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MARCH 2023 SERVICE LUBE TRAILER SAVING TIME AND DIMES RISING REVOLUTION TECH IS HERE WWW MCSMAG COM TIRES MATTER CONSTRUCTING PURPOSE ADOPTING TELEMATICS CREATES COMPETITIVE EDGE

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com4ANSWERING THE CALL AT PICKERING PYRO PROTECTIONGuest Post by Will ChelakTHE BENEFITS OF GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TECHNOLOGY IN PAVINGGuest Post from Minnesota Department of Transportation3642MARCH 2023VOLUME 17 ISSUE 03Inside This Issue38special focusIN EVERY ISSUEIndustry News .............................. Modern Construction Products....... Punch List Punch List ....................technology solutionRising Revolutionthe lag in adopting technologysotware solutionBetter Buildingtrends to move the industry forwardproject profileService & Lube Trailersaving time and dimes14TRANSPORTATIONsotware solutionTech Platformsarming the industry with tools to fight inflation and other hardshipsON THE BLOGA Chance Certified Installer from EBS Geostructural in Ontario monitors torque for the installation of a square shaft helical pile. Helical piles are an extendable deep foundation system used worldwide to secure homes, commercial buildings, and much more. Piles offer engineers and installers many benefits over concrete and other foundation types.Photo courtesy of Chance Foundation Solutions.www.chanceexpert.com⁄square−shaft48technology solutionAdopting Telematicscreating a competitive edge20equipment solutionConstructing Tiresmeeting unique needs

PROJECT PROFILEService & Lube Trailer .......................................... 14EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONSAmarillo Tanks ..................................................... 16Granite Refresh ................................................... 18Constructing Tires ................................................ 20Tire Safety ........................................................... 22ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONSHonda eGX .......................................................... 26Carbon Footprint .................................................. 28MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSPermit Delays ...................................................... 30Economic Pressures ............................................. 32Business Resolutions ........................................... 34 SOFTWARE SOLUTIONSTech Platforms .................................................... 36Better Building .................................................... 38LEGAL SOLUTIONProject Data Retention ......................................... 40TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONSRising Revolution ................................................. 42Collab Power: Part 2 of 4 ...................................... 44Rammer Scrap Shear ........................................... 46Adopting Telematics ............................................ 48SAFETY SOLUTIONOpen Doors ......................................................... 50FEATURED PRODUCTDemco CORSOL® Corrosion Solutions .................... 54SUBSCRIPTIONS For all changes, go to:MCSMAG.COMClick the SUBSCRIPTIONS button in the main menuwww.mcsmag.com 3100 Lorna Rd, Ste 101Birmingham, AL 35216DONNA CAMPBELL Editor in Chiefdonna@mcsmag.com MIKE BARKER Publishermike@mcsmag.com RANDY MOON Media Consultantrandym@mcsmag.com MICHAEL FISCHBACH Media Consultantmichael@mcsmag.com JOHN FRIEND Media Consultantjohn@mcsmag.com KEVIN MCCLARAN Media Consultantkevin@mcsmag.com LISA AVERY Art Directorlisa@mcsmag.com SETH SAUNDERS Digital Media Specialist seth@mcsmag.com INGRID 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 sta 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 2N1 Modern Contractor Solutions Magazine@mcsmagModern Contractor SolutionsFROM JOBSITE TO JOBSITEThis month’s issue focuses on transportation: moving equipment to jobsites, trailers for heavy equipment, service trailers, engines, and telematics. Taking care of equipment with a mobile service and lube trailer saves time and maximizes uptime in the field (pg 14). Adding to the mobile mix for service are Amarillo Tanks (pg 16). Work trucks are vital to transportation and this issue features the Mack Granite with a fresh look (pg 18). According to Commercial Truck Trader, the top five most popular trucks of 2022 are: 1) Freightliner Business Class M2 106, 2) Ford F-550, 3) Ford F-350, 4) Freightliner Cascadia 125, and 5) Ford F-650. To keep a project rolling, tires matter. From Yokohama (pg 20) to BKT (pg 22), you’ll find information on tire safety to tires built for distinct purposes. On the building front is sustainability. This industry word was prominent at ConExpo held in Vegas earlier this month. From reducing emissions (pg 28) to tech platforms (pg 36) to make bidding and building more efficient, better building is advancing with industry trends (pg 38). Enjoy the issue and add the next read to your punch list: Safety Beyond the Numbers by Ken Chapman and Tony Orlowski.Cheers,Donna CampbellEditor in ChiefSOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 10, 2023) U.S. Navy Seaman Haleigh Brazil, from Birmingham, Alabama, acts as phone-talker aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10). Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caitlin FlynnSafety Beyond the Numbers56punch•list

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsEARTHCAM ROLLS OUT AI SAFETY TRAILER EarthCam announces the most powerful model in its series of Mobile Trailer Cams: the new AI Safety Trailer. This multi-camera perimeter detection system features AI object and audio recognition, live-streaming video, and continuous security recordings. The self-contained, solar powered unit makes EarthCam’s leading AI technology accessible to facilities of all sizes, and is designed to increase safety and security in locations ranging from single store exteriors to parking lots in malls.The AI Safety Trailer generates essential alerts for security, vandalism and theft detection based on visual or auditory triggers. AI audio analysis recognizes specific sounds like verbal aggression, glass breakage, or gunfire. AI Object Detection recognizes specific vehicle types, or unauthorized interactions with equipment or vehicles. The cause of the alert is identified and communicated with stakeholders, and a user-controllable pan-tilt-zoom camera can be used to investigate specific areas of the site in real-time. The perimeter detection system uses two-way audio “talk down” capabilities, LED strobes and sirens to act as deterrents. Alerts may be sent to EarthCam’s Central Station Monitoring (UL Listed, Five Diamond CSM) where trained professionals review the incident, assess the risk and dispatch law enforcement as necessary.The AI Safety Trailer includes a steel mast that reaches 22 ft when fully extended, and is available in battleship gray or hi-vis orange. High-efficiency 400W solar panels power the three-camera system which includes advanced battery backup. Dual SIM 4G LTE maximizes data coverage and allows carrier diversity. The power-efficient trailer can be accessorized with a range of other options to meet specific requirements such as license plate recognition, thermal cameras, and weather sensor arrays. For more, visit www.earthcam.net. CUMMINS ANNOUNCES NEW X10 ENGINE, NEXT IN THE FUEL-AGNOSTIC SERIES, LAUNCHING IN NORTH AMERICA IN 2026Cummins Inc. announces it will launch the next engine in the fuel-agnostic series, the X10, in North America in 2026. This engine, named as part of the X engine family, is uniquely positioned to replace both the L9 and the X12 with the versatility to serve both medium and heavy-duty applications. It will be compliant with U.S. EPA’s 2027 regulations a full year early. The diesel version will be first available, with other versions for gaseous fuels introduced later. This 10-liter displacement product slots into Cummins’ product portfolio complemented by the B6.7 and X15 and will serve vocational, transit, pickup and delivery and regional haul customers. The engine can be paired with a variety of transmissions depending on the application including the Eaton Cummins Endurant to enable additional drivability benefits and efficiency gains. The engine is built on Cummins’ fuel agnostic platform. These new fuel-agnostic engine platforms feature a series of engine versions that are derived from a common base engine, which means they have some parts commonality.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com10industry newsBelow the head gasket of each engine will largely have similar components and above the head gasket will have different components for different fuel types. Each engine version will operate using a different, single fuel.Cummins is offering a full portfolio of products in 2026 to cover the medium-duty and heavy-duty customer needs, including the new 15-liter natural gas engine, the X15N. Additionally, the B6.7 will be offered in diesel, natural gas, gasoline and propane. For more, visit www.cummins.com.FIRST OF ITS KIND FORKLIFT TRACKING AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTION WITH HIAB INTEGRATION LAUNCHED BY ASSURED TELEMATICSAssured Telematics, an industry leader in providing enterprise fleets with custom telematics solutions and applications, launches a first of its kind forklift tracking, monitoring, and maintenance solution, and a new integration with Hiab, a leading provider of smart and sustainable load handling solutions, for its Moffett truck-mounted forklifts. By partnering with BeWhere, a Mobile Internet of Things (M-IoT) company, and Geotab Inc., a global leader in IoT and connected transportation, Assured Telematics now provides the industry’s most accurate and detailed forklift insights and management solution for both indoor and outdoor tracking on electric and propane powered forklifts. For more, visit www.assuredtelematics.com.HAULING SOLUTION FOR WIDE UNDERCARRIAGE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTFelling Trailers, Inc. adds the Low Pro Heavy Duty (LP HD) models to its deck-over tag line. Wideset heavy construction equipment like mid-size crawler excavators and dozers can be challenging for any seasoned equipment hauler. The equipment is typically oversized, particularly heavy, and unique in shape (length, height, and width). The LP HD has been designed and engineered for transporting heavy (near 50-60K load capacities) wideset loads, like excavators, dozers, and other construction equipment. The LP HD series currently consists of two models: the FT-50-3 LP HD triple axle 25-ton and the FT-60-4 LP HD quad axle 30-ton (4 axle legality varies by state/providence). The available deck lengths for the triple axle are 24 ft, 26 ft, 28 ft, and 30 ft. The available deck lengths for the quad-axle are 28 ft, 30 ft, and 32 ft. For more, visit www.felling.com.NEW CONCRETE ADMIXTURE DELIVERS MORE STRENGTH WITH LESS CEMENT Chryso & GCP (Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals), a worldwide leader in sustainable construction, launches EnviroMix® SE, a novel class of strength enhancers for concrete. The next generation admixture solution plays a key role in Saint-Gobain’s commitment to the decarbonization of construction.Part of EnviroMix, the first global range of innovative products and services aimed at reducing and controlling the carbon footprint of SPECIALIZING INNew andRemanufacturedHydraulic Attachments

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com12industry newsconcrete, EnviroMix SE is an inventive strength enhancer for concrete that reduces the cement factor by approximately 10%, in addition to the water reducer, while maintaining premium concrete quality and performance. To meet the specific requirements of concrete producers, tailor-made formulations can be customized for materials and performance. For more, visit www.curbingco2atthesource.com. ISUZU INTRODUCES ITS FIRST ELECTRIC TRUCKIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of America’s best-selling low cab forward trucks, announces its first all-electric production model, the N-Series EV. The 2025-model-year Class 5 truck—featuring a full 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating, a battery electric platform developed by Isuzu Motors Limited, and an all-new cab design—will be available in the first half of 2024. “The N-Series EV is a game-changer, not only for us, but for our dealers and our customers,” says Shaun C. Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “We have always prided ourselves on offering a variety of powertrains to meet the needs of our owners. As we look at the regulatory landscape ahead of us, we know that the demand for a medium-duty truck powered by electricity is going to increase dramatically. And we will be ready, with the first electric production Class 5 low cab forward truck in the U.S. and Canadian marketplace.” For more, visit www.isuzucv.com.SULLAIR INTRODUCES THE E1035H ELECTRIC PORTABLE COMPRESSOR Sullair, an industry leader in innovative compressed air solutions since 1965, announces the next step in its commitment to a carbon neutral value chain with the introduction of the E1035H electric portable compressor. The E1035H is a next generation air compressor that provides the same reliability, durability, and performance as its diesel counterparts. It touts quiet operation, added safety features, and a lower total cost of ownership as compared to diesel compressors. The E1035H also boasts added flexibility with its emission-less design allowing it to be used indoors and wherever a 60Hz power source is available. Finally, the E1035H runs exclusively on Sullube®, a biodegradable, varnish-removing lubricant expertly engineered by Sullair for optimized performance and maximum efficiency. For more, visit www.sullair.com. PLANHUB ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY BEST NEW LEAD TOOL PlanHub, a cloud-based software as service (SaaS) preconstruction solution, launches its newest resource for general contractors, Lead Finder. Lead Finder provides general contractors access to not yet advertised or open-for-bidding commercial construction projects with complete contact information on key decision makers. The lead tool enhances connection and collaboration that will help general contractors improve efficiency and grow their business. For more, visit planhub.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com14project profileService & Lube TrailerService & Lube Trailersaving time and saving dimes THUNDER CREEK EQUIPMENTLike many successful businesses, Performance Grading in Fresno, California, was feeling growing pains. Ken Sherwood who oversees vehicle maintenance says, “Performance Grading started out with two scrapers and a couple water trucks. Now we’re up to nine scrapers, two graders, three dozers, and three water trucks. He’s up to about 25 pieces now from what he had 4 to 5 years ago.” Although Sherwood chuckles when he adds, “I feel good about job security.” FIELD EFFICIENCYSince the company was making such large leaps in their equipment fleet, there needed to be new efficiency in their field service and fleet management activities. They needed capacity for waste oil, but also needed the flexibility to carry oils of numerous different weights and uses. Eventually they discovered Thunder Creek Equipment and the Service & Lube Trailer (SLT).Initially, Performance Grading had looked at purchasing a full-blown service truck, but after understanding the benefits of the Thunder Creek SLT—and weighing it against the disadvantages of a larger service truck—Performance Grading made its choice. “At the time the owner was considering a truck,” says Sherwood. “If you go that route, you're paying wages to a guy you don't need every day. Plus, the insurance and liability on the truck is another real cost. Also, you need a guy that's got a hazmat and a CDL. The costs increase when you have a truck.”The Thunder Creek SLT features a modular tank design that is capable of holding 440 gallons of fluid in up to eight tanks with combinations of 25, 55, and 110 gallons. This can include tanks for diesel fuel, oil delivery (engine or hydraulic), used oil reclamation, grease delivery, antifreeze, DEF, and other fluids based on field maintenance needs. This design allows it to be hauled without a HAZMAT endorsement and, in some configurations, without a CDL. “We needed something that would carry enough waste oil to be able to service the

equipment all of them all the way down to 90 50 weight having all those different tanks is what we were looking for In addition to the owning and operating cost benefits of the trailer and the variety of oil capacities and varieties it s also helped Sherwood complete service activities faster such as knocking 15 minutes off of each scraper service The trailer made everything more efficient I ve been able to knock off significant time from most jobs I look at the cost of everything but I mean 15 minutes of my time that I can spend welding or doing something else is just more cost effective CLOSING THOUGHT highway that it s not bouncing and jumping from SLT have also proven just right for the work The team at Thunder Creek helped Performance lane to lane It s a well built trailer It s sturdy Sherwood does Grading outfit its trailer and work with each SLT real sturdy The capacities made possible with the With the SLT I can do everything on a buyer to fully understand their needs and how it scraper and still have engine oil left over will be used With the SLT you put PT tags on Enough oil to where I can go do a 500 or a 250 it and you re good It s a lot cheaper than other hour service on another piece of equipment solutions plus it s a well built trailer It s a hefty That s why we went with this trailer The SLT trailer with its construction and the way it pulls visit thundercreek com products service delivers speed and productivity two important I mean you can tell just by the amount of weight and lube trailers html benefits for our company you re putting in it and then hauling it down the www mcsmag com for more information For more about Thunder Creek Equipment s SLT MARCH 2023 15

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com16equipment solutionAmarillo TanksAmarillo Tanksbuilds on legacy of quality and serviceACQUIRED BY SAGE OIL VACLimiting reliance on outside contractors gives a manufacturer more control of its own destiny. Recent events have made this abundantly clear. While the country continues to rebound from the pandemic, manufacturers have been forced to navigate the challenges that come with the fragile nature of the current supply chain. Dependence on an outside vendor for a critical component can place a manufacturer in a precarious position. In addition, while manufacturers can inspect incoming components to make sure they conform to acceptable standards, it’s no substitute for controlling the quality hands-on.So, when Aaron Sage, second-generation CEO of Sage Oil Vac, saw an opportunity to take a more vested interest in tank manufacturing and support the local economy, he acted. In March of 2021, Sage acquired the Willborn Tank and Manufacturing product line of Willborn Brothers, another Amarillo, Texas-based company that complemented Sage Oil Vac. It was recently renamed Amarillo Tanks, a nod to the city roots established with Sage Oil Vac.“The last few years have been challenging for contractors,” says Sage. “When the pandemic hit in 2020, many contractors and manufacturers were concerned that the work they had forecasted might go away. In some cases, there was a short-term dip in the industry. However, shortly afterward, work ramped up quickly, and many companies were facing labor shortages and long wait times for equipment. As a company, we can't address all of the challenges our customers are currently dealing with. But we are trying to have a positive impact where we can. The addition of Amarillo Tanks helps us do that.” ACQUISITION CREATES OPPORTUNITYWith a foundation of more than 100 years in the Texas Panhandle, the Willborn Brothers reputation for quality tank building was a perfect match for Sage Oil Vac. First started in 1911 with a goal of developing manufacturing water storage and stock tanks to support the ranching and agricultural industries in the region, the business soon expanded to manufacture petroleum storage tanks and tank wagons, further leading fuel dispensing systems and automatic tank gauges. Since acquisition, Aaron Sage has been intentional about continuing the company’s legacy.Wilborn Brothers will retain their separate fueling systems installation, service, and parts business, which is also headquartered in Amarillo.TRUE WIN-WIN SCENARIOWhile Amarillo Tanks will continue to operate independently from Sage Oil Vac, the acquisition brings multiple benefits to both Amarillo-based companies. At the heart is the availability of locally sourced Amarillo tanks that will reduce the Sage Oil Vac reliance on outside vendors, further advancing their goal of building critical tank components in-house. “In 2021, the most important component, the tank, began to transition closer to home. This gives us control over the quality and design of the workhorse of the Sage Oil Vac product offering,” says Sage. “The frames for the units are also designed, engineered, and built in our facility.”

TAILORED SOLUTIONSBy investing in technology to build tanks in Amarillo, Sage Oil Vac also gains key efficiencies, including quality control, component availability, and reduced shipping. The investment will also enhance the ability to customize tanks, providing tailored solutions to fit customer needs.Quality has become a hallmark of the Sage Oil Vac line over the past 30 years and the acquisition of Amarillo Tanks builds on that reputation. “We have never had a tank that failed in the field,” notes Sage. Because Sage Oil Vac has total control over the tank manufacturing process, customers can have confidence in knowing nothing is left to chance. Amarillo Tanks looks to gain steady market growth by supplying tanks for Sage Oil Vac while continuing to serve its existing customer base with fuel and oil tanks, fuel trailers, valve and meter boxes, and livestock and wildlife tanks. The company continues to invest in new technology that will elevate capabilities to the next level, providing customers endless customization capabilities. Amarillo Tanks' round and rectangular tanks meet UL 142 Aboveground Flammable Liquid code requirements. The company has the ability to produce double-walled tanks for specialty applications. CLOSING THOUGHT“We are always challenging ourselves to innovate and build the highest quality mobile lube equipment for the needs of a variety of industries, and Amarillo Tanks will help continue to do that,” says Sage. “In addition, the Amarillo Tanks product line helps us support even more industries and provide additional tank options in the markets we already serve.” www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202317for more informationFor more information on the complete product lines from Amarillo Tanks and Sage Oil Vac, visit AmarilloTanks.com and SageOilVac.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com18equipment solutionGranite RefreshGranite Refreshoffers a clearer view of what’s aheadMACK According to Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America, “The Mack brand is focused on building reliable, safe and comfortable products that help businesses maximize productivity. The Granite refresh is an evolution of that DNA. The updated fascia not only looks great, but it also helps make the Granite safer to operate in a myriad of conditions and reduces strain on the operator. We are making a great product incrementally better.”GRILLE CUSTOMIZATIONAvailable for order as of February, the new grille and air intakes modernize the look of the Granite, and the choice of two grille treatments offers customers another way to customize their vehicles. The standard grille features blacked-out cross bars surrounding the chrome Mack badge with the optional grille being all chrome. ADDED SAFETY FEATURESSelf-heating LED headlights round out the updates and add to the suite of safety features already on previous Mack Granite models. The integrated heating elements automatically sense the ambient temperature and turn on to keep ice and snow from building up in colder environments and an anti-fog coating prevents condensation in warmer, humid environments to improve visibility. The new LED technology is designed to fully illuminate the road and jobsite, including the driver- and passenger-sides of the vehicle, to reduce eye fatigue, while letting operators detect objects sooner. Safety is also improved during daylight driving through new, integrated amber daytime running lights that double as turn signals, making the truck more visible to oncoming traffic and on the jobsite. The LED headlights are designed to be long-lasting through their Mack Trucks debuted an updated Mack Granite at the 2023 World of Concrete trade show. The refreshed truck features a new, more modern fascia featuring an updated chrome grille and self-heating LED headlamps that offer up to 50% better visibilityMack Trucks debuted an updated Mack Granite at the 2023 World of Concrete trade show. The refreshed truck features a new, more modern fascia featuring an updated chrome grille and self-heating LED headlamps that offer up to 50% better visibility

high-impact polycarbonate lenses with additional hard coating protection to prevent cracking, scratching or damage to the headlight from road or jobsite debris. CLOSING THOUGHTIn the event of damage, the headlight assemblies are designed to be easily replaced and are also backwards compatible with earlier truck models if current Granite owners choose to upgrade. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202319for more informationDedicated to durability, reliability and meeting the needs of customers, Mack Trucks has provided purpose-built transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, which is driving prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase customer uptime and productivity. For more about the Granite Fresh, visit your local dealer or www.macktrucks.com.The refreshed Mack Granite model features a new, more modern fascia with an updated chrome grille and self-heating LED headlamps that offer brighter illumination.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com20equipment solutionWhen the product development team at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT) sat down at the drawing board to develop a new skid steer radial, they didn't sit down alone—they were in close contact with skid steer operators and commercial tire dealers, who provided deep insight into what the ideal skid steer radial would be. The result was the Galaxy AT Grip Steel, a bold new tire for a complex market.The AT Grip Steel is recognizable at a distance, thanks to its unique tread design that combines two rows of chevron-shaped blocks along the centerline with curved lugs and open shoulders. That pattern—unusual for a skid steer tire—illustrates the challenge facing tires that often have to be all things to all operators.VERSATILE TIRE"Skid steers are so versatile that they get used in a huge variety of applications and settings," notes Dhananjay Bisht, national product manager—earthmoving, construction and industrial tires for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. "That makes them extremely challenging from a tire perspective. Operators expect their skid steer tires to provide a comfortable ride but also remain very stable under heavy loads, deliver excellent traction while running smoothly on pavement, and resist cuts and chunking while also being hard enough to withstand constant abrasion from hard surfaces and the unique skidding action of the machine. It is a lot to ask for from a tire, and requires great creativity in design and manufacturing."Each of those contrasting challenges requires careful balancing during the development stage, Bisht points out."The tread pattern of the Galaxy AT Grip Steel walks the line between densely placed blocks in the center for stability and wear resistance and the voids along the shoulders that allow the tire to grip in looser conditions," he explains. "The tread compound is a carefully balanced combination of many ingredients, formulated to resist wear while also withstanding damage from sharp items like rocks or scrap metal."DURABILITY IS KEYWith the increasing use of skid steers in construction and farm applications, puncture damage and sidewall cuts are a bigger threat than ever to skid steer tires. Yokohama OHT designed the Galaxy AT Grip Steel with steel belt reinforcement, making the new tire three to four times more resistant to tread puncture than comparable bias-ply tires. The AT Grip Steel also includes an extra sidewall ply and cast rim guards and ribs for added sidewall protection. Constructing such a durable casing allows owners to re-tread their AT Grip Steel tires, reducing the total cost of ownership.SPECIAL SIDEWALLSYokohama Off-Highway Tires was committed to creating the AT Grip Steel as a radial tire. Because radial plies run at 90-degree angles from one bead to the other and are wrapped in circumferential belts, radial tires create a bigger, flatter contact patch with more even load distribution. The result is better traction and slower wear than bias-ply tires, which tend to concentrate weight and wear in the center of the tread. In fact, in wear trials, the AT Grip Steel lasted nearly 50% longer than leading bias-ply skid steer tires.Radials also experience less heat buildup—critical for long-lasting performance on equipment that operates on long cycles or for long hours—and deliver better comfort and fuel efficiency.However, skid steer experts were quick to insist that the new tire's sidewalls should not be too flexible. Stability is essential for skid steers, especially when carrying heavy attachments or loaded buckets. Bisht says Yokohama Off-Highway Tires engineers extended the turn-up around the bead—the loop created by a heavy rubber ply that covers more of the sidewall—and developed a flex-dampening ring to add even more reinforcement and stiffness. The flex-dampening ring diverts much of the natural sidewall flexion to the area closest to the ground, allowing the footprint to expand while maintaining greater stability in the sidewall.NEW LOADER RADIALYokohama OHT used many of the lessons learned from developing the AT Grip Steel as it Constructing TiresConstructing Tiresmeeting the construction industry's unique needsYOKOHAMA OHTBy Bruce BesanconGalaxy Hippo all-steel radial

created the new Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial for the global front-end loader market. Like skid steers, loaders are increasingly used in a wider range of applications than ever before, creating a need for tires that can handle extra demands for traction."When we think of loader tires, most of us immediately imagine a rock tread," says Bisht. "But we realized that there are thousands of front-end loaders being used in dirt and sand on construction sites and mining applications, and thousands more on farms, where they do everything from maintenance in fields to packing down massive piles of vegetation in huge feed bunkers. We created the new Galaxy Hippo radial for those loaders."As with the AT Grip Steel, radial construction was the starting point for the new Hippo, which the company developed to build on the long-standing success of the bias-ply Galaxy Hippo. "Radial tires excel where equipment is operating in long cycles or for hours at a time," Bisht points out. "Radials have less of a tendency to build up heat under those conditions, and all-steel construction is more efficient at dissipating heat that does get generated by the movement of the tire. Radials provide a more comfortable ride, which enhances productivity. They last longer than bias-ply tires, and they are more fuel efficient, both of which show up quickly on the bottom line." BIGGER FOOTPRINTMany of the performance benefits of radial tires start with their larger footprint and more even load distribution compared to bias-ply tires.Like the AT Grip Steel, Yokohama OHT designed the new Hippo radial to walk a careful balance between the advantages of large, evenly distributed radial footprints and the need for sidewall stability. The Hippo all-steel radial has a footprint 6% larger than its same-sized bias-ply counterpart, putting more rubber in contact with the ground and more evenly distributing load across each lug. EXTRA TRACTIONYokohama OHT designers thickened the lugs of the Galaxy Hippo radial and steepened their curves to optimize traction while improving their durability. The Hippo radial's lugs are nearly perpendicular toward each edge of the tread, maximizing the grip of the tire's shoulders. Toward the center of the footprint, the lugs' angle becomes more-shallow and their noses are widened. The design team also increased the overlap of the center portions of the lugs to deliver a smoother ride and more reliable steering. The denser centerline formed by wider, overlapping lug noses also reduces wear on hard surfaces. Roading is an increasingly important feature for some loader tire buyers, Bisht notes, which is why the Galaxy Hippo radial was designed for good road handling at speeds of up to 25 mph."We pride ourselves on developing tires that are purpose-built for the challenges that equipment operators face in the real world," says Bisht. "That's a reflection on the fact that no single tire can be all things to all people. But with the Galaxy AT Grip Steel and the Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial, we've tapped the best of tire design, engineering, materials and manufacturing to get very close." www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202321about the authorBruce Besancon is vice president of marketing for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc. With more than 30 years of experience in the OTR Tire Business, Bruce has been involved in every aspect of bringing OTR tires to the mature North American market. From product development, testing and release to generating product awareness programs and campaigns, and a little of everything in between, Bruce is one of the OTR industry’s most knowledgeable players. For more, visit www.yokohama-oht.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com22equipment solutionTire SafetyTire Safetyproperly and safely servicing OTR tiresWINTER READYService technicians face unique challenges when it comes to properly and safely servicing OTR tires. The size of the equipment, hazardous work environments, and less than ideal conditions challenge safety at every turn. So, why is tire safety so important? One small mistake can lead to a serious injury, or even death, so it is important that correct precautions are taken.Here at BKT, we strive to exceed safety requirements and expectations, because we understand that proper management can keep you and your employees safe, prevent unnecessary costs, and prolong the life of your equipment’s tires.WINTER IS HERE! Colder temperatures. Snowy skies. Icy surfaces. Due to the season’s unpredictable weather conditions, enhanced tire safety is more important than ever. Frozen ground may seem solid, but it will not support the weight of heavy equipment on a jack or cribbing. It is important to use a proper base and technique for lifting. In addition, frozen ground may cause the equipment to slide off a jack, so use the proper chocks for your safety.TRACTION Having tires that were specifically designed for enhanced traction and handling in winter conditions will add to job productivity and safety. Chains may increase traction, but they are expensive, high maintenance, and must be removed for some surfaces. For working on snow packed and icy roads, we recommend winter tires.TIRE PRESSUREIncorrect tire pressure is one of the leading causes of tire wear and fatigue, so it is crucial to check your tire pressure regularly. A drop in ambient temperature will produce a decrease in inflation pressure. Check cold inflation (tire/rim assembly and inflation media are at ambient temperature) before starting the work day and adjust to the manufacturer’s recommended inflation. Do not check cold tires when ambient temperature is below freezing, as this may result in moisture inside the tire cavity freezing under the valve seat resulting in BKT Ridemax IT 697BKT Earthmax SR 22

a slow leak. Consult your inflation charts or tire manufacturer for guidance on hot inflation pressures.It may seem like a good idea to keep your tires underinflated, as it is believed to give you the larger footprint needed for extra traction. However, this is not true of modern radial tires. Just like keeping your tires overinflated, it can cause problems with the tire life and severely sacrifice durability.Underinflation shows up as excess, uneven wear. With proper inflation, you get uniform pressure across the face of the tread, leading to even wear. In addition, underinflation can affect tire durability and handling negatively. It can produce excess stress and deflection, which leads to heat generation. The heat can cause failure in several areas, including the bead, shoulders, and sidewall. CLOSING THOUGHTBKT Tires makes over 3,200 SKUs for every off-highway tire need. Our tires are used worldwide and can withstand any environment and weather condition, including frigid winters.BKT tires specifically designed for winter are the Earthmax SR 22 and SR 22 AS. The SR 22 (G-2/L-2) is an all steel radial tire specially designed for motor graders and loaders operating in extreme winter conditions on ice or snow. Operators will appreciate both excellent traction and stability provided by the large and non-directional tread design. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202323for more informationFor more, visit www.bkt-tires.com/ww/us/.BKT Multimax MP 538

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com26environmental solutionHonda eGXHonda eGXbattery-powered product aligned with Honda Vision for 2030NEXT GENERATIONAmerican Honda Motor Co., Inc., has launched the Honda eGX, an advanced, electrified power unit and the company’s first lithium-ion battery-powered motor designed to be incorporated into commercial OEM power equipment products for indoor and outdoor use. The Honda eGX is the next generation GX experience, offering durability, rugged performance, and instant commercial and rental market entry for applications such as rammers, sprayers, air compressors, concrete power trowels and brick cutters, and vibratory plate compactors—just to name a few. The new Honda eGX provides quiet operation, reduced vibration, and quick charging for maximum operating time. A high-power, 3-phase brushless DC motor increases performance and reliability. Easy maintenance and user-friendly operation with easy starting and easy stopping yield heightened productivity. With no fuel dependency and zero emissions, the Honda eGX serves to reduce the carbon footprint, dovetailing with the Honda Vision for 2030.NEXT-GEN EXPERIENCEThe new Honda eGX was designed not just for OEMs but also to meet the needs of power equipment owners and equipment operators. The sealed Honda eGX motor and battery pack are dust and water resistant, making them practical for use in harsh, heavy-duty environments.For equipment owners, the electric motor and battery pack provide greater versatility, allowing what had been solely outdoor power equipment to be used inside. The Honda advanced electrified power unit allows for expanded work hours and eliminates costly routine servicing needs and downtime for repairs of internal combustion engine products. The Honda eGX also provides zero emissions and reduced operator fatigue.Finally, the quiet, simple operation makes the Honda eGX easy, convenient and comfortable for equipment operators. The electric motor is quiet and smooth. The user can turn the motor on and off with a simple switch, while color-coded lights indicate on/off power status (green), alert status (orange) and trouble status (red). Each battery pack is topped with an easy grip holder, giving the user quick access to a secure grip when handling and swapping batteries to and from the charger.THE VISION “The Honda Vision for 2030 encompasses creating and ensuring the joys of helping people make their lives better. The new Honda eGX is aligned with this vision, representing the Honda R&D strategy to balance technological innovation, performance, and environmental sustainability in Honda products and operations,” says Kevin Mills, assistant vice president, sales operations, Honda Power Sports & Products. “Today’s environment is shifting supply and demand toward zero emission products. But reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions is only part of the picture: battery powered power products must meet rugged performance standards required by owners while making the equipment easier for operators to use.”CLOSING THOUGHTAccording to Mills, with this new, advanced electrified power unit, Honda is supporting OEMs in commercial markets in their efforts to meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards while expanding their portfolios with strategic developments such as developing more battery powered products; enhancing service offerings; and expansion, collaboration, and partnerships with customers and suppliers. for more informationHonda Power Sports & Products, a business unit of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including generators, walk-behind lawn mowers, pumps, snow blowers, tillers, string trimmers, outboard marine engines and small, general-purpose engines for residential, commercial and rental applications. Follow Honda Power Sports & Products news and videos on: hondanews.com, honda.com, powerequipment.honda.com, engines.honda.com, and www.youtube.com/honda.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com28environmental solutionCarbon FootprintCarbon Footprintrole of construction to reduce emissions BEING GREENIt’s clear that the various signs of climate change impact everyone. This is why fighting climate change is understandably becoming a top priority not only for governments but for businesses and individuals as well. However, despite this growing public consciousness, we are still not on track to meet the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Because of this, every individual and sector is being called upon to make impactful changes to the way we do things. And one of the sectors that can play a great role in this fight against climate change is the construction industry.Why the Construction Industry? What makes the Construction Industry a main player in reducing global carbon emissions?It’s One of the Biggest Contributors of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The building and construction sectors are the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Building materials and the construction process generate 13% of the world’s global carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the way a building has been planned and constructed also affects its operations, including its heating and lighting requirements. This means that the construction sector is called upon on the global stage to play a central role in meeting decarbonization goals.Raw Materials Traditionally Used in Construction are Energy-Intensive. The production of construction materials such as aluminum, steel, and concrete requires a lot of energy. In fact, these three materials account for 23% of total global emissions. This number can be significantly reduced if those in the construction sector work to lessen the use of such materials through improved planning and allocation, recycling, and better sourcing practices.Building Design and Construction Affects Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions. There are various factors that can affect an operating building’s energy consumption. But the design and construction of the building can help eliminate or at least reduce energy-inefficient practices. Well-constructed buildings that allow for good ventilation and air circulation will allow for lower energy consumption from heating or cooling requirements. Additionally, better planning for lighting can reduce a building’s energy demand. Construction companies can also introduce renewable energy options to their clients. This way, they can also allocate space for alternative energy systems during the planning and building phases.IMMEDIATE CHANGES The construction industry as a whole is being urged to take a more active role in combating climate change. If you’re part of the industry, then here are some of the immediate changes you may want to consider making: PURPOSEFUL PROCUREMENTEco-sustainability as part of your company culture is one thing, but it’s also crucial to lead by example. Aside from reviewing internal processes and closing sustainability gaps in your organization, it’s also important to inform and encourage your suppliers to do the same. Construction companies must remember that working with the right vendors can significantly decrease their Scope 3 emissions. As a construction business, you can improve your procurement practices by doing the following:By Kat Sarmiento

• Locally source materials and labor to decrease expenses and emissions related to transportation.• Work with a green fleet for any transportation needs.• Find suppliers who can offer alternatives to energy-intensive construction materials (steel, aluminum, etc.).• Use renewable energy during the construction phase.• Regularly measure carbon emissions throughout the construction life cycle, including those of your vendors. PLAN FOR THE FUTUREIt’s important for construction companies to work closely with architects and their clients to create a building design that is both fully functional and climate-friendly. One of the main discussions should be how to make the building more energy-efficient. This includes creating plans that will demand less heating (or cooling), allow in more natural light, and provide proper ventilation. Additionally, as renewable energy systems become more common and cost-effective, it makes sense to include provisions for the installation of these systems. REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLEBetter construction planning and scheduling of machinery can also reduce energy consumption during the construction phase. Construction companies should also incorporate recycling and reusing into their business operations. During a demolition project or at the end of a construction project, contractors can include in their policies that whatever can be reused for future projects should not be disposed of haphazardly. The cost savings from these practices may seem insignificant at first, but their effect on reducing carbon emissions is invaluable.KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOINGTransparency is also a key component in ensuring that real progress is being made. Emissions disclosures for every build can help industry experts create a concrete baseline. For the construction sector to fast-track its sustainability progress, each player must be willing to share their best practices and adopt others’ as well. This open exchange of information will allow the creation of industry standards and commitments, further creating a clear path towards a greener building and construction sector.CLOSING THOUGHTClimate change won’t go anywhere if it’s not tackled head-on. And if we are to stay on track of our decarbonization goals, then every individual and business must play their parts to reduce global emissions and somehow try to reverse previous damage. It just so happens that the construction industry gets a bigger role in making these goals a possibility. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202329about the authorKat Sarmiento is a content writer focusing on lifestyle, science, and smart hacks.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com30management solutionPermit DelaysPermit Delaysintegrated building permit services can fast-track projectsWAREHOUSE BUILDING Building permit problems can delay new warehouse construction or distribution center retrofits by weeks or months. Bringing in an experienced warehouse storage rack supplier early in the process can help facility managers avoid being blindsided by building permit delays and help keep operation plans on track. The right warehouse rack storage system supplier can help prevent permit headaches by providing comprehensive building permit services. THE ISSUEAccording to a material handling permit expeditor servicing the western United States in the material handling equipment industry, permits are required but not limited to storage rack, pallet rack, rack picking systems, conveyor systems, and mezzanine/storage platforms used in warehouses and home improvement centers.While the permit process usually takes from 3 to 6 weeks from beginning to end, it can take as long as 16 weeks. Each city, county, and state have their own ordinances that must be met, and some cities require full compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) before issuing a permit.A few common layout errors to avoid include "dead end" aisles, rack systems blocking doorways, and a lack of aisle space.MINIMUN REQUIREMENTSAt a minimum, a simple rack permit in a state such as California requires detail drawings of the storage rack base plates, columns/post attachments and the anchors used. In California, this requirement applies even to equipment from 5 ft, 11 inches to 8 ft tall, though there are exceptions.A regular rack permit is required in all U.S. states when storage rack equipment exceeds 8 ft in height, per International Building Code standards. Structural calculations by a civil or structural engineer, registered in the state where the work is done, is then required along with component detail drawings. Project drawings showing a complete floor plan, along with cross sectional views plus connection details of the project, and a facility site plan are typically necessary for submittal. Permit fees include a plan check submittal fee, permit issuance fee, and a fire department approval fee. These fees are usually required, along with a state licensed contractor-installer.An error in any of these steps, of course, translates into costly permit and operational delays.Steel King offers a calculation package for the permit process, and deals with all national, regional, or local agents necessary to handle permitting.

MEETING FIRE CODEFire codes can be a particular problem. Building departments will not release the storage rack permit until you provide them with Fire Department High Pile Storage (HPS) approval. Most rack permit delays are due to poor HPS approval planning.Even if a facility has a building permit, there will still be a fire permit inspection. This can involve sprinklers, vents, firewalls, access to exits, and hydrants. A facility’s needs can be especially complicated if there are pick systems or elevated work areas. If the facility manager misses any of these local requirements, the fire marshal may not allow building occupancy.THE SOLUTIONThe key is to start the permit process as soon as possible and get it right the first time. That way, facility managers won't have to wait on pins and needles for a municipal building or fire department to get back to them—with requests for more documentation that can require resubmission two, three, four, or more times.To help facility managers avoid permit delays and keep operation plans on track, some suppliers of warehouse rack storage systems, such as Steel King Industries, prevent permit headaches by providing comprehensive building permit services. For instance, the company offers a calculation package for the permit process, and deals with all national, regional, or local agents necessary to handle permitting. It accomplishes this with in-house professional engineering staff and a network of permit specialists.“With seismic codes enforced nationally but with variations by locale, facility managers need a company that understands the permit process with the resources to stay on top of it," says Steel King project coordinator Anne Russell. Steel King, a major designer and manufacturer of warehouse storage racks, pallet racks and material handling/safety products, has helped plan warehouses since 1970. It is a licensed fabricator in Los Angeles County, which has some of the strictest seismic codes in the nation.The Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) publishes a racking design specification and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) each publish a steel design specification. The racking system must be compliant with these specifications along with local building and fire codes.CLOSING THOUGHTA good way to expedite the permit process is to work with a reputable storage rack manufacturer such as Steel King, which can supply or coordinate the engineering and layout details in a turnkey permit package. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202331for more informationFor more on easing the permit burden, call Steel King at 800.826.0203 or visit www.steelking.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com32management solutionAs the global market continues to be pressured from recessions, increased supply chain complexity brought by geopolitical conflicts, material price increases and labor shortages, a new layer of uncertainty is making its way throughout the Construction and Engineering (C&E) industry. “There is huge potential for those looking to adapt and become more resilient,” explains Kenny Ingram, vice president of construction & engineering, and Chris Knight, global industry director of construction & engineering, at IFS. THE RISE OF THE INDUSTRIALIZED CONSTRUCTION MODEL—BECOMING THE NEXT-GEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANYIncreasingly we are seeing the industrialization of construction processes, in fact, by 2025, 30% of companies will change their construction processes to an industrialized construction model. However, we also see that the long-standing challenges of improving productivity, while reducing cost and waste, remain. Plenty of companies have struggled to successfully evolve their operating model use, for example, modular construction. So, how can they transition more successfully?A recent McKinsey report commented on low productivity in the industry and produced a comparison to show that if the construction industry were able to keep pace with other industries like manufacturing, it could reach a value of $1.6 trillion per year. The industry’s traditional challenges have been amplified by the global financial pressures and disruptions caused by inflation, parts and material availability, and transport challenges, as well as price increases for materials and equipment. All of which are heightened by labor costs and shortages brought on by an aging and retiring workforce and subsequent widening skills gap—currently estimated to exceed a million workers by 2025.But through watching other industries and their experiences, the construction industry is evolving to a new model of working, including standardization and platforms, design for manufacturing and site assembly, digital design (BIM), and increased emphasis on structured supply chain processes. Companies will have to transition to industrialized construction processes to drive performance improvements and succeed in the future. IT’S TIME TO PUT PLANNING AT THE HEART OF PROJECT OPERATIONSA recent article from ENR (Engineering News Record) stated that new construction projects will be flat in 2023, so growth is going to be a challenge. Against this backdrop, companies have recognized that they will need to improve company and project financial control processes and systems. The need to report on a project’s financial status and accurately predict the outcome of a project has never been more vital. Now, 20% of companies, will execute plans within the next 4 years to have more robust, timely and accurate financial control and governance processes and systems.Yet many companies fail to realize that their current mix of disparate processes and systems with poor or no integration are compounding the reliance on an excessive use of Excel spreadsheets to produce financial project control information. At present the most typical situation is one where financial accounting systems exist but have limited integration with the systems that process the cost and revenue transactions that impact the project. These are procurement (Materials, Services, Equipment Rental and Plant Hire), subcontract packages, labor costs from payroll, time recording and expenses, and occasionally manufacturing costs as companies transition to more industrialized construction methods. Without an integrated approach, the actual costs and revenue transactions are processed through manual journals which are manually entered into the finance system. These are very slow and error prone, and do not allow for any meaningful or real-time drill down analysis. With this backdrop, we are seeing a strong trend emerging. Companies now want all the above processes and associated data to Economic PressuresEconomic Pressuresdriving change for C&E companies in 2023 EXPERT ANALYSISBy Kenny Ingram and Chris Knight

come from one complete project financial control solution that provides reliable, accurate, timely, trusted project financial status and reporting and more accurate project outcome forecasting. Companies now more than ever understand that they must make this transition to improve their project financial performance, reduce project and business risk, and make more informed business decisions. SIMPLIFY AND STANDARDIZE: MOVE PROJECT PROCESSES TO A SINGLE, OPERATIONAL PLATFORMWe have established that there is increased urgency for companies to improve business performance. For C&E companies this starts with improving project performance, meaning project margins, reduction in financial risk, driving up productivity, quality and sustainability while at the same time reduce the total asset lifecycle cost. Embedded in this performance goal is the need to deliver projects using standard repeatable processes and achieve predictable, repeatable results. We can expect to see a quarter of companies move to simplify and standardize their project processes with a single operational platform. To achieve this, business processes and systems that support these processes need to be challenged, reviewed, and improved to shift to a lean construction model. Having the right technology is now acknowledged as a vital foundation to achieving improved project and business performance. ERP has been hailed as the solution for many years but for most companies it has failed to deliver. Too often ERP is seen as an accounting software solution, with everything else requiring a specialized system.This trend is thankfully starting to change as the need for end-to-end integration and visibility increases. Construction and industry specific ERP solutions will allow back-office finance and Human Capital Management solutions to be satisfied, as well as the owners of more operational processes such as estimating, contract management, project management, risk management, and construction site execution processes. One integrated ERP platform is now accepted as the basis to allow companies to adopt standard repeatable processes that positively impact and improve project performance. CLOSING THOUGHTResilience is what has kept the industry moving and it is what will evolve companies into industry leaders with a more lean, profitable, and technological operating model that will not only weather the uncertain times ahead but provide a more reliable platform for success. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202333about the authorsKenny Ingram is vice president of construction & engineering and Chris Knight is global industry director of construction & engineering at IFS. Together they have 60+ years of experience. For more, visit www.ifs.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com34management solutionBusiness ResolutionsBusiness Resolutionsopportunities to change and improveFINANCIAL EXPERTSThe new year is an important time when many business owners hit the refresh button and look for opportunities to change and improve their company. If you own a construction business, have you thought about what resolutions you will be making in the new year? According to Research and Markets, the construction industry is expected to grow steadily over the next four quarters. When the pandemic hit, construction firms struggled to find skilled labor. However, the industry now has more workers than before the global pandemic outbreak, according to a 2022 construction industry report from the United States Bureau of Labor. Given this information, it’s quite possible that your business just finished off a successful year in 2022. However, whether your business achieved success last year or took a step back, the new year is a great time to make resolutions for your company. Here are some resolutions to consider as we begin the new year: REVIEW AND UPDATE YOUR FINANCIAL PLANIt is essential to continually review your financial situation regardless of whether 2022 was a positive one or not for your business. Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 or 10 years? Are you on the right path toward obtaining these goals? These past few years has allowed us all to reevaluate our business’ needs versus our wants when it comes to our budget. Look at your spending over the course of 2022 and use it as a base to create a budget for the upcoming year. Continually reviewing your financial situation and updating it where you see fit, is critical to actually achieving these goals. It is also important to realize that there are financial professionals who can assist you through this process and can construct a financial plan that allows you to implement financial strategies today that will help you reach your goals in the future. Do not hesitate to set up quarterly meetings with these professionals. CARE FOR YOUR PEOPLEYour employees will be more than willing to speak up for what’s right and support the business’ decisions and initiatives when they know the company cares about them. One way to show additional care is by reviewing your workplace benefits. Workplace benefits are constantly changing, and the pace of change is quickening. If you haven’t surveyed employees in the last two years, consider doing so now. Find out what they need and where you can help. REMIND YOURSELF THAT CULTURE IS CAUGHT, NOT TAUGHTBusiness leaders need to communicate their purpose and goals clearly, and back it all up with action. Words can rally people around a cause. But it is essential that you practice what you preach to your employees. COLLABORATE MORE AND BUILD TRUSTWork even closer with your stakeholders (for example, customers and suppliers) this year. More time spent with your stakeholders will reveal more opportunities for your business to grow, make a further impact, and create more wealth. COMMIT TO CREATE VALUES FOR GENERATIONS IN THE LONG TERMNo matter the business, no matter the industry. Remember, that your business should be part of the solution—and not the problem—for society. By Andrew Kittelson and Candace Clineabout the authorsAndrew Kittelson and Candace Cline are financial advisors at UBS Wealth Management USA. If you would like to learn more about tips for your business in 2023, they can be reached at andrew.kittelson@ubs.com and candace.cline@ubs.com. 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MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com36sotware solutionNo industry was spared from the effects of the global pandemic, but one that was especially hit hard was the construction industry, with rippling effects still being felt today. Rising costs such as material, labor, fuel, and maintenance have severely impacted the bottom line of contractors and subcontractors. Continued construction material inflation, the scarcity of skilled labor, and material lead delays remain significant roadblocks to success. Yet, despite these mounting challenges, construction professionals have overcome many difficulties, and they continue to see hope for the future, anticipating further growth and more extensive projects in 2023.While many construction companies have already begun incorporating technology as a tool into their belt, many still need to catch up to adopt the changes. This is not necessarily surprising, as the construction industry has historically been among the slowest to adopt new technology, with the ongoing use of whiteboards, spreadsheets, paper-based processes, and other “old school” practices—instead of construction tech platforms. However, these methods of job tracking are not feasible and will not work in this swiftly evolving industry.TECH FOR IMPROVEMENTTo better weather current and future economic ups and downs, construction professionals must focus on solving what is within their control, and technology is helping them to do just that. General contractors and subcontractors increasingly rely on digital solutions that streamline efficiencies, increase collaboration, and improve margins through greater productivity. To better understand the obstacles construction professionals confront each day and technology’s role in the industry, Planhub reviewed the internal platform activity of 26,000 contractors and more than 250,000 subcontractors, and ran a special survey of 465 respondents to examine their most significant challenges in 2022, their outlook for 2023, and more. All the respondents were selected for their longevity and broad experience in the industry.The results of the research were presented in a State of the Industry report, which provided great insight: • Confidence for 2023: 82% of general contractors and 80% of subcontractors plan to grow their business this year.• Increased bid activity: General contractors increased their invitations to bid (ITBs) by 35%.• Adopting technology: Since the beginning of 2021, a 324% increase was seen in the number of general contractors posting their first projects, and projects with strong activity increased by 231%.• Expanding opportunities: Subcontractors have responded to adversity by seeking new ways to find business. Subcontractors expanded their reach by listing up to 20% more trades in which they worked and expanded their service area by nearly 50%.According to a McKinsey report, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted new construction technology innovation and accelerated its adoption. Investment in construction technology increased by $25 billion between 2014 and 2019 and increased by an additional $4.5 billion in 2021. Instead of combing through old bidding documents, Post-It notes, and spreadsheets, contractors, and subcontractors need innovative tools that streamline their operations and generate more revenue. Hundreds of thousands of general contractors and subcontractors already count on our construction planning and management solutions every day. It has reduced their manual workloads, increased accuracy and efficiency, sped up bidding and takeoff processes, enhanced visibility, more effectively tracked assets, increased collaboration, and expanded networking to manage businesses better and build success. It digitizes all the essential information contractors and subcontractors use most Tech PlatformsTech Platformsarming the industry with tools to fight inlation and other hardshipsDIGITAL SOLUTIONSBy Ro Bhatia

frequently, providing streamlined bidding, instant and straightforward document replication, and other critical business processes while saving time and money.DEFEATING INFLATIONThe price of construction materials can be as much as 60% of the overall construction cost. Much of this comes from the more than 35% increase in critical materials since the beginning of the pandemic. During the last 3 years, this record inflation has raised the cost of construction projects exponentially while also creating new risk management challenges for contractors. Though significant barriers remain, many of the supply chain bottlenecks that hindered business have begun to ease. However, while some prices have fallen, contractors and subs continue to deal with severe material cost challenges. Going all in on the digital revolution will enable contractors and subcontractors to boost efficiencies, alleviate rising inflation and save money to meet the goals set for 2023.LOCKING IN LABORIt is estimated that the construction industry will need to hire 590,000 additional workers in 2023—on top of maintaining the average hiring pace. Newer generations aren’t as attracted to the field of work as it once was, and along with the rising silver wave of retirements, the talent pool is beginning to dry up. With that in mind, the construction industry must lean into innovative technology to be attractive to talent and to match the skills and knowledge the younger generation has learned coming out of school and other vocational programs.Construction companies can no longer use a scale ruler and highlighter for material take-offs if they want to attract estimators who are used to performing take-offs electronically. By leveraging digital solutions like comprehensive construction planning and management technology, contractors and subcontractors will be better prepared for any challenges ahead by improving critical business functions and collaboration relationships, which will help construction professionals to prosper.CLOSING THOUGHTThese new digital solutions will also enable all parties to streamline efficiencies and improve profit margins through enhanced productivity. It is a solution that will continue to provide valuable tools that simplify work at every step, nourish a thriving community for all construction professionals, and do so with a firm commitment to provide personal assistance and support throughout any challenges ahead. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202337about the authorRo Bhatia is the CEO of PlanHub, the leading cloud-based preconstruction platform that enables general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to connect and collaborate on construction projects across the US. PlanHub was created by contractors, for contractors, to simplify the construction bidding process. For more, visit planhub.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com38sotware solutionBetter BuildingBetter Buildingtrends to move the industry forwardEXPERT COMMENTARYKnowing what lies ahead this year is a factor to consider when making decisions on the direction of company operations. Below are four thoughts from Burcin Kaplanoglu, VP of Innovation of Oracle Industry Lab, on the trends he foresees in 2023. WORKER SAFETY WILL ALWAYS BE A TOP PRIORITYSafety has and always will be a top priority in the construction industry. Organizations are constantly looking for ways to mitigate risk and improve working conditions. The contractors who have implemented advanced tracking technologies on the jobsite, such as vests with tracking chips, were able to help promote social distancing by creating real-time worksite maps. Project teams were able to closely monitor worker proximity and contact tracing, etc. In 2023, we are we are poised to see safety technology move from identifying potential hazards to predicting future hazards.Combined with AI, organizations might use visual sensor data to track people and machinery to understand what happens and where it happens on a site, helping identify potential hazards before they unfold. As these technologies continuously track what heavy machinery is in use, where project materials are left, and how people move throughout a jobsite, they can help managers recognize potentially dangerous situations and attempt to mitigate them before anything bad happens. REMOTE SITE MANAGEMENT TO INCREASE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY The days of every employee commuting to work every day seem to be behind us. In the construction industry, that means using remote site monitoring technologies to better understand what is happening on the jobsite in real time.At the Oracle Industry Lab near Chicago, we have been testing various technologies in a 5G-enabled workplace of the future. Using drones, sensor data, robotics, and more, we help our customers and partners keep an eye on a jobsite remotely in a web browser or mobile device. These technologies combine safety, quality, and operational efficiency to give site project managers peace of mind that they don’t need to drive hours out of their way to check on each site every day.I am not saying these technologies will make managing a construction site a fulltime remote responsibility, but it does allow for firms to turn it into a hybrid position. While managers will still need to visit the jobsite to better gain a true sense of the space, as well as to examine the qualitative aspects of the site, we do anticipate companies growing more comfortable in their ability to rely on technology to virtually track quantitative data and day-to-day operations. SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES WILL BE AS IMPORTANT AS EVEROne of the most essential lessons learned over the past few years has been how it is impossible to predict how potential delays in global supply chains can result in material shortages, and how that can impact project timelines.Thankfully, supply-chain technologies are continuing to get better, and smart construction technology platforms allow teams to connect project scheduling information with design coordination connecting across related engineering and construction documents as well as automating supplier contract and payment management. Delivery teams are able to connect critical documents across a single source of truth, or common data environment (CDE), including submittals, drawings, specifications, warranties, and instructions. This allows teams to universally connect, update, and synchronize information across an entire project. For example, if a material’s price or availability changes suddenly, you may be able to quickly make the adjustment and

see its impact on your budget and timeline. Connecting the office to field workflows to continue to advance real time project productivity and resource tracking.A unified, interoperable solution like this helps ensure that related documents are stored together, and the project schedule can stay on track. This helps teams synchronize the project schedule if new factors arise, ensuring that project milestones are met. SUSTAINABILITY WILL MOVE BEYOND CORPORATE GOALSMost companies by now have outlined their environmental, social, and governance goals, detailing how they plan to move to greener technologies and help curb climate change. Looking forward, construction firms will look to not only just meet those goals, but to exceed them. To help assist in that process, we recently built an Oracle Industry Lab in Reeding, England, focused on achieving higher levels of sustainability. The lab is set to drive sustainability, mobility, and accessibility use cases with customers and partners. Predicting how natural disasters or the effects climate change could have on an asset is a difficult task, but intelligent construction platforms purpose-built for the industry can improve decision-making. Predictive insights garnered through the use of AI might help mitigate risks and assist in lowering carbon emissions. For example, digital documents, drawings, and 3D models can help reduce paper consumption. Even more helpfully, though, these construction technologies can help reduce waste and costly rework by visualizing the end result before construction begins. Construction companies have constantly been looking for ways to make their businesses more sustainable, and data analysis can be part of the solution. Data analytics can change how everything is constructed, from individual buildings to major public infrastructure projects and even entire cities. Data can help teams measure the sustainability of current construction methods and leverage those insights to show sustainability throughout the entire construction lifecycle’s plan, build, and operate phases. When employed correctly, data can help propel the built-asset industries toward long-term sustainable development methods.CLOSING THOUGHTOrganizations will continue to look to new construction technologies to make jobsites safer and projects more sustainable. With smart construction technology platforms, drones, sensors, and more, the jobsites of the future are poised to be more sophisticated than ever before. This is an exciting time to be in the business of building, and in 2023, we will see construction firms do what they do best: keep making buildings better than ever before. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202339for more informationOracle offers a comprehensive and fully integrated stack of cloud applications and cloud platform services. For more, visit www.oracle.com.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com40legal solutionRecent advances in technology make project data retention an increasingly difficult, expensive, and complex proposition. Cloud-based project management platforms, remote work environments, and digital devices forever changed construction professionals’ work flows and methods. While greatly increasing efficiencies and productivity, they exponentially multiply the volume of data: raw numbers, emails, attachments, drawing revisions, text, video and voice messages, not to mention faxes and letters—actual paper ones. Making decisions now about the project data to keep and to discard is like trying to pick who will win the Super Bowl in the year 2034. You may be required by law or contract to keep records for specific time frames. Further, if you are aware of a potential claim, you may be required to maintain everything on a project to avoid legal sanction. This article will offer suggestions on categories of critical project data necessary to maintain, and those you can discard.NEW FRONTIERSince early 2020, the traditional office environment is no more, with work taking place from decentralized, remote locations, leading to multiple repositories for project data, often on personal devices, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and stored on desktops, cloud platforms, or, hopefully, office servers. Communications routinely occur on diverse messaging platforms and devices, such as personal cell phones, through app-based messaging, Microsoft Teams, and cloud-based project management platforms. Communication occurs on numerous locations and devices and may need to be proctored and maintained. Electronic Stored Information (ESI) becomes cumbersome and expensive to maintain and, at the appropriate time, collect and archive so that it is available and searchable. IN OR OUT?When it comes to project documents, keep materials required by law, contract, or crucial for proving or defending claims, not non-essential material that does more harm than good. Innocently keeping material in draft form, or superseded by later revisions, with internal edits and notes, may fuel an otherwise unfounded claim. Segregate internal documentation related to claims into “circumstance,” “potential claim,” or “claim files.” This includes lessons learned material or critical self-analysis, peer review or other post-completion audit material. If you believe a claim is inevitable, and are working with an external teammate, you should consider a joint defense agreement to protect communication. Further, all correspondence with counsel or your insurance carrier should be segregated from the file at large to prevent disclosure of privileged items. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and other industry organizations suggest categorizing and segregating project documents considered “temporary,” works-in-progress, or early drafts, and those considered “permanent,” like sealed reports or drawings. Permanent records should be kept, while temporary ones can be discarded at project completion. Signed and sealed drawings and specifications are perhaps the most critical as they represent the project to be constructed. This should include field personnel copies with notes and as-built information that documents conflicts, changes, and claim-related material. Contracts, including all proposals, drafts, revisions and edits should be kept to establish the negotiations. For engineers, the raw data of the calculations and design criteria should be held. Keep critical project Project Data RetentionProject Data Retentionreexamining the dos and don’tsDIGITAL/REMOTE WORLDBy William Thomas

data like submittals, requests for information, applications for payment, site visit reports, and important communications. A sound exercise of professional judgment must be based on a sufficient amount of due diligence. Litigation usually focuses on things like substitutions of products, or change orders or decisions that altered the original path. Consider maintaining a separate file on these issues.Maintain an archived version of the files in a uniform and organized fashion. Make sure your storage solution for electronic documents is secure and backed up. When discarding material, make sure it is disposed of securely, using shredding or other irreversible methods. Consult with your legal counsel on the applicable statutes of limitations and repose in your jurisdiction, which will guide you on how long to maintain the data. LITIGATION HOLDUnfortunately, if you know of or suspect a claim arising out of a specific project, you should suspend destruction of any project-related data. Some claimants will go so far as to send a “litigation hold” letter early on in the claim process, even before suit is filed, placing you on notice not to destroy any data in your possession. If any records are destroyed thereafter, it will allow your adversary the opportunity to argue it was done for an improper purpose, in an effort to cover up or destroy unfavorable evidence, even if there was none there.The clear message here is to refrain from discarding anything once a claim has materialized, and immediately discuss the issue with counsel in your jurisdiction if you have questions. You should also be careful what you put in writing once there is indication of a claim, and discuss the situation immediately with your carrier and lawyer, as they can assist you through the process.CLOSING THOUGHTFinally, if any documents are being maintained electronically, and are produced in their “native format,” great care should be taken by your IT department to remove all Metadata before documents are produced. This article only addresses retention of construction project data and not corporate, HR, or tax records. These are only suggestions, and you should discuss implementation of any document retention program with your chosen legal and accounting advisors in your specific jurisdiction. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202341about the authorWilliam Thomas is a principal at Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas, LLC in St. Louis, where he focuses his practice on construction claims and loss prevention. He is an AAA Panel Arbitrator, Fellow with the Construction Lawyers Society of America, and member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, serving on its Construction Law Committee. He also is a member of the ABA Forum on Construction, AIA, and ASCE. He can be reached at wthomas@gotlawstl.com

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com42technology solutionRising RevolutionRising Revolutionwhy the lag in adopting technologyCONTECHConstruction Technology (ConTech) adoption and investment has been on a steady rise within the industry. While it has led to safer jobsites, it has yet to translate into more cost-effective projects. To understand why, we need to look at how projects adopt the newest technology, how it helps improve individual task productivity, and where it falls flat for overall cost-effectiveness.USING MORE TECHNOLOGY The BuiltWorlds Benchmarking Program 2021-2022 (members only report), a survey of general contractors, engineers, and specialty contractors across building types and size, found that 93% of respondents use project management software on at least one project. Similarly, Heather Hinojosa at Hexagon found in a yet-to-be-published survey that "84% of [firms] are using autonomy or automation in some way in their operations." This is near universal adoption of ConTech for projects.INCREMENTAL GAINSWith this adoption, there are three key, proven technologies during the design and construction phases that modern contractors should adopt for safer or more cost-effective projects: Building Information Models, 360° Photos and Videos, and LiDAR Point Clouds.During design, contractors can adopt Building Information Models (BIMs) to improve onsite safety and productivity. BIMs allow for virtual design of a building, and adoption is growing: 79% of US projects used BIMs in 2015 (2017 study by Gerges et at), and 100% of large-size architectural firms use BIMs (2022 AIA Firm Survey Report). BIMs allow for more careful, detailed planning and coordination before a project breaks ground, improving on-site safety and reducing mistakes, one of the biggest drivers of cost overruns for any project.Once a project has broken ground, contractors can adopt 360° photos and videos to improve onsite safety. This process is simple: someone walks the site with a 360° camera and those photos become available for viewing in the cloud in the office, at home, or elsewhere. The simplicity explains the high level of adoption of 360° photos. 80% of 2022 Built Worlds survey participants (members only report) used 360° photos on at least one project. The ability to view a project without walking the site reduces the amount of people onsite, meaning fewer potential work-related incidents and more remote opportunities to identify and correct more potential safety risks. Unfortunately, there is little-to-no research to prove that 360° photos or videos alone lead to improved productivity—these tools facilitate conversations that already happen in the field and would happen without the use of the tool.Point Clouds from a LiDAR scanner can improve productivity by catching mistakes before they become too costly (i.e., quality control). To find mistakes, a project team scans an area of their project, loads the point cloud into software on a computer, and analyzes the point cloud to detect issues. This workflow has lower adoption, 48% of BuiltWorlds 2022 survey respondents (members only report), despite its clear ROI and proven cost-effectiveness. Barriers to adoption are the large upfront capital investment, high skill and specialization to operate, and labor time required to do the By Matt Curry

work. A skilled VDC team can identify when walls aren’t plumb, concrete isn’t flat, or if contractors made installation mistakes without having to inspect the site in detail. Remote QA enabled by LiDAR leads to both more cost-efficient and safer projects.PRODUCTIVITY IS WORSEDespite this adoption and growing VC investment (a BuiltWorlds 2022 Venture Report (members only report) found that VCs invested $3.68B into ConstructionTech in 2022, up 10.89% over 2021 and 327.29% over 2020), Construction Labor Productivity in the United States has remained stagnant or gotten worse since the 1950s.Economists Austan Goolsbee and Chad Syverson studied the issue and concluded in a paper published in National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) that “the [construction] productivity struggle is not just a figment of the data. It is real.” There are similar insights by economist and former Bloomberg Opinion columnist Noah Smith and McKinsey.So, if each BIM, 360° Photos, and Point Clouds (amongst others) lead to increased safety or onsite productivity, why doesn’t it show in the labor productivity data?Currently, each technology increases the efficiency of a task (e.g., BIMs improve planning and coordination). But they create information and workflow silos, which can negate the original productivity gain. Worse, 96% of captured data onsite goes unused, adding noise to an already chaotic jobsite. For example, the BIM saves time during design and planning, but there are follow-on tasks that are painful, manual, and error-prone to make the BIM useful during construction: like keeping the BIM up to date to reflect as-built field conditions to continue to use it effectively during construction.POSSIBLE TRANSFORMATIONTo unlock productivity gains of these technologies, tear down these silos, and transform the jobsite, a single place needs to connect the data. Avvir connects disparate, existing data sources into a single point for insights and context. Avvir does this by connecting pre-construction design data (schedule, work breakdown structure, quantity takeoff, BIM) to construction data (360° photos and videos, LiDAR point clouds). Combined with advanced AI on top of this data, Avvir gives project teams control and insights with automated schedule tracking, cost and earned value analysis, installation issue detection, and an updated BIM with as-built conditions.CLOSING THOUGHTWe are on the cusp of a productivity and safety revolution in construction, the groundwork laid by the adoption of key construction technologies like BIM, 360° photos/videos, and LiDAR Point Clouds. The missing piece is the ability to connect and automatically analyze this data, and AVVIR is leading the charge. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202343about the author Matt Curry is head of product at AVVIR.For more, visit www.avvir.io.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com44technology solutionBuilding design and construction is no easy task—it’s like putting together a giant living puzzle with infinite pieces. Without collaboration, it’s impossible to complete.Over a building project’s lifecycle, an enormous amount of data is shared between team members. Every new model or blueprint, every material choice and every deadline are a data point vital to the timely construction of a new building. All this data is great—most of the time. But miscommunication often occurs when not everyone on the team can access it.MORE DATA, MORE PROBLEMS?It’s all too easy to get lost in the tangled web of information that is a new building project. This, paired with typical information sharing struggles, contributes to misunderstanding and miscommunication among teams. Think about it: every new email sent is a new file created. While discussing an aspect of the project as seemingly incidental as which lightbulbs to use, an engineer and contractor might exchange several emails—each a new piece of communication to keep track of. There’s also the risk of misunderstanding. Everyone makes typos but mistyping a serial number or spec or attaching an out-of-date model could lead to mistranslation between parties. Basically, the more emails and other communication exchanged, the easier it is for something to slip. And as we in the AEC industry know all too well, even a small error could lead to huge consequences, impacting the project’s budget and timeline or even the crew’s safety. We need all these information exchanges to complete the project, so how can we communicate and share data more effectively? The answer lies in data availability. MAKING DATA AVAILABLEIn the AEC industry, information isn’t always easily passed between different groups. For example, if an architect is interested in using a certain kind of window, they usually can’t just visit the manufacturer’s website to get the cost. Instead, they would speak with their project estimator, who would then call the manufacturer to get an estimate and relay that back to the team. The chain of communication goes on until the team establishes everything from the window style to the budget to performance expectations.Whenever information isn’t shared directly, some degree of translation must occur. All this translation takes time, and if anyone makes an interpretation error, something could go wrong. When data is more easily accessible, the likelihood of communication errors reduces sharply, and the timeline can speed up. What this could look like is a database, where everyone working on a project can access the data about cost, performance, carbon use and so on for any given material or product that may be used. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHERClearly, collaboration is vital for a project to be successful. But this teamwork has to be efficient. Today’s cutting-edge AEC technology affords us the ability to make early decisions, saving time and money.Team members can take simple information about the site, early designs or budget and input it into computer simulations to test ideas virtually and see what is or isn’t going to work. Using software like cove.tool, an architect can conduct various analyses and test against multiple project nuances simultaneously, such as building orientation and materiality. Doing so in the early design stage, particularly when readily-accessible data can be integrated, allows for decisions to be made without significant consequences.CLOSING THOUGHTAnd, when everyone working on the project can access these tests and data quickly, communication and collaboration can progress seamlessly. Collab PowerCollab Powerhow data availability plays a role COVE.TOOLBy Patricia KusumadjajaPART 2 OF 4about the authorPatricia Kusumadjaja, CEP, Assoc. AIA, is the virtual design and construction director at cove.tool, a leading provider of building design and construction software. She has more than 8 years of experience working in the AEC industry, namely in architectural cost estimating, VDC, and project delivery. She strives to make a difference in the way owners, construction and architectural professionals view high-performance design, with the hope that sustainability and environmental consciousness becomes a non-negotiable priority in all future building design and construction.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com46technology solutionRammer Scrap ShearRammer Scrap Shearbuilt strong for demo applicationsDEMOLITION TOOLSThe Rammer range of hydraulic scrap shears are manufactured from HB400 steel and designed to be used in every industrial demolition job involving the cutting and recovery of ferrous materials such as iron sections, pipes, tanks, and more. For work including excavation, building construction, demolition, crushing and screening, and recycling, the Rammer RSS23R delivers with a smart jaw design with a double guide to avoid materials becoming trapped. FEATURES AND BENEFITSThe Rammer RSS23R has field replacement wear parts for quick and easy maintenance and shorter working cycles, keeping uptime optimal for productivity. For compatibility, the scrap shears have the same bolt pattern as Rammer hammers. The heavy-duty components of the scrap shears provide durability, which ensures a long life span no matter the application usage. This is due to heat-treated pins and bushings, extending the working life and lowering the owning and operating costs of the shears.Hydraulic rotation with protection valve: The protected rotation system allows precision tool placement, lowering/reducing owning and operating costs. The rotation is equipped with a relief valve, which limits the force applied to the structure and thus eliminates pressure and high-flow spikes. This increases the lifetime of your equipment (incl. both demolition equipment and excavator). Upside-down cylinder with rod protection: The Upside-down cylinders with extremely long stroke are protected by the shear frame design. The hydraulic connections run through the piston rod. This high-tech solution minimizes the number of parts and downtime significantly. These state-of-the-art cylinders generate an extremely high force and have longest operating times.Replaceable piercing tip: A bolt on piercing tip, removes the need for welding and rebuilding which lowers the cost of owning and operation. This essential tool of the scrap shears pierces plate scrap or beams effectively. The optimized shape forces the plate / beam into the jaws for maximized force. The design of the teeth at the front also eliminates wear of the arm structure. Adjusting system for the cutting jaw: The gap between jaw and frame can be adjusted with the central pin, which enables the operator to maintain the product on the jobsite, keeping the cutting capacity on optimized level. CLOSING THOUGHTSandvik acquired Allied ConstructionProducts in 2020. Allied rebrandedduring 2021, changing the company name to Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions North America and marketing all products under the Rammer brand name. for more informationDeveloped and tested in the harshest of conditions, the foundations of Rammer products are quality, operational reliability, and maximized productivity. Long working life and durability ensure Sandvik-owned Rammer attachments can be used efficiently and economically no matter the challenge at hand, making Rammer a sustainable choice. For more, visit www.rammer.com.SpecificationsCutting Capabilities

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com48technology solutionAdopting TelematicsAdopting Telematicscreating a competitive edge with utilizationEXPERT COMMENTARYVideo telematics, IoT devices, and other fleet technology can help increase revenue and advance efficiencies to improve the fleet or general contractor’s bottom line—especially when integrated into a larger technology environment. Telematics provide fleet managers with the real-time data and insights they need to make more strategic decisions, improve efficiencies across the entire fleet, and protect against false claims or potential insurance issues while also boosting safety with impactful driver coaching.Dean Marris, executive vice president sales, North America, at EROAD, shares in a brief Q&A the benefits of using telematics in the construction industry.MCS: How does having telematics data give GCs a competitive edge in the construction industry?MARRIS: General contractors and construction fleets are future-proofing their business when they adopt video telematics and other construction fleet management technology, allowing them to evolve with the industry and stay ahead of the competition. In fact, a recent survey showed that while 86% of construction companies use telematics, only 23% use that data to inform their decision-making, so simply by adopting and properly utilizing this technology, contractors are creating their own competitive edge. Video telematics have the ability to increase jobsite and driver safety and improve business efficiencies, but many general contractors are not using this technology to the fullest. In fact, if utilized to the fullest extent, video telematics can improve driver coaching to boost safety and protect businesses from false claims with integrated video and fleet data. If construction professionals can stay ahead of the technology curve and adopt this tech into everyday use now, they will have a leg up on their competition when regulations require more tech-based data insights.MCS: What does EROAD provide for concrete contractors and the projects with cement needs?MARRIS: EROAD’s CoreHub concrete solution is specifically engineered for construction projects, giving fleet managers the knowledge and communication tools they need to be more efficient and productive. With a connected compact hub and network of wireless sensors, fleet managers and general contractors receive real-time command-center visibility into drivers, assets, materials, equipment location, and uses.In addition, CoreHub offers absolute precision when it comes to concrete pouring. Fleets can count every rotation, measure moisture levels, and maintain accurate digital records to ensure the best product quality is delivered. This precision can help prevent human error with smart drum sensors for customized alerts at any stage including start, stop, fast mix, regular, and pour. With

accurate geo-fencing and easily located truck-in-front on even the most sprawling sites, fleets can also reduce on-site detention times, leading to time and cost savings.MCS: What sets EROAD apart from other telematics companies in the construction market?MARRIS: EROAD offers unparalleled end-to-end visibility of every vehicle, every driver and every load—with one cohesive platform, fleet managers and drivers can ensure the job is done on time and on budget. EROAD’s video telematics solution gives construction professionals the ability to protect drivers and their business, avoiding potential legal issues or wrongful claims, while also providing proactive safety coaching to help prevent crashes and encourage safe driving. Through integration partnerships with companies such as CiDRA and BCMI, EROAD also places emphasis on the power of integrations in fleet technology, especially in the construction industry. On its own, EROAD’s technology allows the driver to easily count every rotation, measure moisture levels, and maintain accurate digital records in order to decrease the margin for human error and increase productivity. But when connected into a larger technology ecosystem, EROAD provides an important piece of the bigger picture that allows construction professionals enhanced visibility into every project’s efficiency and safety.With EROAD products and solutions, construction professionals and fleet managers can improve overall fleet performance with data-driven insights such as real-time job status updates and driver feedback. In addition, these products can contribute to employee satisfaction and retention by providing an accessible, simplified and unified IoT platform and sensors that frees up drivers’ time and helps them get the job done.CLOSING THOUGHTAccording to Marris, the past few years have brought changes across fleet technology with the introduction and more widespread usage of EVs, increased focus on sustainability, and popularity and adoption of existing technologies such as telematics. The global fleet telematics systems market size is forecast to grow by USD 69.57 billion at a CAGR of 23.18% between 2022 and 2027. In 2023, we expect telematics to remain a priority amongst businesses as the benefits of using telematics—from driver safety to increased revenue—outweigh uncertainty caused by the current economic climate. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202349for more informationDean Marris is the executive vice president sales, North America, at EROAD. Marris is a co-founder of Coretex, a telematics company acquired by EROAD in 2021. Marris moved to the United States in 2014 from New Zealand, where he was CEO in Australasia for International Telematics. In the U.S., Marris launched the company’s North American Operations for construction materials and built-up direct sales for in-cab and refrigeration. At EROAD, Marris will lead the construction materials and waste and recycling verticals. For more, visit www.eroad.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

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com50safety solutionPutting safety first opens many doors—especially when making decisions on purchasing large overhead doors for shops or equipment storage buildings. Key safety features save owners on costly replacements, as well as prevent potential injuries. Consider these four safety features when shopping for your next door: SAFETY SENSORSIt’s important for a door to recognize if an obstruction is in the way as it closes. Choose a door with photo eyes or safety-sensing edges. Photo eyes transmit a beam a few inches off the floor; if something breaks the beam, the door automatically stops and reverses. Safety-sensing edges attach to the bottom of the doorframe and cause the door to stop and reverse if something makes contact with them.While photo eyes and safety-sensing edges aren’t new technology, not all doors feature these. The alternative is a door wired to operate only with constant pressure on the push during the close cycle. When the operator removes his finger from the push button the door will stop. Open DoorsOpen Doors4 safety features to look for on overhead doorsINJURY PREVENTIONBy Jason MyrvikMIDLAND DOOR SOLUTIONSMidland Door Solutions is a full-service door manufacturer that designs, builds and installs custom bi-fold and hydraulic doors for agriculture, aviation and commercial buildings, and custom designs doors for architectural plans for home and commercial uses. For more than 25 years, it has provided customers with durable, high-quality doors and unparalleled customer service. Midland Door Solutions is a sister company to Midland Garage Door Manufacturing Company, West Fargo, North Dakota, a garage door manufacturer that has been delivering garage door solutions to homeowners since 1975. Make sure to confirm that the door’s construction meets the current wind load requirements of the building code. Some older doors may lack strength because they were built according to older building codes based off of lower wind loads.Putting safety first opens many doors—especially when making decisions on purchasing large overhead doors for shops or equipment storage buildings.

SAFETY SWITCHESUnless a door has an automatic latch, a single latch handle needs to be manually released prior to opening the door. Look for a single latch handle that incorporates a safety switch to prevent the door from operating until it’s unlocked. This will save on expenses associated with damage from trying to open the door while it’s locked in place.Some manufacturers also offer optional top override switches. These serve as backup safety switches if the limit switch in the control box fails. When contact is made with the override switch, it stops the door from traveling past its opening height. SAFETY IN STRENGTHFor long-term durability, select a door made of all-steel construction rather than a combination of wood and steel. Also, confirm that the door’s construction meets the current wind load requirements of the building code. Some older doors may lack strength because they were built according to older building codes based off of lower wind loads. SAFETY RATINGLast but certainly not least, check to see if the manufacturer has a high safety rating. For example, a door with a 5 to 1 safety rating means the cables and straps opening the door can withstand stress that is five times greater than the weight of the door.CLOSING THOUGHTWith these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding a door that puts safety first. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202351about the authorJason Myrvik is the general manager at Midland Door Solutions, which manufactures and installs bi-fold and hydraulic doors for new and existing buildings. He has more than 20 years of industry experience. As general manager, he oversees the manufacturing and installation departments, ensuring the best customer service from door design to production to on-site installation. Contact him at jason@midlanddoorsolutions.com. For more, visit www.midlanddoorsolutions.com. Our digital marketing campaigns can identify prospects interested specifically in your product, and then tell you exactly who they are! See what our customers are saying:The reports are awesome! Thank you. If we can get that level of information from all of our suppliers, we will be very happy! We have already made one machine sale to a prospect from the eBlast and I am sure there will be more. Paul Gazik,Business Development/International Salesfor Call us today to get started at 205.795.0223 or email us at russell@mcsmag.comYou Need Leads!You Need Leads!We Have the We Have the Solution!Solution!Safety ratings are also important. For example, a door with a 5 to 1 safety rating means the cables and straps opening the door can withstand stress that is five times greater than the weight of the door.

MARCH 2023 www.mcsmag.com54featured productDemco has been a customer-centric business long before the term was co-opted by marketing departments around the world. Robert Dethmers, the company’s founder, always strived to make the best products when he first opened Dethmers Manufacturing Company in 1950. That goal is the very foundation of our company and affects decisions we make every day to improve and innovate our products to meet the needs of our customers. One major innovation has been the inclusion of CORSOL® corrosion solutions on our drop-deck trailers, side-dumps, and liquid tenders, to protect them from the devastating effects of corrosion. FIELD-PROVENCORSOL corrosion solutions are the ONLY long-term, field-proven solutions with decades of documented proof. CORSOL corrosion solutions protection is derived from a process called METAL POLYMERIZATION® in which an appropriate proprietary liquid copolymer is applied to a metallic surface. A chemical reaction occurs between the copolymer and the metallic substrate, creating a copolymer iron alloy layer that fuses the copolymer and steel. This layer creates non-sacrificial protection against corrosion undercutting and blistering.LONG-TERM“The results have been phenomenal,” says Chuck Oppedal, Demco semi-trailer sales manager. “We made the move because of the successful long-term history of CORSOL corrosion solutions, and we wanted that kind of performance with our trailers for our customers. After just 3 years, we can definitely see the difference.”Demco’s customers have seen the difference too, and significantly improved corrosion protection is only part of the story. “Absolutely,” adds Oppedal. “Our customers and dealers get peace of mind, knowing their purchase will look better and last longer than anything else in market. But there’s a financial component as well.”Refinishing costs can significantly affect profits when factoring in the lifetime cost of a purchase—especially when a trailer needs refinishing multiple times due to corrosion. Resale value of trailers with CORSOL corrosion solutions are historically much higher.CLOSING THOUGHT “We don’t believe our units will ever need refinishing,” boasts a confident Oppedal. “Our customers love it. One just told me recently, that he expects an extra 15% increase in trade-in or resale value.” CORSOL® CORROSION SOLUTIONSFor more about Demco’s CORSOL® Corrosion Solutions, visitwww.demco-products.com/news/demco-corsol.That’s money you can put straight into your pocket!

modern construction productsGENIE Telehandler The new 12,000 lb Genie® GTH™-1256 telescopic handler delivers more capacity at maximum lift height than any other telehandler in its class. That’s 6,000 lb at a max height of 56 ft, 3-inches and 3,500 lb at max outreach of 42 ft. Powered by a side-mounted 120 hp Deutz engine with four-speed powershift transmission, the GTH-1256 delivers 15% more efficiency in power transfer for picking and placing activities. New limited slip differentials on both axles and full-time 4-wheel drive provide the torque and traction needed for any jobsite, while single-reduction, planetary, specialty and transaxle lines deliver the reliability, power, and performance for rough terrain. For more, visit www.genielift.com. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202355XL SPECIALIZED TRAILERS Guardian HDG TrailerXL Specialized Trailers introduces the XL Guardian 110 HDG trailer, a standardized construction trailer that is readily available at dealer locations. Each aspect of this low-profile, hydraulic detachable gooseneck lowboy was designed with the user in mind, and it’s made to simplify the process of hauling construction equipment. The Guardian trailer is 53 ft long and has a capacity rating of 110,000 lbs in 12 ft concentrated. The low-profile gooseneck design provides weight savings and versatility, allowing scrapers to load over the top. It features a relief cutout, giving truck fenders plenty of clearance. For more, visit www.xlspecializedtrailer.com. DOUBLE COIN/CMA Radial OTR Tire Double Coin and CMA, a leading tire manufacturer and marketer, introduce the REM-2S all-weather/snow radial OTR tire. This hard surface tire was designed for earthmover, loader, and grader applications. The tire was developed with heavy siping and a non-directional block tread to meet the demands of winter's harshest conditions. These specs, paired with a tire compound that is made to perform year-round, are designed to exceed expectations in all working conditions and will give the REM-2S excellent performance and long-life in all weather conditions. For more, visitdoublecointires.com.. HAVER & BOECKER NIAGARA Pulse Condition Monitoring Haver & Boecker Niagara launches a new addition to its Pulse portfolio with the introduction of Pulse Condition Monitoring (Pulse CM). The technology is designed to monitor the health of vibrating screens using modern algorithms and artificial intelligence. It provides accurate measurements and forecasts complemented by information that is easy to understand. Pulse CM is a wireless diagnostics tool that helps mineral processing operations be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to maintenance efforts. The system captures real time information on monitored equipment and provides alerts via email. For more, visit www.haverniagara.com. BRIDGESTONEAll-Position Radial Tire Bridgestone Americas introduced the M863 all-position radial tire designed to help deliver outstanding performance and increased durability for on- and off-highway fleets. The new Bridgestone M863 provides a simple solution to equip tough trucks, concrete mixers, dump trucks, construction fleets, logging trucks and more with a product proven to deliver more miles per tire. The 4-belt construction on the M863 delivers exceptional durability and a premium casing for maximum retreadability. Other key features of the M863 lineup include stone rejector platforms, block sipes, stabilizing tie bars, and wide flow-through grooves. For more, visit www.bridgestoneamericas.com. KEEN UTILITY Fort Wayne Work BootsWith the introduction of the Fort Wayne, KEEN Utility reinvents the jobsite-classic moc toe wedge work boot with 21st-century materials and construction methods. Featuring a wrap-over rubber cap, the Fort Wayne offers flexibility, protection, and traction with a modern design. Other features include a direct-attached Luftcell air-infused, PU midsole for weightless comfort, a Barnyard Resistant leather upper, and KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane. Safety enhancements include asymmetrical carbon-fiber safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15% lighter than steel as well as a lugged, EH-rated oil- and slip- resistant rubber outsole. Available for men. For more, visit www.keenfootwear.com.

punch list 0323 Welcome to punch list a new column for 2023 Each month I ll be providing a book review in an effort to add good reads to your punch list for the year Safety Beyond the Numbers KEN CHAPMAN TONY ORLOWSKI AUTHORS T PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP he third book on your punch list is Safety Beyond the Numbers Having a priority It is for leaders who view the well being of their people as critical to the business a Leaders are always prerequisite of doing business and a moral safety culture is not enough on stage in the obligation Each chapter of the book ends with for your construction company workplace being key ideas to summarize the content presented Develop safety ownership with watched by others This is your team members to create an advantage Leaders can lead by example CLOSING THOUGHT true compliance managing their own behaviors and words As an organization s leader you have great As a leader be the example for others in the influence Your actions impact the lives of THE AUTHORS company to follow Remember to periodically many people And when your actions are Ken Chapman is an industrial psychologist check yourself in the mirror to ensure you re about safety that could mean the difference with 40 years of experience working with on point A self evaluation is a best practice between life and death It s not easy to foundries generating plants paper mills and for leaders in any organization Some be a leader for your team There are hard other heavy industrial entities His focus is on questions to ask include conversations to be had and consistency leadership development and building strong safety cultures Tony Orlowski is an engineer in telling the correct story is paramount Do I strictly follow all company Remember being a leader on safety is not and has spent the past 25 years serving in safety rules or do I act as though I m about you it s about the individuals on the leadership roles as a general manager and above them team that make up the company executive in heavy industry Do I accept correction with a sincere Thank you making it safe to keep BOOK THEME Safety is more about the individual versus company policies and procedures Safety is about being responsible for one s own Do I frequently engage others in discussions about safety Do I signal the value of safety meetings actions not just the rules put in place by the by attending most of them or do I leave company to follow Rules are important but that to others so I can attend to more so is individual behavior It s vital to know important issues from a leadership position that excellent THE TAKEAWAY be excellent safety outcomes Safety must be Safety Beyond the Numbers provides a clear path an organizational goal and a moral standard toward implementing ownership principles for for every person in the company leaders who see safety as more than a mandated MARCH 2023 for more information The ownership principles described in Safety Beyond the Numbers are also available in a compliance does not mean there will always 56 Cheers me safe one day introductory seminar and as in house P L training for organizations of all kinds For more visit www safepath solutions www mcsmag com