Spending by U.S. businesses on new and used structures and equipment rose 4.5%, from $1.42 billion in 2012 to $1.49 billion in 2013, according to the latest economic data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
These findings come from the 2013 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey, which provides statistics on capital spending for new and used structures and equipment by U.S. non-farm businesses with and without paid employees. This survey, conducted annually since 1994, is an integral part of the federal government’s effort to improve and supplement ongoing statistical economic programs.
Highlights:
• Investments for new and used structures totaled $577.9 billion in 2013. The vast majority of this amount, $545.0 billion (94.3%), was spent on new structures. Expenditures for used structures totaled $33.0 billion (5.7%) in 2013.
• Investments in new and used equipment totaled $910.3 billion in 2013, up $57.0 billion (6.7%) from $853.2 billion in 2012. The majority of this amount (94.1%) was for new equipment, which totaled $856.7 billion in 2013, an increase of $56.5 billion (7.1%) from $800.2 billion in 2012. Expenditures for used equipment (5.9% of the amount) totaled $53.5 billion in 2013.
• Companies with employees accounted for $1.4 trillion (93.9%) of total capital spending in 2013.
• Of the 19 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) major industry sectors covered in this report, only one sector had a statistically significant year-to-year decrease in capital spending: The utilities sector (NAICS 22) showed a decrease of 10.6%, from $125.0 billion in 2012 to $111.7 billion in 2013. Eight sectors had a statistically significant increase in capital spending and ten showed no statistically significant change during this period.
Related Stories
| Sep 9, 2014
Using Facebook to transform workplace design
As part of our ongoing studies of how building design influences human behavior in today’s social media-driven world, HOK’s workplace strategists had an idea: Leverage the power of social media to collect data about how people feel about their workplaces and the type of spaces they need to succeed.
| Sep 9, 2014
Ranked: Top religious sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Brasfield & Gorrie, Gensler, and Jacobs top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest religious sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 9, 2014
Take a look at the hardhat of the future
A Los Angeles-based startup added augmented reality technology to a hardhat, creating a smart helmet.
| Sep 9, 2014
Frank Lloyd Wright's Annie Pfeiffer Chapel brought back to life using 3D printing
Restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed chapel was made possible (and affordable) thanks to 3D printing.
| Sep 8, 2014
First Look: Foster + Partners, Fernando Romero win competition for Mexico City's newest international airport
Designed to be the world’s most sustainable airport, the plan uses a single, compact terminal scheme in lieu of a cluster of buildings, offering shorter walking distances and fewer level changes, and eliminating the need for trains and tunnels.
| Sep 8, 2014
Trimble acquires Gehry Technologies, aims to create tools for linking office and job site
Trimble and Frank Gehry announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance to collaborate to transform the construction industry by further connecting the office to on-site construction technologies. As part of the alliance, Trimble has acquired Gehry Technologies.
| Sep 7, 2014
Ranked: Top state government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
PCL Construction, Stantec, and AECOM head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest state government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 7, 2014
Hybrid healthcare: Revamping inefficient inpatient units to revenue-producing outpatient care
It's happening at community hospitals all over America: leadership teams are looking for ways to maintain margins by managing underutilized and non-revenue producing space. GS&P's David Magner explores nontraditional healthcare models.
| Sep 7, 2014
USGBC + American Chemistry Council: Unlikely partners in green building
In this new partnership, LEED will benefit from the materials expertise of ACC and its member companies. We believe this has the potential to be transformational, writes Skanska USA's President and CEO Michael McNally.
| Sep 7, 2014
Behind the scenes of integrated project delivery — successful tools and applications
The underlying variables and tools used to manage collaboration between teams is ultimately the driving for success with IPD, writes CBRE Healthcare's Megan Donham.
