Category: Labor & Workforce Development
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Lubrication Engineers Acquires SWEPCO to Expand Grease and Lubricants Portfolio
Lubrication Engineers (LE) has acquired Southwestern Petroleum Lubricants (SWEPCO), a Texas-based manufacturer of industrial greases and oils. The deal marks LE’s third acquisition in 2025 and continues the company’s expansion under private equity firm Aurora Capital Partners. Founded in 1933, SWEPCO specializes in high-performance greases, oils, and lubricants used in industrial and food-grade applications. Its…
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Beat the Heat: OSHA-Backed Heat Safety Strategies Every Contractor Should Use
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related work fatalities in the United States, with construction workers accounting for more than a third of all heat-related deaths. As average daily temperatures continue to rise, it’s critical to protect workers from extreme heat and heat-related risks. Understanding Heat Stress and Heat-related Illnesses Outdoor workers, especially those…
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Newforma Makes Leadership Change with New Lead of International Sales
Newforma has named Matthew Cox as Senior Vice President of International Sales, bringing on the AECO tech veteran to support the company’s expansion into global markets. Cox’s previous leadership roles at companies like Bentley Systems have prepared him to help firms tackle mounting challenges in the architecture, engineering, construction and owner (AECO) industry. Cox joins…
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Construction Firms Embracing Tech Gain Competitive Edge in Bids, Revenue, and Talent
Don’t underestimate what technology can do for a construction business. That’s the overriding message from a newly released benchmarking report covering the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries. Findings from the 2025 AEC Inspire Report from Unanet [of which I am co-author] show a clear performance divide between AEC firms that are mature in their…
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Construction Firms Embracing Tech Gain Competitive Edge in Bids, Revenue, and Talent
Don’t underestimate what technology can do for a construction business. That’s the overriding message from a newly released benchmarking report covering the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries. Findings from the 2025 AEC Inspire Report from Unanet [of which I am co-author] show a clear performance divide between AEC firms that are mature in their…
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Key Takeaways from the 2025 NAPA Mid-Year Conference in Louisville
As I write this, I just got back from Louisville, Kentucky, and while the bourbon down there flows as freely as a McDonald’s soda fountain—the conversations, ideas, and industry insights at the NAPA Mid-Year Meeting were just as prevalent. As someone who’s spent time in the trenches with the commercial pavement maintenance professionals, I’ll be…
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How to Reduce Construction Turnover by Building a Culture of Loyalty and Engagement
Employee turnover is notoriously high in construction — outpacing other industries by an average of 2.5% in 2024. This churn carries a steep price. Research shows that hiring and training new construction staff can cost between 50 and 200% of each worker’s annual salary. High turnover also leads to knock-on effects, hindering your ability to…
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BOMAG Expands Light Equipment Sales Team to Support Rental Market Growth
BOMAG Americas has expanded its light equipment sales team, appointing new leadership roles to better serve the growing needs of national and regional rental customers. These strategic hires are aimed at improving responsiveness, reducing territory sizes, and enhancing support for equipment selection, service, and operations. National Accounts Focus Jim DavisBOMAG Jim Davis has been named…
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How AI Is Reshaping Construction: Tackling Labor Shortages, Data Silos and Project Complexity
The construction industry is poised for a $4.2 trillion expansion over the next 15 years. But there’s a catch: a growing skills gap, with job vacancies already up 41% year-over-year, and looming retirements threatening to worsen the shortage of qualified professionals. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) steps in, not just as a futuristic technology,…
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2025 Construction Survey Shows Industry Staying Resilient Amid Labor and Economic Strains
Despite economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and ongoing labor challenges, construction firms across the U.S. are staying resilient and planning strategically for the future, according to the newly released 2025 Construction Industry Survey from CBIZ. The nationwide survey gathered responses from general contractors, subcontractors, design/build firms and consultants in the architecture and engineering sectors. The…