Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/263143
WORLD FENCE NEWS • MARCH 2014 • 27 The Dodge Report New construction starts in December improve 5 percent; annual total for 2013 climbs 6 percent NEW YORK – New construction starts in December grew 5% to a sea- sonally adjusted annual rate of $554.5 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. Although both nonres- idential building and housing settled back during the final month of 2013, the nonbuilding construction sector (public works and electric utilities) finished the year on a strong note. For 2013 as a whole, total con- struction starts advanced 6% to $516.8 billion. This follows the 10% gain re- ported for 2012 (which drew support from a record amount of new electric utility starts that year) and modest 2% gains in both 2010 and 2011. If the volatile electric utility cate- gory is excluded, total construction starts in 2013 would be up 14%, fol- lowing a 9% gain in 2012 and essen- tially flat activity during 2010 and 2011. The December statistics produced a reading of 117 for the Dodge Index (2000=100), compared to 111 in No- vember. This marked the third highest month for the Dodge Index during 2013, after September's 118 and Oc- tober's 125. During the first eight months of the year, the Dodge Index had hovered within the fairly narrow range of 100 to 108, but then showed a stronger pace of activity during the final four months, reflecting in part the impact of several very large projects. In December, large projects that were entered as construction starts included the $1.5 billion Goethals Bridge re- placement project in New York and New Jersey, two large natural gas-fired power plants, and two large continued on next page D&D Technologies marks 25th anniversary with rollout of new ad campaign and tagline just as advertised. We feel the new D&D tagline 'World's Most Trusted Gate Hardware' sums this up perfectly. "There are many factors that go into mak- ing D&D such a trusted and well-regarded fenc- ing industry leader," said Paterson. "First of all, we are the original. D&D in- vented the first magnetic gate latch 25 years ago and the use of ultra- strong engineering polymers and thus set the industry standard for child safety latches and hi-performance polymer gate hardware. Since that time, millions of families worldwide have trusted D&D for their family's safety. "Second, there is D&D's complete focus on quality. Attention to detail, continual improvement, innovation and reliability are what drive us," Pa- terson continued. "Our philosophy has always been, how can we make this product safer or better? We also pride ourselves on continual testing and con- trolling manufacturing quality in our own facilities. "We have test facilities at each D&D location to ensure only the best products go to market. We never out- source our quality," he stated. "Finally, heritage and experience play a key role. Unlike many of our competitors, D&D started out in the fencing business. This means we truly understand how our latches and hinges are used, the way they should be fit- ted, the environment and conditions they're subjected to, and the needs and demands of the fencing contractor," said Paterson. D&D Technologies offers a com- plete line of quality gate hardware, in- cluding MagnaLatch ® magnetic pool and safety gate latches, TruClose ® and MultiAdjust adjustable self-closing gate hinges, SureClose ® commercial grade closers and hinges, and LokkLatch ® gate latches. You can see the "World's Most Trusted Gate Hardware," including the newest generation of MagnaLatch, at D&D Technologies' FENCETECH 2014 Booth #1051. The next generation of D&D's MagnaLatch, shown above and below, will be displayed at FENCETECH2014. (D&D Technologies photos)