Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! We’re excited to bring you the latest insights, industry updates, and valuable resources to keep you informed and inspired. As we dive into another week, we’ll be sharing trends, market highlights, and tips that can help you stay ahead. Let’s make it a productive week together—enjoy the read!

PROJECTS

Breaking Ground: $305 Million Yakult USA Manufacturing Plant

Yakult has partnered with the #1 Food & Beverage General Contractor Gray, to build their new 250,000 s.f. beverage production and bottling facility. This is the second plant for Yakult USA and is set to be nearly three times the size of the company's existing manufacturing plant in California. The state-of-the-art facility will feature a 160,000 s.f. production floor; 40,000 s.f. of office space; a 250-ton air chiller, automated packaging systems, and a stainless-steel facade. This facility is expected to begin production in 2026 and will produce 2.7 million bottles per day at its peak.

• Client: Yakult USA

• General Contractor: Gray

• Award: Manufacturing

• Value: $305 Million

• Location: Bartow County, Georgia

Project Announcement: $2 Billion Austin-Bergstrom Airport Expansion

HENSEL PHELPS has been awarded the largest portion on the project, a $1.02 billion contract to construct a new 20 gate concourse and tunnel. This is on top of their current $164 million and 84,000 sqft West Gate expansion which started in 2023 and is set to be complete by 2026. Austin Commercial has been awarded an $820 million contract for a new arrivals & departures hall which is set to be complete by 2030.

• General Contractors: HENSEL PHELPS & Austin Commercial

• Design Team: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

• Award: Airport

• Investment Value: $2 Billion

• Location: Austin, Texas

Project Announcement: $1 Billion Lithium Battery Factory

Just announced, Lyten will be constructing a $1 billion lithium-sulfur battery factory near Reno Nevada. The project is set to break ground in 2025 and the facility will stretch over 1.25 million sqft once complete. The plant will produce cathode active materials, lithium metal anodes, as well as assemble lithium-sulfur cells, making it a 100% US manufactured battery. Once fully operational in 2027, the facility will create over 1000 jobs.

• Company: Lyten

• Sector: Manufacturing

• Investment Value: $1 Billion

• Location: Reno, Nevada

NEWS

The Return of DJT

Donald Trump’s political victories have sparked mixed reactions within the construction industry, with contractors expressing both optimism and concern about the potential impact on their sector.

Supporters highlight his pro-business policies, including promises of tax cuts, deregulation, and increased investment in infrastructure, as key drivers for potential growth. Many anticipate these measures will boost public and private construction projects, creating new opportunities and accelerating development across the country.

However, concerns linger, particularly regarding labor shortages and rising material costs. Contractors worry that stricter immigration policies could exacerbate workforce challenges in an industry heavily reliant on immigrant labor. Additionally, the potential for trade disputes and tariffs on imported materials like steel and aluminum could further increase costs, squeezing profit margins on major projects.

As the construction industry watches closely, the overall sentiment reflects cautious optimism, with contractors hoping for opportunities but preparing for potential challenges ahead.

Top 50 ENR Electrical Contractors Announced

The "ENR 2024 Specialty Contractors" report highlights the growth, challenges, and market trends in the trade contracting sector. In 2023, the electrical sector achieved significant revenue within ENR’s Top 600 Specialty Contractors, with electrical firms recording a combined revenue of approximately $58.03 billion, representing 27.1% of the specialty market.

The report on the top 50 electrical contractors highlights key players, including Quanta Services who maintained pole position, followed by MYR Group in 2^nd and EMCOR making it into the top 3. Strong movements from Cache Valley Electric moving up 4 spaces, E-J Electric moving up 5, breaking into the top 20. JMEG based in Texas, made big moves, moving up 13 spots, alongside Rogers Electric in Georgia moving up 7.

Major statements made from Corbins, Sargent Electric, Valley Electric, Prism Electric and ACE Electric, making their way into the top 50 without previously being ranked.  

Notably, electrical contractors faced challenges including rising labor costs and supply chain delays, particularly for components like electrical switchgear and transformers. To mitigate these issues, firms have adopted strategies such as purchasing early equipment and partnering with suppliers to secure project materials ahead of time.

WORLD

Saudi Arabia’s Extraordinary Construction Project, Rise Tower

Plans were announced earlier this year to construct a skyscraper that will become the worlds tallest building. Rise Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is set to be 2 kilometers high, doubling the height of the Burj Khalifa. The skyscraper is predicted to be complete in 2030, one to watch!

Saudi Arabia has already made a name for itself with their futuristic concepts and innovative construction projects. In addition to the Rise Tower, they are also in the process of constructing NEOM, which consists of The Line, a 170-kilometer linear city designed for sustainability with zero cars and emissions, as well as projects like Trojena, an outdoor skiing and adventure destination, and Oxagon, a floating industrial city, a $500 billion megacity!

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Tech Giants Turning to Nuclear Energy

Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are turning to nuclear power to meet the surging energy demands of the data center boom. With data centers consuming massive amounts of electricity, nuclear energy offers a consistent, carbon-free solution that aligns with sustainability goals and overcomes the intermittency of renewables like wind and solar.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear technologies are emerging as scalable, efficient options for powering data centers. This approach stabilizes energy costs while significantly reducing carbon footprints, helping tech companies address growing operational demands.

By adopting nuclear power, these companies are not only meeting energy needs but also driving innovation in sustainable energy, securing a reliable future for their rapidly expanding digital infrastructure.

The State of EV Charging

The U.S. is striving to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, surpassing 200,000 public charging ports as of October 2024. This growth aligns with federal goals, as the government aims to reach 500,000 public ports by 2030, through initiatives like the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

However, challenges have surfaced; the NEVI program has faced criticism for slow progress, with only seven new stations operational in the past three years. Supply chain disruptions, regulatory complexities, and a lack of standardized charging protocols further hinder expansion. Continued efforts and efficient coordination will be essential to meet the rising demand for EV infrastructure.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

What is the most commonly used material in modern construction?

A. Steel // B. Concrete // C. Wood

What type of foundation is typically used for high-rise buildings?

A. Slab-on-grade foundation // B. Pile foundation // C. Strip foundation

In construction, what is the primary function of scaffolding?

A. To store construction materials // B. To provide workers access to elevated areas // C. To support heavy equipment

Which construction technique involves using prefabricated sections to speed up building processes?

A. Modular construction // B. Load-bearing wall construction // C. Truss roofing

What is the term for a horizontal beam used to support the load above door and window openings?

A. Lintel // B. Girder // C. Column

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Project Manager

2. Superintendent

3. Estimator

4. Project Executive

5. Electrical Project Manager

6. Electrical Superintendent

7. MEP Estimator

8. Project Manager

9. MEP Superintendent

10. MEP Construction Manager

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

Am I giving it my all or am I just getting by?

🚧Answers

Q1 B. Concrete // Q2 B. Pile foundation // Q3 To provide workers access to elevated areas // Q4 A. Modular construction // Q5 A. Lintel

How many did you get?

Enjoyed TheJobWalk? Share with friends!