Northeast Edition
$3.00
®
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” www.constructionequipmentguide.com Published 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. 11, Washington, PA •19034 • 215/885-2900 ToWashington, ll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215/885-2910 • www.ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com February 2015 • Vol. LIV No. 3 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910 Nationally
Inside
Greenest Skyrise in the World Nears Completion By Brenda Ruggiero CEG CORRESPONDENT
Jesco Expands Its Ditch Witch Business…14
Conn. Firm Moves to Head of the Class With Komatsu…44
Erich Sennebogen Museum Houses Historic Iron…70
Table of Contents ................4 Truck & Trailer Section ........ ......................................57-63 Recycling Section ........67-91 Business Calendar ............98 Attachment & Parts Section ..................................107-112 Auction Section ......116-125 Advertisers Index ............126
In downtown Pittsburgh, the greenest skyrise in the world, which towers 33 stories, is nearly complete. Known as the Tower at PNC Plaza, it will serve as the new corporate headquarters of the PNC Financial Services Group. Located at the corner of Fifth and Wood Streets, the estimated cost of the building is more than $400 million. It covers approximately 800,000 gross sq. ft. (74,322 sq m) and includes a multi-story underground garage. The tower is owned by PNC Bank, and PJ Dick Inc. of Pittsburgh serves as the construction manager. The architect is Gensler of Pittsburgh. The Tower at PNC Plaza is expected to be PNC’s third major LEED Certified project in downtown Pittsburgh. PNC is incorporating ground-breaking technology and design strategies to exceed the requirements of LEED Platinum, the U.S. Green Building Council’s The Tower at PNC Plaza is expected to be PNC’s third (USGBC) highest certification Pittsburgh. rating. To define what is beyond LEED Platinum, and business growth downtown, and positively PNC’s project team noted that it has three accentuate the skyline as a symbol of PNC’s commitment to the city’s sustainable future. aspirational goals: Workplace Innovator: Attract tomorrow’s Community Builder: Support Pittsburgh’s existing infrastructure, spur further development leaders to Pittsburgh by utilizing innovative
PNC photo
major LEED Certified project in downtown
space planning and building systems that promote collaboration and productivity, and set the bar for a healthy indoor environment. see PNC page 100
IHS, PEG Report Construction Costs Drop in Jan. Construction costs fell in January, bringing a halt to three years of rising prices, according to IHS and the Procurement Executives Group (PEG). The headline current IHS PEG Engineering and Construction Cost Index (ECCI) dropped to 48.8 percent in January, down from 52.7 percent in December, the lowest level since January 2012. The current materials/equipment price index
registered 47.2 percent in January, the softest reading on record, and down from 50.2 percent in December. Nine of the 12 individual components registered falling prices in January, led by copper-based wire and cable, carbon steel pipe and freight rates. January’s plunge into negative territory was a particularly notable reversal for fabricated structural steel and alloy steel pipe — both of which had seen rising prices over all of
2014. Of the remaining subcomponents, only ready-mix concrete, turbines and pumps and compressors tallied rising prices. “After three years of rising prices, North American construction costs reversed course in January,” said Laura Hodges, director, IHS pricing and purchasing service. “While eye-opening see COSTS page 124