Masonry Magazine April 1983 Page. 29
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'82 Closes on High Note
For Construction Field
Construction contracting rose in December, 1982 to the highest rate in three years, according to F. W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Co.
The continued support of home-building and a sharp gain in utility construction advanced the seasonally adjusted Dodge Index of construction contract value by 7% to 131 in the final month of 1982, surpassing every month since January, 1980. The Dodge Index uses 1977 as its 100 base.
December's $14 billion of contracting for construction of all kinds brought 1982's total of newly started work to $154.6 billion, a narrow gain of 1% over the 1981 value. Until the final month, 1982 contracting had been trailing 1981's value and at midyear stood 11% behind the previous year's total.
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"Green Book" on Rentals
Published by AED
The updated 34th edition of Nationally Averaged Rental Rates for Construction Equipment-popularly called the "Green Book" is available from Associated Equipment Distributors.
The reference provides 1982 nationally averaged rental rates and equipment model specifications to help users match the right machine to job requirements. Averaged monthly, weekly and daily rates for more than 3,200 line items are included covering all sizes and types of equipment, from small handheld tools to giant earth-movers.
Single copy price for the new 34th edition is $22. Order from Dept. R, AED, 615 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60521, (312) 654-0650.
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K-D Manitou Appoints
Advertising/PR Agency
K-D Manitou, Inc., Waco, Texas-based manufacturer of rough terrain forklifts, recently appointed Ray Hicks, Inc. of Waco as its official advertising/public relations agency.
K-D began in 1947 as K-D Manufacturing Co., with marketing interests primarily in the Sun Belt region of the United States. In 1981 it joined Manitou BF of Ancenis, France. The combined firms now are taking their marketing program nationwide and currently have sales in 83 countries.
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Construction Contracting
Holds Firm in January
Contracting for new construction in January remained close to the strong rate reached in December when the Dodge Index of construction activity climbed to a three-year high, according to the F. W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Co.
January's $11.4 billion of newly started construction brought the seasonally adjusted Dodge Index to 127 in the latest month, a retreat of only 3% from December's surge to 131. The Dodge Index uses 1977 as its 100 base.
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ASTM Building Code
Standards Published
Specifications, test methods and definitions concerned with building codes have been compiled in 1981 ASTM Standards in Building Codes, a two-volume publication.
The 19th edition of this publication contains all ASTM standards that are referenced in building codes of states, cities and municipalities.
For more information contact ASTM, Sales Services Department, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215/299-5585.