Features Archive
Archive of features from the global construction industryFeatures By Date
May 2013
Top
Learning to do business in the new Europe
Faced with the ongoing eurozone crisis, crane manufacturers are quickly coming to terms with an uncertain, unpredictable, and often volatile market coupled with the specter of shrinking profit margins. Hoist looks at how manufacturers are coming to terms with doing business in the new Europe.
Zoomlion builds bridges
One of the world’s largest cranes, the Zoomlion D5200 tower crane, has been used for the second time, for the construction of the Yingwuzhou River Bridge in Wuhan, China. The bridge over the river Yangtze has a total length of 7.8km.
Tackling wear inside cyclones
Kingfisher Industrial of the UK has provided a long-term ceramic wear-resistant lining solution to a German oem maker of drying cyclones used by specialist producers of particleboard, OSB and MDF.
April 2013
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Bogie inspection & manipulation
Lloyds Somers, a business specializing in the design and supply of handling and manipulation equipment to the rail industry, has developed its range of Bogie Rotators to accommodate the full fleet of bogies in use throughout the French Rail Network, writes Kizzi Nkwocha.
China and Indonesia: The twin dragons of the Southeast Asia crane industry
The Asia-Pacific region has become the largest cranes, lifting and handling equipment market in the world. Hoist editor Kizzi Nkwocha takes a look at the countries in southeast Asia fuelling growth in the region and examines the rise, fall and possible rise again of the crane and handling industry in India.
March 2013
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Lifting the world’s most powerful gas turbine
In January, global spreader beam manufacturer, Modulift, designed and built spreaders to lift the world’s most powerful gas turbine. Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, installed the gas turbine onto the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, at Babcocks Rosyyth Shipyard in Scotland.
Leg up for a big lift
The temporary support structure played a critical role in replacing a 195 tonne crane at an active nuclear power plant.
Tomlesdrev plans second particleboard plant
Tomlesdrev, with one of Russia’s largest wood processing plants, plans to start construction of a second plant for the production of particleboard in early 2013, according to Anton Nachkebia, chairman of the company, reports WBPI’s Russian correspondent, Eugene Gerden.
Future proofing at Egger
Since its major investment in a new particleboard line in Hexham in 2007, Egger UK has continued to put considerable sums of money into upgrading and ‘future-proofing’ all its UK operations. Mike Botting paid a visit to Hexham.
Business as usual
Progressive Solutions changed hands twice last year but its flagship product, bisTrack, is still in safe hands. Robin Meade reports
February 2013
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A crane for crane lifts
At Zhangzhou, in China, heavy lift specialist Huisman is putting in place the facilities it needs to assemble some of the world's biggest offshore cranes. That included having a barge crane install a quayside crane, which will itself be used for offshore crane installations.
Timber shows its colours
Timber products and building solutions will be out in force at this year’s Ecobuild. Keren Fallwell reports
Providing an incentive
Dr Gabriel Gallagher, managing director of Sustainable Energy Ltd, explains how timber processors can benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive
January 2013
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India on the verge
This year's show calendar kicks off in one of the world's fastest growing crane markets, India.Mumbai's bC India, from the producers of Bauma and ConExpo, promises to be one of the biggest global class construction equipment shows the country has seen.
Weldex’s crawler sinks tunneling machine
Weldex has used a 1,350t Liebherr crawler to lower a tunnel boring machine for the new Crossrail line connecting London's Heathrow airport in the west, with Canary Wharf in the east.
Making a show of it
Konecranes was called in to provide a solution for a visual technology company, and as well as providing the right tools for the job, it had to pull off the job in the style its client was accustomed to
The True North
Canada’s rebounding economy, and particularly demand from the energy sector, is driving demand for crane firms in the US and Canadian North East. Kevin Walsh reports
Empowered for BIM
A CAD and engineering software alliance aims to take timber frame into the Building Information Modelling era. Mike Jeffree reports
On-Wood and upwards
The can-do culture at veneered door and panels company On-Wood Products has led to work on some of London's high-profile projects. Keren Fallwell reports
Campaigning for safety
The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme is launching a new campaign to encourage contractors to use only third-party accredited products. Liz Male reports
November 2012
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Powerlifting in Wisconsin
The Great Lakes region sees demand from a variety of industries for overhand cranes. Power generation has been reported as filling the gap where the automotive industry has lagged. OCH profiles a factory redesign in Wisconsin supplied by Chicago-based Whiting Corporation to accommodate the increasing need for large capacity transformers
Cruise control
A new aluminium rolling facility under construction is making extensive use of industrial crane automation technology from SCX to bring high-speed decision making into its process line
Rising up the technology tree
A greater focus than ever on deepwater drilling is resulting in a number of rapid changes to the way subsea lifting operations are managed. Kevin Walsh observes the mushrooming sector.
Are you sitting sustainably?
AHEC’s latest project for the London Design Festival merged design with sustainability. Sally Spencer reports
October 2012
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Architectural goes affordable
Latest low cost Scottish housing is not what you might expect at the affordable end of the market. Architect and director of the Wood Studio at Edinburgh Napier University Peter Wilson reports
Shining brightly
The Hive, Worcester’s newest public building, provides a stunning visual and community focus for the city. Keren Fallwell reports
Timber Expo visitor numbers increase by 15%
As the doors shut on this year’s Timber Expo, organisers reported delight at a provisional 15% growth on visitor numbers.
September 2012
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Governments and green woods
Governments are increasingly taking a leading role in controlling the international trade in wood products but, according to wood industry consultant Michael Buckley, they need to do much more than that
TTJ Awards 2012 – The Winners
Nick Latham of James Latham proudly displays the 2012 TTJ Timber Trader of the Year Award, presented by guest speaker Nick Hewer.
Designing for failure
This month Anupam’s contracts director B D Basu ruminates on the design parameters of single-failure-proof cranes intended for nuclear applications. Using a technical paper written in 1979, by Laurids Porse of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s division of engineering standards, as his basis, Basu adds his thoughts on the key considerations
Casting a lasting shadow
With the push to establish a well-developed infrastructure network across Asia and the Middle East, gantry cranes and straddle carriers are frequently used to transport precast concrete elements on construction projects. Cristina Brooks looks at the prevalence of this practice across the regions
The kindest cut
Incising to improve preservative penetration is gaining popularity. Robin Meade reports
Preservation orders
The timber treatments and preservatives sector is a hotbed of activity as companies seek to resolve issues such as early fence post failures. Robin Meade reports
A Woodmart for the world
Malaysia’s Global Woodmart promises to be bigger, better and more international in 2012. Mike Jeffree reports
Timber Expo: the industry hub
The design, structural and sustainability benefits of timber will be explored at Timber Expo where a huge programme of timber-related activity will take place. Event director Loretta Sales reports
August 2012
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The French connection
Terex is currently moving self-erector production from the historic home of Comedil in Fontanafredda, Italy, to Montceau-les-Mines, France. Will North visited the new production line, and found out how Terex will make the most of the French plant’s skills in building smaller cranes, while freeing up space in Italy for big luffers.
Saving the big ships
If Emma Mærsk, the world’s biggest container vessel collided with a rock and sunk, salvors using traditional cranes would be in over their heads. To prepare for bigger lifts they’re designing new devices.
Knight's quest for precise placing
Over recent years US manufacturer Knight Global has developed a range of precision servo hoists, used to place complex, heavy parts for the automotive industry and others. Cristina Brooks reports
Racing to Brazil
Brazil’s historically unpredictable approach to infrastructure means it has to gear up for the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup. Kevin Walsh looks on as the crane industry lends a hand.
Gearing up in the Midwest
As a recovering Midwest automotive industry sees burgeoning crane demand, Nicole Robinson gauges the opportunities on offer from auto manufacturers and their suppliers.
Colorado Sunrise
Established over 50 years ago, Wazee Crane has seen the back of enough recessions to learn a trick or two about suviving through difficult periods. Kevin Walsh talks to vice president Jim Andrews on the Colorado firm’s current ascension
Just in twine
Wire ropes are becoming larger, as Bridon launches its expanded multi-strand range. Large diameter rope swagers are on the horizon from American Halo. Verope has also presented its ultra flexible new swaged rope.
Put to the test
Terex's much-anticipated flagship 1,200-tonner is currently being put through its paces in the cranebuilder's customer acceptance programme. Ron van der Velpen caught the crane being erected by Neeb in Germany.
The return flight
GGR Group has supplied a crane to help erect a memorial to veterans of the Royal Air Force's bomber command, on Beachy Head, the last spot in the UK many air crews would pass on their way to continential Europe in World War Two.
Bakken business
While convalescence begins for the Midwest region’s manufacturing base, the power generation sector picks up some of the slack. Nicole Robinson reports
First high-speed plywood repair line goes to UPM
Accurate and rapid patching of its plywood’s surfaces is essential to Finnish plywood maker UPM and two technology companies worked closely together to satisfy its requirements. Mike Botting visited UPM’s Pellos mills to see the result
pH and why you need to know it
As many of you will know, the vast majority of wood based panels are made using formaldehyde-based resins. The curing rates of such resins are very dependent on the pH of the environment in which they cure and so the pH of the wood species used can have an effect on adhesive cure.
Logistics move with the times
Portcentric logistics reduce the handling and transport of goods. Richard Newbold of The Logistics Terminal explains
Putting LCA at the centre of sustainable design
AHEC has published a comprehensive report on the environmental life cycle of delivering US hardwood lumber into overseas markets. The ISO-conforming report has received praise from independent LCA experts and is being used as the basis for innovative tools to integrate sustainability into product design. Rupert Oliver reports
Diverse group invests in MDF
Dahe is another newcomer to the panel making business, choosing an imported continuous line to make its MDF and thin HDF panels at its factory in Zhengzhou, Henan province
Serving a local market
As the market momentum builds for particleboard in China, Guangdong Shixing Huazhou Wood Co Ltd is about to join the ranks of major producers of that panel with its new continuous CPS line
Green Deal dividends
The government’s Green Deal is trumpeted as a potential boost for the construction sector, but where do timber and wood products fit into the equation? SCA Timber Supply’s Camilla Hair reports
Getting to grips with life cycle analysis
Life cycle analysis can provide architects with the ammunition they need to specify wood. Ruth Slavid reports
A new player with plans
One of the most recently inaugurated thin MDF lines in the country is that of Hunan Senhua in Yiyang City. As a completely new entrant to the panel manufacturing industry, this company had a steep learning curve to follow
Can the show go on?
This year’s edition of the biennial Milan woodworking exhibition, Xylexpo, was held in May at the Rho Fairgrounds outside the city. Mike Botting was there to bring this report
Investing for the future
Tocchio srl is a well-known manufacturer of paper impregnation and coating plants for the worldwide market and says it is continually refining its lines to meet the latest demands
Single-minded
The Imal-Pal Group has continued to play to the strengths of its two component companies in making an integrated whole, with a one-source approach to the global panel making industry
Still pressing ahead
A company founded even before the country of Italy has reinvented itself over the years and is still an important press maker. This is the story of today’s Pagnoni Impianti, still in business after 164 years
Staying one step ahead
Press plate maker Sesa SpA has launched a radical innovation to help its customers in making their choices when it comes to surface finishes. Mike Botting visited Sesa’s headquarters to see this new app for himself
Rest of world still grows
MDF capacity outside Europe and North America has shown a further increase, with more new mills in the pipeline for South America and Asia. In this second and final part of our survey of 2011, we look at the changes and the prospects for the industry in the coming years
Tour de France
The French Timber marketing organisation is spreading the word about the depth and diversity of France’s timber resource
Resilience in recession
The French timber sector faces its problems, but has held up well in the downturn, with UK business proving particularly resilient. French Timber director Jean-François Guilbert reports
From Austria to the world
Over the last ten years Palfinger has worked to diversify its product range and internationalise its sales. Will North spoke to CEO Herbert Ortner, and managers of the group's new worldwidebusinesses, during the company's 80th birthday celebrations near Salzburg
A truckload of change
For fifty years or more, Europe’s truck-loader manufacturers have dominated world markets with their broad ranges of articulated boom loaders. Now given the serious debt issues facing many of Europe’s largest knuckleboom markets, Stuart Anderson asks, what will be the manufacturers’ survival and growth strategies?
Job map
Major jobs around Russia, including for the Sochi Olympics
July 2012
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Russia keeps on trucking
Local truck-mounted crane manufacturers continue to dominate in Russia. Cristina Brooks reports from CTT Expo in Moscow.
Wagenborg helps scan the skies
Wagenborg Nedlift took part in a historic lift at the Dwingelderveld National Park in the Netherlands where the iconic Dwingeloo Radio Telescope was being restored.
Pragotechnik
Pragotechnik was established in 1991, right after the Velvet Revolution. It was established byGerman and Czech businesses to trade cranes between Germany and the Czech Republic.
Under-the-hook update
This month Cranes Today takes a look at rigging products developed for wide-ranging industries including light construction, oil and gas, and salvage. The Versabar Claw is designed to quickly remove sunken topsides offshore. Other companies focus on lighter loads, such as Pemco, offering a pipe safety hook. For lifting light loads without electricity, we interview Global Track on a new hook for its manual overhead crane.
Job map
Showing off jobs around the region.
Come on Eileen
This Eileen yoke is used by Siemens and its subcontractors for single blade assembly of wind turbines in Norway.
Mixed fortunes in the two Europes
In this, the first part of our annual survey of the MDF producing industry worldwide, we look at the mills and their capacities in Europe and North America in 2011 and at the prospects for the industry in 2012 and beyond
Ancient and modern
UK’s Ainscough does a royal job; American firm Lomma lifts a shuttle.
Wave of installation
Crane vessels are getting stronger and sturdier to enable marine construction in more turbulent waters. Marine contractors A2Sea of Denmark and Scaldis of Belgium discuss how they are making offshore cranes more durable.
Liebherr's heavy hitters
Showing its giant LR 13000 crawler in public for the first time at a recent customer day, Liebherr surprised guests with an unexpected new all terrain, its second biggest yet. Cristina Brooks reports
Light touch
A new lightweight engineered timber product from Latvia is set to make its mark in the UK. Robin Meade reports
Building for the future
Product developments at MiTek Industries are speeding up design and build processes. Robin Meade reports
Raising the profile
The Timber Trade Federation is raising the profile of engineered timber products through a new industry forum. The TTF’s head of external affairs, David Hopkins, explains
Modelling new business
Camilla Hair of SCA Timber Supply looks into technical data and its potential to unlock new opportunities for timber
The climb out of the abyss continues
Bernard Fuller of Cambridge Forest Products Associates looks at the economic prospects for the North American panel industry in 2012-14 and finds good reason for optimism, tinged with some reasons for caution in this uncertain world
Managing the woody biomass supply chain
For its 46th Annual Symposium, Washington State University (WSU) integrated the topics of composite panel developments and advanced renewables technologies, assembling a variety of experts to give presentations in Seattle, Washington State, in April. Geoff Rhodes summarises the presentations for us
June 2012
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Automatic for the ports
A year ago, Cargotec asked its personnel to come up with bright ideas for the future of automated lifting in ports, and now the company has started helping its clients prepare for that future.
Home and away
While Italy has had a torrid time like many in Europe over the last few years, for hoist manufacturer Misia a change of customer focus has meant steady business.
Tailormade Italian design
Austerity programmes and public spending cuts make life hard for infrastructure businesses in Southern Europe. But Phil Bishop finds one company, Meloni, is raising its horizons.
The natural progression towards an ideal decor
Spectacularly positioned on the Austrian-German border and literally yards away from the towering Alps is the founding company of Egger, itself a spectacular story of growth and determination
Power and precision
Hoist takes a look at some of the more recent developments for powering and controlling crane systems.
Cutting through the BS
A new revision to the British Standard for cranes will clarify guidance on inspection, maintenance and thorough examination of overhead cranes, emphasise scheduling testing and inspection to crane usage, and lay the groundwork for a dedicated overhead crane standard. Will North reports
China still a major market
China’s biennial major woodworking machinery show took place in Beijing in early March with most exhibitors happy with the response, particularly in view of some negative vibes coming from signs of cooling in the national economy
Wulian moves mountains
Many Chinese panel companies seem to like a challenge when they decide to build a new line and Guangdong Wulian certainly took one on when it decided to ‘move a mountain’ to make way for its first particleboard line
Controlling the variables
A new revision to National Electrical Manufacturers' Association guidance on crane and hoist controllers aims to bring it in line with the latest Crane Manufacturers Association of America standards, and includes coverage of variable speed drives.
A family business
Tengchong Gulin Tree Industry Co Ltd has four production lines and a tree plantation, all run by members of the same family. Their latest MDF project saw Siempelkamp’s largest scope of supply for a single site in China
Less is moor
When Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering needed a mooring system that was lightweight but reliable, J D Neuhaus set about building four robust 20t EOT cranes for the harsh offshore environment. Kevin Walsh reports.
New entrant to world of continuous pressing
Tianmen Tianyuan Wood Industry Co Ltd entered the continuous pressing of MDF in 2011 for the first time, but it seems it may have plans to increase its presence in the panel market before long, as Mike Botting discovered
Powering up
With demand for electricity booming, crane manufacturers are finding work across the power generation sector, from building wind turbine components to lifting fuel assemblies in nuclear power plants. Nicole Robinson reports
Aiming for domination
Yunnan Yung Lifa Forest Co Ltd was established with a very specific goal in mind. That goal involved utilising bamboo in a completely new way, requiring some revolutionary technology. Mike Botting visited the company’s pilot plant in Mangshi, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan province
Working in wine country
California, with its warm weather and agriculture, is a grab-bag of opportunity for the overhead crane industry. In particular, the seasonal “crush” during wine harvest requires cranes ready to work long-hours during the summer months.
How the west was won
Expanding into the Southwest and Rocky Mountain states with a recent acquisition adds a new dimension to ProservCrane Group, based in Texas
Remote controls on show
Hoist reviews a snapshot of upcoming and brand new products available on for use with electric overhead travelling crane applications.
Beyond Fukushima
The accident at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan has dampened demand for nuclear power in some markets. However, around the world, many countries are still building new plants, and others are decommissioning or upgrading old plants. All need highly specialised lifting equipment.
Leading by example
Business leaders often inspire their young people. Three managing directors who’ve produced TTJ Career Development Award winners relate their own career experiences and give advice to this year’s entrants. Camilla Hair of TTJ Career Development Award sponsor SCA Timber Supply reports
Rewarding innovation
As part of their core desire to encourage innovation across the timber industry, Timber Expo and TRADA have teamed up to sponsor the new TTJ Timber Innovation Award in this year’s TTJ Awards. TRADA membership & marketing manager Rupert Scott reports
Bouncing back
In a special regional report, Nicole Robinson, lead correspondent on Hoist’s North American sister magazine OCH, reviews the lifting industry in Canada and the USA, as the region returns to growth, while Cristina Brooks presents analysis from US experts.
Street to the sky
Street Crane has equipped an aircraft wing manufacturing facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland with two overhead cranes for accurate positioning in three dimensions. Cristina Brooks reports
May 2012
Top
HSE sets new standards for fire safety
TRADA membership & marketing manager Rupert Scott reviews the new guidance from the Health & Safety Executive on fire safety on site and the implications for timber frame construction
CLT makes giant steps in baby unit
Cross-laminated timber provides a sense of calm in the most stressful of environments – a neonatal intensive care unit. Keren Fallwell reports
Global and American markets are the focus
The world economy has a major influence on what is accomplished at the versatile Willamette Valley Company, situated in northwestern US, reports Steve Ehle
US housing market still slumping
While the immediate situation in the housing market in the US is still not good, there are positive signs of recovery, according to a study carried out by Al Schuler for Virginia Tech University. North America correspondent Steve Ehle interviewed industry expert Mr Schuler to bring this assessment of the future
Better times ahead....
North American engineered wood producers seek global markets and growth in the coming year as they predict that 2012 will show an upturn compared to previous years, according to the APA-The Engineered Wood Association. Steve Ehle spoke to the APA’s marketing director, who kindly shared some of the association’s data
What to expect when they’re inspecting
With a number of high profile accident investigations world-wide involving tower cranes now having come to a close, are we really any closer to ensuring it doesn’t happen again? Kevin Walsh reports
Watch your step
The death of a 61-year old man in Washington who hit his head as he tripped from a crane deck led the state’s department of labour and industries recommend the following ways to avoid falls from height.
Energoutilaj
In our fleet: Romania
A new line
Belgian trailer manufacturer recently invited customers and the press to its plant in Poland, where it is building a new line of standardised trailers. Next year, the company will expand to Brazil. Will North reports
Tradition matters
In spite of the market difficulties of the past few years, Czech truck-crane superstructure manufacturer CKD Mobilní Jeráby, with its roots in a precommunist- era engineering group, has restructured and started growing its offerings.
Industry tied to housing by ‘umbilical cord’
Panel industry consultant Leonard Guss says deeper penetration into existing applications is needed to breathe new life into the panel industry. Steve Ehle, WBPI’s new North America correspondent, interviewed Dr Guss for this report
CTT Moscow: CTT Preview
The 13th CTT Expo in Moscow, Russia will be held on 29 May–2 June. As Russia gears up for the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, manufacturers are rolling out the cranes to do the infrastructure work. Within CTT’s grounds is Conexpo Russia, where members of the American Association of Equipment Manufacturers will showcase their best cranes.
Ship to shore,Lift and transport
Nedlift was formed out of seven companies; Ton Klijn was given the job of making them work together. Will North talked to him about the growth of the company, and the market it works in today.
A Parisian hors d’oeuvre
Intermat may not have satiated those hungry for the biggest of crane launches, but it offered a tasty selection of innovations and new developments, and whet appetites for Bauma next year.
Believing in Brazil
As the Brazilian construction industry goes from strength to strength, Kevin Walsh talks to the organisation behind Brazilian Expo M&T, Sobratema about what to expect from the show.
Russian OSB industry about to be transformed
The Russian OSB industry is on the brink of big changes, due to the forthcoming commissioning of several large production facilities for OSB in the country, notably by Partner Tomsk, reports WBPI’s correspondent Eugene Gerden from Russia
Another good year’s sales
The markets in 2011 outside North America continued strong, making it the third year in succession in which producers have sold every board they could produce. Prices remain under pressure while costs continue to rise. However, new capacity in a country new to OSB manufacturing – Russia – is the main news
Hüffermann Crane Services
Wilhelm Hüffermann founded an agricultural vehicle building business named Hüffermann in 1913. A crane service grew out of the business, and in 1963 Hüffermann Crane Services (In German: Hüffermann Krandienst) was founded. MD Daniel Janssen spoke to Cristina Brooks.
Rigging:Equipment review
Equipment Review: Rigging
Rough terrains get heavy
Stuart Anderson spoke with Manitowoc Crane Group’s senior vice president, global marketing, Ingo Schiller about trends in the rough terrain crane market:
Booming again?
While the Eurozone crisis is most certainly having a significant impact on regional sales of all terrains, crawler cranes, tower cranes and knuckle boom loaders, one segment that – for once – can be somewhat relieved for its limited popularity in much of Europe, is the humble rough terrain. Stuart Anderson reports
Job map
Job map: Western Europe
Through the wurst of it
Despite the Eurozone’s imminent second recessionary dip, a strong German market and recovering global demand is giving the Western European crane industry hope it can ride out the worst.
Springtime in Paris?
The last Intermat, in 2009, came as the global financial crisis was hitting the crane industry hardest. Bauma, in Germany, was cast into gloom by clouds of volcanic ash. Could this year's European show be brighter?
MDI – a simple equation for OSB production?
MDI resins are used in the production of MDF, particleboard and OSB, and MDI maker Huntsman says that panel manufacturers are realising the performance, cost and environmental benefits they can offer. We talk to Huntsman about why it says this binder is fast becoming the no-added-formaldehyde solution for OSB manufacture
Better than the headlines suggest?
With the US single-family homes market continuing to languish during 2011, OSB producers have seen little change in demand and mills that were indefinitely closed in the last five to six years are still shut
April 2012
Top
South Korean construction industry to record moderate growth
The South Korean construction industry is expected to grow at a moderate CAGR of 4.04% to 2016 to reach a projected total of KRW219 trillion ($197.1 billion), as per a report published by Timetric.
March 2012
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Czech construction industry to record sluggish growth
The Czech construction industry is expected to grow at a sluggish CAGR of 2.92% to 2016 to reach a projected total of CZK496.1 billion ($28.1 billion), as per a report published by Timetric.
Chinese construction industry to gain from $1.1 trillion infrastructure budget
The Chinese construction industry is expected to grow at a high CAGR of 13.68% to 2016 with support from the housing construction segment and the CNY7 trillion ($1.1 trillion) infrastructure budget allocated by the government.
February 2012
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Indian construction industry expected to register all-round growth
Strong growth in all sectors of the construction industry is expected to drive a strong growth trend in the Indian construction industry.
November 2011
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International events expected to boost Eastern European construction industry
The Eastern European construction industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.16% to 2015 spurred by activity to host several major international events.
Economic constraints expected to slow down Austrian construction industry
Reduction in public spending by the Austrian government owing to budget deficits is expected to slow down growth in the Austrian construction industry.
Slovenian construction industry expected to recover
The Slovenian construction industry that suffered heavy losses during the global economic decline is expected to recover and grow at a moderate CAGR of 4.82% to 2015.
Strong GDP expected to sustain construction industry growth in Argentina
Strong economic conditions and the resultant strong GDP are expected to sustain the growth of the construction industry in Argentina at a healthy CAGR of 13.7%.
September 2011
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BRIC construction industry expected to register robust growth
The construction industry in Brazil, Russia, India and China is expected to register robust growth owing to economic development, urbanisation and strong inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI).
Diversification to lead growth in Gulf Co-operation Council
Efforts to diversify the economy by several of the member nations of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) are expected to propel growth in the construction industry in the region.
European Union funds to propel Bulgarian construction industry
Bulgaria’s integration into the European Union (EU) and the subsequent inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is estimated to drive the growth of the Bulgarian construction industry.
FDI inflows to boost Belarusian construction industry
Strong inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and government efforts to liberalise the economy are expected to boost the Belarusian construction industry and help it register strong growth to 2015.
Infrastructure construction expected to register highest growth in Kuwait
The Kuwait construction industry is expected to register a CAGR of 6% to 2015 with the infrastructure construction sector recording the highest growth amongst individual sectors.
Government five-year plan expected to boost Algerian construction industry
The Algerian government’s five-year plan and its efforts to diversify the economy away from the oil and gas sector are expected to help the construction industry register a strong CAGR of 8.5% to 2015.
Government investment to fuel construction industry in Oman
The Omani government’s efforts and investment to diversify the country’s economy from the oil industry is expected to fuel growth of the construction industry in Oman to 2015.
August 2011
Top
Political unrest poses threat to Bahrain construction industry
The future of the Bahrain construction industry, that staged a mild recovery from the global financial crisis in 2010, hinges heavily on the political situation in the country, with any further unrest expected to bring growth to a halt.
Institutional construction expected to drive German construction industry
The German construction industry is expected to grow at a steady pace to 2015 riding on a strong institutional construction market.
Ninth Development plan expected to boost construction industry in Saudi Arabia
Financial factors including the ninth development plan announced in 2010 and greater availability of credit from banks is expected to boost the Saudi Arabian construction industry over the next few years.
Chinese construction industry to witness consolidation period
The Chinese construction industry, that witnessed a CAGR of 19.07% from 2006-10, is expected to witness a period of consolidation and record a CAGR of 10.8% to 2015.
Asia-Pacific region expected to drive earthmoving equipment market growth
Increased construction activity in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to drive a 9.26% CAGR in the earthmoving equipment market across the world.
Széchenyi Plan to boost infrastructure investments in Hungary
Hungary saw a decline in construction industry during 2009-2010 due to global economic slowdown but the government’s $33.6 billion Széchenyi Plan for 2011-2014 is expected to boost infrastructure investments in the country.
UEFA 2012 Euro Tournament to improve infrastructure investments in Ukraine
Raise in infrastructure construction funding and the upcoming Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro 2012, which Ukraine will co-host with Poland, will drive growth in the construction industry of Ukraine.
French construction industry to witness growth with infrastructure investment plans
The stimulus investment package announced by the French government in 2008, and tax breaks and credits for investments made in 2009 in addition to the UEFA EURO 2016 European Football championship are expected to boost the country’s construction industry by 2015.
Italian construction industry to recover from 2011
Decline in housing demand, credit crisis, reduced public works investment resulted in low growth in Italian construction industry, but from 2011, the market is expected to show signs of recovery.
July 2011
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Vietnam construction industry expected to record rapid growth
Government efforts to improve standards of construction, industrial growth and energy infrastructure construction are all expected to help the Vietnamese construction industry record rapid growth to 2015.
Australian construction industry on the road to recovery
The Australian construction industry is on the road to recovery after a poor performance in 2008 and 2009, aided by government stimulus and increased private sector spending.
South Korean construction industry expected to keep up momentum to 2015
The South Korean construction industry, which recovered rapidly from the global economic recession, is expected to keep up the momentum and grow at a stable rate to 2015.
Economic recovery expected to aid global crane market growth
Improving investment climate in developed countries and continued demand from developing countries is expected to help the global crane, lifting and handling equipment market grow at a steady rate over the next few years.
Infrastructure construction expected to revive Dutch construction equipment market
The Dutch construction equipment market is expected to rebound from a slump and post a CAGR of 10.8% to 2015 with the help of sustained government investment, especially in the infrastructure sector.
Residential, infrastructure and commercial sectors to drive Italian construction industry
The Italian construction industry is expected to recover gradually from two disappointing years owing to good growth in residential, infrastructure and commercial construction projects.
London 2012 Olympic Games expected to boost UK construction equipment market
The upcoming Olympic Games that will be held in London in 2012 are expected to help the UK construction equipment industry emerge from a major slump.
South America expected to lead global cement consumption growth to 2015
South America, with a CAGR of 14.99%, is expected to lead the global cement consumption growth rate to the year 2015.
UAE government efforts expected to drive construction investment
Attempts by the UAE government to diversify from oil-based income are expected to lead the direction of construction investments in the near future.
June 2011
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High revenue growth expectations for construction industry in 2011
A survey by ICD research has revealed that the construction industry has high revenue growth expectations for 2011.
US economic recovery expected to aid Mexican construction equipment industry
The emergence of the US from the global financial meltdown is expected to help the Mexican construction equipment industry recover from a negative growth streak over the next few years.
Commercial construction expected to drive Brazilian construction industry
Increasing tourism and hosting of two major sporting events in the next five years is expected to help boost the Brazilian construction industry through rapid rates of growth in the commercial construction market.
Global construction industry expected to recover in tandem with economic recovery
The recovery of economies from the global economic downturn is expected to spur the growth of the global construction industry, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.75% to 2014.
Government investments expected to boost Moroccan construction industry
Investments planned by the Moroccan government are expected to provide a much needed boost to the Moroccan construction industry.
South America expected to lead global growth in cement consumption to 2015
South America is expected to lead a period of growth for the global cement market with a CAGR of 14.99% to 2015.
Russian construction majors could gain from upcoming sporting events
The demand for infrastructure generated by a slew of upcoming trade and sporting events in Russia could provide major opportunities for construction majors across Russia.
May 2011
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Demand for wood products expected to increase to 2015
The global construction wood products market recovered in 2010 after two consecutive years of decline in 2008 and 2009, owing to the global economic recession.
Bank support initiatives provide opportunities for South African construction majors
Support initiatives and credit lines from the African Development Bank and opportunities for expansion in the overseas markets could prove to be the best bet for South African construction majors.
April 2011
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Government investments provide opportunities for UK construction majors
Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Kier and many other major construction firms in the UK can capitalize on the Government investments in infrastructure, institutional and residential construction projects.
August 2009
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Northeast India 'grows' bridges, instead of building them
In the forests of Meghalaya in northeast India, the War-Khasis tribe have discovered a patient way of crossing the many rivers of their wet region - by growing bridges, instead of building them.
July 2006
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Sustainable Design
Sustainability is having an ever-increasing affect on the design industry. Clive Webb of Capita Percy Thomas talks to Chris Mugan about his company's standards regarding environmental issues.
