Saint-Gobain Reveals Results of 2024 Sustainable Construction Barometer

AGC Releases Decarbonization Playbook to Assess Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Spackle by Dave Coverly

People News

ACI Releases 2024 Code, Specification and Practice Collection

Building Talent Foundation and Simpson Strong-Tie Renew Partnership for Fourth Time

AD Recognized with Four Awards for Excellent Workplace Culture in US and Canada

OX Group Global Acquires Armor Tool

Energy Department Announces Rule to Move Federal Buildings Toward Zero Emissions

ACI Releases 2024 Code, Specification and Practice Collection

The American Concrete Institute has released its 2024 collection of concrete codes, specifications and practices. The collection is the most comprehensive and largest single source of information on concrete design, construction, materials and repair, with over 50 codes and specifications and more than 200 practices—including all guides and reports.

The collection features ACI 318 (Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete), ACI 301 (Specifications for Structural Concrete), ACI 562 (Code Requirements for Assessment, Repair and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures) and ACI 440.11 (Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars).

The 2024 version includes dozens of newly published documents, ranging from codes on fiber-reinforced polymer to guides for concrete rehabilitation, shotcrete and much more. Additional categories in the collection include concrete materials, properties, design, construction, reinforcement, specialized application, repair, structural analysis and innovation, plus popular topics like slabs, formwork and masonry.

Through an online digital subscription, users can access the most up-to-date versions of all ACI documents, plus every new document as soon as it is published. Additionally, the online collection includes access to current and historical versions of ACI’s codes and specifications, along with versions in both inch-pound and SI units. The online subscription is specifically designed for individual users, with features like single-word title and full text search capabilities, plus access from any location with an internet connection. The collection is also available as a USB drive or nine-volume set of books.

Special online access for multiple users, entire offices and large multi-national companies is also available. To subscribe or order, visit concrete.org/store.

Building Talent Foundation and Simpson Strong-Tie Renew Partnership for Fourth Time

Simpson Strong-Tie and Building Talent Foundation announced the extension of their partnership into 2026 with a $900,000 investment from Simpson Strong-Tie over the next three years. In addition, Simpson Strong-Tie CEO Mike Olosky has joined the Building Talent Foundation Board of Directors, and VP of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Annie Kao has joined BTF’s Advisory Council.

The partnership hit the ground running this year, with 12 events planned nationwide introducing and promoting construction careers to diverse audiences. The first two events of 2024 were held in February for Spring Woods High School students in Houston and for Carl Wunsche Sr. High School students in Spring, Texas. More than 60 students participated in Simpson Strong-Tie product demonstrations, including the Quik Drive PRO250G2 Subfloor System and H2.5A hurricane ties. Another three events followed in March and April with students at Atlanta Technical College in Georgia, St. Philip’s College in San Antonio and Grand Oaks High School in Spring, Texas.

Additional events are planned throughout the year in Texas, California and Florida. They are aimed to educate students about the construction industry, showcase Simpson Strong-Tie products and innovations, and provide insights into career opportunities within the construction trades.

“Getting more individuals into the construction trades is a key priority for us,” Olosky said. “Helping alleviate the labor shortage benefits our entire industry, so we’re excited to continue working with BTF on meeting their goals of bringing thousands of new employees into the trades.”

“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Simpson Strong-Tie and continue our joint commitment to promoting careers in construction, lifting people out of poverty and into meaningful jobs, and enhancing skilled trade education, in order to strengthen communities and the industry’s workforce,” said Branka Minic, chief executive officer of BTF. “We deeply appreciate the continuous support from Simpson Strong-Tie, and we welcome Mike and Annie to our organization’s board and advisory body.”

For more information about future events, visit buildingTF.org.

AD Recognized With Four Awards for Excellent Workplace Culture in U.S. and Canada

AD announced it has received four recognitions in 2024 that celebrate its workplace culture.

In the U.S., AD has been named a Top Workplace in the Delaware Valley for the sixth consecutive year. Additionally, AD has received national recognition as a top workplace in the United States.

The regional and national Top Workplace rankings rely on an anonymous survey administered by Energage LLC, assessing 15 key factors for fostering engaged organizational cultures. National Top Workplace awards are open to all companies with over 150 U.S. employees that encompass a people-centric ethos, prioritize staff well-being and attract top talent and new business opportunities.

AD Canada has been recognized as a Great Place to Work for the second year in a row. In addition, it has secured a coveted position on the prestigious 2024 Best Workplaces in Canada List for companies with less than 100 Canadian employees, ranking 10th nationally for its size category.

Integral to both Great Place to Work and Best Workplaces awards, the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey analyzes employees’ trust in leadership and workplace culture, identifying companies with an edge in productivity, innovation, recruitment and retention.

AD’s Chairman and CEO, Bill Weisberg, shared immense gratitude toward associates.

“Creating a company culture that we can all be proud of isn’t an overnight process; it’s a journey that requires dedication from all of us,” Weisberg shared. “We have an incredible team of associates at AD who are passionate about the work they do to support our independent members and suppliers. I admire the commitment I see in them and in our HR team to make sure AD is a great place to work every day.”

Neil Cohen, AD’s Chief People Officer, expressed the significance of the results, extending their impact beyond recognition.

“The recognition from our associates as a great place to work is incredibly meaningful to us,” Cohen shared. “It confirms that our continuous efforts to create a supportive and dynamic environment resonate with our team. I’m grateful to our associates for transparently sharing their feedback with us, allowing us to identify our strengths, celebrate achievements and learn about areas where we can still improve.”

Rob Dewar, president of AD Canada, expressed his sentiments regarding AD Canada’s impressive Best Workplaces ranking.

“Greatness doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives in the collective brilliance of a unified team, where each member’s contributions weave the fabric of our success,” Dewar relayed. “I could not be prouder of our AD associates for their contributions in fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, where innovation flourishes and each individual’s talents are valued and recognized.”

Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, highlighted the impact of Top Workplace USA awards. “This award showcases the nation’s outstanding organizations and underscores the importance of prioritizing the employee experience in today’s workplace landscape,” he shared.

OX Group Global Acquires Armor Tool

OX Group Global has acquired Armor Tool. The acquisition of Armor Tool by OX Group Global is another strategic development for the group following the acquisition of BORA Tool. With a vision of “foundation to finish,” delivering products driven by innovation to provide a solution from the foundation of the build through to the finish, OX Group Global strengthens its position as a leader in innovation and comprehensive solutions.

“As we continue to deliver our strategy of building a product portfolio that supports our vision of foundation to finish, we are excited to welcome the Armor Tool family into our company,” said John Cunningham, CEO of OX Group Global. “The Armor Tool IP portfolio is impressive and fits our leading-by-innovation strategy, and we look forward to bringing these exciting products to our customers. Armor Tool’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to become the best pro’s brand.”

Armor Tool, founded in 2009, has built a solid reputation for producing innovative and durable clamping solutions designed to meet the needs of those who craft with wood, build and weld. With nine issued patents and one patent pending, the Armor Tool product range showcases true innovation and uniqueness within its offering. Its flagship products, such as the Auto-Jig automatically adjusting pocket-hole jig, Auto-Adjust Dog Clamp and T-Track system, deliver productivity, precision and speed for users.

“I am very happy to have reached a deal with OX Group Global,” said Rob Poole, founder of Armor Tool. “With its worldwide distribution and highly qualified global sales team, we will be able to grow the Armor Tool business to achievements I have always dreamed of. Combining the current BORA work stands with the Auto Adjust Armor Tool clamping system is one example where the product offering will improve the performance of our users.”

As part of the acquisition, OX Group Global and Armor Tool are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for customers, suppliers and employees. Both companies will work closely to integrate operations and leverage synergies to drive growth and deliver greater value. Armor Tool’s commitment to innovation, product excellence and customer satisfaction highlights the shared values between OX Group Global and Armor Tool.

Energy Department Announces Rule to Move Federal Buildings Toward Zero Emissions

The Department of Energy announced a final rule entitled “Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings.” The rule, which implements the Energy Independent and Security Act of 2007, requires federal agencies to phase out fossil fuel usage in new federal building construction or major renovations by achieving a 90 percent reduction in fossil fuel use for new projects started between fiscal years 2025 and 2029 and eliminating on-site fossil fuel usage in new projects beginning in 2030.

The rule applies to new construction and major renovations that exceed certain cost thresholds (in 2024 dollars), including $3.6 million for federally owned public buildings, $3.8 million for federally owned non-public buildings and $1.8 million for leased federal buildings.

DOE estimates that, over the next 30 years, the rule will reduce carbon emissions from federal buildings by 2 million metric tons and methane emissions by 16,000 tons—an amount roughly equivalent to the emissions generated by nearly 310,000 homes in one year—while also reducing infrastructure costs. More information on the rule is available on the DOE website.

Saint-Gobain Reveals Results of 2024 Sustainable Construction Barometer

Convinced of the urgency to advance the cause of sustainable construction in the face of climate challenges, demographic changes and the need to protect resources, Saint-Gobain launched the Sustainable Construction Observatory in 2023. The observatory released the second edition of its Sustainable Construction Barometer, a study conducted by the CSA research institute to better understand the perceptions of key stakeholders and the levers to be activated to accelerate the development of sustainable construction in the United States and around the world.

“The Sustainable Construction Barometer is intended to be a decision-making tool for all stakeholders in the sector so that we can gain a better understanding of local sustainable construction issues and move from reflection to concrete action in order to build a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Benoit Bazin, chief executive officer of Saint-Gobain.

“The 2024 Sustainable Construction Barometer is an important guide for every member of the building industry to better understand the perceptions and ideas key stakeholders hold toward sustainable construction,” said Mark Rayfield, president and chief executive officer of Saint-Gobain North America. “With 96 percent of U.S. respondents believing the implementation of more sustainable construction is a high priority, we must all work together to continue moving the industry forward, and the data presented in the barometer will help us do that.”

A Broader Survey to Accelerate Sustainable Construction

Initiated last year in 10 countries, the Sustainable Construction Barometer is now based on a quantitative survey of professionals, students, elected representatives and association members in 22 countries, including the United States. This provides a more detailed understanding of local and global issues, measures progress and helps to identify areas of action to advance the crucial subject of sustainable construction as a strategic and essential response to major contemporary issues: climate change, resources constraints and rapid urbanization accelerated by demographic pressure.

Four key findings emerge from the 2024 Barometer:

• Perceptions of sustainable construction remain stable, and the environmental viewpoint of respondents remains unchanged. The aspect of occupant well-being remains poorly recognized and valued.
• A shared sense of urgency exists among respondents, but there is a need for better awareness and cooperation.
• We must all work to ensure our stakeholders are better informed, better trained and committed.
• Any implementation of sustainable construction will only be effective if it matches local realities.

Worldwide, 95 percent of respondents agree that the implementation of more sustainable construction is an important or priority issue.

This degree of urgency is clearly shared by all players, regardless of geographic region. At the same time, the understanding of sustainable construction often seems limited to environmental issues. Its definition is still largely associated with “green construction”:directly linked to the energy efficiency of buildings (42 percent) and achieving carbon neutrality in construction (33 percent). The notions of resilience and occupant comfort are considered more secondary. The only exception is Türkiye, where sustainable construction is perceived more in terms of the well-being of inhabitants, at 25 percent, versus 14 percent for the global average.

Awareness of sustainable construction is high but varies depending on the respondent. While 87 percent of those questioned said they were familiar with sustainable construction, 20 percent of elected representatives surveyed said they had never heard of the concept.

Overall, awareness of sustainable construction worldwide is high: 87 percent of those questioned said they were familiar with sustainable construction, up five points from last year. Sixty-eight percent of respondents claim to be sufficiently informed, but educational efforts are still needed, particularly among elected representatives. Most stakeholders in all countries (87 percent) agree that we need to go further in terms of sustainable construction, even if the aspiration for the status quo is growing (9 percent, up four points from the 2023 Barometer).

Among the priority actions to be taken to accelerate the development of sustainable construction, raising public awareness is considered crucial, as are the cooperation of all stakeholders and the issue of the perceived cost and competitiveness of materials. On the other hand, the role of public initiatives (standards, regulations and aid), although fundamental, remains underestimated. Lastly, energy renovation appears to be a priority in countries with a well-established building stock, compared to countries that prioritize new-build programs to house a growing population.

Ninety-two percent of construction professionals worldwide believe that sustainable construction will make up all or part of their business within the next five years.

Architects and engineering firms are at the top of the list of players most often cited for advancing sustainable construction. While building design professionals are credited with 29 percent of first-intention responses, elected representatives and public institutions follow close behind, with 21 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Construction professionals feel strongly committed to sustainable construction; 85 percent say they carry out all or part of their business in this area and 92 percent expect to do so within the next five years.

Lack of commitment to sustainable construction is perceived as a discriminating factor. Many professionals (62 percent, up three points from 2023) consider their suppliers’ commitment to sustainable construction as a selection criterion. Among elected representatives, the sustainable dimension is a decisive criterion for awarding public contracts; nearly nine out of 10 consider this criterion to be important.

Finally, among students who perceive the implementation of more sustainable constructions as a priority, 45 percent say they would not accept a job offer from a company that was not committed to sustainable construction.

And in the United States? Sustainable construction in the United States is first and foremost a question of recycling materials and energy efficiency.

In the United States, 85 percent of respondents are familiar with the concept of sustainable construction (a slight 2 percent decrease from 2023), with 50 percent stating they have a firm understanding. Sustainable construction continues to be defined by how buildings are constructed and how materials are used and handled. Eighty-four percent of U.S. respondents most closely associated sustainable construction with the recycling of building materials, while 83 percent cited building energy efficiency, compared to 70 percent and 74 percent worldwide, respectively.

North American construction professionals are motivated to move sustainable construction forward, with 79 percent prepared to take jobs that take sustainable construction into account, regardless of time, material supply or margins. However, more work must be done to educate elected officials and associations as they award contracts and work with construction companies.

Accelerating the Pace: Levers of Action in the United States

U.S. respondents see architects and building engineers as the most legitimate actors to advance sustainable construction in the United States (59 percent of respondents), aligned with worldwide perceptions (55 percent). These results constitute a major increase of over 20 percent from last year, when only 34 percent of U.S. respondents saw architects as major drivers. They are closely followed by private companies in the construction sector (47 percent). In addition, U.S. respondents are more likely to see elected officials as major contributors to accelerating sustainable construction than their worldwide counterparts (47 percent, compared to 32 percent worldwide).

For the second consecutive year, making sustainable materials, products and solutions more competitive is seen as the top priority to advancing sustainable development by U.S. respondents, with 39 percent citing the action as a major priority. At 37 percent, renovating existing buildings closely follows, and U.S. stakeholders are much more likely to see this as a top priority than their worldwide counterparts (only 20 percent named it a top priority).

Beyond the Barometer: The Work of the Sustainable Construction Observatory

The Sustainable Construction Barometer is just one component of Saint-Gobain’s Sustainable Construction Observatory, which includes Sustainable Construction Talks, international meetings bringing together all players in the sector together to discuss relevant issues, and Constructing a Sustainable Future, a digital magazine. The observatory will continue to develop in 2024.

In 2023, three Sustainable Construction Talks were organized by the observatory: the first, which was in Paris, was dedicated to the subject of energy renovation in Europe; the second, which was during New York City’s Climate Week, was devoted to the challenges of adapting to climate change; and the final one was in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during COP28 on the theme of sustainable construction in the Global South. Later this year, Saint-Gobain will again hold a talk at New York City’s Climate Week and during the International Greenbuild Conference in Philadelphia.

The observatory’s first findings include:

1. Financing and risk coverage: How can we facilitate investment in sustainable construction and energy renovation and strengthen the role of the insurance system in adapting to climate change?
2. Adaptation and resilience: Sustainable construction is still largely viewed in terms of climate change mitigation. But the issue of transition in the sector also involves adaptation and resilience. How can we ensure that adaptation and resilience are better considered, in a context where sustainable construction is still often considered in terms of climate change mitigation?
3. Inclusion and accessibility: How can we remove social and economic barriers to sustainable construction and energy renovation?
4. Human resources and skills: How can we accelerate knowledge sharing and skills development in the field of sustainable construction?
5. Global and local: How can we combine international alignment with local specificities?

The Sustainable Construction Observatory will continue its reflections on these topics and more in 2024 to help bring about solutions and make their deployment a reality.

AGC Releases Decarbonization Playbook to Assess Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Associated General Contractors of America released a new, first-of-its-kind decarbonization playbook designed to help firms assess, track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the projects they build. The new resource, titled The AGC Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction Industry, is part of the association’s broader efforts to make sure construction firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures for the industry.

“This new tool will help firms understand the basics of tracking carbon emissions, including who is responsible for those emissions, how to track them and what are the best ways to cut them,” said Jeff Shoaf, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “This is the first document of its kind written by contractors, for contractors, to help them assess the impacts of the projects they are hired to build.”

The new resource outlines a four-step process firms can follow to work with partners to confirm who should be accountable for various carbon emissions associated with a construction project. It also outlines how to document who is accountable for those emissions to limit surprises and risks for everyone involved in a construction project.

The decarbonization playbook also includes resources to help firms calculate the carbon footprint of their projects. This includes the carbon emissions related to the manufacture of key project materials, like concrete, steel, asphalt and flat glass. It also lays out ways for firms to track and report emissions related to the construction process itself, including carbon emissions from transporting materials and operating equipment on the job site.

In addition, the document offers a host of industry-identified strategies and tips for reducing carbon emissions from their projects, from proposing alternative, less carbon-intensive materials to ways to operate more efficient job sites.

The playbook was written by a task force the association established in early 2023. Representatives from AGC member-firms worked for the last year to develop the new decarbonization playbook. The association will distribute the report to all members.

In addition to the playbook, the association continues to make resources available to members and share proposals with policymakers about the best ways to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment. “Our goal is to make sure our members have clear, actionable and replicable resources to understand their responsibilities, measure the impacts of their projects and operate as efficiently as possible,” Shoaf added.