(October 8th, 2009)

As I was browsing online researching current trends in the heavy construction industry, I stumbled upon an article about a new Guinness World Record. In India, a Jaipur-base engineering firm constructed the Satsang Hall, the world's widest concrete building.  Held together by reinforced concrete, the 15,800 square foot pillar-less Hall can seat up to 5,000 people for any of its events.  The roof was completely flat, constructed by using a reinforced concrete technique known as criss-cross square grid.  An amazing feat and a new world record to be recorded in India.

The CEO of the construction company who built the structure proclaimed, "If Dubai has Burj Al Hotel, the world's tallest tower, India now has the Satsang Hall, the world's widest concrete building."

Easy to see there is some competitive spirit in the owners business, but if there wasn't we wouldn't be able to enjoy the beauty of these architectural masterpieces that continue to pop up all over the world. Look out for more amazing structures to pop up in Dubais, India, and China over the next 20 years. I can't wait to see what engineers come out with next!

Now, for the industry update.  As stimulus money begins to poor in again, big cities are choosing to use their money for road maintenance on heavy traffic roads and to build alternative public transportation routes, including high speed railways and street cars.  Don't assume that another $100 billion influx in cash will revive the industry completely, but more money equals more jobs, and in an industry that employs a large portion of working class Americans, the stimulus is sure to help.

Contracting professionals and governments alike are looking to buy up new machinery to start jobs this winter or during the Spring of 2010, look for concrete flat saw, diamond blade, concrete form, and curb machine sales to increase dramatically as companies begin to ramp up for jobs coming up in the next year.