More than two in three U.S. engineering firm leaders (68%) say the current business climate is better than last year at this time; and three in five (60.5%) say their backlogs are larger now compared to last year, according to results from the American Council of Engineering Companies’ new quarterly Engineering Business Index (EBI).
The EBI, representing responses of 340 engineering firm chairmen, CEOs and presidents had a composite score of 68.9 in the second quarter—a slight increase from 67.4 in the first quarter. The EBI is a diffusion index, consolidating answers to a series of questions about market and firm performance into a single number. Any number over 50 indicates expansion.
Results show that engineering firm leaders are more optimistic about prospects in private sector markets than those in the public sector. At least half believe that opportunities in buildings/commercial (53.3%), land development/surveying (54%), and industrial/manufacturing (50%) will improve over the next 12 months.
Expectations for major public sector markets were markedly lower. Only 41.5% of respondents anticipate improvement in the transportation sector, and only 40.9% believe opportunities in the water/wastewater sector will grow over the next 12 months.
“After years of a stagnant economy, engineers are beginning to see evidence of an improved business climate,” said ACEC President and CEO David A. Raymond. “Uncertainty regarding government funding is obviously dampening expectations for public sector markets.”
For a complete summary of the Summer 2014 EBI survey, go to: www.acec.org
Related Stories
| Nov 28, 2011
Leo A Daly and McCarthy Building complete Casino Del Sol expansion in Tucson, Ariz.
Firms partner with Pascua Yaqui Tribe to bring new $130 million Hotel, Spa & Convention Center to the Tucson, Ariz., community.
| Nov 28, 2011
Armstrong acquires Simplex Ceilings
Simplex will become part of the Armstrong Building Products division.
| Nov 28, 2011
Nauset Construction completes addition for Franciscan Hospital for Children
The $6.5 million fast-track, urban design-build projectwas completed in just over 16 months in a highly sensitive, occupied and operational medical environment.
| Nov 23, 2011
Lord, Aeck & Sargent opens fourth U.S. office, acquiring architecture firm in Austin, Texas
Strategic move offers growth opportunity and strengthens the firm’s historic preservation portfolio.
| Nov 23, 2011
Griffin Electric completes Gwinnett Tech project
Accommodating up to 3,000 students annually beginning this fall, the 78,000-sf, three-story facility consists of thirteen classrooms and twelve high-tech laboratories, in addition to several lecture halls and faculty offices.
| Nov 22, 2011
Corporate America adopting revolutionary technology
The survey also found that by 2015, the standard of square feet allocated per employee is expected to drop from 200 to estimates ranging from 50 to 100 square feet per person dependent upon the industry sector.
| Nov 22, 2011
Report finds that L.A. lags on solar energy, offers policy solutions
Despite robust training programs, L.A. lacks solar jobs; lost opportunity for workers in high-need communities.
| Nov 22, 2011
Saskatchewan's $1.24 billion carbon-capture project
The government of Saskatchewan has approved construction of the Boundary Dam Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstration Project.
