Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau, in cooperation with several other wall and ceiling industry associations in the West, has published a study focusing on the impacts on labor productivity on steel framing and the installation and finishing of gypsum wallboard.

This study was the first one investigating external impacts to labor productivity in the wall and ceiling industry. It measured the impact of 38 variables on 226 separate projects. The study found that unexpected labor congestion, fragmentation, overtime and added shift work negatively impacted labor productivity.

The authors of the document are Gerald H. Williams, Ph.D., P.E., of Construction Research Inc., Portland Ore., and Timothy R. Anderson, Ph.D., of Portland State University, Portland, Ore.

The following associations participated in the study with NWCB: Northwest Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association, based in Seattle; Northern California Drywall Contractors Association, based in San Jose, Calif.; Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association, based in Orange, Calif.; and Associated Wall and Ceiling Contractors of Oregon and Southwest Washington, based in Portland, Ore.

A summary of “Impacts to Labor Productivity in Steel Framing and the Installation and Finishing of Gypsum Wallboard” and an online order form are available at www.nwcb.org. The cost of the publication is $299. Members of the participating associations may purchase it for $199. For more information, call (800) 524-4215 or visit the site.

In other NWCB news, the bureau has changed venues for its 2010 annual convention. The show will be held April 8 through 10 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz.

The Fairmont Scottsdale has committed to providing the NWCB space in May 2012. For further information, visit the Web site.