Modern Contractor Solutions June 2022 : simplebooklet.com

PROJECT PROFILESBottleworks Restoration ............................................ 14LED Modernization .................................................... 16EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONSBattery Technology .................................................... 18New Cummins Engine ............................................... 20Zoom Boom............................................................... 22ON!Track Tool Tracking App ....................................... 24Heavy Loads .............................................................. 26ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONLEED Platinum .......................................................... 28MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSWorkforce Development ............................................ 30Project Delivery ......................................................... 32Workforce Management: Part 4 of 4 .......................... 34True Leadership ......................................................... 36SOFTWARE SOLUTIONFinding Balance ......................................................... 38LEGAL SOLUTIONContingency Funds .................................................... 40SAFETY SOLUTIONMobile Lube Systems ................................................ 42TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONSBuilding Materials ..................................................... 44Construction Tech ..................................................... 46MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONSSkid Steer Loaders .................................................... 48Routine Care ............................................................. 50SUBSCRIPTIONS For all changes, go to:MCSMAG.COMClick the SUBSCRIPTIONS button in the main menuwww.mcsmag.com P.O. Box 660197 | Birmingham, AL 35266DONNA CAMPBELL Editor in Chiefdonna@mcsmag.comMIKE BARKER Publishermike@mcsmag.com RANDY MOON Media Consultantrandym@mcsmag.comMICHAEL FISCHBACH Media Consultantmichael@mcsmag.com JOHN FRIEND Media Consultantjohn@mcsmag.comKEVIN MCCLARAN Media Consultantkevin@mcsmag.comLISA AVERY Art Directorlisa@mcsmag.comSETH SAUNDERS Digital Media Specialist seth@mcsmag.comINGRID BERKY Office Manageringrid@mcsmag.comTIM GARMONCEORUSSELL HADDOCKPresidentCHRIS GARMONCFODONNA CAMPBELLVice President, EditorialTONYA BROWNINGVice PresidentNo part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The views expressed by those not on the staff of Modern Contractor Solutions, or who are not specifically employed by Highlands Publications are purely their own. All Industry News material has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled directly from its corporate website, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to donna@mcsmag.com.For reprint information, contact Chris Garmon at chris@mcsmag.com.Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525. Undeliverables 355 Admiral Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2N1Modern Contractor Solutions Magazine@mcsmagModern Contractor SolutionsDonna CampbellEditor in ChiefTOOLS + ATTACHMENTSWelcome to the June issue featuring tools and attachments. The tool and attachments available today are designed to make projects easier to complete with accuracy and proper technique. Add to the mix cordless innovation and tool tracking apps for better asset management and you’re set for project success.To help with costs, LED lights are a money-saver. Check out the article on page 16. Using batteries for tools is a saver versus lugging around cords. Be sure to read about cordless innovation from Milwaukee Tool on page 18. When it comes to engines, the new Cummins propane engine is a cost-effective solution; see page 20. For a keen understanding of true leadership, read the Q&A with Steve McGough with HCSS. Steve shares the fundamentals of being grounded in trust to effectively lead any team. It’s worth the read on page 36. Also effective in managing a jobsite is balancing mobility with portability. To find the balance, check out the article on page 38. Ultimately, being prepared means planning for the unexpected, the unknowns. This issue has a great legal article on contingency funds on page 40. And, lastly, learn how empowerment can create success in your team dynamics in the Coach’s Corner article on page 56. It takes people to use the tools to complete the projects. DO THIS TODAY: If you have not signed up to receive a weekly Leadership Tip from Randy Goruk, leadership development expert, go to his website and register: www.leadersedge360.com.Cheers, 56COACH’S CORNER successful teams’ secret sauce

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsCATERPILLAR TO RELOCATE GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS TO DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREACaterpillar Inc. announces it will move its global headquarters to the company’s existing office in Irving, Texas, from its current location in Deerfield, Illinois. Caterpillar has had a presence in Texas since the 1960s across several areas of the company. Illinois remains the largest concentration of Caterpillar employees anywhere in the world. The company will begin transitioning its headquarters to Irving in 2022.DEWALT EXPANDS ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES LINE WITH NEW HAND TOOLS DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, announces it is expanding its ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES™ portfolio with new ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES hand tools. The hand tools series introduces several new design features into compact, highly portable measuring and layout tools to help improve jobsite efficiency. The first lineup of hand tools to join the ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES portfolio include tape measures, a chalk reel, and a pocket laser measurer. The ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES Tape Measures, Chalk Reel, and 55 ft Pocket Laser Distance Measurer are available now where DEWALT products are sold. For more, visit www.dewalt.com. JLG FINANCIAL EXPANDS RETAIL LENDING PROGRAMJLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and leading global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms and telehandlers, announces the growth of its JLG Financial retail lending program, now available to an expanded range of equipment buyers, including end-users and contractors, as well as rental houses and equipment distributors, in the United States and Canada. The program offers financing for purchases of $3,000 or more on new or used equipment (most makes and models, including competitive brands, reconditioned and certified equipment), attachments, accessories and parts. For more, visit jlg.com. NEW FLATBED TRAILER SAFETY RAILS PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED FALL PROTECTION BlueWater by Tractel, an innovative supplier of OSHA-compliant fall protection solutions, announces the launch of its new Flatbed Trailer Safety Rail system, an easily installed, customizable fall protection solution. A division of Tractel—a leading safety specialist providing reliable, innovative and cost-effective working-at-height solutions and services—the BlueWater brand has been globally recognized for providing best-in-class safety solutions for a wide variety of industries.OSHA Compliant Guardrail andStair Rail SystemsSafety Boot® Guardrail SystemStringerShield® Stair Rail System1.800.804.4741safetyboot.com• Non-Penetrating Design• Rugged Steel Construction• Exceeds OSHA Regulations• Simple, Aordable & Reusable• Residential, Multi-Family & Commercial Applications• Unique Free Standing Design• Keep Post Attached For Reuse On Next Level Or ProjectFeatured on osha.gov website!Handrail5000 lbsD-Ring360� RotationWorker with Fall-ArrestHarness Concrete OverhangSAPS SAFETY ANCHOR POST SYSTEM SAPS INBOUND SAP42D SAPS inbound SAP42D is Intertek Certified to meet ASIZ359.18-2017 safety requirements: ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR FOR ACTIVE FALL PROTECTIONCall today for an estimatesafetyanchorpost.com(800) 377–1632

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com10industry newsThe Flatbed Trailer Safety Rail system is a passive fall protection solution that reduces fall risks on elevated flatbed trailers during the loading and unloading process. With a durable design, the system is easy to install on any standard flatbed trailer. Each kit includes an integrated vertical access ladder and an adjustable safety gate included with each kit. All components of the system fully comply with OSHA regulations when properly installed, and BlueWater by Tractel offers custom engineering of systems to meet particular needs. For more, visit www.tractel.com/bluewater.IOWA MANUFACTURER AWARDED $400,000 MANUFACTURING GRANT Cemen Tech will be investing in new manufacturing technology to improve its operations and address workforce issues thanks to the state of Iowa’s new Manufacturing 4.0 grants. “This grant helps close a ROI gap that may otherwise direct resources elsewhere, and it represents a commitment on behalf of the State of Iowa to invest in its manufacturing infrastructure. We appreciate the foresight by our elected officials to keep our manufacturing base strong, which bolsters our middle class and provides communities like Indianola with high-paying jobs,” says Connor Deering, CEO and president, Cemen Tech. The $400,000 grant will be used to install production automation tools to relieve certain health and safety issues for Cemen Tech’s employee owners. “We have identified certain job functions that are repetitive, strain employees’ physical health, and do not add significant value to the production process. We will put robots and other automation solutions in to redeploy those employees to more value-added, fulfilling work,” says Josh Maurer, CFO at Cemen Tech. For more, visit www.cementech.com. MILWAUKEE TOOL BUILDS NEW FACILITY IN MISSISSIPPIMilwaukee Tool announces construction on its newest facility in Mississippi. Located in Grenada County, Mississippi, Milwaukee’s latest expansion will accommodate the company’s growing power tool accessories and power tool business, and will also serve as a centralized repair facility. The new location will create more than 800 new jobs, and is planned to open in mid-2023. Milwaukee is investing more than $60 million into advanced technology and manufacturing equipment at their new 563,000-square-foot Grenada location. The facility will house critical accessory manufacturing capabilities, and will join the company’s other service hub in Greenwood, Indiana, as one of

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com12industry newsMilwaukee Tool’s main axis points for service operations. For more, visit www.milwaukeetool.com.JAX BREAKS GROUND ON NEW HEADQUARTERSJAX INC., an industry leader in specialty lubricants, broke ground April 26, 2022, on its new corporate headquarters. The 120,000 square-foot facility will be located in Menomonee Falls and will include a two-story office space as well as large production and distribution spaces. Berghammer Construction Corporation is the general contractor, and completion of the new facility is planned for Spring, 2023. The existing JAX Menomonee Falls location will continue to function as a production and research and development facility. For more, visit www.jax.com.KENWORTH REACHES MILESTONE Kenworth recently delivered its 10,000th T680 Next Generation. The milestone truck was presented to System Transport at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration in Spokane, Washington. The T680 Next Generation equipped with a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper was proudly built by the employees at the Kenworth assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. System Transport hauls all types of flatbed freight, primarily throughout the West Coast to the Midwest. Last year, System Transport was selected to transport the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Six Rivers National Forest in California to Washington, D.C. A team of its drivers used a T680 Next Gen 76-inch mid-roof sleeper to successfully complete the special 3,300-mile haul. For more, visit www.kenworth.com.COMPACT TRACK LOADER SIMULATOR TRAINING PACK CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, announces the release of its Compact Track Loader (CTL) Simulator Training Pack. It is the only simulation-based solution that accurately replicates machine instability and lift clearance, resulting in industry-leading training.The vertical lift CTL training pack comes with fork and bucket attachments with progressive learning exercises designed to gradually build skill and confidence. Trainees work on skills such as controls familiarization, addressing the risk of tipping, handling view-blocking material, live attachment changing, loading and unloading, dealing with difficult terrain, and working with small margins for lift clearance while dumping dirt into a truck.The training pack runs on all of CM Labs’ simulator platforms, including the motion-enabled Vortex Edge Max, the fully immersive Vortex Advantage, and the desktop Vortex Edge Plus. Performance metrics are tracked during training exercises including safety violations, load control, and operational efficiency. For more, visit www.cm-labs.com. REPAIR SPALLS AND CRACKS IN 10 MINUTES!ROADWARE 10 MINUTE CONCRETE MENDER™It’s thin, it gets in, and it won’t pop out!See more at www.roadware.us or call 800-522-7623.Cartridge applied or bucket mixed, Roadware Concrete Repair Products will have your oors ready for trafc, coating, or polishing in about 10 minutes. Any size repair. Blend with sand and pigments to create unlimited colors. Permanent repair.800-522-7623ROADWARE INCORPORATED381 BRIDGEPOINT WAYSOUTH ST PAUL, MN 55075 www.roadware.us

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com14project profileBottleworks Restorationwindow replicas for historic, iconic structureWEATHER SHIELDThe 1930s-era art deco Indianapolis Coca-Cola Bottling Plant employed thousands of workers throughout some of the nation’s most turbulent decades—until the 1960s, when plant owners moved their expanding bottling operations to Speedway, Indiana, leaving behind one the city’s most beloved landmarks. After years of steady deterioration, Hendricks Commercial Properties saved the architectural gem from ruin by initiating a grand restoration project for the long-neglected Bottleworks District. BOTTLEWORKS COMPLEXAs Director of Preservation for Indianapolis-based RATIO Architects, Dave Kroll and his design team were chosen to transform the fading North Mass Avenue property into a 139-room boutique hotel and garage food hall while resurrecting its past splendor. This anchor project launched Phase I of the much anticipated $300 million overhaul.Kroll explains, “We get into buildings that have been around for a long time for good reason—they are well-built and have served a significant and worthwhile purpose in society. We retain as many of the features and materials as possible and replicate what cannot be saved.” The original Coca-Cola Bottling plant and garages comprised the oldest and most lavish structures in the Bottleworks complex, and great care was taken to preserve the historical integrity of the design. One of the site’s most treasured features, the exquisite terra cotta façade, had steadily deteriorated due to weathering and neglect. A team of specialty masons took painstaking efforts to repair and restore the exterior to its original grandeur—blending skill, patience, and artisan wizardry. HISTORIC REPLICASJulie Zent, historic window specialist for RATIO, took on the intricate task of matching the 150+ original wood windows that had once complemented the plant’s decorative exterior. Throughout the near 2-year process, she worked with Dan Kovas, of Huntertown, Indiana-based G-2 Architectural Products, to orchestrate window design details, specifications, updates, and product delivery. All historical replications were sourced through Weather Shield, a Medford, Wisconsin, firm with an unparalleled reputation for authentic window design. Territory manager, Alan Broderick, comments, “We have a team of architectural window experts who combine artistry and technical expertise to match original specifications while adding modern features.”MODELS CREATEDFor a project of this magnitude, the design team needed to create models in advance before moving to production. While most of the bottling plant windows had been discarded in favor of low-cost replacements, a few of the originals remained in the garages. Kovas recalls, “Knowing what to do and doing it early was crucial to staying on track. On our first day on site, Alan and I were able to get samples of the original window components and get them back to Wisconsin for analysis.”Kroll adds, “Although deteriorated, they were able to get accurate dimensions from those windows, which allowed us to eventually duplicate the design.”

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202215The importance of that find saved time, money, and hassle. If no original units had been left in place, Zent’s team would have relied solely on documentation, drawings, and photos to calculate sizes. During the ongoing historical approval process, Kovas closely collaborated with Broderick’s team to implement any necessary architectural modifications and adjustments.3D PRINTING ESSENTIAL“The exciting part of obtaining the artifact samples,” Kovas recalls, “was that the Weather Shield crew initially created a plastic 3D printer replica of the wood components, so that the architects could make modifications before we moved into the shop drawing phase. This added precision to the operation and ultimately accelerated the timeline for approval.”Once the detailed side-by-side shop drawings of the original unit and the proposed replication were finalized, Broderick and his team were able to create a full-size mockup in the Weather Shield workshop. “The multi-step process was a combination of modern technology and old school wood working,” notes Kovas.The resulting design included three customized Weather Shield components—brick mould, sash lug, and bottom sill. In addition, the team matched the original exterior Coca-Cola paint color and provided several historically accurate stains and colors for the various interior spaces, including a designer stain to match the beautifully paneled office spaces. MOCK-UP REVIEWOne of those early discussions occurred at the mock-up installation site, where a group of developers, architects, and historical advisors gathered to view the product and compare the details to one of the original units. The side-by-side contrast created a then-and-now visual that displayed the craftsmanship that went into the beautiful replication. Onlookers were able to see the window as it looked nearly one hundred years ago—with modern weather proofing added to the design.Although the original windows were double hung, the design team required the sashes to be fixed in place for climate control purposes, whereas the garage windows were designed to be fully functional double hung units. All specified product directives were completed at the manufacturing plant before shipping.Zent notes, “Weather Shield provided 14 different sizes in four separate configurations. Due to the complexity of the terra cotta restoration, openings varied in size throughout, resulting in subtle modifications to multiple units.” Installer and entrepreneur Sean Edwards of National Glass & Hardware LLC worked with the window team from the early days of the mock-up. His crew carefully removed the old units while working in tandem with terra cotta artisans to repair any of the delicate crumbling components.Edwards recalls, “The installation was implemented in phases as different portions of the façade neared completion. We installed the windows in various sizes, and all were extremely maneuverable. Weather Shield did a great job creating the right look to match the originals.” CLOSING THOUGHTThe aesthetic impact of the design is already turning heads in downtown Indy. The clean lines of the historic window design beautifully complement the sparkling terra cotta restoration. The hotel welcomed its first guests on December 15, 2020, while putting finishing touches on its soon-to-open office spaces. for more informationFor more information on Weather Shield Window & Doors, visit www.weathershield.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com16project profileLED ModernizationLED Modernizationrehabilitation at Parliament HillCENTRE BLOCKThe Centre Block at Parliament Hill is an iconic national symbol of Canada and the home of Canada’s Parliament. The Centre Block Rehabilitation will modernize the century-old building for future generations while preserving its heritage as the heart of Canadian democracy.TWZ Group is the electrical contractor responsible for the temporary lighting on this complex restoration project. TWZ Group Inc is a consortium of three electrical contractors, Ziebarth Electric, Wired Synergy, and Toban Electric.Over the service-life of the lights, the energy usage is projected to be reduced by over 5.5 million kilowatt hours, which is equal to powering more than 2,700 homes per year. The CO2 emissions will be reduced by more than 4,000 metric tons and is equivalent to removing 1,243 cars from the road.WASTE DIVERTEDAn added environmental benefit is the significant amount of waste diverted from landfills because LED Jobsite lights are a reusable asset and the modular cords are field serviceable. Also, CFL bulbs contain mercury and are considered hazardous waste. When moving to LED lights harmful toxins are no longer an issue.FLEXIBILITY AND VERSATILITYCentre Block is one of the most important buildings in Canada and the protection of its many heritage components is a critical concern for the construction team. With a project of such complexity and scale, using a modular daisy-chain verses traditional cumbersome string lights provides a greater level of flexibility to light the project.LED Jobsite lights have enabled the project to hang fewer temporary lights, use less installation points, less circuits and less energy, all while also illuminating more space.CLOSING THOUGHTLED Jobsite lights require significantly less circuits, less maintenance, and are easier to install, relocate and uninstall. During the start of the restoration, the project team appreciated being able to increase efficiency while reducing the project’s carbon footprint. for more informationFor more about Lind Equipment’s LED Jobsite lights, visit www.ledjobsite.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com18equipment solutionSince the company began in 1924, Milwaukee Tool has been the industry leader in cordless innovation and is committed to delivering innovative solutions that increase productivity and unmatched durability for professional contractors. Through our M12™, M18™, and MX FUEL™ systems, we have continuously offered advanced, trade-specific solutions that are performance and user driven. We invest time to work side-by-side with users to understand the demands and frustrations of a constantly changing workplace and how we can best provide disruptive innovation that leads to safer, more productive jobsites, unhindered by the hassles of cords, pneumatic hoses, or gas.THE ORIGIN Back in 2007, Milwaukee® became the first company in the industry to introduce lithium-ion battery technology to power tools. This groundbreaking achievement in battery technology launched the M18 System and truly exceeded the performance expectations of the trades. We made a commitment to our users that we continue to deliver on: We will continue to invest in new technology without the need for our users to change platforms—we’d never leave them behind. Today, our M18 System is the fastest-growing cordless system with over 250 solutions and has upheld forward and backward compatibility for over a decade. Unwilling to slow down, our team continued working on the next generation of lithium-ion, leading to the introduction of our REDLITHIUM™ batteries in 2010 and the creation of M18 FUEL™ in 2012.In the years following, we created a new space in the professional power tool market with the M12 system by transforming inefficient manual tools—such as staplers and digital torque wrenches—into advanced workhorses powered by our batteries, motors, and electronics. We introduced our M12 cordless system, designed to deliver industry-leading power in a size that outperforms the competition in tight spaces. Most recently, we pushed the capabilities of battery-powered technology to new limits, providing solutions that challenge existing perceptions of what battery-powered technology can do. Our MX FUEL Equipment System has been engineered specifically as a light equipment solution that delivers the performance and durability demanded by the trades without the hazards associated with emissions, noise, vibration, and frustrations of gas maintenance. ADVANCED BATTERY TECHUnparalleled levels of design and engineering gave us the ability to take significant leaps forward with Milwaukee’s exclusive innovations, featured in all three of our systems—M12 FUEL™, M18 FUEL, and MX FUEL. The development of our FUEL™ lines allowed us to offer intelligent and more powerful solutions that adapt to meet a user’s applications and shattered expectations of what is possible with a cordless tool. Our REDLITHIUM Batteries feature world-class cell technology to deliver the highest performing packs on the jobsite. A unique patented design ensures our batteries can withstand harsh jobsite environments, while the robust electronics package monitors the cells to protect and optimize performance for every tool and battery combination. Our POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor contains top-grade rare earth magnets and greater copper content to deliver more power and torque for superior application performance. The REDLINK™ Intelligence provides durability and advanced communications that monitor and protect the tool in the most extreme applications. Combined, these three innovations have allowed us to introduce cordless solutions that solve users’ frustrations, needs, and previous limitations. Battery Technologycordless innovation to move the industryMILWAUKEE TOOLBy Andrew Lentz

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202219CONTRACTOR BENEFITSOur leadership in battery technology has allowed us to provide a relentless pipeline of new solutions that have disrupted the industry’s expectations of power and performance, such as introducing the world to the first cordless, full capacity deep cut band saws and the first battery-powered Breaker. These solutions have exceeded the expectations of the trades, proving to be more powerful and efficient than their corded or gas-powered counterparts. We continue to develop solutions that are faster and safer.The introduction of our first cordless platform broke the barriers of what battery-operated tools were capable of. The M18 system delivers the ultimate combination of professional grade power, extreme performance, and superior ergonomics. Our dedication to improving workplace productivity and safety drove us to develop 250 solutions and counting so users can perform an entire day’s work on one battery system. Specifically built to go anywhere, the lightweight, ergonomic design of M12 solutions makes portability easy, operation faster and increases productivity. Featuring optimized ergonomics and lightweight designs, M12 solutions are ideal for performing above-head or hard-to-reach applications. Simply put, M12 FUEL tools are the most powerful sub-compact cordless tools in their class.Prior to MX FUEL technology, the majority of the light equipment market consisted of corded or gas-powered solutions. After analyzing the most prevalent pain points, these solutions represent applications that have historically been challenging experiences for users due to stagnant equipment innovation. The MX FUEL system was designed to drive safety and productivity on jobsites. Traditional equipment leads to gas emissions and noise pollution, as well as safety hazards from excessive vibration and tripping on cords. MX FUEL eliminates the emissions and reduces the overall noise, vibration, and frustrations of gas maintenance that have been deemed acceptable on jobsites for decades. CLOSING THOUGHTMilwaukee is unwilling to slow down. We are dedicated to solving user challenges and improving their day-to-day experience through game-changing tools and equipment that offer unmatched levels of performance, productivity, and durability. We’re a manufacturer of solutions that lead to safer, more efficient jobsites. Our dedication is to the user, and we will continue to disrupt the industry to maximize productivity and eliminate downtime for the professional tradesperson. about the authorAndrew Lentz is VP Product Management at Milwaukee Tool. For more, visit www.milwaukeetool.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com20equipment solutionWith pressure from climate groups, government agencies, and corporate leadership, more industries are beating the drum of lowering emissions. Vehicle emissions are at the forefront of this charge, with more fleets turning to a variety of energy sources to meet aggressive emissions standards. But one of the biggest questions remains—how do contractors achieve these emission goals while keeping costs low and vehicle performance high? A new engine solution has come onto the scene that has the answer. The Cummins B6.7™ Propane is a 6.7-liter displacement engine built on Cummins’ new fuel-agnostic B-series platform and powered with propane autogas. The high-performing, low-carbon engine meets day-to-day medium-duty fleet needs while exceeding emissions standards. For contractors that need to reduce emissions but remain productive through difficult job schedules, this engine solution can help get the job done.HIGH PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITYCummins B6.7 Propane engine meets emissions standards without compromising on performance or range. The new engine boasts better-than-diesel performance with a projected power rating of up to 360 hp and 860 ft-lbs of torque. Fleet owners will also reap the rewards of diesel-like durability, reliability, and high uptime. Propane autogas also provides a range of up to 400 miles and the ability to carry a heavier payload. Not every energy source can meet those needs. For instance, electric vehicles need to recharge long before a propane autogas vehicle would need to refuel.EMISSIONS STANDARDS METBeyond performance, fleet owners can rest easy knowing the new engine will check the emissions standards box now and well into the future. In testing, the Cummins B6.7 Propane engine produced the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of any propane autogas-powered engine. The B6.7 will also deliver some of the lowest GHG emissions in the medium-duty market including the ultra-low .02 NOx goal that will meet or exceed EPA and CARB regulations in 2027 and beyond.This technology becomes even cleaner when renewable propane is used in the engine. Made from a mix of waste residues and sustainably sourced materials such as agricultural waste products, cooking oil, and meat fats, renewable propane has the same chemical structure and physical New Cummins Engineprovides low-emissions, high-performance option PROPANE AUTOGAS By Steve Whaley

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202221properties as conventional propane, but it has an even lower carbon intensity than conventional propane. Best of all, there’s no need for special equipment to take advantage of this low-carbon option. Renewable propane is compatible with any existing propane autogas engine or propane autogas infrastructure.A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONBottom line matters, and fleets that choose propane autogas in engines like the Cummins B6.7 can benefit from lower costs over time. When you consider the cost of a new vehicle plus fuel, fluids, maintenance, and repairs, propane autogas has one of the lowest costs for the lifetime of the vehicle. Compare that to current diesel engines that require costly diesel exhaust systems components to meet increasingly stringent emissions standards. Clean propane autogas engines have only a three-way catalyst to meet these emissions standards. The fuel itself is cheaper too. As oil prices fluctuate, propane autogas can beat diesel on price per gallon by as much as 50%. To enhance the affordability, propane autogas suppliers will often work with fleet owners to create a mutually beneficial fuel contract that allows fleets to lock in a set price per gallon over a period of time. It’s another layer of protection against turbulent fuel prices, which can be critical at times like these when gasoline and diesel prices are trending upward.The cost-effectiveness of propane autogas becomes even more apparent when compared to electric vehicles. The incremental capital cost for a medium-duty propane autogas vehicle, relative to conventionally fueled vehicles is on average 15%. Comparatively, a similar medium-duty EV is more than 250%. Not to mention, the cost to purchase and install refueling equipment for a fleet of propane autogas vehicles is lower than the cost to purchase fast charger equipment for a comparable electric vehicle fleet in a comparable time frame. CLOSING THOUGHTDecisions contractors make today have the potential to make a big difference down the road, and as they consider fuel sources, new propane autogas engines such as the Cummins B6.7 Propane offer an attractive solution. With the right fuel and the right technology, fleets can hit long-term emissions goals without sacrificing performance and while lowering costs. about the authorSteve Whaley is the director of autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at stephen.whaley@propane.com. For more, visit propane.com. Fleet owners can visit propane.com/fleet-vehicles to learn more.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com22equipment solutionZoom Boomturn your telescopic handler into a real crusherLIFT. MOVE. PLACE. CRUSH. SIFT.Having only one option is not an option. This quote could not be more true when talking about urban construction jobs. It is on these sites that telehandlers have seen growing popularity, they are rapidly becoming a solid choice for getting work done in tight urban areas because contractors see the benefits these multi-purpose machines can offerPretty simple really, the ‘’zoom boom’’ can be used as a work platform or as a mini-crane to lift loads, to move and place materials ranging from bricks and gravel to lumber, and it can also fit MB Crusher attachments and become a jaw crusher to reduce rocks or debris lying around or a screener to sift resides material and clean up the site. ATTACHMENTS DO MORETelehandlers are purpose-built for material handling. But why limit the possibilities when by plugging in an MB Crusher attachment to the hydraulic system you can extend the duties that can be carried out by just one machine and one operator.What makes telescopic handlers a great companion of the MB’s Crusher unit is the operators choice. When equipped they can serve as substitutes for backhoe loaders, and together they can guarantee better mobility and less expensive performances.Hence, connecting a telescopic handler with an MB Crusher attached is the winning choice, so let’s see which type of units can be mounted. MB-L: These attachments will transform the telehandler into a jaw crusher. Four models to choose from and the carrier will scoop up debris, rocks, bricks and concrete, and crush all rubbles into valuable backfill material. Yes, the same telehandler used to move material around will also begin to produce aggregates with ease. MB-HDS: Four different models will change a telehandler into a machine able to select and reduce a multitude of materials. From excavated soil to demolition debris, twigs, bark plasterboards, whatever is present at the site can be repurposed immediately. The innovation of this line is how effortless the rotating shafts can be changed at the site. With one HDS unit and different rotating shafts, the telehandler can be considered a multi-purpose system able to process a high- quantity of materials. MB-LS: Two rotary screening buckets that will be ideal when precision is needed, nothing bigger than the size of the hole will pass through. The chosen grid size can be changed at the site by unscrewing a few bolts. CLOSING THOUGHTIncrementing your possibilities could not be easier, just equip your telehandler with an MB Crusher unit and open new job opportunities, grow your business, it will be easy and worth it. for more informationFor more, visit www.mbcrusher.com.Having only one option is not an option.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com24equipment solutionON!Track Tool Tracking Appenable contractors to manage more than jobsite assetsHILTI NORTH AMERICAHilti North America, an innovator of tools, technology, software, and services to the commercial construction industry is leading a fundamental shift in how customers run their businesses with the launch of ON!Track Unite, a new open Application Programming Interface (API) for software integration. The platform transforms what is often complex and manual-based into a seamless digital experience, unifying data from multiple sources, increasing data quality and consistency, and automating processes involving ON!Track Tool Tracking and Asset Management and other software. MANAGING ASSETSIn 2015, Hilti launched construction asset management solution ON!Track to help solve problems related to managing assets, services, workers, and safety certifications. The company is building on the software with the release of ON!Track Unite, an add-on which makes using ON!Track even more efficient and unified. The open API facilitates a seamless exchange of data between ON!Track and other applications construction professionals use to run their businesses. The platform is designed to support two main integration scenarios. Customers can use off-the-shelf integrations available on the marketplace or create their own integrations by leveraging the ON!Track Unite open API. Developers can rely on guidance and modern API documentation on the ON!Track Unite hub to easily build scalable integrations. Construction software players can offer joint customers a pre-built integration between ON!Track and the application they develop or distribute, which can be listed on the integration marketplace. The marketplace already includes many integrations, including Fieldwire, Trackunit, and Procore. INVESTMENTS TO DIGITIZEIn recent years, Hilti has made major investments to digitize the construction industry and extend its digital Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio, and this follows the brand’s recent acquisition of the project management software Fieldwire, a partnership with Trackunit in the heavy equipment telematics space, and the launch of Nuron, an all-new 22-volt cordless platform with built-in connectivity. “This API-first approach assists in enabling integrations with other applications so that ON!Track Unite can be catered to the exact needs of every customer, providing a unified experience, and unlocking new business value,” says Thibaud Lefebvre, senior director of tools services at Hilti North America. “Customers who utilize the ON!Track Unite platform will experience a step change in how they operate their businesses because it avoids the duplication manual data entries, helps to correctly allocate asset and consumables costs, and opens the door to increased tool crib transparency. We believe this technology will help our partners make better data-driven decisions and take productivity to new heights.” MODERNIZING BUSINESSESFleet customers of Hilti’s all-new cordless tool platform, Nuron, can

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202225leverage the innovation for a fully connected experience. The tools generate data which is then stored on the Nuron batteries and sent securely to the cloud during every charge without any operator interaction. The data collected includes information on tool usage, charging location, and battery state-of-health. Those insights are accessible through ON!Track and will be accessible on the ON!Track Unite open API in the near future.“This is what customers expect from Hilti – valuable solutions to help their businesses modernize, which will lead to limitless growth and profitability,” says Lefebvre. “We understand data is a critical asset that must be highly prioritized. This launch represents a key piece of the open ecosystem of integrated applications that we are expanding and affirms our commitment to the digital change journey.”CLOSING THOUGHTHilti will proactively discuss and offer support services to customers who decide to implement ON!Track Unite. The platform is available now for U.S. and Canadian customers. The global rollout will continue in 2023. www.sunflowerboatandbarge.com • 563-583-0556• Sectional Barges• Spud Barges from 75x32 to 195x70• Hydraulic Dredges• Truckable Tugboats from 300 – 600 hp• Traditional Tugboats• Support EquipmentAvailable for Lease:for more informationHilti supplies the worldwide construction industry with technologically leading products, systems, software, and services that provide construction professionals with innovative solutions and superior added value. In North America, there are more than 3,800 team members who share Hilti’s corporate culture based on integrity, teamwork, commitment, and the courage to embrace change. Hilti calls Texas its North American home since relocating its headquarters to Plano in 2015. For more, visit www.hilti.com. ON!Track Unite is an open API single hub for construction data with proven capability to provide better insights, improved efficiencies, and greater cost savings.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com26equipment solutionHeavy Loadsthe sweet spot in telehandlersMERLOMerlo’s heavy-duty range of telehandlers, which includes the P72.10PLUS, is engineered to meet the needs of all industries required to move heavy loads under all conditions, safely. Maximum load capacity is 15,800 lbs. The low pivot, no-flex boom has a lift height up to 31 ft, 3 inches. Top load at full height is 9,000 lbs. Maximum reach of 17 ft, 1 inch easily manages 4,500 lbs. POWERThe P72.10PLUS is powered by a 115 hp Perkins engine with Eco Power Drive (EPD). To maximize efficiency, the EPD automatically controls and adjusts engine speed, hydrostatic pump flow rate and hydrostatic engine displacement according to operating conditions. EPD reduces RPM and ensures a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 18%. A load sensing hydraulic pump with flow sharing distributor supplies the P72.10PLUS with high efficiency, excellent performance, and smooth operation. The hydrostatic transmission, 4WD, 3 steering modes and speed up to 25 mph creates a very nimble machine. SAFETYMerlo’s adaptive stability control system (ASCS) recognizes the machine’s operating parameters in real time. This includes attachments, load weight, machine positioning. Depending on the implement in use, the system can vary the response of the machine and the speed of movements. Machine safety also includes an automatic parking brake management system. The machine sets the brake automatically when the engine switches off to avoid unintentional movements.Every Merlo has a 3-inch solid ring of steel surrounding the machine. Along with increasing structural strength, the ring of steel eliminates the need for counterweights, making this a very compact telehandler (17’11” x 7’4” x 8’2”). The P72.10PLUS is equipped with frame leveling, boom side-shift, and inching pedal for safe precision material placement.CONTROL CENTERDesigned for the operator, the cab sports automotive style ergonomics while ensuring excellent protection for the operator. FOPS (Level II) and ROPS certified, the 3 ft, 3 inch spacious cockpit and the expansive glass surface—front, back, sides, roof—of the cab ensures unparalleled comfort and full visibility. Reverse shuttle is on the steering column and joystick. CLOSING THOUGHTThe P70.10PLUS packages together everything needed for optimum job performance. For the operator: comfort, visibility, safety. For the jobsite: nimble performance, tight turning capabilities, attachment versatility, and overall excellence in performance and reliability. for more informationFind your Merlo through a national dealer network at ams-merlo.com.The user-friendly P72.10PLUS offers excellent telescopic performance without limiting the speed of work.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com28environmental solutionLEED Platinum environmentally responsible building designsKWK ARCHITECTS Colleges and universities today are looking for sustainable facilities, and a number of them choose to participate in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) process to obtain a measurable level of sustainability.LEED is a green building certification program used worldwide. Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993, LEED includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings. The goal of the program is to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. Buildings can qualify for four levels of certification based on a point system, with higher points earned correlating to greater energy efficiency: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 or more points). “LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, and university officials choose this framework to substantiate the sustainable level of their facility,” says KWK principal Paul Wuennenberg. “Attaining a LEED certification demonstrates environmentally responsible building practices.” UNIVERSITY HOUSINGKWK Architects recently designed residence halls at the University of Missouri and University of Colorado - Boulder that achieved the highest level of sustainability certification, LEED Platinum. KWK, along with associate architect Lawrence Group, designed Brooks and Bluford Halls at the University of Missouri in Columbia to achieve a LEED v2009 Platinum certification. While the client requirement for the new 198,000-square-foot, 570-bed residence hall project was LEED Certified minimum, the KWK project team was dedicated to achieving the highest rating within the tight budget, and the team looked to maximize energy efficiency in the buildings to achieve this goal. The sustainable, energy-saving features of the buildings include total enthalpy heat recovery for the ventilation systems, demand-controlled ventilation using CO2 and occupancy sensors, high-efficiency LED lighting, daylighting controls, occupancy setback control of lighting and HVAC systems, and variable air volume (VAV) kitchen exhaust and makeup air systems. Additionally, the exterior envelopes of the buildings are high performance. CAMPUS-WIDE SYSTEM“The University of Missouri boasts a campus-wide system to furnish its buildings with heating, cooling, and power. The campus’ steam system is fed by a combined heating and power central utility plant. This plant uses a biomass boiler for steam production. Not only does this biomass boiler produce steam for power through steam turbine generators, it also produces steam for chilled water through steam turbine chillers. Power for the university grid is provided by solar photovoltaic (PVs) arrays and wind turbines. These features, combined with a detailed and realistic building operation schedule, space loads and equipment efficiencies in the building energy model, allowed the project to earn all available points under the Optimize Energy Performance Credit,” says Wuennenberg. With the site of the residence halls just north of the football stadium, it

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202229was important for the project to have a recognizable, sustainability feature on one of the buildings. The design team looked to roof-top solar panels for Brooks Hall; with its large, south-facing sloping roof, it was a good fit for the building. “Roof-top solar panels on Brooks Hall pre-heat water for the domestic hot water system and provide an important sustainability element for the campus to achieve the LEED Platinum certification,” says Wuennenberg. SUSTAINABILITY WITH LEEDAt the University of Colorado Boulder, the new 700-bed, seven-story Williams Village North Residence Hall achieved a LEED Platinum v4 certification; the first residence hall of its size in North America to achieve this rating.Some of the building’s sustainability features include numerous windows to let in natural light, plus windows with electrochromic glazing that automatically adjust the shading level based on the time of day and year. Windows in the student rooms feature magnets that turn the heating and cooling systems on and off when the windows are opened or closed. Vacancy sensors in each room also control lighting and heating and cooling levels depending on when students are in their rooms. A black switch in each student room also turns off “phantom loads” when electronics are left plugged in and not in use. A pond that uses ditch water from snowmelt supplies the hall with water and saves the campus an estimated 13 million gallons of water per year. Other renewable energy features of the building include solar panels, LED lighting, thermostats in each student room, low-flow toilets and urinals, door closers, and a VRF HVAC system.CLOSING THOUGHT “A multitude of the energy efficient features we designed into the building focus not only on saving energy, but also encourage students to get involved in energy saving practices,” says Wuennenberg. “The hall features several recycling areas for student trash and floors are grouped into sustainability teams that compete to use the least amount of water and energy. Winning teams are awarded throughout the semester.” for more informationFounded in 2013 by five architects with a combined 120 years of higher education knowledge and experience, KWK Architects partners with colleges and universities across the United States to create innovative and inspiring places that enhance campus life. Areas of expertise include student housing and dining and academic and science/technology spaces. KWK Architects has completed more than $1 billion in construction-valued projects since its founding and currently employs a growing staff of 15 at its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. For more, visit www.kwkarchitects.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com30management solutionWorkforce DevelopmentWorkforce Developmenttower technician program curriculum launch NATELike many of the skilled trades, the communications infrastructure industry finds itself confronted with a workforce shortage at a time when generational type investments are being made by the federal government to bring wireless and broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved regions of the country. In a comprehensive survey commissioned by NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, our members identified a workforce shortage of 14,693 workers, with approximately 70% of the workers needed being field-based tower technicians, foreman, and construction managers. Against this backdrop, NATE’s Workforce Development Committee, which includes some of the industry’s top subject matter experts, completed a rigorous, 7-course Telecommunications Tower Technician 1 (TTT1) curriculum package that will be utilized to scale programs at community colleges and technical schools throughout the country. The NATE-developed turnkey TTTI curriculum includes the following courses: • Introduction to the Telecommunications Industry• Telecom Safety & Safe Practices (Part 1)• Wireless Industry Best Practices (Part 11)• Telecom Installation & Maintenance• Telecom Antennas and Lines• Telecom Structure, Construction, Modification and Maintenance• National Wireless Safety Alliance TTTI Exam PreparationAdditionally, the TTTI curriculum also includes the following embedded certifications built into the courses:• First Aid/CPR• OSHA 10• RF/EME• Fall Protection• NCCCO Telecom Rigging• Defensive DrivingA major program outcome of NATE’s TTT1 Program is for the students to successfully pass the National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) TTT1 ANSI (American National Standards Institute) accredited trade credential assessment and receive their official worker certification card. The NWSA TTT1 credential will provide hiring companies confidence that the student has met the standards expected of a safe and ready work employee.WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATIONThe NATE TTT1 Program will be utilized for the first time this spring/summer at three schools in the state of Ohio through a partnership the Association brokered with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. Through this innovative partnership, the state of Ohio has provided initial grant funding for Hocking College (Nelsonville, Ohio), North Central State College (Mansfield, Ohio), and Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Center (Fremont, Ohio) to launch the programs. Additionally, NATE member companies from the industry have committed to providing supplemental financial resources and in-kind contributions to ensure the programs are equipped with state-of-the-art training towers, PPE equipment, and other technology and materials necessary to equip students for success.It is an exciting time for the industry with the TTT1 program curriculum currently being implemented in these Ohio schools. NATE believes these programs will move the needle on the industry’s workforce needs by providing training courses in a rapidly growing By Todd Schlekeway

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202231industry without incurring college debt by the students in the courses. NATE commends the State of Ohio for its leadership and plans to utilize the Buckeye State as a model to emulate to launch more programs around the country. INFORMING AMERICANATE’s comprehensive workforce survey also revealed the fact that there is a lack of awareness in mainstream America about the communications infrastructure industry, specifically when it comes to the professional opportunities and career pathways available. To tackle the awareness issue head-on and publicize the industry to mainstream America, NATE placed its “money where its mouth is” by investing heavily in the production of a feature-length movie.Vertical Freedom, produced by Storybuilt Media in collaboration with NATE, is a feature length documentary film highlighting six diverse tower climbers who overcome personal struggle and everyday danger to perform extraordinary work at extremely high levels to connect us all. The world premiere of Vertical Freedom was held on February 22, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Representatives from NATE and Storybuilt Media are currently working with a Los Angeles-based entertainment sales agency to market the film to the prominent streaming platform distributors as well as the major market film festivals that are taking place later this year. NATE is excited about the future of the movie and its potential to elevate awareness of the industry and careers in the public conscious. To view the official movie trailer for Vertical Freedom, visit NATE’s official YouTube channel. For more information on Vertical Freedom, visit the official website at www.verticalfreedomthemovie.com.CLOSING THOUGHTNATE is committed to continuing to invest in strategic workforce developments to grow a future pipeline of skilled and safe workers that will be needed to help the United States achieve its goals of simultaneously closing the digital divide and bringing 5G connectivity to enterprises, consumers, and citizens. about the authorTodd Schlekeway is president & CEO of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, a non-profit trade association dedicated to providing a unified voice for companies in the diverse tower and communications infrastructure construction, service, and maintenance industries. For more, visit natehome.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com32management solutionOver the last 2 years, the engineering and construction industry has experienced a new wave of innovation and digitization, enabling organizations to creatively utilize new technologies to solve traditional problems. For instance, the pandemic drove firms to adopt tools that enabled in-person workers to stay safe on the jobsite, and office workers to use back-office cloud solutions to work remotely. There has never been more pressure for the industry to continue these digitization efforts as it confronts the continued disruptions of COVID-19, shifting project types, increased competition, and a retiring labor force. These challenges have the industry rethinking every aspect of project delivery and the role technology can play to improve outcomes while driving down risk and costs. Here are the technologies we think will lead the pack: “CONSTRUCTION MONEYBALL” WILL BE A HITC&E executives and operators are realizing that they must standardize, digitalize, and automate their processes to differentiate themselves in the market. Organizations will begin to take a “Construction Moneyball” approach where they will analyze everything meaningful that can be measured.After determining the data or metrics they need to capture and monitor, organizations will be able to standardize, digitalize, and automate their processes to capture and analyze this data in real time. The results may be surprising on what really holds the keys to success. For construction firms, maybe one overlooked setback could be the lynchpin factor that routinely can throw off an entire project. With standardized business processes, constantly pulling and analyzing data, firms will be able to drive productivity and efficiencies to better compete, differentiate themselves, and stay ahead. This quick data intelligence can also help identity and resolve data security issues faster. This alone will become a growing competitive advantage in the coming years as customers will want reassurance that their data will be kept safe. INTELLIGENT CONSTRUCTION PLATFORMS WILL TRANSFORM THE INDUSTRYAs noted, Engineering and Construction organizations will look to improve how data is managed—and how it is used to inform decision-making. With hundreds of decisions all happening at once on a project, organizations will utilize construction technology platforms to better keep everyone synchronized, and provide the project team the visibility, tracking, and reporting they need to keep on track. As organizations increasingly move towards more digital workflows, a new breed of intelligent technology platforms, powered by an AI and ML “data backbone,” will emerge. These platforms will help organizations liberate their data and convert it into the intelligence needed to accelerate performance. They will also provide highly secure information management, reporting, and workflow automation to drive efficiency, visibility, and control across project processes. These cloud-based intelligent construction platforms will support a new era of construction performance needed to compete in an increasingly competitive market. PREDICTIVE AI WILL HELP ORGANIZATION LOOK AHEADTo date, business intelligence technologies have generally provided Project Delivery4 technologies that will drive innovation THE FUTURE IS NOWBy Mark WebsterChallenges have the industry rethinking every aspect of project delivery and the role of technology to drive down risk and costs.

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202233only a backward-looking view into project data, i.e., what has happened on projects. While these insights are valuable, organizations will look to construction technology platforms that utilize AI that can predict what is likely to happen throughout the construction process, improving chances of delivering a project on time and on budget.New developments in AI have unlocked another level of project intelligence, enabling predictive insights to drive better decision-making to improve project outcomes. This can yields a dynamic view into such variables as:• The factors which might delay a project• The probability of delay on a project• Amount of predicted delay• Likelihood (and severity) of a cost overrun• Hidden risks around safety, design, rework, and litigationAI will help organizations succeed in the present, by learning from the past, to improve the future. It will yield predictive insights that add value to nearly every aspect of construction project management, including critical areas such as schedule, cost/budget, quality, safety, risk, and collaboration. 5G WILL POWER THE TRULY CONNECTED WORKSITEGreater mobility and the advancements in connectivity brought about by 5G will further accentuate the industry’s ability to utilize insights provided through common data environments (CDE), the sensorization of jobsites and materials, augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). These technologies will provide greater connectivity, capacity, and democratization of technology. Eventually, worksites will be able to sensorize virtually anything on a jobsite, allowing companies to collect data from tools and materials. For example, workers could put sensors in concrete to assess drying time. Capturing such information from IoT sensors will make 5G a critical component of a jobsite.CLOSING THOUGHTAdditionally, 5G will further heighten the focus on visualization and enable experts to provide real-time guidance to new technicians connected via headsets, glasses, or other visualization technologies. As 5G becomes more accessible, it will open up new capabilities for oilrigs, pipeline monitoring, laser scanning, BIM modeling, and more. about the authorMark Webster is senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Construction and Engineering. For more, visit www.oracle.com/industries/construction-engineering.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com34management solutionMiscommunication is often the underlying cause of many problems throughout the construction lifecycle, from causing delays and rework to more serious problems like workplace injuries. The reasons behind miscommunication can vary, but some of the most common are receiving information at the wrong time, failure to act on or execute job changes by not responding to or understanding work instructions, and lack of clarity and transparency of instructions due to working from different information sources. If crews can put strategies in place to prevent these issues, then communication will be stronger, which mitigates risk on the jobsite. TIMING IS EVERYTHINGTiming plays a huge role in effective communication. When you receive information dictates how you can react to it. For example, contractors need to know about delays and material shortages as soon as they happen to adjust schedules and tasks to keep the job on schedule. And workers need to be kept in the loop on changes to their schedules and assigned jobs to ensure they are well prepared to complete their tasks safely and to meet the revised work programs.It is also critical that risks and safety hazards are assessed, identified, and reported immediately to ensure a safer working environment. Because information and communication happen across a wide range of employees and locations for any given project, construction companies must find ways to relay information in real time. Technologies with features like cloud based mobile apps, document and form workflows and real-time notifications help keep workers informed in the field and assist in managing the daily operational business.BETTER COMMUNICATIONAccording to Autodesk, lack of response to work instructions or requests is one of the top-cited reasons for miscommunication in the construction industry. Failure to act or execute on a job request can lead to rework, wasted time or safety violations. It is critical that jobsite managers and supervisors be available to their crew, actively surveying the jobsite, to stay informed on progress and accurately relay information to the team. However, as liaisons to the office, they must also remain in contact with offsite stakeholders. Technology with mobile capabilities can grant managers the freedom they need to manage a jobsite without sacrificing access to important data and communication with the office.CONSISTENT DATA Data is a frontline defense against miscommunication. It can be a reference for workers to answer questions independently and a sort of job-related fact-checker when there are questions about what has been completed and what needs to be done. In short, data creates informed teams who can collaborate together efficiently. However, these functions only work if everyone is looking at the same data. CLOSING THOUGHTEven with the clearest communications possible, there will always be questions and a need for clarification. It is imperative that companies establish best practices and methods for real-time communication to ensure that planning and execution of construction projects are in line with what’s currently happening in the field. Adopting technology with mobile capabilities is the prevailing best practice for achieving this and improves productivity. management solutionWorkforce Managementcommon sources of poor communicationDO WHAT MATTERSBy Fred HaynesPART 4 OF 4about the authorFred Haynes has more than two and a half decades of experience in the civil and mining industry. He is currently a solution engineer at Assignar, a cloud-based construction operations platform. For more, visit www.assignar.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com36management solutionTrue Leadershipgrounded in trust for company successSTEVE MCGOUGHSteve McGough is president and CEO of HCSS, a trusted leader in construction software for estimating, field entry, project management, safety, digital plans, 3D drone imaging, fleet management, and telematics. Below is a brief Q&A about leadership and the success of HCSS. What do you believe are the qualities of a true leader? How do these qualities drive success in a company? MCGOUGH: True leadership starts with selfless service, respect, loyalty, and integrity.Integrity gives employees, customers, vendors, and partners the confidence that the interactions they have with the company will be grounded in trust. We all come from different backgrounds and cultures, and it is respect for our differences that gives us the unity to build a great company. Selfless service means asking your team, “How can I be of service?” It lays the groundwork that your job as the leader is to remove obstacles so your team can perform at the highest level. Loyalty gives your team the assurance that you believe in them and the value they bring to the company. What specific attributes of leadership motivate a workforce? How? MCGOUGH:: Confidence, vulnerability, and ethical behavior are the key motivating attributes of a leader: confidence that you can move the company forward; vulnerability, in that we are all human and at our best when we are open and transparent instead of closed; and being ethical in everything you do as you set the foundation for how you conduct business.How does leadership drive company growth?MCGOUGH: A leader’s role is to envision the future, to help other people see that vision and how they fit into it, and to hire in the right people they can trust to be the experts in their field and execute on that vision. As a leader, you have to be a force multiplier—by putting the right people in the right roles with the right priorities and clearing any obstacles in their way, you multiply their efforts far beyond what you could do if you tried to control or execute everything yourself. What do you see trending in the construction industry with respect to leadership in the field and in the back office?MCGOUGH: We’re seeing people find leadership in unexpected places as companies trust their employees with more. Some of the leading construction companies have taken a look at software and said, “What happens if I put these technological tools in the hands of someone I normally wouldn’t, like a foreman?” And what they’ve found is that when people are trusted with the information needed to make good decisions, they propel the company forward in ways they simply aren’t empowered to do without those tools. Leaders reveal themselves at all levels of the company, and companies that are willing to invest in those people who step up, to equip them with information and training, and to trust them to step into roles that make them stretch are seeing huge returns. It’s critically important as we see seasoned construction employees start to retire and the next generation move into those roles.How will construction software shape the construction industry in the next 3 to 5 years?MCGOUGH: Through the continued digitization of data. Obviously, digital processes replacing paper processes has cost and time savings, but what’s more important is how transparent data across the entire organization leads to better day-to-day business decisions. Having daily insight into how jobs are performing lets businesses catch mistakes before they happen and leaders make better decisions about what opportunities to pursue with their limited resources. Keeping everyone on the same page reduces or eliminates rework. And giving people in the field immediate feedback on how they’re doing keeps them aligned and empowers them to adjust in real time.

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202237How will HCSS contribute to the construction industry?MCGOUGH: Our products have been at the forefront of this for the last 35 years. We will continue to make companies more efficient with the digital flow of data, thus helping companies make better business decisions. Our industry is facing a severe workforce shortage and will have to learn to do more with fewer people. This is where HCSS can help fill the gap, as every incremental step we can remove or make more efficient for our customers requires fewer employees moving forward.What makes HCSS a 14-time Best Place to Work?MCGOUGH:: We hire friendly and helpful employees that want our customers and fellow employees to succeed, and then we empower them to do just that. Our culture is built on values, not restrictive policies, so when an employee wants to make something right for the customer or support a peer, they do that, and they have the company’s support in doing that. We build in a lot of ways for customers and employees to talk directly with each other so they can build long-term relationships and really get to know what customer’s problems are and how they can solve them. When someone sees an opportunity that might not exist in our current structure or may not fit their current role, they’re encouraged to shape their role toward the best solution for that opportunity and for their growth.CLOSING THOUGHTMCGOUGH: I’ve been at HCSS for 17 years, and stepping into the role of CEO is not only gratifying and exciting, but it also feels like a very natural next step for the company. We’re a unique kind of place, and anyone at the helm of this business really has to understand our culture well. I have a vision of where we’re going next, and I’m very excited to lead us to the next stage of growth and the next phase of supporting the construction industry. for more informationHCSS is the trusted leader in construction software for estimating, field entry, project management, safety, digital plans, 3D drone imaging, fleet management, and telematics. With 24/7 instant support and a proven implementation process, HCSS has helped improve operations for over 3,500 companies ranging from $1M to billions in revenue across the United States and Canada. HCSS, a 14-time Best Place to Work in Texas, has a unique 12-acre campus in Sugar Land, Texas, with three buildings capable of housing 700 employees. For more, visit hcss.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com38software solutionThe way we work has been transformed as mobile technologies and connectivity have evolved to become extensions of ourselves. Gone are the days employers had to sell their workforce on connectivity—for better or worse, workers expect to remain plugged in around the clock. Employers are realizing the value in tools that empower connectivity anytime and anywhere, particularly for workers who are not confined to a desk. Many employees, such as those in the construction industry, rely on mobility to get the job done. Whether commuting between worksites, operating cranes and bulldozers, climbing up ladders, or walking across scaffolding, the workday of a construction worker is quite dynamic. To engage a connected workforce, contractors are empowering mobile workers with mobile devices.Laptops, while portable, do not enable the same degree of mobility as smartphones and tablets. The nature of portable devices and their more static use requirements warrant management strategies that focus chiefly on securing the device. This approach fails to account for what the user is doing and where because it is obvious that the worker is likely seated indoors, not driving or operating machinery, and so on. While this approach has long been adequate for portable devices, construction workers are accessing the digital tools they need on devices that fit in their pocket and connect to the internet anywhere it is available. Managing mobile devices is a little different, as they are connected and often used while the worker is moving and trying to multitask.Additionally, as mobile devices are certainly portable, portable devices such as laptops are not always mobile. How these two classes of devices are managed to engage a connected workforce differ in implementation, requiring contractors recognize the inherent differences between them. MOBILITY VERSUS PORTABILITYWhile mobility and portability might seem one and the same, they are not. Mobility is user-dependent, whereas portability is device-dependent. Something that more clearly highlights the difference between the two is access. Though mobile devices and portable devices can both move freely, mobile devices are used on the go through the ability to connect anywhere at any time. With more workers achieving mobility, they gain real-time access to information and communications while on the clock and off. The smartphone, for example, has created an opportunity for those not confined to a desk to embrace digitization as employers choose to streamline and scale workflows through mobile apps. Digitization also lends itself to better communication across dispersed locations, an essential step in completing projects efficiently. What are the downsides? With the ubiquity of smartphones for work comes an increasingly sophisticated set of risks. Depending on where the device is being used, there may be little room for interpreting how it should be used—or if it should be used at all. When workers are operating dangerous machinery, driving between jobsites, or walking across scaffolding, looking down at a screen poses increased risk to the worker and those around him or her. MOBILITY DEVICE MANAGEMENTDespite the rapid evolution of mobility, many employers still execute mobile device management (MDM) through the lens of portability. MDM focuses primarily on the device and network security with little attention to how the device is being used. Since the introduction of the smartphone, everything that could be done on the laptop and other devices can now be done on and accessed through a device that fits in the palm of your hand. Mobile device policies must Finding BalanceFinding Balancemanaging mobility across your workforceCONNECTIVITYBy Joe Boyle

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202239be flexible enough to support specific business units, departments, and work task functions across a myriad of environments or situations. MDM and usage policies must focus on enabling efficient and productive mobile device usage for all the roles within an enterprise. MDM that focuses chiefly on device and network security fails to account for the context of mobile device usage. Traditional MDM solutions are used to help enforce these policies, but they often can only create usage personas based on roles, and not time, location, or other contextual triggers like movement or sensor data. Then, there’s the variable of sensitive company material—think customer data, company financials, project plans, etc.—being accessible to an employee outside of a workspace or work timeframe.ACCOUNT FOR THE CONTEXTAll of the issues above beg the question: How can business leaders ensure their mobile device policies and solutions are tailored to each role? Businesses have started to implement strategies through which they can manage flexible device use, finding ways to enable applications and access to content necessary at only the right times and in the right locations, while temporarily suppressing access at times when it could pose a security or safety risk. To do so, they’re adding a layer of context to their mobility management solutions.Contextual mobility management (CMM) uses contextual triggers to drive mobile enablement, protect confidential data, and keep employees safe. Contextual intelligence adds security whilst not treading on employee privacy, eliminating the need for all-or-nothing policies, considering the human side of enterprise mobility. CMM recognizes that workers move throughout a shift, and as their context changes, so too should their mobile permissions, automatically and synchronously.CLOSING THOUGHTWe live in a world where personal and professional mix. Sometimes the overlap doesn’t impact business, but oftentimes it does. The best and most responsible action contractors can take for enabling mobility across their construction workforce is providing workers the balance between staying connected and being productive, while preventing situations that threaten worker safety and data security. about the authorJoe Boyle is CEO at TRUCE Software and has led high-performance teams in technology companies for more than 20 years. Boyle brings a passion for enhancing companies’ safety standards and productivity while improving the employee experience through contextual mobility management. For more, visit trucesoftware.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com40legal solutionFor contractors, there are three things in life that are certain—death, taxes, and unwelcomed surprises on their jobs. Surprises are often bad for the bottom line—sometimes very bad. One of the best ways to hedge against costly uncertainties is for contractors to include a contingency fund in their contracts. This article provides an overview of contingency clauses and key points to consider when negotiating them. WHAT IS A CONTINGENCY?A contingency is, simply, an amount of money set aside to address the “unknown unknowns” on a construction project—those surprise costs that the parties know, through experience, they will encounter but cannot be quantified at the start of the job. A contingency is in contrast to an allowance, where the parties know they will incur a certain cost (say, flooring) but do not know the precise amount (will the owner select carpet, tile, marble?). There are both owner contingencies and contractor contingencies. An owner contingency is often nothing more than a reserve set aside by the owner to pay for changes in the project scope, differing site conditions, etc. By design, contractors are often unaware of the existence of these owner contingencies, because they exist outside the terms of the contract—the owner puts aside money for unexpected situations and the contractor never hears about it (but usually assumes the reserve fund exists). Contractor contingencies, on the other hand, can take one of two main forms. For contracts where the basis for payment is a lump sum price, the contingency is a cost cushion baked into the contract price to account for the unknown unknowns. In those instances, the owner does not know the amount of the contingency because it is included in a lump sum price. For contracts where the basis of payment is reimbursement for the cost of the work plus a contractor’s fee with an overall guaranteed maximum price (GMP)—the most common type of commercial construction contract—the contingency must be separately negotiated between the parties. In a GMP contract, the contractor must demonstrate to the owner the actual costs incurred in performing the work so that the contractor can be reimbursed for them, meaning the contingency cannot be tucked away in a line item. A contingency in a GMP contract must, therefore, be specifically negotiated by the parties and included in the terms of the contract. The contractor bills against the contingency fund when it encounters one of the permitted contingencies (see below). The rest of this article considers the key negotiating points for a contingency clause in a GMP contract. Contingency FundsContingency Fundsthe best way to plan for unknown unknownsCONTRACTSBy Luke J. Farley and Dixie T. Wells

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202241COVERED CONTINGENCIESOne of the toughest negotiating points for owners and contractors is determining permissible uses of the contingency funds. Owners will naturally push for a narrow set of permitted uses, while contractors will seek a broader set. Owners will typically prefer enumerating a handful of specific situations or conditions that would justify the contractor accessing the contingency funds, such as gaps in the scope of work between subcontractors and incomplete details in the design documents. Owners may also seek to define uses of the contingency that are explicitly prohibited, like costs incurred due to the negligence of the contractor. Contractors, on the other hand, should seek a clause which grants them the broad right to apply contingency funds to a variety of different situations. One such clause might allow the contractor to access the contingency to cover “all cost overruns, unanticipated charges, and additional expenses due to errors in estimating both time and money and other charges or costs which may result from unforeseen challenges or conditions encountered by the Contractor during the course of the Work.” Who controls the contingency? A contractor should be entitled under the terms of the contract to access the contingency funds any time one of the stated contingencies exists (see above). Owners instead might seek a clause that provides that “the Contingency is for the use of the Contractor as approved by the Owner.” By granting the owner the right to approve billing against the contingency, the contractor has essentially given the owner a veto over use of the contingency funds. Instead, as a compromise, contractors should negotiate language that only requires the contractor to provide advanced written notice of the contractor’s intent to bill against the contingency and a monthly accounting of the funds. Is the contingency part of shared savings? The amount of the contingency will usually be included as a line item in calculating the GMP. GMP contracts also frequently have a shared savings clause where if the total cost of the work comes in less than the GMP, the difference between the actual cost and the GMP is split between the owner and the contractor at some ratio (60%-40% or 75%-25% are common splits). Owners often view the contingency as the owner paying for the contractor’s mistakes. Consequently, owners often seek to have the contingency totally excluded from calculating the shared savings—not making mistakes is not the kind of “savings” that should be shared. Instead, the unused portion of the contingency is returned 100% to the owner, as opposed to the ratio established for the shared savings. By taking this approach, owners may inadvertently be encouraging disputes about the contingency. Returning 100% of unused contingency funds to the owner creates a “use it or lose it” mentality for the contractor, which might encourage the contractor to bill against the contingency for questionable uses. This will in turn lead to disputes between the owner and the contractor about the proper use of the contingency. A better approach for both parties might be to narrow the permitted uses of the contingency but allow unused portions to be included in the shared savings. Must the contingency be used for cost escalation? The rising cost and unavailability of materials continue to be major problems for contractors. In the pandemic era, owners are largely coming around to the idea that contractors cannot bear those risks entirely. Many contracts now make some provision for cost escalation (see our article in Modern Contractor Solutions from October 2021). Should a contract have both a cost escalation clause and a contingency? From the contractor’s perspective, yes. Owners will often insist that cost escalations should be covered by the contingency—after all, such increases are classic unknown unknowns. But from the contractor’s perspective, the problems with the availability and price of materials are a “new” problem caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The problems meant to be addressed by a contingency clause have always been a concern. If the contractor must now also account for inflation and supply chain problems in the contingency, then there is a good chance the contingency funds will be consumed by those new problems, leaving nothing for the usual things that contingencies are meant to cover. In short, contractors need a contingency for everything else besides cost escalations and should, for now, insist on both a cost escalation clause and a contingency clause. CLOSING THOUGHTUntil contractors can see the future, contingency clauses will need to be a part of most GMP contracts. While owners may be resistant to contingencies, thoughtful negotiation over the key issues discussed above should result in a clause that both the owner and the contractor can live with. This article is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.about the authorsDixie T. Wells is a partner in the Greensboro, North Carolina, office of Ellis & Winters LLP. She represents clients in lawsuits involving engineering issues, higher education law, complex commercial transactions, and products liability. She is a member of the Construction Law and Litigation Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel. She can be reached at dixie.wells@elliswinters.com.Luke J. Farley is a construction lawyer and partner in the Raleigh, North Carolina, office of Ellis & Winters LLP. Most of his practice is devoted to contract disputes, mechanics’ liens, bond claims, and OSHA citations. He also assists clients with contract negotiation and project-level advice. He can be reached at luke.farley@elliswinters.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com42safety solutionFluid changes are central to any preventive maintenance (PM) program. Often field service technicians work long hours in the evening or early morning in all weather conditions to ensure the equipment fleet is ready to maximize crew productivity by eliminating downtime. To safely complete their assigned tasks, field service technicians need the proper tools. There really is no excuse for today’s technicians to risk injury by lugging around heavy buckets or jugs of lubricants. Equipping these vital employees with the most efficient tools available can also lead to improved retention. “Mobile lube systems are at the heart of any proactive PM program,” says Aaron Sage, CEO, Sage Oil Vac. “They will help your service technicians work more efficiently and safely while staying cleaner on the jobsite.” An effective mobile lube system can make the technicians’ job less labor intensive by eliminating the tedious process of draining used equipment fluids into containers that must be wrestled into the back of a truck or storage container. They can also offer the ability to automatically dispense the correct quantity of fluid versus manually carrying and pouring fluids into funnels. But any mobile lube solution must be tailored to meet the needs of the individual contractor. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. That is why leading manufacturers, such as Sage Oil Vac, offer a wide variety of solutions tailored to fit the unique needs of each customer. CHOOSING THE BEST OPTIONChoosing a mobile solution for a jobsite depends on the application and the site conditions. Important considerations include if you plan to top off fuels or refuel equipment on site, jobsite access, and how much fluid you need to perform PMs.Lube skids fit the need for contractors who are more concerned about mobility and easy of transport than large fluid capacities. They are designed to fit a wide array of service vehicles including pickups, crane trucks, van bodies, and mechanics trucks. Lube trailers provide a great choice for frequent on-site oil changes. They provide a lower investment than lube trucks and they can be transported by several different trucks in your fleet. For example, Sage manufactures trailers with tank size and capacities ranging from two 80-gallon tanks to a tri-axle, 21,000 GVWR trailer with oil capacities over 1,000 gallons. Lube truck bodies are designed to maximize field technician efficiency. They can carry larger volumes of fluid. In addition, lube trucks can be easier for the service technician to navigate around crowded jobsites. There are also many configurations of trucks available. “At Sage, we offer fuel and lube, lube-only, enclosed and open body options on Class 5 to Class 8 bodies,” explains Sage, “Class 5 lube truck bodies are a good option for contractors looking to eliminate the hassle of CDL certification for fleet service technicians, which can help open the pool of available talent.”Another thing to keep in mind is not all mobile lube systems are the same. For example, Sage offers enclosed systems that are not vented to the to the atmosphere which protects both workers and the environment. It relies on sealed tanks and vacuum technology to reduce spillage on the jobsite and lower the risk of contaminants within fresh fluids. “For years, diaphragm pumps have been the industry standard for Mobile Lube Systemsimprove jobsite efficiency and safetySAGE OIL VACBy Curt Bennink

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202243mobile lube systems, but they require a constant, high-volume of compressed air,” says Sage. “Vacuum technology, like that found with Sage equipment, eliminates these pumps and the stress of maintaining them.”REDUCING TECH FATIGUEReducing service technician fatigue can be accomplished by organizing the necessary tools and eliminating inefficiencies. This includes easy access to hand tools, wheel chocks, filters, fluid dispensing equipment, and plenty of storage space. For instance, Sage lube truck bodies have built in storage, convenient wheel chock holders, centralized control panels and there are many available accessories that simplify fluid exchanges, including a dipstick tube kit, drain pans, Filter Stingers™, and the NextLube Pro monitor system.While not recommended for large engines, the dipstick tube kit can prove useful for compact machines where access to service points can be an issue. The service technician simply inserts the tube down the dipstick holder of the engine and vacuums the oil directly from the engine. Recovering used fluids is also a critical step in the PM process. Properly designed oil drain pans are a great alternative to trying to transport used oil in a 5-gallon bucket for disposal. With some drain pans, the service technician can vacuum the used oil directly out of the oil pan to help reduce the risk of spillage.Installing quick drain plugs is also another option to consider for avoiding spillage, and the exposure of the technicians to lubricant products is minimized. Quick drain plugs can be connected directly to a hose to create a closed, sealed fluid exchange. Quick drain plugs are direct replacements for the OEM drain plugs, but since they do not have to be removed during oil changes, the chance of cross threading or damaging the oil pan threads is eliminated. “There are other options that we manufacture that can also help reduce spills and coming in contact with fluids,” says Sage. “We manufacture the Sage Filter Stinger to puncture the oil filter and suction out the used fluid, placing it directly in the used oil tank. And after that is done, the filter can then be placed into the optional Used Filter Receptacle™ to drain what little fluid is left.”TECHNOLOGY REDUCES ERRORSTechnology is taking the guesswork out of fluid exchanges. For example, the Sage NextLube Pro monitor system allows service technicians to control fluid dispensing, label fluid tanks for better organization, and monitor available fresh fluids through intuitive touchscreen controls.“It basically takes all of the mechanical valve turning that we have before and brings it to a touch screen for easy operation,” says Sage. “It allows the operator to run everything from the NextLube screen and is an intuitive system that allows operators to choose which fluids they want to dispense. It allows them to see exactly how many gallons they have left in each tank. And then, to keep everything organized, it allows the operator to properly label each tank to prevent cross contamination or mixing of oils.”Since many technicians will be working before dawn or after twilight, proper lighting impacts safety and productivity. High-powered LED worklights can illuminate the site and should be a consideration when selecting a mobile lube system.CLOSING THOUGHTThe tools you provide for your service technicians will influence their productivity and safety. Adding a mobile lube system is also a great way to recruit and retain quality service technicians. It makes their job less labor intensive and keeps them cleaner at the end of the day. It also eliminates the necessity of handling open containers of both new and used lubricants. for more informationContent provided by Sage Oil Vac of Amarillo, Texas. Mobile lube systems save time, help reduce expenses, and will help keep your team and equipment productive. Make sure you choose the right one for your needs. For more, visit www.sageoilvac.com or contact a dealer.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com44technology solutionBuilding materials have come a long way since the invention of mud bricks and timber frames thousands of years ago. Today, thanks to the evolution of technology, there are numerous building materials available that have allowed architects to create buildings with more safety and efficiency than ever before. Polymer-based building materials have recently attracted more and more attention due to their outstanding properties. These show an increasing potential as an alternative to conventional materials in applications such as construction and lightweight parts manufacturing. This article will examine recent advancements in polymer-based building materials, which have become increasingly popular among architects and designers in the last decade. It will also discuss prospective future trends for polymer-based building materials in the next few years or decades.BRIEF HISTORY OF PLASTICSThe invention of plastics has significantly changed how we live. The early 20th century saw a surge of new plastic materials and applications, including Bakelite for insulating electrical wires, celluloid for movie film, Formica for countertops, nylon for tires, and DuPont’s Teflon as a nonstick surface. But it wasn’t until 1961 that Warren Robinett at Dow Chemical produced what many people regard as one of humanity’s greatest discoveries: flame-retardant polyurethane foam. Since then, plastic materials have been everywhere—including in our computers, houses, and cars.NEED FOR NEW MATERIALSAlthough there are a large number of polymer-based building materials currently being used, they all have limitations that make them less than ideal. For example, many plastics tend to be brittle and inflexible. This makes it difficult to create large plastic building materials without having them break upon impact. In addition, most plastics are manufactured using petroleum as a raw material. This means that these plastic building materials aren’t renewable or sustainable. Luckily, researchers have been able to find solutions for both of these issues by making bio-based polymers from renewable sources and manufacturing those polymers in an environmentally friendly way that doesn’t harm humans or animals, or require copious amounts of nonrenewable resources like water and fossil fuels.POLYMER SCIENCE R&DOver the past decade, scientific advancements have allowed for revolutionary changes to be made in traditional building materials. The use of polymer science has brought forth an exciting wave of change. Namely, with new synthetic varieties of stone and concrete that are less expensive than their natural counterparts while simultaneously being stronger and more durable. Both of these material types are exceedingly popular due to their lack of maintenance costs. But many people fail to realize that there are environmental advantages to synthetic versions as well. Traditional stone and concrete products have been shown to produce four times as much greenhouse gas emissions as plastics do over their life cycles. Using polymer-based materials decreases these CO2 emissions and makes for a cleaner planet.BUILDING MATERIAL PROPERTIESTo make sure you get a building material that does its job well, it’s important to look at a few main properties such as strength, moisture resistance, durability, flexibility, density, modularity, and more. Strength is obviously an important property for most building materials and simply means how much weight a material can hold. For most materials, this determines how reliable the product will be in the desired location. However, strength is not always the only factor that is important. When it comes to building materials that are naturally strong because of their structure, such as timber or brick, strength isn’t necessarily an issue. In these cases, properties such as durability or flexibility can take precedence. Most of the time, Building Materialsrecent polymer-based progressEVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGYBy Jordan McDowellPhoto by Ümit Yıldırım on Unsplash

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202245building materials are chosen based on a combination of these properties.PROMISING BUILDING MATERIALSThere are many building materials on the market that have seen advancements and show potential for even more innovations in the future. These include: • Light Weight Concrete• Polystyrene Foam Insulation• Strong, Waterproof Wood Panels• Polyurethane: This polymer can be used in many different applications such as insulation, acoustic material, coatings, and more. This is because it can come in many different forms, which makes it extremely versatile. Recent progress has shown great potential for wallboards made of thin sheets of polyurethane mixed with cement.The issue at hand with these new materials is their cost to manufacture. For example, wood paneling can cost up to five times more than conventional plywood and may be difficult to acquire for certain home construction companies.CUSTOM PLASTIC FABRICATIONThere is always progress being made and advances being discovered with regard to polymer-based building materials. This is because scientists are constantly testing and studying new types of plastics to find ways to improve existing products while also creating new, innovative solutions that may be applied to other products as well. One method for improving both existing products and building new ones is through plastic fabrication or reshaping of specific parts to allow them to function better or be more useful. Custom plastic fabrication may not change a product dramatically, but it can still have significant impacts on performance—it’s just up to manufacturers, engineers, and designers to experiment with different shapes and sizes and determine what works best for their purposes.CLOSING THOUGHTSMuch research has been done on polymer-based building materials, but there are still some questions to be answered. While advancements in technology will provide most of these answers as research progresses, a few of them might not be answered for years to come. Thankfully, a lot of progress has been made and we’re just a couple of decades away from new buildings that are both aesthetically pleasing and durable. about the authorJordan McDowell is a writer and content strategist. He specializes in manufacturing and often covers workplace safety, but also enjoys writing about the automotive industry and the great outdoors.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com46Construction Tech5 ways to increase employee recruitment and retentionWORKFORCEBy Mike Merrill After a slow start to 2022, the construction industry added 60,000 jobs in February to reach employment numbers slightly below its pre-pandemic level. However, this positive news comes with a caveat. Contractors industry-wide are struggling to find skilled workers and they’re paying higher wages to attract them. In fact, late last year just over 60% of contractors reported high difficulty finding skilled workers. With competition high, how can your firm stand out from the crowd? Technology. The right tech not only improves your company’s operational efficiency, it also ups your ability to recruit and retain highly sought after talent. Here are five ways technology can help increase your employee recruitment and retention. COMPETITIVE EDGEYour company’s relevancy and competitiveness hedges on its ability to attract younger, greener employees and retain veteran, skilled workers. Next-generation workers expect, and seek out, technology in the workplace. In fact, some 71% of millennial workers say that a company’s tech adoption influences their employment decision. Veteran workers are also looking for companies at the industry’s forefront that are utilizing tech to create safer, more efficient workplaces and therefore more reliable jobs. Prove to all workers your company is invested in the future by embracing technology. Advanced tech investments into 3D printing, drones, virtual reality, and automated vehicles or simple tech integrations for tracking labor hours, equipment usage, safety hazards and digital forms, can cement your company’s commitment to sustained success and give you a recruitment edge over your competitors. STREAMLINES PROCESSES Tech integrations can streamline your company’s operations and increase its productivity across all departments. Take mobile workforce platforms for instance that make actionable data accessible to every member of your team by digitizing time tracking, asset management, safety training, and project costing. If you are still using paper time cards and forms, your staff is wasting valuable time on inefficient processes. Utilizing a digital platform to track time and tasks, teams can log their hours worked and tasks completed in real time, giving project managers an instant overview of how a project is progressing and where changes need to be made. Having access to quality, actionable data also allows for meaningful incentivization for employees. Incentives that actually increase productivity across the jobsite. With the ability to link up with your company’s accounting software, such platforms completely overhaul and simplify the payroll process. Accurate and quick payments give office staff time to tackle more complex tasks and build every employees’ confidence in the company. These companywide increases in efficiency, productivity, and predictability can bolster profitability and lead to higher worker wages. SAFER SITES AND WORKERS Construction is an inherently dangerous industry. In 2020 alone, there were over 174,000 injuries in the construction sector. This number is undoubtedly higher as many work-related injuries go unreported. Yet, companies have the tools needed to reduce jobsite hazards and build cultures of preventive safety. Advances in safety equipment, training, and technology are making jobsites safer every day. Issues can arise, however, if your company fails to fully integrate technology. Using drones to survey dangerous sites and situations before workers are present or employing robotics to do injury-prone, repetitive tasks can improve worker safety. Even absent advanced technologies, your firm can better its working conditions. It starts with your on-site safety program. The best safety programs utilize technology to ensure workers remain informed on hazards, educated on proper safety measures, and invested in keeping their jobsites as safe as possible. This is all possible with the help of a mobile workforce platform. Such platforms allow project and safety managers to track worker activity, provide safety training and toolbox talks, identify jobsite safety risks, and document injuries in real time and from their mobile devices. With a data-backed safety program, your leaders can respond quickly to issues and ensure worker safety across all projects. THE GREAT EQUALIZER Technology acts as an equalizer in construction, giving diversity an technology solution

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202247opportunity to flourish on the jobsite. That’s good news for an industry that continues struggling to recruit women. In the last few years, women have accounted for just 10% of the construction workforce, even as women-owned firms grew by 68%. Construction tech is paving the way for increased diversity and inclusively across company operations. In the field, advances and a push for inclusive sizes in wearable technology and safety equipment have increased the quality of protection for women in construction. A move toward connectivity has also meant more opportunities for women to enter into, and grow, careers in the industry. Mobile workforce platforms, with live-field data gathering abilities, prompt on-site workers to collect and share data on labor hours, project progress, delays, equipment usage and maintenance, materials, safety, and more. This gives every worker, no matter where they are located, the information needed to do their jobs—putting jobs in construction on par with the flexibility seen across other industries that have remote-access capabilities. ELIMINATES COSTLY ERRORSJobsite mistakes, budget overages, and project delays are costly in time and revenues but also in worker well-being. Technology on the jobsite continues to streamline construction projects and tasks, quashing frustrating, potentially dangerous mistakes, shoring up budgets and eliminating undue stress on workers. Advanced virtual- and augmented-reality technologies are eliminating errors that take place between the blueprint and the actual building by projecting blueprints in real space. While simple, cloud-based project management solutions track job progress, keep schedules in line and ensure that materials, equipment and people are in the most effective and efficient locations. All of which stands to remove human error from your operations while increasing employee satisfaction and loyalty on highly functioning jobsites. CLOSING THOUGHTWith growth forecasted in the residential and non-residential construction sectors, the industry’s outlook remains hot for 2022—meaning the opportunities are plenty for field and office workers. Take steps now to ensure your company attracts and holds onto the best in the business. By investing in and embracing construction tech, you can one up your competition and win the recruitment and retention game. PROVIDING SAFETY PRODUCTS THAT ARE UNIQUE, TESTED AND PROVENwww.bedlocksafety.com ▲ 217-553-0963 TWO CHAINS ARE BETTER THAN ONETHE ORIGINAL PATENT#6905174NEW FOR 2022about the authorMike Merrill is co-founder and chief evangelist of WorkMax by AboutTime Technologies and host of The Mobile Workforce Podcast. Mike has been an entrepreneur and business owner in the construction and technology industry for nearly three decades. For more, visit workmax.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com48maintenance solutionIf you want more uptime, lower overall operating costs, greater resale value, and a longer life for your skid steer, preventive maintenance (PM) is key. Experts from CONEXPO-CON/AGG staples Caterpillar, CASE, and Wacker Neuson have all the PM maintenance tips you need for skid steers. MAKE IT A HABIT TO CHECK THESE THINGS EVERY DAYOperators should start each workday with a daily walk-around inspection in which they:• Check fluid levels (hydraulic fluid, fuel, coolant, engine oil) to make sure they are in the operating range specified in the owner’s manual.• “Fluid levels can have a significant effect on the machine’s performance and can lead to overheating a particular system, loss of machine performance, or even downtime,” says Kevin Coleman, senior product specialist at Caterpillar. • Check the filters (engine air filters as well as cab filters).• “Owners who are diligent about following filter maintenance intervals are the ones who will see the least amount of downtime,” says Fred Paul, Wacker Neuson University manager. “By utilizing high-quality fuel, oils, and OEM filters, the owner is in a position to maximize uptime and productivity.”• Inspect for leaks and look for fluids gathering anywhere inside the engine compartment, but also look for fluids in other places.“Whether on the ground, in the engine compartment, or on the machine itself, pooled fluid tells a story that should be investigated,” says George MacIntyre, product manager for CASE Skid Steers and CTLs. “Identifying the source will help you identify possible damage or repairs that can be made before they become more costly downtime events.”• Check tires for wear or damage and for proper inflation.Tire inspection is key for skid steer loaders. “Flat or underinflated tires can affect the machine’s safety and performance in addition to leading to downtime,” says Coleman. “If you have a low tire when you lift a load off the ground it can make the machine very unstable,” adds Paul. DON’T SKIMP WHEN IT COMES TO FLUID SAMPLINGAccording to MacIntrye, fluid sampling is an often-overlooked practice that can tell you a lot about the health and performance of your machine. CASE recommends engine oil samples be sent for analysis every 250 hours, hydraulic and transmission fluid every 250-500 hours, and coolant be tested annually.Owner’s manuals will include the recommended intervals for your machine.MacIntyre believes fluid sampling is especially important if a machine has had previous owners or has been used across numerous jobsites. “It’s often those unseen issues that can create the most unexpected downtime events,” he says.When maintenance records provide a history of fluid sampling, it can be valuable when trading in your machine. “Fluid sampling may also allow for extended oil drain intervals for certain fluids, thereby reducing owning and operating costs,” says Coleman. TAP INTO TELEMATICSWithout dedicated fleet managers, many small and mid-sized firms that own skid steers can find it challenging to schedule routine maintenance.Basic telematics programs provide hour readings and location data that can help these businesses stay ahead of maintenance intervals. More comprehensive telematic solutions provide additional functionality for machine monitoring, health, and maintenance. “If a machine is equipped with the deluxe telematics version, and the machine Skid Steer Loaders5 preventive maintenance tips BEST PRACTICESBy CONEXPO-CON/AGG

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202249alerts the operator with a problem, that same alert will be visible to the owner or mechanic at the same time,” says Paul. “This provides valuable diagnostic assistance early and can help the mechanic determine a course of action. Often this can save time and money on repair or maintenance costs and keep the machine operating at top performance.”While the number of skid steer owners opting for telematics is relatively low in comparison with larger machines, MacIntyre sees an upward trend as equipment owners realize the advantages. GET OPERATORS ON BOARD WITH MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIESOperators are the first line of defense when it comes to taking action on maintenance items. In addition to daily inspections, operators need to understand how to respond to in-cab alerts and messages. Most skid steers include a machine vehicle control unit (MVCU) that provides real-time indicators of machine conditions. The codes could indicate something major, or as simple as low DEF (diesel exhaust fluid). If addressed promptly small problems can often prevent larger problems. CONSIDER OPTIONS THAT REDUCE THE BURDEN OF MAINTENANCEManufacturers and dealers are making it more convenient than ever for fleet owners to maintain equipment. A Cat Customer Value Agreement ensures that parts are delivered on time with instructions for maintenance. “Owners get the security of an Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) to avoid unexpected costs for unplanned repairs,” says Coleman. “All the keys to machine health management conveniently display on your phone. And it all can be rolled in with their monthly machine payment.”Wacker Neuson Service kits can be ordered prior to a scheduled PM so parts are on hand when the service is performed, reducing any downtime associated with the maintenance. Cat Self-Service Options offer a broad range of common repair options, packaged with everything a customer needs to do the work himself—in their shop or in the field.CLOSING THOUGHTHeld every three years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the must-attend event for construction industry professionals. The show features the latest equipment, products, services, and technologies for the construction industry, as well as industry-leading education. The next CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held March 14-18, 2023, in Las Vegas. for more informationFor more information on CONEXPO-CON/AGG, visit www.conexpoconagg.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com50maintenance solutionIt’s only natural to want an easier solution for efficiency-draining tasks like maintenance. However, as any pro athlete will tell you, advancing to the point where something becomes effortless is rarely easy. It takes commitment and determination, not to mention buy-in from the whole team. Still, the rewards that come with a well-honed trailer maintenance routine—increased safety, more productivity, longer service life, and better ROI—make it a worthwhile goal of any operation.Here are three tips to help create an effective maintenance routine. INVEST IN QUALITY, LOW-MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENTStarting the game with quality equipment gives teams more time to focus on their skills and improve their performance. The same is true for trailer maintenance. Investing in equipment that minimizes upkeep requirements from the outset makes it easier to establish a maintenance routine. Look for well-constructed units with quality components, such as heavy-duty T-1, 100,000-psi minimum yield steel, and premium primer and paint options. These trailers might cost a little more initially but provide long-term dependability that reduces overall maintenance. Additionally, trailers designed for easy maintenance minimize the hassle for operators and technicians, increasing efficiency. For example, a technician won’t have as much trouble keeping up with tasks like replacing bushings and axle seats if these wearables are easy to access. Solid clamp-in bushings don’t require an expensive press for user-friendly replacement and offer an extended life over slotted designs. Extra-long, contoured axle seats provide a strong connection without the need of added U-bolts and reduce stress on the weld. Cylinders that are mounted parallel to the ground are another option to simplify maintenance. These can be replaced in a matter of minutes, saving a significant amount of time and effort over the life of the trailer. KEEP OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATIONOn the court, communication is key to making plays and racking up points. But it’s also important in the maintenance bay. Building a solid maintenance foundation relies on good communication and detailed record keeping. Every operation is different, so design a maintenance program and schedule that fits your specific needs. For example, if your trailers need to be on the road all the time, you’ll want to ensure operators run through a thorough pre- and post-trip inspection to catch signs of wear or damage quickly, so you don’t risk unscheduled downtime. Keeping detailed records of these inspections and other preventive maintenance, including assessments of wearable items and structural observations, will optimize efficiency and keep small issues from becoming larger headaches down the road. Putting proper procedures in place will keep appropriate personnel accountable for performing the maintenance when needed. Be sure to keep the lines of communication open between operators, technicians, and management to ensure everyone is running the same play when it comes to maintenance requirements. Additionally, make sure anyone preforming maintenance is properly trained. CREATE A ROUTINE THAT BECOMES SECOND NATURE FOR EVERY TEAM MEMBERWhile quality equipment and good communication will get an operation off to a good start, it’s not enough to carry you over the goal line. For that, your team needs to put in the practice. Work with managers, operators, and technicians to create maintenance routines that work for your operation. Pre-trip inspections are a great place Routine Care3 tips for effortless trailer maintenanceTALBERT MANUFACTURINGBy Troy Geisler

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www.mcsmag.com JUNE 202251to start. Here are a few things you should consider incorporating for more efficient maintenance: • Before every trip, thoroughly check the trailer body and system for signs of damage or wear. This includes breaks, tires, suspension, electrical and cylinders, as well as the deck, gooseneck, and other components. • Ensure tires are properly inflated to the right psi. Underinflated tires are one of the biggest culprits of premature ware, so keeping them properly inflated will increase longevity and boost fuel efficiency. Some top-tier manufacturers offer automatic tire inflation systems that make this important task easier for more efficient maintenance and increased peace of mind. • Confirm hydraulic hoses are free from cracks or damage. If you’re operating a detachable or rear-load model, be sure hydraulic pressure is correct even on self-contained and wet lines. • Inspect chains, binders, straps or other tie downs, as well—those securing the load and any spares stored on the trailer. Look for cracks, fraying, weak links, or other signs of wear that might require replacement. • Ensure hydraulic cylinders are fully retracted when not in use. This minimizes the exposure of the stainless-steel ram to the elements for maximum longevity. • Make sure wheel-ends, brakes, cams, and slack adjusters are properly lubricated to minimize wear and prevent leakage. For lighting connections, electrical components, lights and lighting harnesses, use dielectric grease to reduce corrosion. • Double-check load securements to ensure everything makes it to the final destination intact. CLOSING THOUGHTA comprehensive maintenance plan is vital for keeping your equipment, employees and loads protected. Creating a maintenance routine that becomes second nature to your team will increase efficiency and provide the best productivity and long-term ROI for your equipment. Work with your dealer or manufacturer to develop a game plan that works for your unique situation. about the authorTroy Geisler is the vice president of sales and marketing for Talbert Manufacturing. He has more than 15 years of experience in trailer sales, including more than 5 years with Talbert. For more, visit www.talbertmfg.com.

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com54modern construction productsDead excavator batteries cost you time and money. Improve your company revenues and eliminate downtime due to dead batteries by adding Go Power! HD Solar kits to your machines. Durable and worksite tested, Go Power! Solar Flex panels fit seamlessly on cab roofs. These thin panels are low-profile and built to withstand impact up to 51 mph. With Go Power flexible solar cell tech-nology, batteries charge anytime it’s light out, eliminating the need to jump after periods of inactivity. For more, visit gopowerfleet.com. GO POWER!HD Solar KitsDemo Demon™ Spade Bits provide one of the most durable, effortless, and longest lasting hole drilling solutions on the market for nail-embedded wood. The DEMO-Edge™ dual cutting edges coupled with a self-feeding Dura-Tip™ power through nail hits for a smooth drilling experience and up to 60X longer life. An optimized curved paddle design enhances the chip evacuation process for more holes per charge. This range is Impact Strong™ for increased shank stability and durability in cordless and corded impact and drill drivers. For more, visit www.diablotools.com DIABLO TOOLSSpade Bits Bosch Power Tools introduces the new GWS12V-30N 12V Max Brushless 3-Inch Angle Grinder, providing pros with 19,500 rpms of speed, a spindle-lock design optimized for fast wheel chang-es and a brushless motor maximizing battery run-time. With a 19,500 no-load rpm speed, the angle grinder effortless-ly works through hard materials, and when the task is done, the tool brakes in less than a second after being turned off to provide safety and battery effi-ciency to tool users. Available Summer 2022. For more, visit boschtools.com. BOSCH POWER TOOLSAngle GrinderDri-Dek self-draining compartment liner is quietly finding its way onto thousands of commercial work trucks. Dri-Dek cushions and protects not only tools and valuable equipment, but the truck body as well. The flexible, elevated, and ventilated anti-skid surface provides a dry and protective barrier by allowing air to circulate under stowed gear. Quick and easy to install, the 12x12-inch interlocking tiles snap together and trim to fit any size. The liner is also offered in interlocking 3x4-ft sheets and 3x12-ft rolls and available everywhere from finer truck equipment dealers and manufacturers. For more, visit www.dri-dek.com. DRI-DEKCompartment LinerSTAY UPDATED:@modern contractor solutions@mcsmag

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JUNE 2022 www.mcsmag.com56coach’s cornerEmpowermentsuccessful teams’ secret sauceJUST A THOUGHTBy Randy GorukREGISTER TO RECEIVE A TIP EACH WEEK FROM RANDY AT WWW.LEADERSEDGE360.COM.Successful empowerment is a must in any organization. Of course, leaders don’t have time to do everything themselves, but those who fail to empower their people pay a price in costly project delays, budget over-runs, crew turnover, or worse. To be clear, empowering employees is simply giving them the authority to do something. Sounds easy, but it’s not. Empowering them properly takes time and a focused, intentional effort. However, the benefits of successfully empowering others are clear: Employees become more productive because decisions can be made quickly. • They feel more engaged and included, resulting in less staff turnover. • Leaders build trust, confidence, and independence as they nurture a culture of shared responsibility.• Empowerment is used to educate and nurture future leaders.• Leaders can demonstrate their ability to lead well and attract the best employees.It’s no secret: The number one key to empowering others is being a leader who takes responsibility to teach, train, coach, and mentor their people in advance of empowering them. But what happens most often? Many leaders get too busy to train their people properly, or they are short on staff, so they rush through implementing this important step. In some high-profile cases, attempts to empower staff didn’t go well at all. (Research case studies for Starbucks, United Airlines, California Power and Gas, and others.) The important lesson from these cases is this: A leader can delegate responsibility but not accountability.ACCELERATE THE PROCESSHow can leaders accelerate the empowerment of their employees? Begin with role-playing and inclusion. ROLE PLAYINGFor many organizations, role playing is underused, yet it is by far the most cost-effective and efficient way to get employees ready for empowerment. Unfortunately, people tend to feel uncomfortable role-playing realistic situations. A recent poll I conducted indicated 17% of the respondents “hated” role playing and never do it; 10% “loved” role playing and did it often; the rest indicated they “didn’t like” role playing and only did it because they had to. If a team is averse to role playing, then don’t call it that! Instead, call it professional development practice in a training-room environment where they can safely make mistakes instead of on the job. Select realistic situations to role play; ask what went well and what could be improved. INCLUSIONThis means including the people being developed in situations they wouldn’t normally be involved in. As part of their preparation to be empowered, include employees in conversations with a customer about, for example, a scope change. Or include them at the table during a senior management meeting. They wouldn’t be expected to contribute, but they would learn to deal with issues by observing. Through this process, engage your workforce and listen, then provide constructive feedback for success. about the coachAs a leadership development expert, Randy Goruk works with construction industry leaders to improve employee engagement and business growth. Contact Randy directly to learn how he can help you and your team: randy@LeadersEdge360.com.ONE LAST THOUGHT In order to teach, train, coach, or mentor people, leaders should find ways to prepare someone to be empowered. Actively participating in role playing and inclusion is a good start.

Modern Contractor Solutions June 2022

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