Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/449123
72 • FEBRUARY 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS NEW YORK – At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $677.8 billion, new construction starts in Novem- ber climbed 13% from the previous month, according to Dodge Data & Analytics (formerly McGraw Hill Construction). Nonresidential building had a particularly strong month, lifted by the start of several unusually large projects, including two massive man- ufacturing plants and an airport ter- minal redevelopment. The nonbuilding construction sector also contributed to the latest month's surge, boosted by a liquefied natural gas facility. Meanwhile, residential building retreated in November, as multifami- ly housing settled back from its brisk pace in October. For the first 11 months of 2014, new construction starts on an unad- justed basis were $530.8 billion, up 7% from the same period a year ago. The November statistics raised the Dodge Index to 143 (2000 =100), up from a revised 127 for October and marking the strongest month so far in 2014. "After the sluggish activity wit- nessed at the outset of 2014, new construction starts have generally strengthened, showing an up-and- down pattern around a rising trend, with November coming in especial- ly strong," stated Robert A. Murray, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. "While residential building has decelerated in 2014 due to the pause by single family housing, the nonres- idential building sector has assumed the leading role in keeping the con- struction expansion going. Part of this year's strength for nonresidential building comes from a surge of man- ufacturing plant projects, featuring more energy-related production fa- cilities as well as activity from other industrial sectors. "The commercial side of non- residential building is continuing its moderate growth path, supported by further improvement in market funda- mentals and greater investor interest," he said. "And, the institutional side of nonresidential building has finally turned the corner after five years of decline, aided by the improved financ- ing climate and the passage of numer- ous construction bond measures in recent years." Nonresidential building in No- vember soared 32% to $256.7 billion (annual rate). A substantial boost came from a 253% increase for the manufacturing plant category, main- taining the often volatile behavior that's been present this year. The two largest manufacturing projects entered as November starts were a $2.5 billion lithium ion battery factory for Tesla Motors in Reno, Nev. and a $1.3 billion nitrogen urea plant in Enid, Okla. Other large manufacturing plant projects were a $375 million upgrade to a paper products mill in Brewton, Ala. and a $360 million propane de- hydrogenation plant in Mont Belvieu, Tex. If the manufacturing plant catego- ry is excluded, nonresidential building in November would have still shown a moderate gain, rising 10%. The com- mercial building group in November November construction jumps 13 percent MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION STARTS Prepared by McGraw-Hill Construction Research & Analytics MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION STARTS Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, in Millions of Dollars November 2014 October 2014 Percent Change Nonresidential building $ 256,682 $ 194,992 + 32 Residential building 238,522 254,108 – 6 Nonbuilding construction 182,561 149,518 + 22 Total construction $ 677,765 $ 598,618 + 13 THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000 = 100, Seasonally Adjusted) November 2014 .............................. 143 October 2014 .................................. 127 YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION STARTS Unadjusted Totals, in Millions of Dollars 11 Mos. 2014 11 Mos. 2013 Percent Change Nonresidential building $ 191,830 $ 164,560 + 17 Residential building 209,874 195,560 + 7 Nonbuilding construction 129,121 134,963 – 4 Total construction $ 530,825 $ 495,083 + 7 continued on page 74 THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FEATURES: • Fits standard gooseneck stands • WCDMA technology • Easy programming • High-gain cell integrated antenna • No cell contract needed • Weatherproof stainless steel • Rings up to 3 administrators in sequence • Program up to 100 users to access the gate • Works with mobile and land lines • Answer visitors call no matter where you are • Gate is able to be latched/unlatched via cell phone • For use with all gate automation systems • No trenching for phone lines • 12/24 Volts AC/DC - 1.5 amp power supply • Easy remote programming via cell phone or computer 704.768.2230 Get This and Many Other Innovative Products from East Coast Gate Operators, Inc. 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