flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Construction backlog indicator reaches all-time high in second quarter

Construction backlog indicator reaches all-time high in second quarter

"The long-awaited brisk nonresidential construction recovery may be upon us," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.


By Associated Builders and Contractors | August 20, 2014
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) reached an all-time high in the second quarter of 2014. CBI improved 5.4 percent following a 2.8 percent decline in the first quarter and currently stands at 8.5; up 3.6 percent on a year-over-year basis.
 
"The long-awaited brisk nonresidential construction recovery may be upon us," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "Industry momentum was snuffed out by a seemingly endless winter, but the pace of industry recovery has been accelerating ever since. Backlog gains were nearly ubiquitous during the second quarter, with gains registered in every industry segment, in nearly all geographies and for firms of virtually all sizes.
 
"Further increases in construction backlog are likely given remarkably accommodative Federal Reserve policy even after five completed years of economic expansion, accelerated job growth and rising consumer confidence," said Basu. "The nation has added roughly 2.5 million jobs over the past year, consistent with growing demand for space. Financing conditions have also improved, which should set the stage for more rapid nonresidential construction recovery in a number of key construction segments, including office (classified within commercial/institutional) and manufacturing (classified within heavy industrial) segments."
 
 

Regional Highlights

  • Backlog in the South has fallen just below 9 months, down from 9.14 months in the first quarter and from 9.05 months a year ago. 
  • The Northeast's backlog now stands at  9.36 months, which is still slightly below where it was this time last year (9.41 months), but an improvement from 8.34 months in the first quarter. 
  • Backlog in the Middle States is now at 6.42 months compared to 6.32 months a year ago and 6.16 months in the first quarter of 2014.
  • The West's backlog stands at 9.22 months, up significantly from 8.21 months on a year-over-year basis and 8.09 months from last quarter. 

 

Industry Highlights

  • The commercial and institutional segment is just shy of its longest backlog recorded in CBI history at 8.90 months, up from 8.66 months one year ago and 8.44 months in the first quarter.
  • Backlog in the heavy industrial segment gained nearly a full month from the first quarter and now stands at 6 months, up from 5.08 months in the first quarter and 5.8 months from the second quarter of 2013.
  • Backlog in the infrastructure segment improved to 8.61 months from 7.93 months in the first quarter but is down from 8.96 on a year-over-year basis.

 

Highlights by Company Size

  • The smallest firms, those with revenue less than $30 million, saw their backlog increase to 7.59 months, up from 7.16 months in the first quarter and 6.96 from the second quarter of 2013.
  • Backlog from firms with $30-$50 million in revenue increased to 8.97 months, a significant increase from 7.58 months year over year and from 7.9 months from last quarter.
  • Firms with revenue between $50-$100 million now have the longest backlog at 11.3 months, up from 10.69 months in the first quarter but down from 11.57 months a year ago.
  • The largest firms, those with revenue over $100 million, saw their backlog decrease to 11.16 months from 11.7 months last quarter and 12.25 months a year ago.

Related Stories

| May 15, 2012

SAGE Electrochromics to become wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain

This deal will help SAGE expand into international markets, develop new products and complete construction of the company’s new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Faribault, Minn.

| May 14, 2012

Codes harvest rainwater

IAPMO’s Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement could make rainwater harvesting systems commonplace by clearly outlining safe installation and maintenance practices.

| May 14, 2012

Plumbing research coalition to study drainline transport issue

The effort is aimed at determining if decreasing levels of water flow­­––caused by increasingly efficient plumbing fixtures––are sufficient to clear debris from plumbing pipes.

| May 14, 2012

SOM to break ground on supertall structure in China

The 1,740-feet (530-meter) tall tower will house offices, 300 service apartments and a 350-room, 5-star hotel beneath an arched top.

| May 14, 2012

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture design Seoul’s Dancing Dragons

Supertall two-tower complex located in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District.

| May 14, 2012

SMPS and Deltek announce alliance

A/E/C industry leaders partner to advance technology’s role in design firm marketing and business development.

| May 14, 2012

ArchiCAD e-Specs integration unveiled

Architects, engineers and construction professionals use InterSpec’s e-SPECS products on thousands of projects annually to maintain synchronization between construction models, drawings, and project specifications.

| May 11, 2012

2012 White Paper: High-Performance Reconstructed Buildings: The 99% Solution

Download the complete White Paper, Chapters 1-10

| May 11, 2012

Chapter 10 Action Plan: 18 Recommendations for Advancing Sustainability in Reconstructed Buildings

We offer the following recommendations in the hope that they will help step up the pace of high-performance building reconstruction in the U.S. and Canada. We consulted many experts for advice, but these recommendations are solely the responsibility of the editors of Building Design+Construction. We welcome your comments. Please send them to Robert Cassidy, Editorial Director: rcassidy@sgcmail.com.

| May 11, 2012

Chapter 9 The Key to Commissioning That Works? It Never Stops

Why commissioning for existing and renovated buildings needs to be continuous to be effective.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021