Industry
News, trends, and analysis of the trades and services industry, including regulations and market data.
European EV Sales Hit Record Highs, Outpacing Global Trends
In March 2026, the Tesla Model Y, an electric vehicle, was the top-selling car model across all categories in Europe.
Skilled Trades: AI's Role in Bridging the 2026 Knowledge Gap
The distribution workforce is aging out so rapidly that companies cannot hire replacements fast enough.
Skilled Trades Demand Surges in Renewable Energy Amid Green Job Boom
Job opportunities for Solar Photovoltaic Installers are projected to jump by a staggering 48% over the next decade, from 2023 to 2033, according to Business Insider .
On-Demand Dry Cleaning Boom: Green Claims Lag Behind Growth
In 2023, a single on-demand dry cleaning startup operating within New York City processed over 100,000 garments monthly.
AI Integration in Construction Planning Promises New 'Master Builder' Roles
A Trunk Tools calculation recently revealed that a project owner's seemingly minor requested change would add nearly $4 million to a roughly $100 million construction project, according to Crunchbase
Data centers offer flexibility for 'speed to power'
AI data centers, despite immense power demands, can offer 18% to 55% flexibility in consumption without compromising service quality, Utility Dive reports.
Walmart opens Atlanta skilled trades training hub
Walmart now offers some internally trained technicians a pay range up to $51 per hour, a significant boost from typical retail wages.
Meta's $115M Academy Fights Skilled Trades Gap With New Training
In just seven days, Meta's Level-Up fiber installation training program received 35,000 applications.
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 .
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.
Trades and service pros are key to local development resilience.
In one mid-sized American city, the average age of a licensed plumber is 58, and only 3% of high school graduates enter vocational training programs, creating a looming crisis for essential urban infr
SEMA Report: Specialty Equipment Sales Stabilize at $52.65 Billion
With new vehicle loan rates around 7.
Apprenticeships Address Skilled Trades Labor Shortage
CBRE and Meta are launching a multiyear initiative called LevelUp to recruit and train thousands of fiber technicians for U.
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.
The REPAIR Act Is Here: Why the Right to Repair Is an Inevitable and Necessary Shift
The Right to Repair movement is gaining undeniable momentum with the introduction of the federal REPAIR Act. This legislation aims to rebalance power, granting consumers and independent shops fair access to parts, tools, and service information.
Stop Admiring the Skills Gap: Why Investing in Vocational Training Is Our Only Way Out
The US faces a critical skilled trades shortage, threatening our economy. Aggressive investment in vocational training programs is no longer an option but an economic imperative to address this crisis.
Manufacturer Gatekeeping Must End: The Case for a Universal Right to Repair
The universal 'Right to Repair' movement advocates for ownership, safety, and economic fairness by challenging manufacturers' monopolies over product maintenance. This crucial legislation empowers consumers and independent repair professionals, fostering a more sustainable and competitive market.
How Evolving Skilled Trades Apprenticeships Boost Workforce Development and Wages
Apprentices earn a competitive wage from day one, a core benefit driving the latest trends in skilled trades apprenticeship programs. Federal investment and a focus on diversity are reshaping workforce development across multiple industries.
Skilled Trades Gap: Rising Interest, Still Not Enough?
For every five skilled trades workers retiring in the U.
AI in Construction Procurement Risks Hidden Bias and Accountability Gaps.
A recent audit revealed an AI-driven procurement system in a major city's infrastructure project disproportionately favored contractors based on non-merit characteristics.
AI in construction procurement is already biased and unaccountable.
In Dubai, a pilot artificial intelligence (AI) program identified a 15% cost saving in material sourcing for a major infrastructure project.
Mobile robots in construction face 2026 integration boom
An eight-person crew, equipped with AI-powered robotics from Gritt, can now install up to 4,000 solar panels a day, a five-fold increase over traditional methods.
Smart Home Market Valued Over $170 Billion, Segmented Growth
Despite the smart home market being valued at $172 billion in 2025, smart appliance penetration is projected to reach only 30.
Green Building Certifications Cost More Than You Think in 2026
Achieving a top-tier green building certification, like the Living Building Challenge, demands more than innovative design.
Robotics and Lasers Revolutionize Woodworking and Construction
For decades, construction robots were more novelty than necessity.
AI Labs Discover New Materials, But Market Integration Lags
An AI startup focused on material discovery recently secured $9 million in seed funding, according to TechCrunch.