Makita, the innovation leader in cordless technology, has pushed cordless into new spaces with the announcement of Outdoor Adventure, a new range of cordless products for camping, hiking, fishing, tailgating and more.

Total construction spending declined by 0.7 percent in August as spending on new houses turned sharply lower, while public and private nonresidential construction posted mixed results, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released on Oct. 3 of federal spending data. Association officials said that rising interest rates were hurting demand for housing and many private-sector projects, while the impacts of new federal funding for infrastructure, semiconductor plants and green energy facilities have yet to fully kick in.

L&W Supply announced on Oct. 3 that it has acquired the assets of Dana Wallboard Supply, Inc. in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research is pleased to announce its first ever podcast, The Builders’ Table, is now available for download.

U.S. Department of Labor officials gathered with workers, union representatives and labor organizers from a range of industries to discuss the value of building relationships and collaborating on ideas to address workers’ concerns at its Workers’ Voice Summit on Sept. 27-29.

BACnet International President and Managing Director Andy McMillan has authored the foreword for a new handbook published by Softdel. Titled “Digital Transformation Led Innovation in Smart Buildings,” the handbook covers how the BACnet protocol is driving this transformation in the buildings industry.

Walls & Ceilings will be naming its Contractor of 2022 this December. Stay tuned as we’ll release the information on who this lucky contractor is in early December.

The UP Companies proudly announces the promotion of Josh Knaust from Estimator to the role of Preconstruction Manager at Square UP Builders.

The Metal Construction Association is proud to announce the launch of the 2022-2023 Metal Architecture Academy. Part of Architectural Record’s Continuing Education Center, the new academy is comprised of eight courses including an on-demand webinar, a multi-media course and six written courses.

Construction employment increased in 246, or 69 percent, of 358 metro areas between August 2021 and August 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. But association officials noted the job gains likely would have been higher if firms could find more qualified people to hire and train.