Use construction boom to boost diversity

Construction is one of the few industries that can provide a family-sustaining career without a college degree, offering wages averaging $25 per hour and full benefits. It should not come as a surprise that Oregon's economy is growing rapidly. As our state has pulled out of the Great Recession over the past decade, we have added more than 300,000 jobs and grown our Gross Domestic Product by 50%. However, if we peel back the veneer of prosperity, it's clear that not all Oregonians have felt the benefits of growth. Income inequality in Oregon is at a record high, with median incomes stagnant since the 1980s. Women and people of color, in particular, have been left out of this economic expansion. Women in Oregon are typically paid 18.5% less than men and while median household income is $60,212, median incomes are significantly lower when a household is Hispanic or Latino $50,117, American Indian or Alaska Native $45,003 or African American $37,009.

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Engineering Tech, Construction

Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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