The resilient nation of hard working, innovative entrepreneurs is rebounding. Six years post the great recession, failed cities are rising from the rubble. There is a resurgence of city dwellers along with corporate investment and infrastructure improvements. U.S. highways are humming with trucks and commuters, restaurant and club patrons are on the rise, steel is being raised as construction crews build new manufacturing plants and office buildings. Corporations are investing from the ground up with a new level of consciousness for sustainability. Increased options for higher fuel efficiency fleet vehicles, daylight harvesting moveable walls in collaborative work environments are clear signs America is back and better than ever. The U.S. construction industry is surging in nearly all sectors and the outlook for 2015 is strong.
Clear signs of a Stronger Economy:
- Lowest unemployment rate since 2008
- Consumers eating out more
- Gas prices falling
- Growth in manufacturing and goods producing companies
- Spending levels showing momentum
- U.S. manufacturing has reported strong growth in last three quarters 2014
American Entrepreneurship is alive and well
From start up companies to decades old corporations, American companies are optimistic and driving forward. As NxtWall fills new and retrofitted office buildings throughout the country with demountable glass walls, we’re feeling the energy and momentum. America’s hard work, action and perseverance is paying off – it is what is bringing America back.
As we end the last quarter of 2014 we are happy to see forecasts for 2015 show the continued growth. NADA is predicting nearly 7 million in U.S. auto sales in 2015.
The 2015 Dodge Construction Outlook details the forecast as follows:
- Commercial building will increase 15%
- Hotel and warehouse construction should also strengthen,
- Institutional building will advance 9%
- The educational building category increasing amount of K-12 school construction,
- Healthcare facilities expected to show improvement
- Public works construction will improve 5%,
- Electric utilities will slide 9%,
- Manufacturing plant construction will settle back 16%
The smell and taste of sweet success is in the air with consumer and corporate confidence improving. As corporations are investing in renovations or new construction the new respect to stretch dollars and be responsible corporate citizens is evident. Environmental concepts are implemented, from shared printers, to moveable walls, to telecommuting employees. Business is growing but it’s not business as usual.
A leader of note in this creative office space approach is the GSA headquarters in Washington. In an effort to save money GSA adopted open office plans, glass wall offices and whiteboard moveable wall meeting spaces. Along with achieving the cost savings goal, daylight harvesting and shared equipment delivered the added bonus of reduced energy consumption.
These changes are not just trends that will fade away. Corporations are looking to the past to plan for the future. Architects and interior designers are working closely with facility managers and specifying sustainable moveable walls that can be reconfigured as offices change. Natural light is flooding into the work space through glass walls. Energy efficient LEDs are replacing energy sucking fluorescents. We’re wiser and stronger for the losses we have suffered and all of the world will benefit.
As the United States prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, please don’t take this success for granted. Raise a glass and give thanks to the dreamers and fighters who have battled to bring our country back better than ever.
