Industry
News, trends, and analysis of the trades and services industry, including regulations and market data.
Vocational Training Is Not Just an Option; It's the Only Viable Fix for the Skilled Trades Gap
The skilled trades gap is a critical issue impacting infrastructure and economic growth. Vocational training offers the only viable solution by providing hands-on experience and fostering a culture of safety and precision.
The Smart Home Shift: New Opportunities for Electricians and HVAC Pros
Only 15% of smart home device owners feel confident installing complex, interconnected systems themselves, according to a Statista Consumer Survey.
Humanoid Robots and Edge AI Drive 2026 Industrial Automation Surge
Tesla will convert its Fremont factory to produce up to 1 million Optimus robots annually starting January 2026, according to Robozaps .
Construction Safety Compliance Trends Face New Pressures in 2026
Since 2015, construction workplaces have reported 11,340 severe injuries, accounting for over 18% of all severe injuries nationwide, according to ScienceDirect .
How Prelion Systems' Construction Safety Platform Solves Your Top 3 OSHA Fine Risks
Prelion Systems offers a purpose-built construction safety platform designed from field experience to tackle the top three costly OSHA violations: Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout, and Hazard Communication and Training. It provides a proactive, digital solution to manage critical risks and avoid significant fines, moving beyond generic software to protect workers effectively.
McCarthy and Palantir Forge AI Partnership to Revolutionize Construction
McCarthy Building Companies, founded in 1864, is building an AI operating system called 'Pulse' with Palantir Technologies.
Fisk Electric lands $48M data center manufacturing job
Fisk Electric Company, a Tutor Perini subsidiary, secured a $48 million electrical project for an advanced manufacturing and data center infrastructure facility in Houston, TX, Stocktitan reported.
Judge Halts Google Data Center Project in Minnesota
A proposed 482-acre Google data center campus in Pine Island, Minnesota, intended to be powered by 1,900 megawatts of new clean energy, has been abruptly halted.
US steel imports drop 30% as tariffs impact global trade
Steel imports into the United States plummeted by nearly 30% year-to-date in 2026, a direct consequence of ongoing Section 232 tariffs.
Construction Execs See Strong Data Center Boom Ahead
At Jacobs, data centers' share of business doubled year over year, now accounting for 3-4% of its total revenue, according to Construction Dive .
Here's How to Avoid The Most Overlooked Funeral Planning Mistake with Brater Winter Funeral Home
The most overlooked funeral planning mistake is not pre-planning end-of-life wishes, leading to stress and conflict for grieving families. Brater Winter Funeral Home guides families through pre-planning to ensure harmony and honor legacies, offering various options beyond traditional funerals, including personalized cremation services.
Brad Sugars on the Surprising Reason Most Business Owners Fail (And How to Avoid It)
Brad Sugars explains that most business owners fail because they get stuck in the 'technician's trap,' operating as indispensable employees rather than entrepreneurs. This prevents scaling and wealth creation, essentially turning their business into a job.
2026 SEMA Show Registration Opens for Industry Professionals
For just $50, qualified attendees can secure their entry to the 2026 SEMA Show, but only if they act before June 26.
SEMA Report: Specialty Equipment Sales Stabilize at $52.65 Billion
With new vehicle loan rates around 7.
Lowe's Foundation Pledges $250 Million for Skilled Trades Training
By 2035, Lowe's aims to have trained a quarter-million skilled trades workers, a workforce larger than Boise, Idaho's entire population.
Female electrotechnology students enter trades despite underrepresentation
Electrician Amy Barratt-Singh couldn't ask for basic welfare facilities on her first job site, intimidated by the environment, according to idealind .
Healthcare Industry Trends 2026: Skilled Trades Face Shortage
A major Ohio hospital delayed a new surgical wing's opening by six months.
Skilled Trades Face Record Shortage Amidst Industry Upheaval
The US economy currently loses an estimated $1 trillion annually due to delayed work and rising costs from a severe shortage of skilled trades workers.
Nylon Washers Surge in Automotive, Challenging Metal Dominance
The average electric vehicle is projected to use 25% more nylon washers in the next five years, quietly driving a significant shift away from traditional metal fasteners in non-structural components.
Advanced recycling's $815M market poised for growth despite plastic waste challenges
In West Virginia, a new Clean-Seas pyrolysis facility will process 500 tons of plastic waste daily.
Air Cooled Heat Exchanger Market Booms Amidst Automotive Turmoil
While many automotive giants grapple with slowing sales and supply chain woes, a niche market for air-cooled heat exchangers is quietly forecast to grow at an 8.
AI's surprising role in boosting skilled trades education wages
QTS, a Blackstone portfolio company, plans to increase its workforce from 10,000 to 40,000 workers by year-end, a 300% increase.
AI's Data Center Boom Sparks Urgent Need for Skilled Trades
At a new hyperscale data center in rural Ohio, project managers offer six-figure salaries and signing bonuses for electricians and HVAC technicians.
Smart Tools' Efficiency Hindered by High Costs
A single smart construction dashboard can cost a company with 100 users $90,000 annually, often without including hidden setup fees.
Heat pump installations outsell gas furnaces, reshaping HVAC construction
Since 2021, heat pump installations have consistently outsold gas furnaces, marking a profound shift in how America heats and cools its buildings.
Tool Libraries Drive Billions in Economic Benefits
On May 20, 2026, Detroit's Bailey Park tool library will host a tool drive, a small community event that belies the multi-billion dollar economic impact similar community-focused initiatives are gener
Skilled Trades Surge as Tech Giants Expand Apprenticeships Amid Labor Shortage
In some North American markets, building data centers for tech giants now accounts for up to 50% of total work hours for union construction members, according to the Construction Owners Club .
Apprenticeships Surge: Vocational Training Tackles Skilled Trades Labor Shortage
In 2023, Southern Home Services hired Matt Ellenberg to enhance training.
AI Transforms Home Services: Experiences & Engagement Deepen
In a significant industry shift, Wind Telecom has commercially deployed ZTE's Smart Cloud Platform , bringing intelligent home solutions directly to consumers in the Dominican Republic.
Small Off-Road Engine Market Expands, Driven by Electrification
Last year, sales of battery-powered lawnmowers in North America surged by 28%, while traditional gasoline models saw their first decline in a decade, according to an Industry Trends Report .