Job Front: Sacramento construction job market still struggling, economist says

Employment in Sacramento's construction sector continues to lag behind California and the nation as the state's building trades struggle with a fragile economy, an economist said on a visit to Sacramento on Friday.
In a midday roundtable of construction and other officials Friday in Sacramento, construction economist Ken Simonson of the Associated General Contractors of America, or AGC, outlined the current state of the industry.
"The recovery we've seen is stronger in the coastal metro areas than inland," Simonson said. "There are a lot of budget challenges that could keep spending depressed in this area."

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.

 

Indeed, as California's construction industry slowly pulls itself from 2009's depths, Sacramento employment in the sector fell 6 percent from April 2011 to April 2012, according to the AGC.
Construction jobs statewide dropped slightly – 0.3 percent from April to April.
Head winds abound for California's building industry – from the state's ongoing budget struggles to sluggish demand for retail, home and public construction and less federal spending for construction projects that helped keep the sector afloat in 2010 and 2011, Simonson said.
"The federal government outlook for construction funding is bleak. Local is even bleaker," he said.
There are a few positive signs, however, in warehouse and distribution, multifamily construction and in hospital projects, spurred by California's stringent seismic retrofit requirements and lower construction bond rates.
"The hospital market is huge in California," he said.
But frustrated workers are starting to leave construction for other opportunities.
"They're not sitting at home waiting for contractors to hire them," Simonson said.

Networkers hold workshop

Local networking group Sacramento Professional Network leads a free job search workshop Wednesday in Antelope.
The free workshop, "Getting Started with Your Job Search" will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sacramento Public Library's North Highlands- Antelope branch, 4235 Antelope Road.
The workshop, sponsored by Sacramento Public Library, covers a variety of topics from the local job market, résumés and cover letters to using the Internet and other tools to start and improve your job search.
Dress is business casual.
For more information, visit www.sacpronet.com, then select "event calendar."

Want to work for the state?

Job seekers can learn how to pursue state employment opportunities at the State Personnel Board's next lunchtime seminar.
The free noon workshop June 27 at 801 Capitol Mall guides job seekers in how to find job recruitments, complete applications and search for job vacancies among other tips.
For more information, visit www.spb.ca.gov, then select "Free state hiring process seminars."

Ask the job expert

Do you have career or job-hunting questions? Ask Terri Carpenter, one of our "Ask the Experts" writers who can answer your questions online.
As a veteran career counselor at the Sacramento Employment Training Agency, she has plenty of expertise in résumé writing, job skills training and career counseling.

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/11/2236337/sacramento-construction-job-market.html#storylink=cpy

 

Source : http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/11/2236337/sacramento-construction-job-market.html

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/11/2236337/sacramento-construction-job-market.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/11/2236337/sacramento-construction-job-market.html#storylink=cpy

Construction industry players can contribute positively to Sabah's economy - Musa

KOTA KINABALU, June 10 (Bernama) -- Sabah hopes construction industry players understand the objective of government transformation programmes in order for them to contribute positively in the context of economic diversification.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the construction industry is regarded as an important asset in terms of contribution to nation building.
"Builders add value to the economy by transforming barren land into shopping centres, houses and other supporting infrastructure.
I would like to stress the importance of state and federal plans to bring progress, to improve livelihood and to bridge regional divide not only between the Peninsular and Sabah, but also within the state," he said at the Sabah Kin Cho Hong Association's (Sabah Construction Association) 37th anniversary dinner here tonight.
The text of his speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai.
Musa also said the association could act as a bridge between the government and construction sector by communicating important information to both quarters.
It could provide timely feedback to the government on issues that the industry faces so that the government could act on them.
"Let me assure you that the Barisan Nasional government is aware of matters raised and we are constantly striving to find ways to facilitate the smooth running of various industries in Malaysia, including the construction industry.
"It is also in the government』s best interest to ensure that the construction industry is able to flourish in order to stimulate economic growth and create jobs," he added.

Source : http://www.mysinchew.com/node/74316

 

Nuclear Energy Insider: Middle East and North Africa Nuclear Construction Industry Offers Over $300 Billion to Contractors

Sources at Nuclear Energy Insider state that MENA nations, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and Egypt are rapidly approaching multiple new nuclear construction and operation projects. This offers the global nuclear community over $300 billion worth of new contracts in the near future.

(PRWEB) June 11, 2012

Since KEPCO secured the Middle East’s first tender for 4 new units to be constructed in the United Arab Emirates at a cost of $20 Billion, the Middle East and North African nuclear power industry has boomed. Currently the UAE’s national nuclear utility ENEC have announced a further 12 units to be developed, Saudi Arabia’s KA CARE will also have 16 units, Egypt and Jordan are planning their first and bordering nations such as Turkey are following suit quickly.
This boom in the nuclear construction market will generate over $300 billion in new contracts that will be available for tender over the upcoming years.
2010 saw Jordanian state owned utility, The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, announce a single 1000MW unit to be constructed at Majdal, Mafraq Province in central Jordan. After working with various engineering consultants JAEC has successfully whittled their technology selection down to just a few options, including the French-Japanese ATMEA1 1100mw unit. The final details for the project and following tenders are expected to be announced shortly in order for the plant to be operational by 2017/2018.
By far, the largest and most ambitious project to be announced has been Saudi Arabia’s recently established King Abdullah City of Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA CARE). KA CARE are working to build a new city that produces zero Co2 emissions by only using an energy mix of nuclear power and renewable sources. This complex and sizeable new nuclear project is by far the region’s largest, with a budget of over $250 Billion to secure 16 new nuclear units and other related power and infrastructure. With the nation’s wealth and vast oil reserves, paying for this ambitious project is no problem – however building a new power plant in the Middle East comes with unique challenges that can only be met with international expertise from across the globe.
It is no secret that the MENA nations are lacking indigenous expertise to complete these projects. As such senior decision makers from government and national nuclear utilities are attending the 3rd Annual MENA Nuclear Construction Conference, hosted in Dubai on the 25-26 September 2012. Hundreds of utility representatives, EPC and technology providers including KA CARE, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy, Rosatom, KEPCO, Shaw & Westinghouse are meeting to find the best way to deliver these projects in desert conditions.
The C-level speaker line-up from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Egypt and other nations quickly circulated around the global nuclear community, resulting in senior level executives from EDF, n.triple.a, Areva, GE Hitachi, Masdar, Westinghouse and many more securing their place at the meeting to strike up new partnerships, develop business and secure their share of this multi-billion dollar market.
If companies are looking to take advantage of the global nuclear renaissance, this is the only region where multi-billion dollar nuclear projects need a fully external supply chain to complete new build programs in the most challenging conditions – and this is the only annual meeting point where this exclusive industry connects.
If you want to secure your place in the $300+ billion MENA nuclear supply chain you need to attend the 3rd Annual Nuclear Construction Conference, Dubai, 25-26 September.

Source : http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2012/06/11/nuclear-energy-insider-middle-east-and-north-africa-nuclear-construction-industry-offers-

Boat exports to Brazil show signs of strength

U.S. boat exports to Brazil have increased 41 percent between 2011 and 2012 despite that country's high tariffs on foreign boats.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has identified Brazil as one of the leading emerging markets for boatbuilders.
Builders had their eye on Brazil for years until Mercosur, a South American trading bloc consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, levied 35 percent taxes on boats imported from other countries in an effort to make its own builders competitive.
But John Vanderwolf, an economic specialist with the Commerce Department, says builders should revisit the area when they seek to grow export markets.
“The increase of 41 percent proves that Brazil is still a strong market to get into,” Vanderwolf told builders during a webinar Tuesday.
The webinar was a joint effort by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Commerce Department as part of their new initiative to focus on growing U.S. boat exports.
The formalized program, called the New Market Export Initiative, allows NMMA members improved access to international trade resources that the U.S. government offers. It was developed to assist manufacturers as they expand export sales of their goods.
The program was announced in April during the American Boating Congress general session by NMMA president Thom Dammrich and U.S. undersecretary for international trade Francisco Sánchez.
Since 2007 there has been a positive balance in U.S. trade of recreational boats and marine engines, with the balance totaling $573 million in 2010, Currie said. As Americans focus on the U.S. trade deficit, the government has recognized the boating industry’s potential to grow further, he said.

Source : http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/520356-boat-exports-to-brazil-show-signs-of-strength

Brownie's Marine Group to Explore Possible Spin-Off of Its Exclusive Rights to Steam Generation Technology for Marine Industry

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brownie's Marine Group, Inc. (OTCBB:BWMG), a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of highly specialized dive and safety products, today announced that that its Board of Directors has authorized the Company to evaluate strategic alternatives for its steam generation technology rights; including the separation of this potential business platform into a new company through a spin-off or other transaction.
In recent testing, the Molecular Impact Energy (MIE) steam generation system produced continuous steam without the aid of a conventional boiler apparatus. The MIE system was also successfully attached to a conventional double acting two-cylinder steam engine. Developing a test platform to prove the relative energy efficiency of the MIE invention and its integration into the marine industry are key near-term goals of the Company. Brownie's maintains exclusive rights to this technology for marine industry applications.
"We see significant upside for the application of this technology for the marine industry; upside that is potentially greater than our current core business and not reflected in our current enterprise value" stated Robert Carmichael, CEO of Brownie's.
For more information on the MIE project see: http://browniesmarinegroup.com/mie-marine-energy-project
About Brownie's Marine Group, Inc.
Brownie's Marine Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Trebor Industries, Inc., d/b/a Brownie's Third Lung, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida designs, tests, manufactures and distributes recreational hookah diving, yacht based scuba air compressor and Nitrox Generation Systems, and scuba and water safety products. The Company sells its products both on a wholesale and retail basis. The Company is an industry leading manufacturing and distribution company that serves middle income boat owners, higher income yacht owners, recreational divers, military operators and public safety personnel. The Company holds more than ten patents that have yielded several proprietary products. Many of these products and innovations have become the "standard" for the marine industry. In the boating and diving community, Brownie's is known as the market leader when it comes to surface supplied "Third Lung" dive systems and Scuba Tankfill Systems for yacht-based diving. In 2011, Brownie's introduced the first in a series of patent-pending Variable Speed Battery Powered Third Lung (hookah diving) devices engineered to conserve energy while delivering performance to the diver. In May of 2012, the company opened its first company owned, full service dive and paddle board store; Brownie's Dive and Paddle showcases a premium selection of top brands of SCUBA, Technical and beginner level diving and Stand-Up Paddle Board equipment. Due to a long history in advanced high-pressure gas systems Brownie's has taken a leading development role and invested in a permanent license agreement for Molecular Impact Energy (MIE) technology in the field of marine applications.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "future," "plan" or "planned," "expects," or "projected." These forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. These forward looking statements include potential commercialization of the MIE technology for marine applications, the viability of the MIE technology, the potential realization of new revenue streams from the MIE and other patent and license rights, and our success in obtaining venture partners to help fund the testing of the MIE technology These risk factors include, among others, limited operating history, our ability to obtain funding for the MIE project, and the efficacy of the MIE technology in marine applications, difficulty in identifying and marketing products, intense competition, substantially increasing the enterprise value of Brownie's, successfully commercializing other patents, generating new lucrative streams of revenue from the MIE, successfully spinning off the MIE into a new entity or through another transaction, and additional risks factors as discussed in reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov.

Source : http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=258717

Rhode Island’s Marine Industry Welcomes the America’s Cup World Series 

There is a whirlwind of excitement and preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure Newport, RI is ready for the final round of the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS), which will be held June 23- July 1. Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), with its 230 member companies dedicated to the growth in recreational boating, has representatives helping to coordinate facility upgrades, on- and off-water safety and logistics, as well as community presentations and events.

Fort Adams State Park in Newport is the event venue. With the support of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, significant upgrades have been made including improvements to roads in the park, the installation of new docks for the international fleet of AC45 catamarans competing in the World Series, and the construction of an AC Village and an Exploration Zone for children. 

“The America’s Cup World Series offers the opportunity for Rhode Island to show off its expansive marine industry and its capacity for world-class on-water competitions,” said Paul Harden, the Executive Director of America’s Cup Rhode Island and the marine industry representative at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. “We expect, through the permanent facility upgrades made to Fort Adams and infrastructure improvements throughout the State, that additional international sailing events, such as the Volvo Ocean Race, will be drawn to Newport.”

With an all-volunteer Board of approximately 40 professionals from around the state, and countless other volunteers on various sub-committees, The Rhode Island America’s Cup World Series Host Committee is charged with ensuring the necessary preparatory work is getting done. The Host Committee, chaired by Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, consists of several industry leaders. Michael Keyworth of Brewer Cove Haven represents RIMTA on the Host Committee Board and co-chairs the Marine sub-committee. Other RIMTA members on the Board include Alison Eichler, owner of Dutch Harbor Marina in Jamestown, Halsey Herreshoff of the Herreshoff Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol and Terry Nathan of the International Yacht Restoration School and the Museum of Yachting, located in Newport.

The ACWS has also drawn additional marine industry professionals to its very active sub-committees. Tricia Yeoman of Nautor’s Swan USA East has spent countless hours coordinating a public speaker series with a spotlight on well-known contributors to past and current America’s Cup events including Eric Goetz of Goetz Composites in Bristol, and Dirk Kramer, the AC45 designer, from Tiverton. Alison Eichler has been working with local and regional businesses to coordinate product donations for the ACWS Cocktail Celebration being held on June 8 at Fort Adams, which benefits Rhode Island’s Tall Ship, the Oliver Hazard Perry.

Several RIMTA member companies are providing goods and services for the America’s Cup World Series. Hall Spars & Rigging in Bristol has built the wing sails for the defenders, ORACLE Team USA, and several challengers. Naiad Inflatables of Newport, an Official Supplier to ORACLE Team USA, is building four RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) support vessels for the team’s AC45 and AC72 catamarans. The hulls of these boats are being built at New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, with painting by Diversified Finishes in Bristol.

Oldport Marine Services of Newport and Conanicut Marine Services of Jamestown are providing water shuttle service, around Newport Harbor and across Narragansett Bay. Newport Shipyard in Newport is providing dockage for support vessels and spectator boats. Rhode Island Bay Cruises is offering 3-hour America’s Cup sightseeing cruises on each day of the World Series, departing from their facility at Quonset Point in North Kingstown.

With 400 miles of coastline surrounding Narragansett Bay, world-renown boat building, superior products and services, exciting on-water competitions and destinations, the message is clear: Rhode Island is for boating enthusiasts.

Source : http://windcheckmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1399:rhode-islands-marine-industry-welcomes-the-americas-cup-world-series&catid=85:racing&Itemid=416

 

New CEO Named for Topaz Energy & Marine

 

Oman's Renaissance Services has announced the appointment of René Kofod-Olsen as CEO for Topaz Energy & Marine. Kofod-Olsen’s career spans 18 years in the marine industry with the A.P. Møller-Maersk Group.
He is currently CEO of Svitzer Asia, Middle East and Africa, responsible for a fleet of 130 vessels operating in 17 countries. He is also a member of the global executive leadership team of Svitzer. He will take up his new position at Topaz in early August 2012.
Topaz has one of the youngest, most modern and versatile Offshore Support Vessel fleets in the world. The Topaz fleet, which average age is 7.2 years compared to an industry average of 13 years, operates primarily in the MENA and Caspian regions. Topaz is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renaissance Services.
Topaz Energy and Marine
Topaz is a leading oilfield services company providing marine and engineering solutions to the global energy industry with primary focus on MENA and the Caspian Sea. Headquartered in Dubai and with more than 35 years of experience in the Middle East, Topaz operates a fleet of 98 offshore support vessels and provides energy and marine engineering services. Topaz is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renaissance Services SAOG, a publicly traded company on the Muscat Securities Market, Oman.

Source : http://www.breakbulk.com/press-release/new-ceo-named-topaz-energy-marine-06-11