2009 in review

2009 was a tough year for the construction industry. McGraw Hill Construction estimated the value of new construction starts at $419 billion, a 25 percent decline that followed shortfalls of 13 percent in 2008 and 7 percent in 2007. The earlier retrenchment was led by single-family housing, but in 2009, multifamily housing and commercial buildings showed substantial weakness. Even typically stronger segments, such as educational buildings and health care facilities, lost considerable momentum in 2009. See story.

Like most other industries, glass and glazing folks struggled with lay-offs, bankruptcies and closed shops. Belowarethe top 15most clicked news items from 2009.

1. Arch Aluminum CEO discusses bankruptcy filingQ&A with Leon Silverstein2. Oldcastle customers ponder Schofield plant closing3. PPG Industries to close plants, slash 2,500 jobs4. Arch Aluminum and Glass files Chapter 11

5. Davidson, Guardian owner and CEO, dies6. Coastal Glass to cease operation7. Forecast update: When will construction hit bottom?8. Alcoa desperate for cash9. Lee and Cates Glass VP arrested10. Efco opens three new distribution centers11. AGC Flat Glass lays off workers12. Man dies after shop’s glass door falls on him13. C.R. Laurence acquires Ebor Group Holdings14. PPG profit slumps 65 percent in fourth quarter15. Cardinal Solar Technologies production could start in June The top five blogs that got most responses in 2009 were:

1. Warning: Fake shipping company scam

2. 'Free' health care

3. Arch files for bankruptcy. What’s next?

4. Help is on the way for small shops

5. All’s quiet on the Vegas Strip