Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/95301
14 • DECEMBER 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Industry veteran joins Ideal sales and service team continued from page 12 Kaluhiokalani began with Ideal on October 29, 2012, and can be reached at barb@ideal-ap.com or at 386-337- 1255. Ideal Aluminum Products is a do- mestic manufacturer of aluminum fence, gates and railing. Visit the com- pany's web site at www.idealap.com or contact the company directly at 877- 323-6496. Dodge Outlook Report forecasts modest growth for building industry Dodge Construction OutLook has released its 2013 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business plan- ning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts for 2013 will rise 6% to $483.7 billion, slightly higher than the 5% increase to $458 billion estimated for 2012. Gate operators Access control Safety loops Loop detectors Safety edges Photo beams Battery backups Preformed fence ties 800-676-5537 www.LDI.com LOGICAL DECISIONS, INC Operator parts Support rollers Roller covers Timers S.O.S. sensors Wheels, tracks, & rails Solar solutions 225-274-1115 "As reported by McGraw-Hill Construction, new construction starts in 2010 edged up 2%, followed by an- other 1% gain in 2011, and 2012 is headed for a 5% increase to $458 bil- lion. This still leaves the volume of total construction starts 32% below the 2005 peak on a current dollar basis, and down about 50% when viewed on a constant dollar basis," said Robert Murray, McGraw-Hill Construction's vice-president of Economic Affairs. "The modest gains experienced during the past two years have in ef- fect produced an extended bottom for construction starts, in which the process of recovery is being stretched out," he said. "The 'fiscal cliff' poses a signifi- cant downside risk to the near-term prospects for the U.S. economy and the construction industry. Assuming that efforts to cushion the full extent of the fiscal cliff are successful next year, keeping the U.S. economy from slid- ing back into recession, then there are several positive factors to benefit con- struction, including low interest rates and improving market fundamentals for several project types," Murray said. Based on significant research and in-depth analysis of macro-trends, the 2013 Dodge Construction Outlook de- tails the forecasts for each construction sector, as follows. – Single family housing will grow 24% in dollars, corresponding to a 21% increase in units to 615,000 (Mc- Graw-Hill Construction basis). The positives for single family housing have become more numerous – the pace of foreclosures has eased, home prices are stabilizing, and mortgage rates are at record lows. – Multifamily housing will rise 16% in dollars and 14% in units, marking healthy percentage gains yet slower growth than what took place during 2011 and 2012. Improved mar- ket fundamentals will help to justify new construction, and this structure type continues to be viewed favorably by the real estate finance community. – Commercial building will in- crease 12%, a slightly faster pace than the 5% gain estimated for 2012. Both warehouses and hotels will benefit from lower vacancy rates, while store construction will feature more up- grades to existing space and the de- rived lift coming from gains for single family housing. The increase for office construction will be modest, as new continued on page 52 DIG IN to all your earth drilling projects with power applications and rugged terrain, productivity to tackle large jobs or reliability you need on every project – Little Beaver has it all. DIG IN safely, cleanly and effi ciently with Little Beaver. Stop by booth #2333 at FENCETECH. 800-227-7515 Towable Hydraulic Earth Drills Mechanical Earth Drills UN-Towable Hydraulic Earth Drills Hydraulic Earth Drills