia (minus 1.2 per- officer.
โWe wonโt see sustained job growth until the private sector picks up and long-term federal plans are clear.โ