The golden resurgence of the semiconductor market is just one nugget in the economic bonanza that has made this a banner year for many firms. Prolonged strength in the automotive sector and an aerospace market that is readying for takeoff with major defense and space-related projects looming have propelled the manufacturing construction market to record levels. Volume is up, margins are better and backlogs are healthy, but contractors are beginning to show the strain of trying to maintain the manic pace. With the market busy beyond all projections, firms are dealing with increasingly difficult shortages of skilled craft labor and experienced project management personnel to staff their projects. Even as contractors scramble to keep project teams fully staffed, their work grows increasingly challenging as they confront similar shortages affecting key subcontractors, growing delays for materials and long-lead items and a clamoring client base seemingly addicted to speed. Prosperity aside, many firms are grappling with the nagging notion that maybe there can be too much of a good thing.
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