Despite tariff challenges, the construction backlog in the US has reached its highest since September 2023, with contractors optimistic about profit margins, as per an Associated Builders and Contractors survey. Larger contractors saw significant backlog growth, while smaller ones experienced a decline. Tariff-related project delays increased to 22% in April. Although commercial construction backlog rose slightly, heavy industrial and infrastructure work declined.

Project stress in the US construction industry rose in April, driven by private sector delays and abandonments, according to ConstructConnect. The Project Stress Index increased by 1.5%, with private projects on hold up 40% and abandonments up 14.1% over the past year. The private sector is more affected by economic changes, with high interest rates and labor market issues impacting confidence. Although overall, stress levels are 6.5% lower than last year.

The UK government is expediting two major reservoir projects in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire to address historic water shortages, offering new opportunities for civil contractors. Declared “nationally significant infrastructure projects,” these reservoirs bypass standard planning processes. The projects, aim to supply 87 and 166 million litres of water daily, respectively. With nine reservoirs planned by 2050, this initiative is part of a £104 billion investment in the water sector, addressing climate change impacts and supporting economic growth.

Construction activity in the Eurozone and UK continued to decline in April, but at a slower pace, as per recent surveys. The HCOB Eurozone Construction PMI rose to 46.0, indicating a softer contraction, particularly in Germany, while France and Italy faced stronger declines. The housing sector saw the least pronounced reduction in 26 months. In the UK, the PMI slightly increased, with residential work showing resilience. Despite ongoing challenges, there is cautious optimism for future growth, especially in the residential segment.

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised alarms over substandard cement in the market, linked to an increase in building collapses. IEK calls for audits of manufacturers and stricter enforcement of quality checks, including random sampling from stores. Reports indicate that some 50kg cement bags weigh as little as 45kg, and certain brands show up to a 25% reduction in compressive strength, despite having the Kenya Bureau of Standards mark. These issues highlight the need for immediate regulatory action.

South Korea’s domestic cement consumption plummeted by 22% year-on-year in Q1 2025, the lowest in five years, according to Chosun Biz. This represents a 32% drop from the 2023 peak. Cement companies are experiencing significant revenue declines, with Hanil Cement’s profit down 75% and Asia Cement’s down 70%. The Cement Association warns of continued consumption decline and deteriorating management performance, casting doubt on achieving the 2025 forecast of 40Mt consumption without significant market intervention.

Leading construction firms are leveraging AI to enhance operations. Granite Construction’s Asphalt Guru, an AI learning platform, trains asphalt teams using extensive data, while Skanska’s Safety Sidekick consolidates safety resources for job site safety. These tools exemplify the industry’s AI adoption to gain competitive advantages. Granite’s platform, integrated into its E-Learning program, has already trained over 400 employees, while Skanska’s tool streamlines safety documentation access.

Trimble has launched Trimble Materials, a software solution for managing purchasing, inventory, and accounts payable in construction. This tool connects office staff, field teams, and suppliers, enhancing material procurement coordination. Integrated with Trimble ERP solutions like Viewpoint Spectrum and Vista, it streamlines estimating, operations, and accounting. Field users can request and track materials, while office users manage orders and invoices, creating a comprehensive view of purchasing activities.

Båstadgruppen, in collaboration with Quin, is set to launch a groundbreaking smart safety shoe under the Monitor brand. These shoes integrate a Quin smart sensor to detect falls and send alerts to emergency contacts, providing real-time location and user status. The technology includes the ResQ feature for emergency data sharing. Priced between €259.50-€344.90, the shoes will be available in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and Great Britain by autumn 2025.

Mission Zero Technologies, in collaboration with O.C.O Technology and the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, has launched the world’s first plant in Norfolk using Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology to produce building materials. The plant captures 250 tons of CO2 annually, converting it into manufactured limestone. This innovative approach, which uses a heat-free process powered by renewable energy, significantly reduces energy consumption and supports the construction sector’s shift towards sustainable materials.

Indian construction equipment manufacturers, like Action Construction Equipment Ltd (ACE), are leveraging geopolitical shifts to enhance their global footprint. The US-China trade tensions have opened export opportunities, positioning India as a reliable manufacturing hub. ACE, producing diverse equipment, benefits from initiatives like Make in India, boosting its international presence. The Indian construction equipment industry saw a 26% sales increase, driven by government infrastructure projects, highlighting India’s potential in global supply chain realignment.

Tutor Perini, a Los Angeles-based construction firm, reported a significant financial turnaround with a 77% increase in Q1 net income to $28 million. This growth stems from new projects with better terms, contributing to a record $19.4 billion backlog. The firm raised its 2025 earnings outlook to $1.60-$1.95 per share, driven by major projects like the Manhattan Tunnel and Honolulu’s Skyline project. This positions Tutor Perini for continued profitability and expansion.

CNH Industrial reported a 22% decline in Q1 construction net sales to $591 million, driven by global market headwinds and reduced equipment demand. While heavy equipment demand rose by 2%, light equipment fell by 6%, with notable declines in North America and EMEA. Despite these challenges, CEO Gerrit Marx emphasised CNH’s commitment to operational excellence and strategic initiatives. The company is navigating trade uncertainties and remains focused on cost management and technological advancement.

Buzzi reported a 9% year-on-year increase in Q1 2025 sales, reaching €972 million, driven by acquisitions and favourable exchange rates. Cement sales rose by 23% to 6.38Mt, and ready-mix concrete by 4% to 2.18Mm³. While sales remained stable in Italy, they dipped by 3.3% in the US. The company observed strong shipments in Eastern Europe and recovery signs in Central Europe, maintaining its 2025 operating results guidance in line with 2024.

Holcim shareholders elected Kim Fausing as Chair of the board, succeeding Jan Jenisch, who will lead the North American spin-off, Amrize, as Chair and CEO. Fausing, CEO of Danfoss, brings extensive leadership experience. The spin-off, set for completion by June 2025, will list Amrize shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange and NYSE. Fausing praised Jenisch’s contributions to Holcim’s financial, sustainability, and innovation leadership during his tenure.

Saudi Arabia announced nearly 50 billion Saudi riyals ($13 billion) worth of projects at an investment forum in Hail city. The Investment Ministry presented around 100 projects spanning sectors such as industry, farming, tourism, and sports, aligning with the Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

Shree Cement reported a 5.5% decline in FY2025 sales to $2.38 billion, with operating expenses rising 2.9% to $2.17 billion. EBITDA fell 12% to $528 million, and net profit dropped 50% to $141 million. Despite these challenges, Q4 cement sales increased by 3.3% to 9.84Mt, with premium products accounting for 16% of sales. The results reflect a challenging year, with increased costs impacting profitability.

Adani Group achieved record earnings in FY2025, with a consolidated EBITDA of $10.5 billion, an 8% increase year-on-year. This growth was fuelled by infrastructure sector expansion, including cement sales from Ambuja Cement and ACC surpassing 100Mt. The group plans a $100 billion investment across sectors like ports, mining, and cement by 2031. CEO Karan Adani highlighted India’s robust consumption and anticipated trade volume growth as manufacturing expands.