Check out some interesting headlines around the industry from the past week.
Volvo CE is Giving Students Access to a Golden Ticket (Construction Equipment)
"In honor of its 50th anniversary, Volvo kicked off its first in a series of educational workshops for technical students this month. Volvo Construction Equipment is touring North America in a golden hauler, making stops at dealerships and welcoming local chapters of SkillsUSA and Skills Canada along the way. Volvo's goal is to connect students with an interest in the trades with the many opportunities available in the construction industry. Volvo's gold-painted articulated hauler catches their attention." Read more
Construction Employment Up in 244 of 358 Metros (Construction Equipment)
"In his recent report, Ken Simonson at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said, "With more than two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas adding construction jobs it is clear that the demand for construction is broad-based geographically and by project type.” Simonson, the association’s chief economist, adds that construction employment hit new peak levels in 31 metro areas. “The main soft patch for the construction industry remains the parts of the country most likely to be affected by declining energy prices.” Read more
What Caterpillar, Newmont Mining and Gold Prices Have in Common (Seeking Alpha)
"Although business cycles are counter-intuitive, sometimes it is possible to find the way they work.
In this article I am discussing an investment thesis on a topping process in the precious metals market.
However, I am not sure whether this thesis also works during a bottoming process." Read more
Heavy Equipment Manufacturers Release Election Themed Mobile Game (Equipment Journal)
"Hoping to reach the electorate on issues related to manufacturing during this chaotic election cycle, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers have released a game for smartphones and tablets. The I Make America Game, named for the AEM campaign launched in 2010, first presents users with one of several construction and agricultural equipment-themed mini-games before testing their knowledge of political manufacturing issues with a set of multiple choice questions. Issues covered include infrastructure, trade and renewable fuels, according to an AEM announcement." Read more
Not The Bottom Yet But Caterpillar Raises Hope of China Rebound (Reuters)
"Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N), the world's largest maker of heavy equipment, has raised hopes that China's battered construction sector may be showing signs of life, pointing to its strongest post-holiday period in three years after a government boost. Ahead of a key week for the heavy equipment sector, with progress reports expected from rivals like Japan's Komatsu (6301.T) to China's Sany Heavy Industry (600031.SS), Caterpillar said late on Friday that it was seeing shipment activity holding up almost three months after the Chinese New Year holiday." Read more
