The construction industry has the highest rate of suicide, as well as the highest number of suicides across all industries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2016, the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention was founded to promote mental health wellness. In September, CIASP launched a …
Of Collaboration, Deliberation & Axe Throwing
ABC/AIA panel meet to discuss ‘Navigating Budgets & Owner Expectations’ The always interesting dynamic between architects and contractors must be improving, at least in the Baltimore region. How else would you explain having a panel discussion between AIA and ABC members followed by axe throwing? The trust level must be …
Working Group Considers Overhaul of School Construction Funding
Maryland legislators are considering a new, complicated formula to restructure the way school construction money is allocated in the hopes of targeting systems with the most need. The draft formula, which would replace the current system that distributes state aid proportionally to all of the state’s 24 subdivisions, had trouble …
What You Need to Know About Where the Economy is Headed
Despite some great economic indicators, such as low inflation and historically low unemployment, there’s been a lot of buzz lately that the U.S. economy may be headed into a recession. During a recent meeting of the General Contractor Executive Roundtable, ABC’s long-time economist, Anirban Basu, offered advice on preparing for …
Fraud Protection: How Safe is Your Company?
The ABC Small Business Circle is hosting a special seminar on Wednesday, September 11 here at our offices in Towson. This is a free seminar to our contractor members. Our speaker is Allen Schiff, CPA, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner). If you would like to attend, you can email our Small …
The Sharing Economy and the Construction Industry
The world is changing in so many ways. One sign of this change is the sharing economy. It has transformed the world of taxi driving with the advent of ride-sharing services and expanded the options for lodging as well. New areas seem more suitable for the sharing economy and are …
ABC Members Dominate List of ‘Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Greater Baltimore’
The Baltimore Business Journal reported on the largest contractors in the area which are ranked by 2018 Baltimore-area revenue. Congratulations to the 8 ABC member companies for topping this year’s list! BFPE International Fireline Corporation Walter Electric Smith Mechanical M. Luis Construction Co, Inc. Habitat America LLC Timber Industries Site …
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: BENECO partners with ABC Greater Baltimore
ABC Greater Baltimore is pleased to announce its new strategic partnership with BENECO, a national leader in providing customized benefits for your employees and for providing a competitive advantage for contractors who perform prevailing wage work. The ‘ABC Benefit Package‘ will help contractors stay compliant, reduce administrative burden, manage benefits …
Construction Companies Could Become 680% Safer by Following These Best Practices
Construction continues to be one of the most dangerous industries in America. . Naturally, industry professionals were excited when an annual assessment showed that using STEP safety measures could lead to an 85% percent reduction in the occurrence of record-able incidents. This would cause the best-performing companies, that conform to …
Meet ABC Greater Baltimore’s 55 New Members!
Company FullName EmailAddress Absolute Integrity Electrical Contractors, LLC Kim DiTommasso kditommasso@absoluteintegrityec.com Admiral Leasing Brent Baron BBaron@admiralleasing.com Adrian Steel of Maryland Rafael Onrubia ronrubia@adscom1.com American Heritage Excavating LLC Deborah Collins digit06@comcast.net B & B Welding Company Dennis R. McCartney drmc@bandbwelding.com Benchmark Building Enclosure, Inc. Richard Paulding rpaulding@bbeiglass.com Beneco Todd Kikol tkikol@beneco.com …
Baltimore Members Recognized Nationally Among ABC’s Top Performers
ABC National released its ‘Top Performers’ list which lists contractor members that achieved ABC STEP Gold Status or higher and earned ABC’s AQC credential in 2018. ABC Member companies are ranked from 1 to 150 based on work hours reported on their 2018 STEP applications. Companies are recognized for National …
The Importance of Communication in Construction
Communication is a fundamental aspect of all businesses, but it is often overlooked in construction. Failure to communicate clearly can lead to misunderstandings, worker confusion, project delays, and even lawsuits. With growth in construction jobs expected to outpace all other industries, the need for superintendents and project managers who know …
New, Full-Service MEP firm, Genesis Corp, Opens its Doors
Michelle Wittig, President of Genesis Corporation (a woman-owned mechanical, electrical, plumbing contractor) and her team celebrated their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with clients, vendors, and guests including Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill. Genesis is an ABC Greater Baltimore member and Michelle serves on the chapter’s Diversity Council. In prior years, …
The Women in ABC Committee Announce Scholarship Winners
Each year, the Women in ABC Committee awards exemplary young women entering a construction-related trade with an award of $2000. This year, out of 15 applicants, the committee awarded two very deserving young women with a scholarship; Rachel Solak and Keely Barkell. Keely Barkell, Winters Mill High School graduate, will …
State Contractors, Be Prepared: Maryland’s Responsible Payment of Employee Health Care Expenses Effective July 1
Gregory P. Currey, Esq. Partner, Wright Constable & Skeen, LLP All contractors and sub-contractors bidding on state construction projects need to be aware of Senate Bill 433 from the 2019 Maryland legislative session. Despite significant concerns related to the constitutionality of some of its provisions, it takes effect on July …
ABC Celebrates its Apprenticeship Graduates at Ceremony
138 apprentices, representing companies across Maryland, graduated on May 23, 2019 at UMBC’s RAC Arena, from craft training programs from three ABC chapters: Baltimore, Chesapeake Shores and Metro Washington. Of those graduates, 79 were from the Baltimore chapter. Special guest and ABC National Chairman, Tony Rader, led the ceremony and …
ABC Members Dominate List of ‘Largest General Contractors in Greater Baltimore’
The Baltimore Business Journal reported on the largest contractors in the area which are ranked by 2018 Baltimore-area contracting revenue. Congratulations to the 16 ABC member companies for topping this year’s list! Clark Group Gilbane Building Co. Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Turner Construction Co. Kinsley Construction Inc. Harkins Builders, Inc. …
Curtis Engine Celebrates 75 Years of Service
Longevity is the Curtis Engine Difference On May 10, 2019, Curtis Engine marked 75 years in business and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Governor Larry Hogan and former Commerce Secretary and part-owner, Mike Gill. Like many contractors fortunate enough to reach this longevity, the company faced obstacles on …
New Maryland Law Gives Employees the Immediate Right to Sue GCs and Subs for Prevailing Wage Violations
By: Donna M. Glover, Esq. and Michael A. Schollaert, Esq. General contractors (“GCs”) may recall that last year, the Maryland General Assembly enacted the General Contractor Liability for Unpaid Wages Act under which a general contractor is now jointly and severally liable for its subcontractors’ failure to pay employees in …
ABC Partners with MCCEI to Promote Construction Careers
MCCEI releases Build Your Path – The Built Environment Career Resource Guide to school systems throughout the mid Atlantic region. ABC’s Maryland chapters once again joined forces to promote apprenticeship training programs to high school and college students, and recent graduates, through Build Your Path – the Built Environment Career …