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Given the growing interest by operators in smartphones, intensified competition among vendors, and the greater potential for growth in Latin America compared with other regions, the region’s smartphone segment will represent an opportunity of 150 million handset units over the next five years — 48 million handsets units in 2014 alone, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

Smartphones in Latin America: Big Opportunities for Operators and Suppliers examines the potential for growth in Latin America’s smartphone market, as well as the factors driving this trend, by analyzing operators’ and vendors’ strategies. The 14-page report provides Pyramid Research’s five-year forecast on smartphone adoption in Latin America and looks at vendor positioning, focusing on three cases, Nokia, Research in Motion, and Apple, while also examining relevant moves by operators and the strategies of the major handset vendors in the market, including marketing campaigns and bundles. Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PR070209_INLA1.5. Handset Forecasts are also available for 18 markets in Latin America, tracking handset sell-through by technology, feature set, price tier, and vendor, providing market share for 5 to 6 vendors per country. Learn more here: http://www.pyr.com/mhfcst.htm.

The smartphone segment will become one of the most important sources of data revenue growth over the next five years in Latin America, notes Omar Salvador, Senior Analyst at Pyramid and author of the report. “The market is still in its infancy, representing only 3 percent of total handset unit sales in 2008; globally the figure was 12 percent,” he says. “However, Pyramid predicts the segment will grow from 7 million smartphones sold in 2009, representing 5.4 percent of total handsets sales, to 48 million in 2014, or 30 percent of the total,” he adds.

“Given that Latin America’s mobile subscriber growth rate declined from 24 percent in 2007 to 19 percent in 2008, operators are more interested than ever in increasing their ARPS and encouraging smartphone uptake is an excellent approach to reaching that goal,” Salvador says. “Vivo, the leading player in Brazil, recently highlighted how crucial the smartphone base is to its data revenue growth, while smartphone vendors are stepping up competition in the region with aggressive tactics, including handset bundles, new models, expanded entry-level portfolios, and close cooperation with operators,” he adds.

If competition intensifies among vendors and operators, service bundling becomes more aggressive, the prices of entry-level smartphones fall below US$100, and touchscreen phones become available in the midlevel price category, Pyramid believes smartphones can capture up to 39 percent of total handsets sales in 2014. “These growth drivers, supported by the growing 3G availability in Latin America, will push the Latin American smartphone market up toward the global average of smartphone handsets as a percentage of total handset sales,” concludes Salvador.

Smartphones in Latin America: Big Opportunities for Operators and Suppliers is part of Pyramid Research’s Latin America Telecom Insider report series. Telecom Insiders are packed with trend analysis, industry best practices, market sizing and forecasting, competitor analysis, and case studies, providing you information you can leverage to make better business decisions.

Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PR070209_INLA1.5.

Source: Pyramid Research

The Spherion Employee Confidence Index was virtually unchanged in June, decreasing 0.3 points to 48.0. The Index, which measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, reveals that although slightly more workers believe the economy is getting weaker and fewer jobs are available, more workers are confident in the future of their current employer.

“Although our latest Index shows little change from last month, it still remains 1.9 points higher than its reading one year ago. With talks of the worst of the recession being behind us, more U.S. workers seem to be taking a middle-of-the-road stance in our latest confidence survey,” said Roy Krause, president and CEO of Spherion Corporation. “While there may be signs of a light at the end of the tunnel, a turnaround will not be felt quickly. We are advising our clients that the time to prepare for a rebound is now. Companies that have cut deep into both their front and back office staff will find it incredibly challenging to source, select, and onboard talent quickly in order to grow their business in the recovery. Another factor to consider is the potential number of currently employed workers likely to look for new employment once the economic situation improves. In fact, according to our latest survey of U.S. workers, 47 percent of workers age 18-34 are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months. This should serve as a message to employers that clear communication and retention efforts should not only be of high priority during good times.”

Confidence in Overall Situation:

The Spherion Employee Confidence Index was virtually unchanged in June, decreasing 0.3 points to 48.0. The Index, which measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, reveals that although slightly more worker believe the economy is getting weaker and fewer jobs are available, more workers are confident in the future of their current employer.

Confidence in Macroeconomic Environment:

• Forty percent of workers believe the economy is getting weaker compared to 38 percent in the previous month. Twenty percent of workers believe the economy is getting stronger, showing no change from May.

• Seventy-two percent of workers surveyed believe there are fewer jobs available, increasing one percentage point from May. Conversely, only seven percent of U.S. adult workers surveyed believe there are more jobs available, down one percentage point from May.

Confidence in Personal Employment Situation:

• More workers reported confidence in the future of their current employers. Specifically, 66 percent versus 63 percent seen in May.

• Forty-two percent of U.S. adult workers reported confidence in their ability to find a new job, showing no change from the previous month.

Job Security:

• Sixteen percent of workers say it is likely they will lose their jobs in the next year, unchanged from May’s reading.

Job Transition:

• Thirty-five percent of workers are likely to look for a new job in the next twelve months, increasing one percentage point from the previous month.

Confidence by Gender:

• In June, more men than women (22 percent versus 17 percent) believe the economy is getting stronger.

• Thirty-four percent of women are likely to look for a new job in the next year, compared to 35 percent of males. When measured against last month’s results, the percentage of females workers indicating a likelihood to do so increased by one percentage point.

• More men are confident in the future of their current employer in June. Specifically, 67 percent versus 62 percent in May.

Confidence by Age:

• Workers age 45+ were the only age groups surveyed that did not report more confidence in the future of their current employer in June. Workers between the ages of 34 and 44 showed the biggest increase in optimism, rising seven percentage points from May.

• Only workers age 55+ showed an increase in perceptions about the overall strength of the economy, with 24 percent indicating that they believe the economy is getting stronger in June (compared to 19 percent in May).

• Forty percent or more workers across all age groups are confident in their ability to find a new job.

Confidence by Income:

• Forty-five percent of workers earning between $50K-$74.9K report that they believe the economy is getting weaker, compared to 34 percent indicating this in May.

• With the exception of those workers earning more than $75K, the percentage of workers across all income brackets indicating that they are likely to look for a new job in the next year increased from May.

• Approximately one-quarter (24 percent) of workers with incomes less than $35K believe that they are likely to lose their jobs in the next 12 months. This is the highest reading across all income cohorts.

Source: Spherion Corporation

UK firms have been advised to dump their advertising and take their brands online to slash costs, reduce job losses and improve competitiveness.

“The UK advertising industry sucks GBP18 billion annually from firms to make ads that are increasingly being ignored and deliver no value,” said Tim Hunt, who has advised firms on marketing for more than 25 years.

“With British companies desperate to save money, I’d advise them to dump their TV, magazine and junk mail advertising immediately and go online,” said the 45-year-old MD of Flexile http://www.flexile.co.uk - a company that has launched a dynamic press kit http://www.dynamicpresskit.co.uk to help firms get global online visibility.

“The Internet is where buyers now flock to find products and services. However, ad agencies still perpetuate the myth that it’s an immature environment because they see their easy money disappearing. With good advice, British firms can compete on a national and global scale using the internet … something a 30-second TV commercial can’t do,” said Tim.

He continued: “UK firms can’t afford to foot an GBP18 billion advertising bill. This money must be used to create productive jobs and advertising agencies must adapt or go away,” he said.

Last week, Maurice Levy - CEO of Publicis - which owns Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi - admitted that search engines can deliver more results than a formidable advertising campaign.

Said Tim: “If he’s prepared to admit this, then self-serving advertising agencies and old-school marketing managers should also admit to their bosses that they’ve got it wrong.”

Tim also issued a warning to British bosses that their foreign counterparts are “getting it” and getting online at a lightening pace. Research by Forbes Insights & Google showed that US business executives now class the internet as their most important information source … more than personal recommendations, advertising or conferences.

“Fact is, UK firms need to get their brands noticed by search engines if they want to compete. If you can’t be found on Google, it’s unlikely you’ll be found at all,” said Tim.

In summing up his advice to companies, Tim said: “Fire your advertising agency and your marketing manager if they don’t understand blogging, Twittering or Social Networking. It’s what your customers are doing and getting online with them will be the best saving and investment your company will make this decade.”

Source: Tim Hunt,Flexile

Top 5 Remodeling Headaches and How to Avoid Them

Consumer Reports latest poll on home remodeling reveals that over the next 12 months, 54 percent of homeowners are planning a remodeling project and nearly two-thirds (65%) plan to do at least some of the work themselves. The most popular types of work include painting (56%), designing (39%) and flooring (34%).

The recent economic downturn has forced 67 percent of homeowners to rethink their plans, with the biggest changes including doing work themselves (42%), fixing or sprucing up what they already have (39%) and remodeling in phases (36%). The biggest reason consumers are cutting back on remodeling is because they simply do not have the money (42%).

Funding for home remodeling stems from a variety of places, but two out of three (66%) homeowners support their projects with their savings. Others plan to cut back on travel and entertainment (29%), while one out of five (21%) are using a home equity or other loan.

Ninety-one percent of homeowners have already gotten their hands dirty with either a repair or remodeling project. But not all repairs or remodeling projects went smoothly for DIY respondents, with over one third (34%) having at least one regret stemming from trying to fix a broken appliance, installing tile, floors or cabinets.

“Whether homeowners are venturing into a project themselves or plan to hire a professional, you need to lay out a budget, decide what you want most at the end of the project — and decide what you can live without,” says Bob Markovich, senior home editor at Consumer Reports. “The more homeowners know what they’re getting into, the more money they’ll save.”

Consumer Reports Readers Reveal Top 5 Remodeling Headaches

According to the poll, the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners are kitchens (19%) and bathrooms (17%). In another survey, Consumer Reports asked 6,000 readers to reveal what went wrong when they remodeled their kitchens and baths and how much those mistakes added to the overall cost of their projects. Here’s how to avoid their mistakes and save:

1. Don’t rush in. Changing plans is the most common, but costliest remodeling gaffe, adding $1,500 to kitchen projects and $650 to bath remodels. Be sure to leave time for research and create a comprehensive plan, listing every product.

2. Prepare for the unexpected. There’s a lot going on behind the walls. Unexpected water damage was an issue with 17 percent of bathroom remodels, while structural problems caused headaches for 10 percent of kitchen projects. A good contractor will be able to anticipate, allowing the homeowner to budget accordingly.

3. Don’t chase the low ball. Contractors are lowering their profit margins due to the tight market, but they often make up their costs in labor or other areas. Readers who went for the lowball ended up spending a median of $1,500 extra for labor on their kitchens and $1,000 extra on their bathrooms. Don’t sign a contract with a lot of open-ended amounts for products and materials — these are called “allowances,” in contractor speak.

4. Get the paperwork in order. Have the contractor attach copies of his up-to-date license, insurance, and workers’ compensation policies to the written contract. He should also get permits and provide a lien waiver when the job is done; this will keep suppliers from contacting the homeowner for unpaid bills.

5. Focus on the boring bits. Specifying lighting and placement of trash cans are not much fun, but are critical to the process. For example, the proper exhaust fan will prevent mildew in baths and vent odors in kitchens.

Consumer Reports Remodeling Poll Methodology

The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone poll of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,002 interviews were completed among adults aged 18+. Interviewing took place over April 16 - April 19, 2009. The margin of error is +/- 3.2% points at a 95% confidence level.

Source: Consumer Reports

Industry Continues to Generate Billions in Economic Activity Despite Weak Economy

July 4th continues to be the biggest beer-selling holiday of the year, with sales at supermarkets across the country in 2008 topping 24 million cases during the holiday period, according to The Nielsen Company. These sales, when combined with the activities of distributors, retailers, and related industries nationwide, help support nearly 1.9 million jobs and generate $190 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

“Independence Day is the perfect time to recognize the contributions our industry makes to the national economy,” said Jeff Becker, President of the Beer Institute. “The beer category also offers consumers a broad array of quality products at affordable price points.”

According to an economic impact study commissioned jointly by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), the beer industry also pays over $41 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes, including $5.4 billion in excise taxes.

Nick Lake, Vice President and Group Director of The Nielsen Company, remarked on the beer industry’s strong sales throughout the year. “In these difficult economic times, beer sales have remained relatively steady. July 4th, and the summer months in general, have traditionally been the highest selling period for beer around the country.”

Beer’s retail partners are important contributors to the economy. According to Nielsen, there are over 521,000 beer-selling retail establishments in the United States. The industry’s economic ripple effect benefits many other industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction and transportation whose livelihood depends on beer.

The beer industry also invests significant funds in alcohol abuse prevention programs throughout the year and especially around important holidays like Independence Day. In the past 25 years, brewers and beer importers have invested more than three quarters of a billion dollars on proven, targeted measures that help prevent alcohol abuse.

The complete Beer Serves America Economic Impact study, including state-by-state and congressional district breakdowns of economic contributions, is available at the Beer Serves America Web site, http://www.beerservesamerica.org/.

Source: The Beer Institute

42% increase short-term holdings; most move to more conservative vehicles

With little easing in access to credit, U.S. organizations are continuing to stockpile cash, according the Association for Financial Professionals’ 2009 Liquidity Survey. Almost three-quarters (72%) of companies had increased or maintained their U.S. cash balances during the first part of 2009.

According to the new AFP survey, 42% of organizations increased their U.S. cash and short-term investment balances between December 2008 and May 2009, while 30% saw no significant change in short-term cash balances. More than a quarter (28%) of organizations saw their U.S. cash and short-term investment balances deteriorate over the six-month period. Organizations with non-investment grade ratings were more likely to have seen their cash and short-term investment balances shrink.

“Despite unprecedented government action, the lack of any significant thaw in short-term credit access is extremely troubling and many companies are reacting by stockpiling cash,” said Jim Kaitz, President and CEO of AFP. “While, many organizations with their strong cash positions will be well-positioned once the economy begins to improve, overall economic conditions will not improve until organizations can begin using their cash in activities that foster growth.”

The fourth annual AFP 2009 Liquidity Survey was underwritten by The Bank of New York Mellon.

Despite reports of an easing in the corporate credit markets, over half (59%) of respondents indicated that their organizations’ access to short-term credit had not changed significantly since the beginning of 2009. A larger percentage of organizations reported that credit was less available (27%) than those who indicated that credit access had improved (14%). Two-thirds expect their access to short-term credit to remain the same over the next year.

Overall, only one-quarter (27%) of organizations expect to decrease their U.S. short-term cash and investments balances over the next year.

“The turbulence of the present period has had no small impact on the liquidity needs and practices of individuals and corporations worldwide,” said Eric Kamback, the Bank of New York Mellon’s CEO of Treasury Services. “The survey also revealed that many believe the tightening of available credit will persist in 2009, so conservative, safety-based investment strategies can be expected to continue.”

Organizations have moved to a more conservative investment strategy for their short-term balances and have reduced the number of vehicles they use for short-term investments, allocating 78% of their short-term investment balances to three safe and liquid vehicles: bank deposits, money market mutual funds and Treasury securities. The use of commercial paper, separately managed accounts and auction-rate securities declined significantly over the past year. While investment policies allow for the use of four or more investment vehicles, on average, organizations use 1.6 investment vehicles compared to 2.4 options in 2008.

Liquidity Resources:

• AFP 2009 Liquidity Survey: www.afponline.org/liqreport
• Interpretive video: www.afponline.org/liqvideo
• More on cash and liquidity management: www.afponline.org/cashsessions

Source: Association for Financial Professionals

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index(TM), which had improved considerably in May, retreated in June. The Index now stands at 49.3 (1985=100), down from 54.8 in May. The Present Situation Index decreased to 24.8 from 29.7. The Expectations Index declined to 65.5 from 71.5 in May.

The Consumer Confidence Survey(TM) is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The monthly survey is conducted for The Conference Board by TNS. TNS is the world’s largest custom research company. The cutoff date for June’s preliminary results was June 23rd.

Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: “After back-to-back months of strong gains, Consumer Confidence retreated in June. The decline in the Present Situation Index, caused by a less favorable assessment of business conditions and employment, continues to imply that economic conditions, while not as weak as earlier this year, are nonetheless weak. Looking ahead, Expectations continue to suggest less negative conditions in the months ahead, as opposed to strong growth.”

Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions was less favorable in June. Those claiming business conditions are “good” decreased to 8.0 percent from 8.8 percent, while those saying conditions are “bad” increased to 45.6 percent from 44.5 percent. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also less favorable. Those stating jobs are “hard to get” increased to 44.8 percent from 43.9 percent. Those saying jobs are “plentiful” decreased to 4.5 percent from 5.8 percent.

Consumers’ short-term outlook also waned in June. Consumers anticipating an improvement in business conditions over the next six months decreased to 21.2 percent from 22.5 percent, while those expecting conditions will worsen increased to 20.2 percent from 18.0 percent in May.

The job outlook was also more pessimistic. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead decreased to 17.4 percent from 19.3 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs increased to 27.3 percent from 25.6 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes declined to 9.8 percent from 10.8 percent.

Source: June 2009 Consumer Confidence Survey, The Conference Board

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Great Place to Work Institute, Inc. (GPTWI)  announced the nation’s top 25 small and top 25 medium-sized companies to work for in America. The winners and their rankings were revealed in New Orleans at SHRM’s 61st Annual Conference and Exposition, the largest gathering of HR professionals in the world.

Taking the top spot in each category this year are two Wisconsin-based companies: Badger Mining Corporation in the small category, and for a second year in a row, Ultimate Software in the medium-sized.

The annual rankings of the “50 Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America” are conducted by GPTWI, and are the most comprehensive and authoritative ratings of employee satisfaction and workplace culture. This is the sixth year SHRM and GPTWI have collaborated on the list.

“Top companies know how critically important it is to have a culture that empowers and motivates employees, particularly in this tough economy,” said SHRM President and CEO Laurence O’Neil. “Knowing how to align and engage your employees is an essential part of keeping productivity high and your organization open for business. That’s why these winners deserve our applause, now more than ever.”

“Companies who are part of the process learn a lot about themselves and a whole community has developed over the years,” said Dr. Michael Burchell, GPTWI’s Vice President of Global Business Development. “The more an organization can leverage the talent of its people and tap into the potential of its culture, the more successful and efficient it will be.”

The 50 winners range in size from 50 to 999 workers, with “small” companies employing 50-250 and “medium” companies employing 251-999 workers. This year, more than 550 companies participated in the selection process, which includes a 57-question survey sent to each organization’s workforce and a separate questionnaire for management. GPTWI also reviews annual reports, employee handbooks and other materials.

Employee-survey responses counted for two-thirds of each company’s score. The remaining one-third came from GPTWI’s evaluation of the company in five areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

Full coverage of today’s award ceremony in New Orleans is available online at www.shrm.org. A list of the winning companies can be viewed at www.greatplacetowork.com. Articles about the winning organizations are available in the July issue of HR Magazine, SHRM’s flagship publication; in the June issue of Fortune Small Business; and on CNNMoney.com.

Top 25 Small Winners

COMPANY NAME/ INDUSTRY/ CITY/ ST.

1. Badger Mining Corporation Mining and Quarrying Berlin WI
2. Dixon Schwabl Advertising Advertising & Marketing Victor NY
3. SnagAJob.com Professional Services Glen Allen VA
4. Heinfeld, Meech & Co. Financial Services & Insurance Tucson AZ
5. McMurry Advertising & Marketing Phoenix AZ
6. Johnson & Johnson, Inc. Financial Services & Insurance Charleston SC
7. AutomationDirect.com Industrial Services Cumming GA
8. Root Learning Professional Services Sylvania OH
9. Professional Placement Resources Professional Services  Jacksonville Beach FL
10. DAXKO Information Technology Birmingham AL
11. Studer Group Professional Services– Consulting Gulf Breeze FL
12. Navigator Management Partners Information Technology Columbus OH
13. ENGEO Incorporated Professional Services San Ramon CA
14. Seventh Generation Manufacturing & Production Burlington VT
15. Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico Professional Services Tewksbury MA
16. MAYA Design Professional Services Pittsburgh PA
17. TerpSys Information Technology Rockville MD
18. Landrum Human Resource Companies  Professional Services Pensacola FL
19. InsureMe Financial Services & Insurance  Englewood CO
20. Clark Nuber Professional Services Bellevue WA
21. Paramount Staffing Professional Services Northbrook IL
22. Kahler Slater Professional Services Milwaukee WI
23. Bridge Worldwide Advertising & Marketing Cincinnati OH
24. McDonough Bolyard Peck Professional Services Fairfax VA
25. RedBrick Health Health Care Minneapolis MN

Top 25 Medium Winners

COMPANY NAME/ INDUSTRY/ CITY/ ST.

1. Ultimate Software Information Technology Weston FL
2. ACUITY Financial Services & Insurance Sheboygan WI
3. Holder Construction Company Construction & Real Estate Atlanta GA
4. Integrity Applications Incorporated Professional Services Chantilly VA
5. SAGE PRODUCTS, INC. Health Care CARY IL
6. Development Dimensions International Professional Services Pittsburgh PA
7. Freese and Nichols, Inc. Professional Services Fort Worth TX
8. Hoar Construction, LLC Construction & Real Estate Birmingham AL
9. The Integer Group Advertising & Marketing Lakewood CO
10. 4imprint, Inc. Advertising & Marketing Oshkosh WI
11. Triage Consulting Group Professional Services San Francisco CA
12. EILEEN FISHER Retail Irvington NY
13. AMX Electronics Richardson TX
14. Bowen Engineering Corporation Construction & Real Estate Fishers IN
15. Hilcorp Energy Company Manufacturing & Production  Houston TX
16. Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC Professional Services Denver CO
17. Robins & Morton Advertising & Marketing Birmingham AL
18. City Bank Financial Services & Insurance Lubbock TX
19. Advanced Financial Services, Inc.  Financial Services & Insurance Newport RI
20. Pinnacol Assurance Financial Services & Insurance Denver CO
21. Nevada Federal Credit Union Financial Services & Insurance Las Vegas NV
22. Noblis Professional Services Falls Church VA
23. Rothstein Kass Professional Services Roseland NJ
24. Parkway Properties, Inc. Construction & Real Estate Jackson MS
25. Minitab Inc. Information Technology State College PA

Source: Society for Human Resource Management

Carolinas AGC Construction Barometer(TM)

For first quarter 2009, the Carolinas AGC Construction Barometer(TM) posted a modest 3.3% gain due to growing empirical evidence of a slowing rate of economic deterioration in Carolinas commercial construction. The rate of downward change in first quarter was much less severe than the drop in activity experienced in latter 2008.

In particular, the Business & Economic Trends segment on the Barometer’s quantitative side advanced 17.6%, posting its strongest gain in 2 years on modestly rising business activity and contractor expectations that the worst of the recession is likely behind us. Contractors reported a small increase in highway and utility project activity; and private sector work-in-process is holding steady where developers can obtain financing to continue work.

The Carolinas’ construction labor market also reflects a slowing rate of deterioration, with little change in the number of new positions anticipated by contractors, stable wage rates and a constant (albeit abnormally high) rate of construction unemployment. Quantitative trends in the financing arena also reflect a slow-down in the downward movement of business activity, with stable interest rates, a steady level of financing activity compared with last quarter and unchanged lender attitudes with respect to new loan approvals.

While these trends are somewhat encouraging, it is important to point out that financial market activity and contractor borrowing requests remained at unprecedented low levels in first quarter. The Barometer’s quantitative indicators aren’t falling nearly as fast as in 2008, but we’re still at rock-bottom levels of business activity compared with the last ten years. It’s clear that the recession is not yet over, with materials costs continuing to fall on weak demand, falling contractor orders for heavy equipment and other capital purchases, and flat federal spending on highway construction.

The Barometer’s qualitative side mirrors the results shown across the quantitative indicators. Contractors’ opinions of business conditions included a slight rise in volume in early 2009, but not sufficient enough to push up labor or materials costs. Construction materials costs are expected to remain stable throughout the rest of 2009 in all categories except petroleum-derivative building products, where contractors are concerned that prices may unexpectedly accelerate. Rising fuel costs continue to be a concern as well.

Panelists reported that modest improvement in the demand for new capital equipment is likely to emerge in the middle of 2010 as business conditions improve in the coming year. However, contractors plan to defer practically all major equipment expenditures for at least a year.

This weak demand for capital equipment is reflected in financial market activity where little change in funding occurred between the last few months of 2008 and early 2009. This marks a trend change as the drop-off in commercial construction financing observed last year didn’t appear to continue into the early months of 2009. Consistent with expectations for an improving business climate in 2010, contractors expect financing activity to rise in mid-year 2010.

State vs. State: Labor Market a Bit Stronger in North Carolina
(NC: Up 3.6%; SC: Up 2.6% )

Business conditions were quite similar across both Carolinas in first quarter, with the real substantive difference occurring in the labor market, where North Carolina contractors reported greater optimism regarding future hiring plans in 2010. South Carolina contractors reported less current demand for skilled workers and stronger expectations that hiring plans won’t accelerate in 2010 despite increased business activity.

Both states experienced an upturn in construction activity in early 2009, and contractors in both states expect this trend toward modest business expansion to continue into late 2009. Highway and utility spending advanced marginally in both states, although the trend was a bit more pronounced in North Carolina. Materials costs were practically flat in North Carolina, while South Carolina reported lower costs. Contractors in both states reported a small improvement in regional credit market conditions from last year’s low point in lender confidence, although neither the presence of record-low interest rates nor strengthening lender led to an increase in contractor borrowing activity in the first quarter. Until business activity improves significantly from current levels, panelists report virtually no appetite for new commercial borrowing.

Regional Economic Highlights
Heartland NC: Business & Growth on the Distant Horizon (Up 3.4%)

In Heartland North Carolina, the Barometer advanced 3.4% on stronger hiring plans for the coming year and strengthening business activity, particularly in the highway and utility spending categories. Expanding construction activity, and the expectation that the expansion will continue, led contractors to anticipate a greater number of new hires in late 2009 and early 2010, and more planned purchases of capital equipment.

Increasing labor demand also led panelists to predict modest labor cost increases and a general tightening in the availability of skilled labor over the next several months, sending the Barometer’s qualitative side down slightly for the quarter. However, strengthening business activity in the region influenced panelist perception that business conditions are on the rebound for the first time in nearly 2 years; and the trend toward recovery will likely continue, albeit at a very slow pace, into 2010. These expectations led panelists to expect a greater volume of borrowing toward the end of 2009.

Eastern NC: Business Volume Rises but Not Employment (Up 3.9%)

Eastern NC contractors reported an increase in business volume, but paradoxically they reported significantly reduced demand for new labor, a reduction in new positions anticipated for the coming year, and a greater availability of skilled labor in the region. Falling materials costs, rising highway and utility spending, and almost no change in the demand for credit from late 2008 also contributed to the rise in the region’s Barometer score.

A concern for Eastern contractors is the overhanging inventory of commercial real estate clogging the market, and the rate at which multifamily real estate prices have dropped in the past year combined with developers defaulting on loan agreements. As falling real estate values continue, it will likely lead to a longer period of time until stronger business activity materializes.

Western NC: Looking Up, But… (Up 3.8%)

While Western North Carolina posted Barometer gains principally on rising business activity– with little, if any, labor market change. Western contractors reported a strong pick-up in business activity, but no change in planned hiring for 2009 and 2010, little change in regional labor costs, and tightening in the regional labor market.

Western contractors also reported falling materials costs, rising highway and utility spending and almost no change in the demand for credit from 2008. However, because the western region isn’t overbuilt, contractors are planning for a stronger growth in business conditions in 2010.

Upstate and Lowcountry SC: Modest Improvement
(USC: Up 2.3%; LSC - Up 3.2%)

Both the Upstate and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina reported modest improvement in construction activity for first quarter, with the uptick in business slightly stronger in the Lowcountry. Interestingly, both regions reported strengthened business activity and similar expectations for continuing economic improvement in 2010, and fewer new skilled positions anticipated over the course of the coming year. While labor costs in both regions fell from year-end 2008, contractors all over the state reported tightening labor conditions resulting from skilled workers searching out better employment opportunities elsewhere in the Southeast.

Looking ahead to 2010, contractors in both regions expect stable-to-falling building materials prices, modest improvements in business activity, and slightly higher amounts of public spending for highway and utility projects. Business conditions in the Lowcountry are expected to improve at a slightly stronger pace than in the Upstate; surprising considering the downturn in commercial real estate values along the SC coast and the rate of developer loan defaults currently plaguing the Lowcountry. In both South Carolina areas, financial market activity is advancing, with contractors reporting lower borrowing costs and an increasing willingness to take on new debt to finance capital expansion plans pegged for 2010.

Source: Carolinas AGC

Consumer Watchdog called upon President Obama to prioritize the purchase of an insurance policy for victims of defective GM vehicles in the company’s bankruptcy over the “cash-for-clunkers” program. Read the letter to the President at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/LtrObamaReGM.pdf.

“The same $1 billion allocated for clunkers could purchase an insurance policy in the GM bankruptcy proceeding to provide for Americans who are injured or maimed, and the families of those killed by unsafe GM cars and trucks,” wrote Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court. “The United States government should make compensation for GM victims a priority before paying cash for clunkers… While a typical bankruptcy would include successor liability - the new company would be responsible for the defects of the old company - this special process for GM provides no such protection for its victims. The new GM should be required to buy an insurance policy to adequately and fully pay the claims of consumers injured in the past and the future by GM’s defective cars and trucks.”

Consumer Watchdog pointed out the inappropriate priorities in the GM bankruptcy: $100 million for an insurance policy to protect its officers and directors, a policy without a deductible for the executives; $2 billion per year for GM advertising; and hundreds of millions for Wall Street advisors.

“Americans have already sunk $50 billion in GM, and analysts expect that money will never be returned,” wrote Court. “How much is there to provide for those burned or killed by an exploding GM gas tank? Not a dime.”

The consumer group also sent the President a “death memo” from the GM litigation files showing company managers knew about defects that would burn and kill customers but chose not to recall the cars because it was cheaper to pay out lawsuits. Read the memo at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/ValueAnalysisAutoFuel.pdf.

“Such cold-hearted calculations should not prove prophetic,” Court wrote. “You have it within your power as President to send a signal that those who have suffered from these calculations are worth at least as much as an Oldsmobile Cutlas Supreme. You simply cannot allow this injustice to stand.”

Consumer Watchdog also pointed out that, “Practically, the success of cash-for-clunkers could depend upon the purchase of insurance to cover GM safety claims. Under the current bankruptcy filing, New GM would not be accountable for injuries and deaths from safety defects in cars sold before the company exits bankruptcy. If you want Americans to use their clunker vouchers for a 2009 GM car in the short term, Americans will have to know that if their gas tanks explode or brakes fail they won’t be able to hold GM accountable for their injuries. That’s certainly not going to help GM dealers move their inventory. Cash-for-clunkers will be far less effective in stimulating the economy if the government vouchers purchase foreign-made cars.

“Mr. President, with the American people owning GM, it is your responsibility to make sure there is coverage that makes good on GM’s obligation to families injured and killed by GM cars, in the past and in the future. The price tag, in light of recent government spending on carmakers, is a small cost in order to provide for these devastated families and uphold the cause of the justice in America. We appreciate your attention to this matter of grave concern.”