In the midst of political and economic uncertainty, U.S. engineering firm leaders expressed newfound optimism in the current status and future potential of primary markets, according to the latest Engineering Business Index (EBI), just released by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).
The 3rd Quarter 2016 (Q3/2016) EBI was 61.4, up 1.2 points from the Q2/2016 score of 60.2—which was the lowest score since ACEC launched the EBI in January 2014.
EBI is a diffusion index that charts the health of the engineering industry by consolidating senior leadership responses on market and firm performance into a single composite score. Any number above 50 indicates expansion. The Q3/2016 survey of 326 engineering firm leaders was conducted September 15 to October 5.
Market expectations for one year from today among engineering firm leaders rose a healthy 6.2 points to 63.3—the largest quarter-to-quarter increase since the EBI’s inception. The increased optimism for one year from today was reflected in nine of the 11 surveyed market sectors—a drastic turnaround from the Q2/2016 survey, when engineering leaders expected only one of the 11 sectors—energy and power—to improve over the coming year.
Among public markets, transportation was the strongest sector, up 2.1 points to 64.2. Other rising sectors include water/wastewater (up 0.9, to 63.0); healthcare construction (up 0.8, to 55.8), and education facilities (up 3.0, to 55.0).
Only the environmental sector fell, dropping 0.8 points to 54.3. Among private markets, firm leaders were most bullish about the buildings sector, up 4.4 points to 62.9, followed by energy and power (up 0.7, to 60.4), land development (up 1.2, to 60.2), and Industrial/Manufacturing (up 2.8, to 58.2).
For the complete summary of ACEC’s Q3/2016 Engineering Business Index (EBI), go to www.acec.org.
Related Stories
| Aug 20, 2013
First look: $550 million Billie Jean King National Tennis Center renovation
The United States Tennis Association has announced its plans for a sweeping transformation of the USTABillie Jean King National Tennis Center that will include the construction of two new stadiums, as well as a retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium. The transformation will be implemented in three phases to begin at the conclusion of the 2013 US Open, with the goal of overall completion by the 2018 US Open.
| Aug 19, 2013
The secret to creativity is… a messy desk?!
Anyone whose desk resembles a war zone can proudly cite a new scientific study that suggests a messy workspace may actually help people think more creatively and stimulate new ideas.
| Aug 19, 2013
Discovery of hidden asbestos complicates DFW terminal renovations
The finding of more asbestos in Terminal B than expected, and the pending merger of US Airways and the airport’s largest tenant, American Airlines, is causing construction delays on a $2.3 billion Dallas/Fort Worth Airport terminal renovation.
| Aug 19, 2013
Integration of solar panels in building skin seen as key net-zero element
Recent high-profile projects, including stadiums in Brazil for the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics and a bank headquarters in the U.K., reflect an effort by designers to adopt building-integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV.
| Aug 16, 2013
Today's workplace design: Is there room for the introvert?
Increasingly, roaming social networks are praised and hierarchical organizations disparaged, as workplaces mimic the freewheeling vibe of the Internet. Research by Susan Cain indicates that the "openness" pendulum may have swung too far.
| Aug 16, 2013
$5,000 in prizes to be awarded at BD+C's U40 Leadership Summit
Do you have the next big idea for improving the performance of buildings and the built environment? BD+C's 3rd Annual U40 Leadership Summit is your chance to shine—and share in $5,000 in prizes.
| Aug 15, 2013
Design-build project delivery holds steady at nearly 40% of nonresidential construction: DBIA study
The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), the only organization that defines, teaches and promotes best practices in design-build, has released research indicating that design-build project delivery represents nearly 40 percent of total market share in the United States, based on dollar value at the end of 2012.
| Aug 15, 2013
What do LEED and black magic have in common? A project principal leverages PDFs to demystify it for us.
LEED has become a labyrinth of standards which requires a full-time translator and tour guide to navigate. Now with LEED v4 on the horizon, I’m curious to see if any progress has been made to make these standards more consumable and applicable to true innovations within the six areas of sustainability.
| Aug 15, 2013
Nonresidential construction finally gaining momentum: Gilbane summer economic report
Gilbane Building Company today announces the publication of the Summer 2013 edition of Construction Economics – Market Conditions in Construction. Based on an array of economic data, construction starts, and material cost trends, the data continues to show positive growth for the industry.
| Aug 14, 2013
Five projects receive 2013 Educational Facility Design Excellence Award
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) has selected five educational and cultural facilities for this year’s CAE Educational Facility Design Awards.
