All Stories

Diverse group of people learning and working in building trades, with a backdrop of a growing city skyline.
Trades

Natchez Building Trades Program Strengthens Workforce for Growth

Since July 2020, Natchez has seen over 400 new businesses open or expand, creating close to 1400 new jobs.

Rick Donovan·Jul 11
Diverse range of cordless power tools, including drills, saws, and post drivers, being used in a bright, modern workshop, symbolizing the surge in DIY and professional demand.
Tools & Equipment

Global Demand for Cordless Tools Surges Amidst DIY Boom

By 2035, battery-powered post drivers are projected to account for 55-65% of global unit sales, a dramatic leap from just 25-30% in 2026, according to IndexBox .

Kyle Brenner·Jul 9
Automated robotic arms working with sustainable packaging materials in a modern, green factory setting.
Industry

Automation & Sustainability Drive Packaging Industry Growth Despite Challenges

The United Kingdom's Plastic Packaging Tax now imposes a GBP 200 per-tonne levy on polymers lacking 30% recycled content, creating an immediate financial consequence for non-compliant materials.

Ben Foster·Jul 8
Independent auto mechanics collaborating and studying vehicle repair schematics on a tablet in a modern, sunlit garage.
Tools & Equipment

EPA clarifies 'Freedom to Fix' rules for independent repair shops

For years, vehicle manufacturers tightly guarded the secrets to fixing complex emissions systems, but now, the EPA has legally compelled them to open their proprietary repair playbooks to independent

Luis Ortega·Jul 8
The Weave Robotics Isaac 1 robot elegantly folding laundry in a modern, luxurious living room, showcasing advanced home automation.
Services

Weave Robotics unveils Isaac 1, a new home robot

Weave Robotics' new Isaac 1 robot, capable of folding laundry and making beds, demands an $8,000 upfront payment or a $449 monthly subscription, with initial shipments not expected until fall 2026, ac

Rick Donovan·Jul 7
Futuristic data visualization showing a fleet of trucks connecting to an AI system, highlighting rapid data integration and advanced analytics.
Tools & Equipment

Geotab MCP Connector Boosts Fleet AI Data Integration

Instead of weeks of painstaking setup, fleet managers can now connect their entire operational data to advanced AI platforms in mere hours, thanks to specialized new connectors.

Kyle Brenner·Jul 7
Indian immigrant engineer looking stressed in an office versus a happy Indian immigrant tradesperson holding tools with pride in Australia.
Trades

Indian immigrants find trades pay well, rivaling engineering

An Indian man in Australia shared that plumbers there earn more respect than engineers do in India.

Rick Donovan·Jul 6
How Tradies-SOS Works When You Need a Local Electrician
Services

How Tradies-SOS Works When You Need a Local Electrician

Finding reliable local electrician services can be a challenge for homeowners and landlords. When you need urgent repairs or are planning a major installation, you want a straightforward way to connect with qualified pro…

Sponsored by Tradies-SOS·Aug 24
Diverse students training in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades at NTI, highlighting accelerated programs to combat skilled labor shortage.
Trades

NTI Accelerates Skilled Trades Training to Combat Shrinking Labor Workforce

In Texas, up to 78% of contractors struggle to fill specialized trade positions, according to HVACInsider .

Ben Foster·Jul 3
A split image of a traditional manufacturing floor with manual labor contrasted against a futuristic, automated factory floor filled with industrial robots.
Services

Robots Surge in Plants Amidst Traditional Industry Fears

While 80% of US manufacturing facilities operate with zero automation, companies like Hyundai are already deploying over 1,000 robots in a single plant, signaling a rapid, bifurcated future.

Rick Donovan·Jul 2
Exhausted biomedical technician in a dimly lit hospital corridor, facing an inactive MRI machine, symbolizing the impact of burnout on healthcare infrastructure.
Industry

Healthcare burnout trends affecting skilled trades workforce

A major metropolitan hospital recently faced a week-long delay in repairing its critical MRI machine.

Ben Foster·Jul 2
Carpenter using a powerful lithium-ion cordless planer on a construction site, emphasizing portability and modern woodworking.
Projects

Lithium battery planers market surges on woodworking trend

Last year, cordless planer sales surged 25% globally, surpassing corded models for the first time in a decade, according to Invented Sales Data.

Kyle Brenner·Jul 1
Exterior view of a new Harbor Freight Tools store in St. Louis, showcasing its signage and entrance with customers arriving.
Tools & Equipment

Harbor Freight Opens New St. Louis Store Amid Retail Struggles

On Saturday, January 6, a new Harbor Freight Tools store will open its doors in St.

Kyle Brenner·Jul 1
A busy data center construction site with workers and machinery, highlighting the rapid expansion and potential safety concerns.
Safety

Data center boom raises construction safety concerns

Call-sheet records show 911 was called from the first Abilene Stargate site 14 times since December 2024.

Kyle Brenner·Jun 30
Close-up of mold growing on dark, damp wooden rafters in a cold-climate attic, illustrating the hidden dangers of improper exhaust fan installation.
Trades

Hidden risks in cold climate in-line exhaust fan installation

Mold grew on the rafters of a cold-climate home, even after the homeowner blocked soffit vents.

Rick Donovan·Jun 29
Roswell firefighters in action, utilizing advanced equipment to train for a simulated electric vehicle fire, showcasing preparedness for new automotive hazards.
Tools & Equipment

Roswell firefighters train with new electric vehicle emergency equipment

An average electric vehicle fire requires 3,000-8,000 gallons of water to extinguish, a stark contrast to the 500-1,000 gallons needed for a conventional car fire, according to Fire Engineering Journa

Luis Ortega·Jun 29
Advanced robotic arms precisely assembling semiconductor wafers in a futuristic, high-tech factory, symbolizing the robust growth of the semiconductor equipment market.
Tools & Equipment

Global semiconductor equipment market poised for robust growth through 2035

The global market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, valued anywhere from USD 94.

Kyle Brenner·Jun 28
Yarbo's robotic lawn mower and snow blower operating autonomously in a modern backyard, demonstrating year-round yard care capabilities.
Services

Yarbo offers big discounts on robotic lawn mowers and snow blowers

Yarbo is slashing prices by up to $1,400 on its robotic lawn mowers and snow blowers during its Prime Summer Sale, making 2026 a key year for potential buyers.

Rick Donovan·Jun 28
A modern automatic pool vacuum cleaning a sparkling blue swimming pool with advanced technology for effortless maintenance.
Services

Explore Automatic Pool Vacuums for Effortless Cleaning

The iGarden K36, a new automatic pool vacuum, boasts a formidable 5810 GPH suction power and a 216-minute runtime.

Luis Ortega·Jun 28
Person using a Ryobi cordless circular saw on a wooden deck during a summer DIY project, surrounded by tools and materials.
Tools & Equipment

Ryobi tools offer unbeatable value for summer projects

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Circular Saw Kit is currently available for $99, a substantial 71% reduction from its original $342.

Kyle Brenner·Jun 28
West Golden Cargo Door to Door Cargo From China to Dubai With UAE-Wide Delivery
Services

West Golden Cargo Door to Door Cargo From China to Dubai With UAE-Wide Delivery

For businesses in the United Arab Emirates sourcing goods from China, navigating logistics can be a significant challenge. West Golden Cargo , established in 2013, provides a streamlined solution with its specialized doo…

Sponsored by West Golden Cargo·Aug 24
Young women in a construction camp learning to build planter boxes and wire light switches, gaining hands-on experience in skilled trades.
Trades

Girls construction camp inspires young women in skilled trades

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, female high school students at Orange Technical College, West Campus, built planter boxes and wired light switches.

Rick Donovan·Jun 27
Skanska construction site for a new 21-story Marriott hotel in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, with cranes and city skyline.
Trades

Skanska Lands $325M Cincinnati Marriott Hotel Construction Contract

Skanska recently secured a $325 million contract from Portman Holdings to build a 21-story Marriott hotel in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Rick Donovan·Jun 27
Aerial view of Dallas skyline with numerous construction cranes building new housing units, symbolizing rapid urban growth and development.
Industry

Dallas leads US metro areas in housing unit growth since 2020

Between 2020 and 2025, Dallas added more new housing units than any other large U.

Rick Donovan·Jun 27