Civil Engineers Give Oregon's Infrastructure a C- Grade
SALEM, OR — The Oregon Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) releases the 2024 Report Card for Oregon’s Infrastructure. It includes 12 categories of infrastructure receiving an overall grade of C-, the same grade as the 2019 Report Card for Oregon’s Infrastructure. A C- grade means Oregon’s …
Idaho Transportation Department Celebrates 50 Years
BOISE, ID — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) recently turned 50 years old, celebrating half a century of connecting Idaho’s travelers with their many destinations.
On July 1, 1974, the Idaho Transportation Department was officially established, bringing together the Department of Highways, Aeronautics, Public Transportation, and the Traffic Safety Commission …
Pacific Region’s Construction Industry Shrinks Despite Recovery of Labor Force
As the construction sector experiences an unexpected surge in job creation at the national level, outpacing the general economic expansion, the local picture reveals an industry struggling. Over the past year, employment growth in the construction industry has fallen by 0.1 percent, which compares unfavorably to the total regional job …
ARROW Program Initiates Drone Operations in Yukon Kuskokwim to Boost Community Infrastructure and Safety
BETHEL, AK — The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), under the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program, announces the deployment of the Alaska Rural Remote Operations Work Plan (ARROW) in Bethel, Alaska. This week, ARROW has begun utilizing advanced …
Sundt Awards $19,800 to Northwest Area Nonprofits
PORTLAND, OR — The Sundt Foundation announces the distribution of $19,800 in grants to four nonprofits in the Portland-metro area.
“Our foundation members are honored to contribute to these outstanding organizations, each making a significant impact on the lives of individuals in our community,” said Ken Kubacki, Sundt Foundation …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
U.S. Green Building Council Announces Top 10 U.S. States for Green Building in 2023
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program, releases its annual list of Top 10 States for LEED. For the first time ever, New York ranked No. 1, based on LEED-certified gross square …
Oregon Ranks Fourth in US for Climate-Focused Transportation Policies and Funding
SALEM, OR — Oregon is ranked fourth in the nation for transportation policies and funding that improve equity, public health, and climate change outcomes, according to a report published by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report assessed states on several metrics to create a final scorecard ranking out of …
Sundt Awards $15,000 in Grants to Area Nonprofits
PORTLAND, OR — The Sundt Foundation recently awarded $15,000 in grants to three nonprofits in the Portland metro region. Black Men in Training, PAX Learning Center, and Cada Casa each received a $5,000 grant.
“Our Sundt Foundation members are pleased to support these nonprofits in their missions to help our …
Solving the Suspension Scaffold Rescue Challenge
It’s been on the news time and time again — a window washer crew or a crew utilizing some form of suspension scaffold is trapped in mid-air stories above the ground. Their work platform has failed in some way, and the workers are dangling from their safety lifeline. With no …
American Indian Science and Engineering Society Again Names Stantec a Top 50 STEM Workplace
ANCHORAGE, AK — The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) has again recognized Stantec as one of the Top 50 STEM Workplaces for Indigenous STEM Professionals. It is the fourth consecutive year AISES has named Stantec as an honoree.
Firms selected for the AISES Top 50 list are required …
Your local Superior dealer |
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Westate Machinery Co |
Atwell Acquires Blueline to Expand Capabilities in the Pacific Northwest
KIRKLAND, WA — In its first acquisition of 2023, Atwell acquires Blueline, a 75-person civil engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture firm based in Kirkland, Washington. Blueline has four offices throughout Washington and serves clients in commercial development, residential development, and public works. Terms of the transaction were not …
What Can You Expect From the Best Safety Trainers?
A vital component of an effective environmental, health, and safety (EHS) program is the team of safety trainers who educate employees at every level in the company, from executives to team members in the field. Learn what you should expect from the best safety trainers. When selecting a safety trainer …
Alaska DOT&PF, Northwest Arctic Borough Partner in Regional Planning Organization
KOTZEBUE, AK — Residents of the Northwest Arctic Borough have a new partnership with Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) supporting the development of transportation projects in their region. In a signing ceremony, DOT&PF’s Judy Chapman, Deputy Director of Planning, and the Northwest Arctic Borough Mayor Dickie …
Despite State and Federal Funding Increases, Montana’s Transportation System Still in Need of Road and Bridge Improvements, Safety and Capacity Upgrades
BILLINGS, MT — Despite additional state and federal transportation investment, some segments of Montana’s transportation system are deteriorated, lack some desirable roadway safety features, or do not have the level of reliability needed to fully support economic development, particularly on routes that are relied upon by the state’s growing energy …
Transforming Everyday Workers Into Jobsite Safety Leaders
Safety professionals come to their roles with different backgrounds and knowledge levels, so they might not always agree about the best approach for a particular situation. But one thing you will find agreement among all safety professionals is the common belief if they can get workers on the site to …
Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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SITECH Northwest |
Sunbelt Rentals Sets the Gold Standard for Recruiting, Employing, and Retaining Veterans
FORT MILL, SC — Sunbelt Rentals, an equipment rental company, has been recognized with three awards for its efforts to recruit and retain military veterans in North America and globally.
For the first time, Sunbelt Rentals has received the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE …
Idaho-Based Farm Equipment USA Joins Hyundai Construction Equipment Dealer Network
FRUITLAND, ID — Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas announces a dealership agreement with Farm Equipment USA, Fruitland, Idaho, under which Farm Equipment USA will sell and service Hyundai construction machines throughout west-central Idaho.
Farm Equipment USA represents a variety of mobile agricultural equipment brands, and offers a large selection of …
SOCOTEC Acquires Architecture and Engineering Company, Trinity | ERD
NEW ORLEANS, LA — SOCOTEC Consulting, Inc., a provider of TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification), consulting, and advisory services with a strategic focus on building and infrastructure sectors, announces that it has completed the acquisition of Trinity | ERD, an architecture and engineering company specializing in building envelope …
Safe Site Check In and Procore Automate the Daily Log to Improve Labor Productivity and Safety
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Safe Site Check In, a construction management software company for jobsite productivity, announces an integration with Procore Technologies, Inc., a global provider of construction management software. Safe Site Check In quickly and accurately integrates field data into the Procore Construction Platform to help boost …
Ohland Begins Her Term as ASME President, Aims to Promote More Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
An active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) since 1983, Karen J. Ohland has recently begun her term as the 141st President of the society. She is an ASME Fellow and the Associate Director for Finance and Operations at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Ohland has also …
Your local Bobcat dealer |
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Pape Material Handling |
Oregon DOT’s I-205 Abernethy Bridge Project is First in US to Participate in Pilot Program to Increase Workforce Development Opportunities
Oregon’s largest interstate investment in nearly 45 years, the I-205 Abernethy Bridge Project, is breaking down barriers by providing workforce development opportunities to individuals from economically distressed zip codes. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) project is the first in the United States to participate in a four-year Federal Highway …
The Future is Now: Examining Construction’s Power Alternatives
At the center of any construction alternative power discussion is diesel. Diesel remains the go-to power on jobsites. According to the Diesel Technology Forum, 98 percent of construction's energy use in the United States comes from diesel.
But with global initiatives underway to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by …
Construction Workforce Shortages Risk Undermining Infrastructure Projects As Most Contractors Struggle To Fill Open Positions
Construction workforce shortages are affecting nearly all construction firms, undermining the industry’s ability to complete projects on time and on schedule and threatening the success of new federal investments in infrastructure and manufacturing, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and …
Drones are Benefitting Earthmoving Operations
MILWAUKEE, WI — Drones — the aerial eye of the jobsite — have become a very versatile tool for earthmoving operations. Among the benefits: increasing efficiency, productivity, and accuracy on jobsites. In addition, drones help reduce unplanned costs and rework throughout a project by providing a steady stream of jobsite …
Preventative Maintenance Tips for Backhoes
MILWAUKEE, WI — Preventive maintenance “is a very broad term,” said George MacIntyre, Product Manager at CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibitor CASE Construction Equipment. “It can be as formal as the critical practice of performing regular service, as prescribed by the manufacturer of the machine, throughout the machine’s life. Or it …
Your local Volvo Construction Equipment dealer |
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PacWest Machinery |
Anvil Celebrates International Women in Engineering Day
ANCHORAGE, AK — Anvil is constantly evolving. Whether it is expanding the scope of their projects through technological innovation or improving the level of benefits the company is able to offer their employees, Anvil has always known that engineering and progress go hand in hand. With this belief in mind, …
Kohler Engines Approves Usage of HVO in the USA
KOHLER, WI — All Kohler diesel-fueled engines are approved to use HVO in the United States, in line with ASTM D975 standard. This confirmation comes just a few months after European compliance was announced. In February, in fact, Kohler had announced approval to use HVO for all its diesel engines …
Safety Culture in the Workplace: How Generational Differences Present Challenges, Opportunities
MILWAUKEE, WI — How do you create an effective safety culture in the workplace when you have an employee base that is so diverse?
It’s an important question for equipment manufacturers to ask and answer, and the latter can’t really be accomplished without a better understanding of what “culture” refers …
Tips for Minimizing the Impact of Rising Fuel Prices
No one in the construction industry needs to be made aware of rising diesel prices over the past year. They have felt the pain. Through the first week in July, the average price of diesel fuel was nearly 70 percent higher than the year prior. There is no single magic …
Leica Geosystems Launches New Safety Awareness Module in Leica ConX Cloud Solution
Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, announces the launch of the new safety awareness module in the cloud-based collaboration platform Leica ConX. The integration of Leica Geosystems’ safety awareness solutions with ConX increases safety on construction sites by collecting and visualising data that enhances awareness, speeds up hazard response, …
Your local Metso Minerals Industries Inc dealer |
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Westate Machinery Co |
PacWest Machinery |
Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act into Law, $5B in Funding to Drive Low-Carbon Procurement in Buildings and Construction
The largest federal climate investment in U.S. history was made on August 16, after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The act aims to fight climate change and address record inflation.
The IRA includes policies that will invest in U.S. energy production, reduce carbon emissions, …
American Institute of Architects Elects 100th President, Dowdell to Become First Black Woman President in AIA History
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently made history when the delegates at the 2022 AIA Annual Meeting elected Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, SEED, LEED AP BD+C as 2023 First Vice President/2024 President-elect. As the 100th AIA President, Dowdell will be the first Black woman and first Millennial President. …
More than 40 Industry Organizations Support Extending Buy America, Build America Act Waiver
When the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed back in November 2021, it expanded Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) coverage to include certain construction materials used on federal-aid highway and transit projects. This was intended to strengthen Made in America requirements by ensuring projects use American-made iron, …
Choosing Screen Media to Improve Production and Solve Screening Problems
With proposed infrastructure programs being discussed to offset the economic impacts of COVID-19, aggregate materials could see a spike in demand. This progression can lead to increased profits for mineral processing operations. However, maximizing efficiency to capitalize on this opportunity requires the right equipment. It is critical that operations evaluate …
US Traffic Fatalities Surged 19 Percent from 2019 to 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The number of traffic fatalities in the U.S. surged by 19 percent from 2019 to 2021. Traffic fatalities began to increase dramatically in 2020 even as vehicle travel rates plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffic fatalities continued to increase in 2021 as vehicle travel returned to …
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Telematics Expert Gives Industry Outlook
Most construction jobs run on tight timelines and margins, and to keep everything running on schedule and within budget, fleet managers use telematics to give visibility into their equipment’s location and operating condition any time of the day or night.
Telematics has been around for quite a while, however, it …
Construction Salaries are on the Rise According to NCCER 2022 Construction Craft Salary Survey
Skilled craft professionals continue to earn high wages, according to NCCER’s 2022 Construction Craft Salary Survey. More than 135 commercial, industrial and residential construction companies across the U.S., representing over 337,000 employees, participated in the survey. The individual craft areas reported provide average annual salaries, not including overtime, per …
Labor Shortage is a Universal Issue in the Construction Industry
The ever-growing labor shortage is a universal issue, affecting nearly every business sector that relies on the availability of a workforce. It’s an issue that was happening before the COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are 11.3 million job openings in the U.S., …
Is Poor PR Driving Construction's Labor Shortage?
The global upheaval of the last few years has undoubtedly rocked the construction industry – and stories of labor shortages driven by COVID-19 abound. Add to that an aging workforce further stressed by current conditions, combined with a lack of skilled replacements, and the current struggle makes sense.
But beneath …
How the US Will Deploy Intelligent Transit Networks That Enable Connected Vehicles
While America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be one of the country’s greatest historical accomplishments, as well as the lifeblood of the American economy, the system itself continues to have serious challenges during the last two decades.
This is mainly due to the rise in traffic congestion which has ensnarled hundreds …
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Understanding and Protecting Against Mold on Jobsites
Most hazards you’ll find on a construction site are big and generally obvious. It might be the inherent danger of certain power tools, the possibility of an electric shock, or the potential for a fall. Because workers recognize these hazards, they can take steps to avoid or minimize them.
But …
Poor Project Data and Miscommunication Responsible for 52 Percent of All Rework
Most people in the construction industry will say that on any given work site, there is always an amount of waste that could have been avoided. Whether it be poorly handled materials, re-work, weather damage, or working from out of date documents, there are plenty of ways that humans can …
New App Forecasts Future Liquid Asphalt Prices Lowering Financial Risk for Asphalt Producers and Highway Contractors
KENNESAW, GA — Liquid asphalt must compete with other products that are refined from crude oil, and energy prices are currently soaring due to inflation. Imagine bidding today’s cash price and the cost of the hedge instead of guessing at some future price. The solution is a new app that …
Army Engineers Promote STEM Education, Careers During Engineers Week in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, AK — Armed with toothpicks and marshmallows, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District conducted outreach events at four Anchorage schools to mark National Engineers Week. The annual observance is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and …
Why Ongoing Safety Programs are Critical
Most companies understand that safety is an important part of today’s workplace, but they may not realize why ongoing safety programs are critical to their organization’s well-being.
Some companies view safety as a “check the box” kind of activity, believing that once they’ve addressed safety topics, they’ve done what they …
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
ABC and AFSP Announce Partnership to Address Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention announce a collaborative partnership to address mental health and suicide prevention throughout the U.S. construction industry.
The goals of the partnership are to improve the mental health of construction workers through effective suicide prevention education, intervention, …
Safer Practices for Working Around Concrete
Many of the most famous structures of ancient times were constructed from a material we often think of us as modern. The workers who built them needed a material that could be shaped into blocks and other forms more easily than carving from stone. Finally, someone concocted a mixture of …
POWER Engineers Donates $500K to Communities
HAILEY, ID — POWER Engineers, Incorporated (POWER) will donate half a million dollars to foodbanks in the U.S. and Canada over the next few months, a donation that turns a small disappointment into a lot of giving back.
Typically, POWER holds large company gatherings each winter to celebrate the anniversary …
Proven Ways to Increase Worker Awareness of Safety Issues
Companies develop safety programs for reasons that may seem obvious: they want to prevent injuries of all kinds, so workers don’t suffer the physical effects and both workers and companies don’t endure negative financial or operational impacts. In addition, safety programs can also minimize the potential for damage to facilities …
Automated, Connected, and Intelligent
The future is looking bright for the construction industry, with project pipelines full and the promise of infrastructure spending infusing the industry with confidence and optimism. But as we face another year of supply chain issues and crippling workforce shortages, it’s possible that our industry’s biggest challenge could be too …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Recognizing and Addressing Worker Stress on Jobsites
Stress has been a part of human lives from the beginning. In the past year, we’ve seen additional attention placed on stress and its effects thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and highly publicized statements from top athletes and celebrities. Because stress can have a profound effect on the well-being of …
With U.S. Vehicle Travel Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels, Freight Bottlenecks Slowing Shipments, and New Federal Transportation Funding Reaching States, Additional Investment in U.S. Freight Network will be Needed to Improve Supply Chain Reliability
WASHINGTON, DC — As vehicle travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and federal transportation funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) begins to reach states, it will be critical that states make additional investments to improve the efficiency and condition of the nation’s freight network to minimize supply chain …
Oregon DOT to Receive More Than $1B in Transportation Funding
SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will receive over $1 billion in additional transportation funding as part of the federal infrastructure package. The money will go toward projects around the state that will benefit drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians, help maintain roads and bridges, and address …
Closing a Critical Gap In Utility Safety: Identifying Serious Injury and Fatality Potential
Most utility companies have stepped up their safety efforts in recent years, and the decline in safety events and minor injuries provides positive proof that safety programs are an effective way to protect workers.
However, there’s a disturbing trend underlying this success: despite all the progress in worksite safety, the …
Sundt Foundation Expands into Portland
PORTLAND, OR — The Sundt Foundation recently expanded its reach to include Portland as one of its 11 giving areas. The foundation awards grants each quarter to nonprofit organizations that assist disadvantaged children, individuals, and families.
“Supporting our communities through the Sundt Foundation is at the core of our company’s …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Next Gen Demolition
A nation’s buildings stand as a visual representation of its history. In New England, that history is written in stone and red-brick facades overlooking century-old neighborhoods. Recent trends are bringing people and businesses back to these urban centers, forcing developers and city managers to find ways to reimagine spaces to …
The Impact of BIM on Construction Projects
BIM (building information modeling) is an intelligent 3-D model-based process that gives architecture and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage projects.
Forgoing the traditionally siloed architecture, engineering and construction disciplines using BIM can develop more integrated workflows to improve collaboration through the …
Horizontal Directional Drilling Operator Training Pays Dividends
For over a decade, the team at Rays Electrical Services in Elgin, Illinois has worked diligently to earn the reputation of being a quality residential and commercial electrician for the greater Chicago area. Since Ray Sakolari opened the company in 2008, he’s made a commitment to employees, customers, and family …
Preventing Heavy Equipment Theft
Heavy equipment theft of everything from forklifts, skid steers, and trucks to bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, and wheel loaders can be a serious issue for business owners, whether at the rental yard or jobsite. Stealing batteries, catalytic converters, and entire vehicles can be a relatively low-risk, high-reward opportunity for thieves unless …
For Workforce Wearables on Construction Sites, Comfort and Mobility Must Go Hand In Hand With Assistance
A few years ago, I worked with a warehouse stocker named John who had injured his back and was looking to get back to full duty. His job was important to him because he had a family to support, which included taking care of an adult son with special needs. …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Construction Retrofit Opportunity
Construction professionals have a golden retrofitting opportunity as commercial facilities expand their precautions against viruses: an effective new type of “germicidal” LED fixture that can be quickly and easily installed in existing structures. This specialized, enclosed LED fixture draws in air and irradiates it with ultraviolet light (UV), significantly improving …
Safer Approaches for Excavating Around Underground Utilities
Few things bring construction projects to a sudden halt quite like the surprise discovery of a gas pipe, electrical line, sewer tile, or water pipe. While digging a trench, the backhoe crew makes an unfortunate discovery. If they’re lucky, they spot the problem before any damage is done, or are …
Governor Signs Bill Modernizing Alaska's Procurement for Construction Projects
FAIRBANKS, AK — In Fairbanks, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy recently signed into law his administration’s bill modernizing Alaska’s public construction process. House Bill 160 changes the current construction procurement code by including the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) methodology as an authorized form of awarding procurement contracts.
CM/GC allows a contractor …
Optimizing Self-Cleaning Screen Media to Reduce Blinding and Plugging
In the aggregate industry, efficient screening is critical to achieve not only high production but also accurately sized product for particular applications and projects. However, two of the most common production bottlenecks – screen blinding and plugging – must be minimized to run an effective, profitable operation.
Blinding occurs when …
How Innovative Technology Can Support the Response to the Infrastructure Damage Caused by Wildfires
As California concludes another hot, dry summer, the state faced another historic wildfire season. Not only are residents subject to unhealthy levels of smoke and significant property destruction as a result of the wildfires, but they must also face damage to public infrastructure caused by the fires or other related …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Heavy Equipment Dealers Increase Profitability with GPS Tracking
Heavy equipment dealers’ profitability depends on efficiently renting out their assets and keeping it in good working order for the long term, whether that involves tractor trailers, semi-trailers, or moving trailers; buses or RVs; backhoes, bulldozers, cranes, excavators, scrapers, graders, dump trucks, or all-terrain forklifts.
To maximize profitability, dealers need …
Why Smart Roads are Just as Important as Autonomous Vehicles
There’s no doubt that self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), are much safer than the average person-manned vehicle. In fact, more than 90 percent of serious crashes are due to human error, which means autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce the number of collisions and save lives.
However, …
Weekly News and Year-Round Value
When David Gordon joined the Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) as Executive Director in December 2020, he focused on one main goal.
“As we continue to grow our membership, we have to continue providing year-round value,” he said. “Our mission is to help our members be more profitable and successful …
BIM Industry Standards Create Predictability and Cost Efficiency
The adoption of technology in the construction industry in 2020 hit a record high, outpacing even the most aggressive forecasts and there are no signs of this momentum slowing. In fact, the annual Global BIM Industry Report has projected the global building information modeling (BIM) market will grow from $4.5 …
CTS Maintenance Tips to Extend Equipment Life
Landscapers and dedicated green industry professionals know that the key to success lies in their machines. Whether operating a ride-on trencher or walk-behind machine, it’s the performance parts – the chain, teeth and sprockets (CTS) – that often determine the productivity of an operation. In other words, when faced with …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Six Tips for Selecting the Right Traveling Axle Trailer
Finding a level surface with plenty of room to load a trailer on today’s congested jobsite is challenging. Towing and recovery operators have it even worse – struggling to move dead equipment, often singlehandedly, while also contending with traffic, poor visibility and soft shoulders. Operators in the towing and recovery, …
Budgeting Ahead for Safety is Critically Important
When companies try to predict costs for projects, they tend to concentrate on visible items such as materials. All too often, less tangible items – such as worker safety – become an afterthought and may not be budgeted adequately.
There are two primary ways in which safety affects the bottom …
Electrical Safety Awareness for Non-Electrical Contractors
Electrical safety awareness isn’t just for electricians. Believe it or not, non-electrical workers actually run the largest exposure to electrical hazards. Without the electrical training that licensed electrical professionals receive, one careless mistake can turn into a big accident – or worse.
By paying attention to the small details, you …
The Risks of Not Knowing Who’s On Your Job Site
The pandemic has driven general contractors (GCs) to diligently record who is at their job sites and headquarters. This primarily includes workers, subcontractors, developers, realtors, and property managers. With so many different people coming onto a job site and staying anywhere from 30 minutes to several weeks or months, it …
The Simple Keys to Vacuum Excavation Success
Vacuum excavators are one of the fastest growing machine segments in the underground construction industry. Originally popularized by their role in daylighting existing utilities on directional drilling jobs, these machines are now being used for irrigation installation, landscaping, and even nursery tasks.
One reason for this growth is that vacuum …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Tier 3 Nozzles Optimize Sewer Crew Efficiency and Profitability
For contractors responsible for sewer, storm and sanitary line cleaning, hose nozzles are an essential tool that directs pressurized water to clear out obstructions such as silt, sludge, grease, mineral buildup, and tree roots as part of required maintenance or to prepare pipes for re-lining. In this way, the nozzle …
Instant Concrete Moisture Measurement Ensures Construction Quality and Speed
In the construction industry, the quality of cast-in-place concrete foundations, superstructure, slabs, stairs, and architectural features, along with the speed of project completion, can largely depend on getting moisture measurement right – and the same is true with the masonry mortar used to build brick, block, or stone walls.
Water …
Proper Care Pays Off Over Time
It’s become a fact of life: When you need to work for extended periods of time in high, hard-to-reach places, you turn to mobile elevated work platforms, or MEWPs (also known as aerial work platforms). Over the years, two of the most popular MEWPs – scissor lifts and boom lifts …
Integrated Precision
Hitachi continues to provide customers with efficient, reliable and durable equipment featuring advanced technology – the newest being factory-integrated Solution Linkage 2D and 3D Grade Control.
“We gave a sneak peek of Hitachi’s grade control technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG last year,” said Justin Steger, Solutions Marketing Manager, Site Development and …
US LBM Completes Acquisition of American Construction Source
BUFFALO GROVE, IL — US LBM, a distributor of specialty building materials, has completed its previously announced acquisition of American Construction Source (ACS) from Angeles Equity Partners, LLC and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.
With the addition of more than 70 locations in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Seattle Health Care Design Firm Salus Architecture Joins DLR Group
SEATTLE, WA — DLR Group CEO Griff Davenport, FAIA, announces Seattle-based health care design firm Salus Architecture is joining DLR Group. Salus is exclusively dedicated to health care design, specializing in design of complex acute and ambulatory care facilities.
Salus was founded in 2014 by R David Frum, FAIA, …
Why Tank Chances?
Water is an essential component of any construction or roadbuilding project. From dust control to site prep and compaction, thousands of gallons of water are required every day. How it is hauled and applied can significantly impact overall productivity and safety. Though water tanks appear basic, certain factors can have …
Hooklift vs Cable Hoist, What’s the Best Choice for Me?
When it comes to loading containers or truck bodies onto a truck chassis, regions around the world have traditionally opted for different equipment. The North American waste and recycling market usually favors the cable hoist, while the hooklift has been more prominent internationally.
One trend that all customers are impacted …
NETA Shares Outlook for the Work Truck Industry
The work truck industry includes some of the largest motor vehicle businesses in the world supplying truck chassis (incomplete vehicles) that will be completed by upfitters, using specialized bodies and equipment. These companies are all part of the complex process of producing work trucks, which starts with vocational fleets ordering …
Succeeding with Standardization
For fleet owners looking to standardize their operation, selecting a trailer manufacturer might feel more like picking a favorite sports team than a strategic move to maximize hauling equipment investments. To some extent, it is. Teams with dedicated fans play smart and deliver results year after year. Similarly, original equipment …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Safety When Working On Geothermal Energy Projects
As debates about global warming get more intense and energy prices climb, there is growing interest in the advantages of geothermal energy. Such energy involves using heat generated by the Earth itself to condition spaces and generate electricity. While geothermal energy has not caught on in a big way in …
Heavy Equipment Underground Waste Disposal Systems
Heavy equipment dealers, rental companies, and service centers with underground waste disposal systems – floor drains or sinks in service bays that connect to a septic system or dry well (i.e.- catch basins) – are regulated by the EPA.
During normal vehicle repair and maintenance, fluids such as engine oil, …
Oregon Teachers Partner with Construction Contractors Who Helped Build New School
HILLSBORO, OR — Teachers at a suburban Portland high school that shifted to remote learning during the pandemic introduced a new vocational class aimed at changing the way students view careers in the craft trades. With guidance from construction companies like Rosendin, Sherwood High School teachers developed a virtual, …
Utility Inspection Systems and Their Benefits
It is obvious that knowing the condition of underground sewer and water infrastructure is necessary to properly maintain essential services, and today’s CCTV (closed circuit television) inspection systems visually identify structural and maintenance issues like cracks, broken or collapsed pipe, infiltration, grease, and roots, as well as other issues.
Mainline …
Congressionally Requested Report Finds That Most of Interstate System Needs to be Reconstructed and Modernized, Requiring More Than a Doubling of Current Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the U.S. Interstate Highway System reaches 65 years old, it is congested, carries significant levels of travel — particularly by large trucks — and lacks adequate funding to make needed repairs and improvements. America’s most critical transportation link will need to be rebuilt and expanded to …
Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
American Construction Supply |
Vacuum Excavators Help Maryville Municipality Expand and Maintain Its Underground Infrastructure
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the City of Maryville, a suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee, is going through a growth spurt. With a population of nearly 30,000 people and climbing, the town has experienced a big spike in utility development within the last two to three years. …
Cutting Inefficiency, Not Corners
Demolition, like every industry, is constantly evolving. To keep ahead of the curve, contractors seek out the machines and methods that increase productivity while decreasing the physical toll on workers.
Concrete sawing is viable option for fast, effective removal. However, savvy contractors are finding that adding remote-control demolition robots to …
Improving Efficiency in Roadbuilding
Let’s face it, road widening, aggregate placement, backfilling, and other road construction tasks have always been messy, backbreaking operations. Busy road construction seasons, limited budgets, and a number of other elements have constrained equipment innovation for decades. This has left road crews in the dust, relying heavily on traditional methods …
Eight Factors to Consider When Selecting an Exosuit for Your Workers
A construction site can be a bad back waiting to happen.
Whether it’s a brick mason, concrete finisher, roofer, or any other necessary occupation for a job site, workers are at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) because of the nature of the job – the awkward postures, repetitive lifting, …
Top Three Technologies That Drive Preconstruction and Streamline the Build
There’s been considerable excitement and energy around machine control and autonomous operations in the construction space in recent years. And rightfully so – big machines that can grade a site to centimeter tolerances on the first go without operator assistance is worthy of celebration.
But what about the tools and …
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BNBuilders Commits to Achieving Net Zero Carbon and Waste by 2040
SEATTLE, WA — BNBuilders announces clean construction targets for 2040, which include a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon — a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal, and an ambition to generate zero waste.
To reach these targets, BNBuilders will:
- Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions
- Implement decarbonization strategies in …
Pivotal Machines
Skid steer and compact track loaders are pivotal machines on any jobsite, offering compact convenience and robust power to operators of all skill levels. With the ability to tackle a variety of jobs and applications, adding the versatility of an attachment can make all the difference in the capabilities of …
Hitachi Construction Machinery Announces Two New Programs to Increase Productivity
Hitachi Construction Machinery recently announced two new programs aimed to help customers increase productivity and cost-savings. Dedicated to providing customers with efficient, reliable, and durable machines, Hitachi Construction continues to provide the latest technology and product offerings to help customers get the most out of their Hitachi machines.
Turn One Machine into a Multi-faceted Workhorse with Stand-on Skid Steer Attachments
As we transition into the warmer months, demand for a variety of landscape, hardscape, tree care, utility installation, and overall construction-grade tasks begin to rise. While stand-on skid steers have been used primarily as loaders in the past, they are becoming more popular in a wider array of jobs in …
Six Tips to Optimize Compact Track Loader Forestry Performance
Spring is just around the corner and that means land clearing contractors will be out in full force. While many jobs can be fulfilled using a standard compact track loader (CTL) with a simple bucket, overgrown areas with thick brush and trees require heavier-duty forestry attachments. And powering these attachments …
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Big Iron, Attachments, and Technology Come of Age
For many highway and heavy contractors, it’s not only the machines used on-site that drive project productivity – it’s also the attachments.
From buckets, hammers, and cutters to rippers, brooms, and grabbers, these heavy equipment accessories are designed to enhance the use of big (and little) iron while driving productivity …
The Right Attachment for the Job
Telehandlers are a popular choice for a wide range of material handling applications on job sites due to the variety of attachments they can be equipped with. The versatility of these machines allows operators the ability to perform a variety of job site tasks. Unlike forklifts, which rely on a …
Rise of the Machines
Change has always been a constant in the construction and demolition industry. Contractors, workers and project managers pushing for safer, more productive solutions have transformed the modern jobsite from a buzzing hive that relied predominantly on manual labor to a streamlined operation dominated by hard-hitting machines.
In today’s competitive market, …
Equipment Evolution
Demolition and recycling equipment is evolving and is going to change quickly in the next five to 10 years. Manufacturers are leading this effort with input from their customers.
Advances are happening in wireless technology, microchips, machine learning, artificial intelligence, automation, cameras, sensors, touch screens, and batteries. These technologies are …
The Sound of Silence
Like the air we breathe, sound is an important, yet often overlooked, part of our daily lives. And, just as air quality and its effects on health have become an important part of the safety conversation, the negative effects of sound exposure on employees and the public are a growing …
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Getting on Top of Tower Safety
Communications towers have long been a part of the landscape, but if you think you’re seeing many more of them, you’re not mistaken. The rapidly increasing demand for wireless communication and private communication networks has triggered a significant increase in the construction of towers.
The growing presence of towers means …
A Snapshot of the Demolition Industry and Trends for 2021
The demolition process involves an unimaginable breadth of products and services to meet the needs of clients and communities. From structural demolition and dismantlement to industrial recovery and C&D recycling, from specialized rigging and landfilling to insurance services and equipment manufacturing, from general contracting and architectural salvage to facilities decontamination, …
Five Tips for Maintaining Low-Level Access Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
Even though preventive maintenance can be the single most crucial factor in keeping an equipment fleet operating in peak condition, while lowering a machine’s total cost of ownership, it is easy to have an “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. Especially in lean years, maximizing each piece of …
Performance-Based Smoke Detection Reduces Cost and Enhances Safety
Today, the owners of a growing number of non-standard building designs like museums, arenas, stadiums and structures with atria or large open spaces are turning to performance-based design for substantial cost savings and enhanced safety while maintaining architectural concerns.
As an International Code Council (ICC) accepted alternative, performance-based design allows …
Getting the Most From Compact Track Loaders
Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and – thanks in part to growing attachment diversity – CTLs can be used for more applications than ever. A strategic purchase of …
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Getting the Most From Compact Track Loaders
Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and – thanks in part to growing attachment diversity – CTLs can be used for more applications than ever. A strategic purchase of …
Enhancing Safety in the Heavy Equipment Rental Industry
Renting heavy machinery has become increasingly popular in the construction and mining industries with many companies now opting to rent instead of purchase equipment. In fact, market analysts predict that the heavy equipment rental industry is set to grow by 11 percent over the next three years as construction companies …
Enhancing Safety in the Heavy Equipment Rental Industry
Renting heavy machinery has become increasingly popular in the construction and mining industries with many companies now opting to rent instead of purchase equipment. In fact, market analysts predict that the heavy equipment rental industry is set to grow by 11 percent over the next three years as construction companies …
How to Maximize Bridge Repair Productivity with Hydrodemolition Attachments
For decades, road and bridge repair contractors have relied on the power and precision of hydrodemolition robots to increase efficiency for concrete removal and surface preparation applications. Traditional methods of bridge deck repair took hours of manual labor using handheld water jetting equipment or handheld pneumatic tools. By switching to …
Towers of Tomorrow
Despite COVID-19’s tumultuous toll on urban living, there will come a day when normalcy returns to large metropolitan areas. Human beings are resilient; they will continue to work, learn, live, and play following economic downturns and unprecedented times that temporarily rid cities of normal activity. Downtowns have a future, and …
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Using Technology to Solidify a Unified Team Culture in 2021
Whether it’s on the front lines of a battlefield, a supply chain or a construction site, culture is a fundamental aspect of human existence. Culture keeps us bonded to groups of people – whether it’s within the context of our families, our communities or even our workplaces – and allows …
Thorough Accident Investigations Require Seven Steps
While there’s a big difference between investigating a workplace incident and finding someone to blame for it, companies frequently confuse the two concepts. When something goes wrong, they work hard to identify those at fault, and that’s where the investigation ends.
Most workplace incidents are not that clear-cut. An individual …
Using Good Catches to Increase Worker Ownership of Safety
There’s an old adage that says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s applicable to many situations, but especially so when it comes to workplace safety. Safety professionals have long recognized the value of prevention, and the well-known Heinrich model clearly illustrates that value. For every …
Sustainable Construction Waste Management and LEED
There was an estimated 600 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated in the United States in 2018 alone, which is more than double the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (i.e. normal garbage). Concrete accounted for the largest portion of this C&D waste (67.5 percent), followed by asphalt …
Finding a Snow-Worthy Track Loader
What’s better for clearing snow, a skid steer or a compact track loader? The common perception is that a wheeled machine would fare better, and it’s often true with many track loaders. It’s why many compact track loaders are parked for the winter while their wheeled counterparts keep working. However, …
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Elon University Puts Vacuum Excavator to Work in a Wide Range of Applications
Traditionally, vacuum excavators have been used by contractors for daylighting buried utilities, minimizing disruption to the impacted area, and leaving behind a negligible mess. Today, the benefits of soft digging – the process of using a combination of suction and high-pressure water and air to remove dirt and other materials …
A Good, Hard Look at Prestressed Concrete
When it comes to bridge design and construction, concrete is the material of choice. It’s easy to make, affordable, and can withstand a tremendous amount of compressive stress. However, concrete is not naturally flexible. It’s weak in tension, which can cause deflection on bridges and lead to cracks, which opens …
Four Strategies for Construction Companies to Rebound from COVID-19
It has been almost a year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and unfortunately, we don’t have an answer as to when life will go back to normal, or even what the “new normal” will look like. Disruptions in the hard-hit construction industry – such as supply chain shortages and …
Governor Announces Alaska DOT&PF FY2022 Budget Highlights
JUNEAU, AK — Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy recently rolled out his FY2022 budget to the public. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' (DOT&PF) proposed budget takes into consideration the transportation needs of Alaskans while acknowledging the current fiscal climate.
The highlights are:
- Unrestricted General Fund (UGF) reduction …
Have You Fallen for These Common Safety Myths?
Safety sounds like a simple concept, but when it comes to workplace safety, that isn’t always the case. As our professionals interact with companies and workers in many industries, they frequently hear things that may sound plausible, but that really aren’t true. We’ve collected several of the most common here. …
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U.S. DOT Launches New Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation recently launched a new demonstration program to establish several Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (Accelerators), which will expedite delivery of transportation infrastructure projects through finance and delivery methods. The department’s Build America Bureau (the Bureau) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity to solicit applications …
ABC 2020 Review and 2021 Construction Economic Forecast
Despite chronic difficulties sustained by contractors and others with securing human capital in January 2020, the nation added 214,000 net new jobs. It followed that up with an even more blistering 251,000 jobs in February.
For 113 consecutive months, the nation had added jobs – an unprecedented winning streak in …
McCarthy Building Companies Partners with Adaptive Construction Solutions in Support of Veterans
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announces a new partnership with Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc. (ACS) to recruit and train veterans for careers in the construction trades, addressing a national workforce shortage. Together, the two organizations will identify and enroll veterans with military occupational specialties in an apprenticeship program that can lead …
Wells Fargo 2021 Economic Outlook
The longest U.S. economic expansion since the end of the Second World War came to an abrupt end earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down the economy. Following an unprecedented plunge in Q2-2020 – real GDP nosedived at an annualized rate of 31.4 percent – economic activity …
How AGC of America is Making Sure Politicians Learn the Right Lessons from the Election
The 2020 elections appear to have delivered simultaneous rebukes to both President Trump and the liberal agenda. While he performed better than most polls predicted, as of writing, the President’s ongoing efforts to contest the election appear to have little chance of success. Yet enough down ballot elections broke Republicans’ …
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The Power of Where Symposium Puts Spatial Intelligence at Your Fingertips on January 26
DENVER, CO — Process innovation specialist to the AEC industry, MG AEC Technology Partners (MG), invites the industry to The Power of Where, an online symposium illuminating the intersection of BIM and GIS technologies. Sponsored by Autodesk and GIS industry leader, Esri, the January 26, 2021 virtual conference will …
ARTBA 2021 US Transportation Construction Market Forecast
Transportation construction activity is forecast to decline 5.5 percent in 2021, as transportation authorities, state, city, county, and local governments face unprecedented revenue shortfalls, budget pressures and lower demand for travel and freight services, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) model shows. The 2021 market will reflect the …
Do Your Workers Truly Understand HazCom?
Workers in all sorts of industries use, or may become exposed to, various types of hazardous chemicals and other substances on a regular basis. Sometimes those hazards are part of a production process, while in other instances it may be something used to clean a worksite.
That’s why OSHA requires …
2021 Manufacturer Forecast
After a difficult 2020, many of us are looking for things to turn around with the new year. Significant progress on a vaccine and the possibility of new funding for infrastructure projects has many in the construction industry optimistic that 2021 will put the U.S. economy back on track. We’ve …
High Efficiency ‘Shaped’ Wire Screens are the Way to the Future
For aggregate producers, efficient and accurate sizing of material during processing is essential to profitability. One renowned screening expert has termed plant screening stations as the "cash box" of the operation. Square opening, woven wire screen is still the media of choice in most aggregate operations. However, carryover of prime …
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Demolition Doctors
Like many cities with a long history, the skyline of San Diego, California, has changed significantly over the centuries. Even in the modern era, demolition and construction continue to transform California’s second-largest city. However, with growing populations and congested urban environments, demolition contractors are forced to find safer ways to …
Unlocking the Full Potential of Construction Fleet Physical Security Integration
For construction firms with significant fleet vehicle and equipment assets needing to be protected from theft or vandalism, fully integrating the latest capabilities of physical security and access control systems can drive down costs significantly.
This “virtual” approach combines video surveillance, access control, and information technology (IT) integration to replace …
The Role of Rental in 2020 and What It Teaches Us for 2021
If there is any one thing to be said about 2020, it’s that uncertainty ruled the day in many ways and in many aspects of life. The construction industry was no exception, as contractors in all segments juggled the unknowns of an election year, a global pandemic, and everything else …
Construction Industry Companies Putting Employee Well Being at the Forefront
No one can argue that 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic have created major stressors in our personal and professional lives and have caused many of us to experience greater levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. Even before COVID-19, one in five Americans suffered from a mental health condition and …
Improving Contractor Interactions Through the SCARF Model
It happens on nearly every jobsite and nearly every day. A worker performs a task without using the proper safety procedures and a safety professional walks up to correct him. The mood becomes tense, the worker’s resentment is obvious, and the safety pro becomes defensive in return.
The safety professional …
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Avoiding Costly and Potentially Deadly Shortcuts in Netting System Selection
Construction managers, general contractors, and building owners are certainly familiar with safety netting systems and the reasons to install them, which include protecting workers and debris from falling from structures, as well as façade and ceiling containment. They also believe these passive systems create and maintain a safe work environment. …
Making the Whole Person Matter
The construction worker offers much for which to be celebrated. They transform blank canvasses of earth to create spaces for work, education, or play and build structures to cross bodies of water that connect communities. Bottom line, the construction worker helps to build a country’s future.
Driving this ability is …
HDD Training Teaches More Than Just Basic Skills
When it comes to horizontal directional drilling (HDD), simple training is not enough – it needs to be the right training. Because HDD is an art and a science, the right training, education, and experience is a critical combination in knowing the right balance between the two.
As HDD expands …
Tire Tales
Tires are witness to everything that goes on in a truck and are filled with information that can tell you a great deal about your fleet.
There are many reasons tires are removed from service outside of normal wear – ranging from driver- related behavior, to running the wrong type …
Advanced Water Treatment to Increase Efficiency and Meet Environmental Standards
More and more, concrete repair contractors are turning to robotic hydrodemolition, and the reasons why are simple. The method provides faster, safer, and more efficient removal than traditional means. Recent technological advances have also made hydrodemolition machines more versatile, compact, and durable than ever before. But, one important question still …
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Mortenson Pushes the Boundaries With Large-Scale Modular Projects
The construction industry has proven to be one of the most difficult industries to revolutionize. Many aspects of constructing a building have not changed for centuries. It is becoming increasingly difficult to build in downtown urban settings where sites are tight, streets are crowded, and skilled labor is difficult to …
Bomanite Cares
Humanitarian, hero, and three-time heavyweight champion of the world, Mohammed Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Revered for his accomplishments in the ring and beloved the world over for his sharp wit and big heart outside of it, Ali’s …
CII, CURT, and ECC Explore Formation of Official Alliance to Streamline Service and Support for the Capital Projects Industry
AUSTIN, TX — Leaders from the Construction Industry Institute (CII), the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT), and the Engineering and Construction Contracting Association (ECC) are exploring the establishment of a unified, industry alliance to capture benefits of increased content collaboration, better sharing of research, and benchmarking learnings to improve application, diversifying …
Ready to Roll
Near the Kansas City International Airport lies a well-traveled stretch of road that connects NE Cookingham Drive to I-435. A 20-mile jaunt separates the airport from downtown Kansas City, and while some drivers might make their way via the direct I-29 route, others choose the I-435 route that might take …
Virtual Reality Leaps Forward, Providing New Value to Stakeholders
The AEC industry has been experimenting with the use of virtual reality (VR) for well over 20 years, and the medium has successfully provided value and Return on Investment (ROI). However, for many projects, the form factor, technical requirements and user friction for delivering walkthroughs has prevented the medium from …
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Don’t Get Caught in the Cold
When we think winter maintenance, we start thinking about cooling systems and antifreeze, fuel systems and fuel storage, engine oil, Hydraulic oil and systems, batteries and all the fluids, components and systems that suffer the ravages of cold and freezing temperatures. If its equipment, it needs winter maintenance. If operates …
Pulling Augers No Longer Needed
One of the most time-consuming tasks while auger boring is pulling augers to check line and grade and adjust steering constantly,” said Walter Keyes, a 25-years auger boring veteran and Team Leader/Superintendent with S.J. Louis Companies. “Typically, on large-diameter sewer jobs, crews will pull augers every 20 feet, …
It’s In Our Blood
For Casey Vanderwiele, a typical Sunday morning includes hopping in one of his Hitachi excavators with a hot cup of coffee. What may seem like work to others is therapy for Casey.
“You can deal with the public and customers, but we refer to our Hitachis as therapy because …
Technology Enables Construction Continuity
As we look ahead and try to make predictions about the future of construction, some aspects are murky. No one would have predicted the situation we found ourselves in during 2020, with a global pandemic bringing the economy to its knees, delaying construction projects nationwide, and changing the way we …
Living on the Cutting Edge
Mining and quarrying are deep-rooted businesses. The oldest known mine is located in Southern Africa and was active, quite appropriately, during the Stone Age – an astounding 43,000 years ago. Possibly even more incredible are the ancient mines that are still producing.
Fast forward to today, where we find an …
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What Contractors Need to Know About EMR
It’s a small number that carries a huge impact for a contractor’s business. It affects their ability to stay competitive and maintain profitability, and it gives owners and construction managers powerful insights into the contractor’s business philosophy. It says so much that owners and CMs use it to decide whether …
Restoring the Interstate Highway System
At 64 years old, an age at which many Americans are approaching Medicare eligibility and reduced workloads, the Interstate Highway System is deteriorating, its traffic load of cars and trucks continues to increase, and the system lacks an adequate long-term care plan.
The Interstate Highway System remains the workhorse of …
Point and Measure
Traditionally, moisture tests require laborious effort and are slow to return results from the laboratory. The risk of damage increases during transit of the materials potentially altering or destroying the entire sample, making this option much less practical for construction sites. Industry innovators have developed a simplified approach with testing …
Leadership Through Extreme Circumstances
When Robert “Bob” Lanham, Jr., P.E., started his tenure as 2020 President of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), he set three main goals: expand member engagement, increase federal investment in construction, and reduce and reform federal regulations on construction and development.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. …
Ten Equipment Trailer Maintenance Tips
Heavy-haul trailers trek thousands of miles during their service lives and encounter many challenges – from rocks and ruts to bumps and jolts, no trailer gets out unscathed. To get the most from trailers, here are some tips to prevent costly damage and keep your trailers in top shape.
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The AED Foundation’s Construction Career Aptitude Test Soon to Launch
SCHAUMBURG, IL — As the AED Foundation (AEDF) continues to address the industry's skills gap through its Vision 2024 plan, the soon-to-launch Construction Career Aptitude Test aims to help address the workforce shortage starting at the high school level. More specifically, the Construction Career Aptitude Test is designed for students …
CII and AGC Bring Together a Panel of Industry Leaders for COVID-19 Webinar
The Construction Industry Institute (CII) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently held a webinar called “Roundtable on Perspectives and Best Practices in Owner-Contractor Collaboration During COVID-19” to provide updates on a variety of industry topics concerning the virus. The panel for the webinar featured two CII owners, …
We Only Get to the Stars by Starting from the Ground
Given the excitement with SpaceX and NASA’s recent historic manned launch, many people are looking to the stars. To many, space means rockets and satellites. However, every major component of these missions are built, designed, tested, launched, and controlled in one or more ground-based facilities. And every one of those …
The Complex Made Simple
The history of the construction excavator goes back quite some time. The very first excavator is said to have been built in 1882 by Sir W. G. Armstrong & Company in England, where it was used in the construction of Port of Hull docks. Unlike today's excavators that use hydraulic …
Fluid Bridge Repair
Infrastructure repair is a hot topic today, and rightfully so. From potholes to deteriorating bridges, keeping up with repairs – and finding the money to do so – is a constant struggle. In an effort to complete jobs faster and win more bids, contractors are always looking for ways to …
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Construction Business as Project Business: Project Business Automation
All project businesses essentially operate the same way. Whether you are in the construction, engineering or architecture industry, the overarching commonality is that your company delivers goods and services to your customers through projects, making your company a project business.
Only by recognizing your company as a project business are …
Accelerator for America Introduces New Partnership on Infrastructure Playbook
Accelerator for America recently hosted a webinar with some of the country’s most determined mayors to discuss the organization’s New Partnership on Infrastructure (NPI) initiative.
Founded by CEO Rick Jacobs, Accelerator for America is an organization led by an advisory council of mayors and other local leaders from across …
The Importance of Safely Purchasing, Handling and Storing API Certified DEF
As restrictions are being lifted across most states in the country and with warm weather upon us, it is important for truck drivers to consider proper management of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) used in most diesel-powered trucks.
DEF is made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water …
Preventative Maintenance Creates Longevity for Drills
It’s a common situation: Your equipment isn’t working as effectively as it was the day it came off the manufacturing line. With most tools and machines, regular maintenance and replacement of worn-out parts can be the key to restoring it back to maximum power. Earth drills are no exception. Knowing …
Modular Design Trends, Challenges, and Increased Construction Liability Risks
Once again, the U.S. economy has hit a crossroads. Even before the current COVID-19 outbreak, the predictions for the coming year were mixed at best.
On the one side, the Association of Equipment Managers (AEM) said that “Steady and solid growth is likely to continue for the construction sector. As …
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POWER Foundation Pledges $150,000 for Education
HAILEY, ID — The POWER Foundation, a nonprofit arm of Hailey, Idaho-based engineering and consulting services firm POWER Engineers, recently pledged to send $150,000 directly to schools to help alleviate challenges with distance learning and connectivity.
“The added pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic have really illuminated the challenges …
RP Develops Square Sided Water Tank
Creative thinking and the willingness to take a new approach is often what sets innovators apart from their peers. These qualities are also the fuel that propels industry forward. Construction is one of the oldest industries, but thanks to continuous advancements in technology, techniques and materials, today’s structures have come …
Steering Through Sandy Soils
The economy in Garden City, Kansas, is strong with the recent opening of a Dairy Farmers of America plant. Approximately 4 million pounds of milk from regional farmers make its way to the dairy plant each day, which has led to expansion for many other companies throughout the area. To …
Going the Distance
The hardest part of a project for most contractors is the bid. Balancing customer specs with overhead costs to produce a number both sides are comfortable with takes skill and a deep understanding of an operation’s capabilities. Partnering with industry-leading OEMs to provide efficiency-optimizing equipment can give contractors an edge …
Why Productivity in Construction is Flatlining
Let’s face facts, the construction industry does not do well when it comes to completing projects on time and within budget. Approximately 98 percent of megaprojects suffer cost overruns of more than 30 percent and 77 percent are at least 40 percent late, according to a McKinsey & Company report. …
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Cloud-Based Employee Time Tracking
There is no doubt that technology has increased project management efficiency and safety in the construction industry. Case in point: construction worker illnesses and injuries went from 10.9 incidents (in 1972) to 2.8 incidents (in 2017) per 100 people, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, there are …
How Technology is Advancing One of the Most Dangerous Jobs in America
Construction was recently listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America by CNBC. So when it comes to day-to-day operations, what can construction managers do to ensure workers receive the information they need to produce quality work and stay safe on the job? One company, MindForge, is …
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Receives $3M Gift from NABTU to Fund Cell Therapy for COVID-19
MIAMI, FL — The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) announces a donation of $3 million from North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), to support specific and urgent research on the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to treat COVID-19-related inflammation. The gift will accelerate needed clinical trials.
On April …
Burns & McDonnell Foundation Announces $1.5M in COVID-19 Relief Funding
HOUSTON, TX — As organizations and community members face significant challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, Burns & McDonnell is providing additional resources and services to communities, clients, and employee-owners throughout the U.S.
To bolster the support of those on the front lines providing critical resources to those who need it …
B2W Software Presents 2020 Client Innovation Awards to Four Heavy Construction Contractors
PORTSMOUTH, NH — B2W Software, a provider of heavy construction management software, presented its 2020 Client Innovation Awards to four contractors during the company’s 19th annual User Conference in Las Vegas.
Lancaster Development, Lakeside Industries, EPCOR, and Severino Trucking were recognized for achieving high ROI and …
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Burns & McDonnell Grows Footprint in the Pacific Northwest With New Office in Downtown Portland
PORTLAND, OR — Burns & McDonnell, a 100 percent employee-owned engineering, architecture, and construction company, has further expanded its operations in the Portland area with the opening of an office in downtown Portland, Oregon, expanding its services in the Pacific Northwest. The new space, in the Power + Light …
Schnabel Engineering Acquires Deere & Ault Consultants, Inc.
GLEN ALLEN, VA — Schnabel Engineering, based in Glen Allen, Virginia, announces the acquisition of Deere & Ault Consultants, Inc. (D&A), a water resources, civil, and geotechnical engineering services firm with locations in Longmont, Colorado, and Boise, Idaho. The addition of these two locations will expand Schnabel’s national presence, …
DTG Recycling Services Named C&D Recycler of the Year
RENTON, WA — The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association's (CDRA) Recycler of the Year award is meant to honor those Recycling Operations in the Construction and Demolition (C&D) Recycling industry who have made a contribution to the industry through one or more of the following criteria: advancing business operations …
Construction Input Prices Unchanged in October, Says ABC
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices remained unchanged on a monthly basis in October but are down 2.2 percent year-over-year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.1 percent for the month and are …
Eighty Percent of Contractors Report Difficulty Finding Qualified Craft Workers to Hire
ARLINGTON, VA — Eighty percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by Autodesk and the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the …
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Contractors Expect to Increase Rental Activity, According to ARA Survey
MOLINE, IL — Among professional construction contractors who rented equipment in the past year, a majority expects to increase reliance on rental in the year ahead, according to a comprehensive survey of contractors released by the American Rental Association (ARA).
The “Rental Customer Needs Study,” conducted by RSG, an independent …
IEDA Announces Launch of Revamped Website, Hosted by Sandhills Global
VICTOR, NY — The Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) is a self-regulating organization dedicated to advancing the goals of independent used equipment dealers and related businesses worldwide. The IEDA's website is a vital part of its mission to help equipment dealers build more profitable relationships, and to provide its members …
Construction Jobs Increase by 4,000 in May as Unemployment Rate Falls to Record-Setting Low
ARLINGTON, VA — Construction employment increased by 4,000 jobs in May and by 215,000, or 3 percent, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience fell to a record low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of …
Somerset CPAs and Advisors Launches 2019 Construction Industry Survey
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Somerset CPAs and Advisors will be launching their 2019 Construction Industry Financial Performance and Salary & Benefits Survey. This industry-specific survey provides information about the financial standing of the national construction community, outlining salaries and benefits by position, balance sheets, statements of operations and other information as …