Johnson Controls’ HVAC and controls segment drives North America sales

The firm said its building solutions business increased orders 6% since the first fiscal quarter of 2023, with its backlog growing 11% year over year to $8.4 billion. 

By Joe Burns • Jan. 1, 2024

Los Angeles commercial waste system at a crossroads amid contract renegotiation

The recycLA program has seen positive results, but haulers are lagging on diversion targets and organics service. The city, while trying to amend the program, could issue a new RFP or even take over service itself.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

Office on-site mandates and occupancy rise, but office space challenges persist

As hybrid work becomes the norm, tech-enabled workspaces and enhanced amenities help offices complete with the benefits of working from home.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 21, 2023

MarginPoint’s new CMMS platform highlights demand for maintenance tech

As operators shift to proactive maintenance models, tech firms continue to develop and launch asset health and management solutions.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 20, 2023

US regulators flag commercial real estate as a leading risk in 2024

“Signs of stress emerged in 2023, and the market outlook is challenging” for commercial real estate, according to the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 20, 2023

$530M in building code technical assistance grants available from DOE

The grants will support a wide range of energy code and building performance standards activities, including workforce development, by state, local and tribal governments.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 19, 2023

Johnson Controls reports strong commercial service growth in Q4, FY 2023

Despite a cyberattack in September that delayed its release of Q4 results, the company said it continues to grow its backlog and service orders.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 13, 2023

Seattle requires large buildings to zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

As building performance standards gain traction nationwide, Seattle’s policy is the city’s most ambitious plan ever to reduce building emissions, the City Council said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 13, 2023

How facilities managers capitalize on hybrid work to better control costs, maintain sustainability, utilize space

Approximately 50% of major global companies will reduce their real estate in the next three years, according to a Knight Frank survey.

Dec. 11, 2023

Warehouse roofs house New Jersey’s largest rooftop community solar project to date

Solar Landscape will own and operate the two installations on Heitman Capital Management buildings, delivering a combined 8.8 megawatts of clean energy.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 4, 2023

Building operators, decision-makers seek help in meeting sustainability goals

While sustainability is accelerating as a business priority, 40% of leaders believe they lack the internal skills to measure environmental impact, new research by Johnson Controls and Forrester Consulting found. 

By Joe Burns • Nov. 30, 2023

IRS and Treasury propose clean energy investment tax credit updates

The proposed regulations would further define what qualifies as an ITC-eligible energy property and address Inflation Reduction Act-related wage and apprenticeship requirements.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 28, 2023

Facilities management, project management revenues buoy service firms

Increased outsourcing offset sharp declines in leasing, while building technology and hardware providers hung their hats on electrification and automation trends.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 13, 2023

GSA places 23 properties on the chopping block to “right-size” federal real estate

The U.S. General Services Administration says it plans to reduce its portfolio by 3.5 million square feet and avoid more than $1 billion in costs over the next decade.

By Nish Amarnath • Updated Nov. 10, 2023

WeWork declares bankruptcy

FM firms expect minimal market impact as the company seeks to “further rationalize its commercial office lease portfolio.”

By Joe Burns • Nov. 7, 2023

Modine’s climate solutions saw strong Q2 growth

Strong demand from hyperscale and colocation customers drove data center sales, while heat pump expectations slumped, the company reported.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 6, 2023

JLL Work Dynamics expands margins, offsets leasing declines in Q3

The company said a continued ramp-up of Fortune 100 contracts and the expansion of its Americas property management portfolio softened the impact of dampened leasing volume.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 3, 2023

Cushman & Wakefield’s property, facilities and project management segment remains flat

While services outperformed other business segments in Q3, the company still isn’t “satisfied with the low level of growth,” CEO Michelle MacKay said.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 1, 2023

CBRE sees uptick in property and project management, drop in leasing revenue

One-third of the real estate firm’s Global Workplace Solutions pipeline consists of clients that have not previously outsourced such operations, the company’s CFO said. 

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 30, 2023

Schneider Electric predicts strong Q4 due to robust demand

A continued focus on electrification, digitization and sustainability projects will bolster market demand for data centers and grid infrastructure, the company says.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 30, 2023

Clockworks Analytics acquires digital twin assets from Animated Insights

Animated Insights Chief Technology Officer Howard Davidson will join Clockworks to help integrate the technology into its fault detection and diagnostic platform.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 18, 2023

High office vacancies contrast with data center growth: CBRE market reports

Artificial intelligence has driven strong data center leasing growth in Dallas/Fort Worth, while San Francisco continues to struggle with converting unused office space. 

By Joe Burns • Oct. 11, 2023

AirX Climate Solutions to be acquired by PE firm interested in growth

The HVAC specialist expects Gryphon Investors' backing for "strategic acquisitions," geographic expansion and growth in its aftermarket and service offerings.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 10, 2023

‘Empty’ federal buildings under scrutiny

Unused office space poses financial and environmental issues federal agencies must address, lawmakers from both parties said at a Senate committee hearing.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 9, 2023

Cyberattack against Johnson Controls sparks downstream concerns

Worries mounted quickly after the attack on the building automation and industrial control systems vendor, which works extensively with multiple federal agencies.

By Matt Kapko • Oct. 9, 2023