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US trade deficit grows in March
Official figures from the Commerce Department show the deficit at $51.8bn (£32.0bn) in March, up from $45.4bn in February.
BBC News – 5/10/2012

Gas Prices Drop For Fifth Consecutive Week
The U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline decreased 4 cents this week to $3.79 per gallon, 18 cents per gallon lower than last year at this time. This marks the fifth straight week of decline, with the average price down 15 cents since April 2.
USAgNet – 5/10/2012

Holcim's Q1 2012 report: Growing demand for construction materials
In Holcim's first-quarter 2012 earnings report, the company says that due to good economic conditions in Asia and Latin America and growing demand for construction materials in North America and Africa Middle East consolidated cement deliveries increased.
Better Roads – 5/9/2012

Trade Groups Team Up to Create a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Construction Industry
Five of the nation's largest construction trade associations have teamed up to form the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace (CCDAFW). The coalition's mission is to create a drug- and alcohol-free construction industry by providing companies and organizations with the resources necessary to implement drug- and alcohol-free policies into their business practices.
Compact Equipment Online – 5/9/2012

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Conducts Multimillion-Dollar Grand Opening Auction in Las Vegas, Nev.
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers officially opened its new 33,000-square-foot auction building in northern Las Vegas on May 4, during a multimillion-dollar grand opening auction. More than 2,100 bidders from 42 countries registered on site or online to participate in the unreserved public auction, which featured close to 1,300 heavy equipment and transportation items.
AED News – 5/7/2012

EquipRent Announces New Integration with CRM Software
EquipRent.com, the free, online equipment rental service that connects commercial contractors and DIYers to local rental companies recently announce a new integration feature with rental companies' customer relationship management (CRM) software like salesforce.com. Free for a limited time, this new real-time integration will result in prospects' information being digitally delivered into rental companies' existing pipeline software for faster responses.
AED News – 5/7/2012

Turn Up the Volume! House, Senate Highway Conferees to Meet This Week
The first meeting of House and Senate highway conferees is scheduled for May 8. With real work on the final version of a highway bill set to begin, AED is urging the construction equipment industry to keep up the chorus for a new bill.
AED News – 5/7/2012

Social Media to Marketers: Get Over Yourself!
Is your firm still sitting on the sidelines debating whether it should jump into the social media fray? If so, chances are your discussion is probably centered on the wrong issues. On social media platforms, your organization should focus on how you can support and enhance the social media community, not your firm.
ClickZ – 4/2/2012

$7.2 billion infrastructure program launched in Chicago
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has launched "Build a New Chicago," a $7.2 billion infrastructure program that would create 30,000 jobs throughout the next three years, according to a Chicago-Sun Times report.
Equipment World – 4/2/2012

Caterpillar to Build New Parts Distribution Center in Mexico
Caterpillar Logistics Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), will add a new parts distribution center in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The 500,000-sq.-ft. facility will employ up to 150 people and is expected to be operational mid-2013.
For Construction Pros – 3/30/2012