Americas

US nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.3% in April, according to new Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data from the US Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualised basis, nonresidential spending totalled $1.20 trillion.

Off-road engine manufacturer Volvo Penta has designated Diesel Plus, CK Power, W.W. Williams Phoenix and Coastal Services as the inaugural businesses recognised in its Certified Uptime Dealers program.

Caterpillar has formed a new educational programme designed to support quarry, aggregate and mining industry customers on their energy transition journeys.

Cemex has developed the claimed first generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool of its kind in the building materials industry, transforming how the salesforce interacts with clients by providing real-time support for a superior customer experience.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.4 months in April, according to an ABC member survey conducted April 22 to May 6. The reading is down 0.5 months from April 2023 but expanded 0.2 months from the prior month.

Holcim Group members Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada have completed a pilot at the Lafarge Brookfield cement plant (Nova Scotia) to produce high-quality clinker made of recycled minerals recovered from waste sources, which can potentially reduce CO2 level by 60% per tonne of clinker.

Northern Ireland-based compact crushing and screening equipment manufacturer EvoQuip has appointed Christian Ebner as business development manager for Latin America.