Modern Contractor Solutions May 2022 : simplebooklet.com

MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com44 WAYS ASPHALT CONTRACTORS CAN USE TELEMATICS TO SAVE MONEYGuest Post by Emily NewtonInventory managers for asphalt contractors can use telematics to keep track of equipment and vehicles, no matter where they are—potentially driving down operating costs.4850MAY 2022VOLUME 16 ISSUE 05Inside This Issue38special focusIN EVERY ISSUEIndustry News ............................ 08Modern Construction Products ............54Coach’s Corner ........................... 56technology solutionConstruction Financemodernizing data managementmanagement solutionIndustry Expectationstrends for the year to comeproject profileDirt Workgrade management tech18projectstechnology solutionSmart Road Infrastructureunderstanding the opportunities for AI-cameras and LiDARON THE BLOGTRELLEBORG WHEEL SYSTEMSTires play a fundamental role in overall machine performance; combining our tire expertise and cutting-edge technology at Trelleborg, we strive to provide operators game-changing solutions when facing difficult jobs in demanding environments. No job is too tough for our customers, so that means no job is too tough for Trelleborg.22project profileBoom Pumpsfor all sides of the pour24equipment solutionHydraulic Powerincreases jobsite optionsPhoto courtesy of Trelleborg Wheel Systemswww.trelleborg.com/wheels/usPhoto courtesy of Trelleborg Wheel Systems

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PROJECT PROFILESDozer Performance .................................................... 14Dirt Work ................................................................... 18Boom Pumps ............................................................. 22EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONSHydraulic Power ........................................................ 24Road Building ............................................................ 26Engineered Floors ..................................................... 28Engineered Flange..................................................... 30Specialized Equipment .............................................. 32MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSPeople Matter ............................................................ 34Workforce Management: Part 3 of 4 .......................... 36Industry Expectations ................................................ 38Financing Options ..................................................... 40 SOFTWARE SOLUTIONService-first Mindset ................................................. 44LEGAL SOLUTIONRansomware Alert ..................................................... 46TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONSSmart Road Infrastructure ......................................... 48Construction Finance ................................................. 50MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONPavement Preservation .............................................. 52SUBSCRIPTIONS For all changes, go to:MCSMAG.COMClick the SUBSCRIPTIONS button in the main menuwww.mcsmag.com P.O. Box 660197 | Birmingham, AL 35266DONNA CAMPBELL Editor in Chiefdonna@mcsmag.comMIKE BARKER Publishermike@mcsmag.com RANDY MOON Media Consultantrandym@mcsmag.comMICHAEL FISCHBACH Media Consultantmichael@mcsmag.com JOHN FRIEND Media Consultantjohn@mcsmag.comKEVIN MCCLARAN Media Consultantkevin@mcsmag.comLISA AVERY Art Directorlisa@mcsmag.comSETH SAUNDERS Digital Media Specialist seth@mcsmag.comINGRID BERKY Office Manageringrid@mcsmag.comTIM GARMONCEORUSSELL HADDOCKPresidentCHRIS GARMONCFODONNA CAMPBELLVice President, EditorialTONYA BROWNINGVice PresidentNo part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The views expressed by those not on the staff of Modern Contractor Solutions, or who are not specifically employed by Highlands Publications are purely their own. All Industry News material has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled directly from its corporate website, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to donna@mcsmag.com.For reprint information, contact Chris Garmon at chris@mcsmag.com.Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525. Undeliverables 355 Admiral Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2N1Modern Contractor Solutions Magazine@mcsmagModern Contractor SolutionsDonna CampbellEditor in ChiefPROJECTS IN HIGH GEARWelcome to May! This month’s issue takes a closer look at construction projects, including site prep, jobsite power, equipment, and technology for successful on-time and on-budget completions. For starters, check out the project profiles covering dozer performance (pg 14), moving dirt (pg 18), and boom pumps to reach all sides of a pour (pg 22). Next, the Equipment Solutions section covers hydraulic power (pg 24), engineered floors (pg 28), and specialized equipment (pg 32). Wrapping up the May issue includes an article on the human capital shortage (pg 34), industry expectations (pg 38), and financing options (pg 40).You’ll find several ideas, solutions, and resources as you flip through the pages of this issue. Be sure to go online to find even more solutions by searching the site with keywords to find additional articles on your topic of interest. We know there are issues with labor, supply, prices, and materials … stay the course. We’ve weathered tough times in the past and will continue to be steadfast with the mission to move forward to steady ground. On behalf of Highlands Publications and the crew of Modern Contractor Solutions, may Memorial Day be a day of reflection for those that have served to protect our freedoms.DO THIS TODAY: If you have not signed up to receive a weekly Leadership Tip from Randy Goruk, leadership development expert, go to his website and register: www.leadersedge360.com.Cheers, 56COACH’S CORNER how to develop high-performance teamsBELIEVE IN OUR ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER From Joseph Reagan, the director of military and veterans outreach for Wreaths Across America: It’s often said that for those who have served “every day is Memorial Day,” a traditionally silent observance in the Veteran’s mind that can best be described as an impossible trinity made up of an overwhelming sense of guilt, grief, and grit. Usually, a moment of silence on this day is a welcomed and solemn way to honor the voices from our past, but for myself, after losing three former soldiers to suicide in the past few months, silence is no longer an option and the freedom to use our voice is the greatest gift that our veterans have to offer this Memorial Day. To view resources for service members, veterans, and their families, visit learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/veteranresources.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsESTIMATING EDGE RECEIVES PATENT FOR 2D QUANTITY TAKEOFF WEB-BASED SOLUTION Estimating Edge, a trusted provider of professional estimating and takeoff software, announces the company has been granted U.S. Patent No. 11,321,500 for Smart Takeoff Estimation Systems and Methods for VECTOR™. VECTOR is a powerful web-based 2D quantity solution that extracts data from 3D Models. Created by experienced industry construction professionals at Estimating Edge, VECTOR allows the user to automate the takeoff process and focus on the estimate, not the tedious work of measuring what’s already been counted, ultimately speeding up the takeoff process between 40-70%. For more, visit www.vectortakeoff.com.AI-POWERED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION HELPS EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGWINT Water Intelligence, a leader in cutting-edge water management and leak-prevention solutions for construction, commercial, and industrial applications, partners with the Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) to achieve its water conservation and leak-protection goals at the iconic Empire State Building. ESRT installed WINT systems at various water locations in the Empire State Building. WINT systems implement advanced AI and machine-learning technologies designed to help building and facilities owners and management teams avoid the costs associated with water waste and damage. With WINT systems installed, ESRT cut consumption by 7.5 million gallons of water and saved $100,000 per year, and reduced carbon emissions by more than 300 metric tons. For more, visit wint.ai.EXTRACKER AND SAGE 100 CONTRACTOR PROVIDE INSTANT FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY WITH NEW INTEGRATIONExtracker, the construction industry’s only change order communication platform, which supercharges manual workflows and connects companies outside of their internal-facing financial software, announces an integration with Sage 100 Contractor, a leading construction accounting software.This integration allows subcontractors to create and sync change order data created in Extracker directly with Sage 100 Contractor, giving companies real-time financial transparency to better understand their exposure and when projects are at risk of going over budget.Powering the integration is Ryvit’s integration platform as a service (iPaaS) that helps solution providers and project stakeholders get more from their tech stacks so they can produce more efficiently, more safely, more profitably, and more imaginatively than ever before. By leveraging Ryvit’s iPaaS to Handrail5000 lbsD-Ring360� RotationWorker with Fall-ArrestHarness Concrete OverhangSAPS SAFETY ANCHOR POST SYSTEM SAPS INBOUND SAP42D SAPS inbound SAP42D is Intertek Certified to meet ASIZ359.18-2017 safety requirements: ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR FOR ACTIVE FALL PROTECTIONCall today for an estimatesafetyanchorpost.com(800) 377–1632

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com10industry newsbuild a robust integration profile around core tools, solution providers can massively increase speed to market, keep overhead low, and focus on the core competencies that make their tools stand out from the pack. For more, visit www.extracker.com. ‘NEXT-LEVEL’ DETECTABLE WARNING SYSTEMSDetectable Warning Systems (DWS) developed the original RediMat™ in 1994 as the forebearer of its complete line of ADA compliant tactile warning products for visually impaired pedestrians. Now a part of the proprietary product family of Mar-Bal, Inc., DWS has advanced the innovative, flexible RediMats to include mesh reinforcement for added strength and increased durability. This “next-level” addition of adding engineered mesh strengthens its advanced properties ensuring a secure installation with longer-term durability. The flexible RediMat is surface applied on a variety of surfaces (including both asphalt and concrete) and features a proprietary, pre-applied, peel-and-stick technology adhesive system. This flexible system goes down easily, installing in less than 5 minutes with no drilling required for traditional projects. Ultimately, the advanced RediMat cuts the installation time in half, reducing labor time and expense.If screws are required for certain DOT specifications (or for challenged surfaces), it will still install in less than10 minutes. DWS will provide associated anchors and specified hole drilling for a minimal fee upon customer request. For more, visit www.detectable-warning.com.NEW APP FORECASTS FUTURE LIQUID ASPHALT PRICES Liquid Asphalt has to compete with other products that are refined from crude oil and energy prices are currently soaring due to inflation. Imagine bidding today’s cash price and the cost of the hedge instead of guessing at some future price. Solution: New app that forecasts future liquid asphalt prices. Created by Brian Lawrence, president of Asphalt Unlimited, a 30+ industry expert, helps Asphalt Producers and Highway Contractors bid future work. This app is based on Asphalt Unlimited’s proprietary algorithm that pulls the daily closing prices of a variety of energy products from the NYMEX and provides an asphalt projection that mirrors the coker values of asphalt. It has been back tested against 13 years of published coker values and it produced a correlation (r-value) of 98.8%. Almost a perfect, positive correlation. This gives the projection an actual basis in reality because it is based on today’s closing futures prices.The values produced by the app are a retail (rack) projection and are also tailored to specific geographic areas in the 48 contiguous United States. The prices are given in ranges and are suggestive of what is a reasonable value to possibly include in

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industry news a bid The app is subscription based and all annual subscribers 10 000 people in the United States Chicago s flourishing receive private asphalt pricing consultation with Brian Lawrence ecosystem of technical talent is one of many reasons Milwaukee if desired For more visit www asphaltunlimitedllc com chose to expand to the city FELLING TRAILERS SIGNS FLOYD S TRUCK CENTER AS AUTHORIZED DEALER 70 000 square feet of space within the historic Old Post Felling Trailers Inc signs Floyd s Truck Center as an authorized dedicated to lab space for design and development of critical Felling Trailers dealer Floyd s Truck Center has nine locations new technologies True to the company s cross functional spanning Northcentral to the Northwestern United States collaborative culture this space will be home to multiple Nebraska Wyoming South Dakota and Montana All the Floyd s disciplines within its Engineering Team including Embedded Truck Centers sell and service Felling Trailers complete product Systems Firmware Power Electronics Systems and line consisting of over 240 models ranging from 3 000 lbs light Mechanical Engineers PCB Designers and Project Leaders utility to 120 000 lb hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailers For This location will also act as an extension of the company s more visit www felling com global headquarters in Brookfield Wisconsin For more visit Milwaukee invested more than 14 million to renovate Office in Chicago Approximately 10 000 square feet is www milwaukeetool com MILWAUKEE TOOL OPENS ENGINEERING NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFICE IN CHICAGO TRELLEBORG SHOWCASES TOUGH TIRE SOLUTIONS Milwaukee Tool announces the opening of Milwaukee Tool Trelleborg exhibited its tire solutions for sustainable operations Chicago Located in the heart of the Windy City the location in waste management and construction industries at Waste will serve as an Engineering Design and Innovation space to Expo 2022 The annual event in May attracted innovators and accommodate the company s continued investments into visitors across a wide range of industries Attendees to the new technology Trelleborg booth saw a wheel loader fitted with tires from the Over the last decade the company has experienced incredible double digit growth globally and currently employs more than EMR Range and Brawler HPS Soft Ride tires For more visit www trelleborg com TC 50 12 MAY 2022 www mcsmag com

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com14project profileDozer PerformanceDozer Performanceworks from cut-and-fill to fine grading MACMOR CONSTRUCTIONBy Jeremy DulakDirt work is in Brian Golden’s blood—and the connection to each generation of his family is present every day at MacMor Construction LLC. Founded in 2013 and named after his daughters—Mackenzie and Morgan—MacMor started as a three-man crew and has grown into a sitework and heavy highway powerhouse with 46 full-time employees. “My father was a general superintendent back in the day,” explains Golden. “He’s actually still involved today—he’s come on and he runs the field operations for me now. This has been something that’s been in my blood forever, and it’s just, I like the work. I like the equipment; I like dealing with the owners … it’s just what I do.”One of the company’s current projects is a 112-unit townhome development in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, called the Gettysburg Overlook. Once the site clearing, grubbing, and grading are complete, the company will also perform the utility work.FLEXIBILITY IN WORK MacMor relies on CASE 850M dozers for the bulk of its sitework because they can perform both bulk earthmoving activities as well as detail work—cutting and filling, pushing dirt and fine-grading for building pads, parking lots, and more. The 850M is a mid-size dozer (112 hp, 22,750 lbs in the wide track configuration) that also provides Golden with flexibility both in the type of work it does, as well as its transportation and access to each site. “You’ve got a machine that has the power and ability to do what you need it to do. But it also keeps me under the fact of having to run permits to haul it, which is huge for us.” “That was one of the reasons why we looked at the second 850M was for that ease … of the transportation to get it from job to job.”The CASE 850M dozer features best-in-class drawbar pull of 42,813 lbs and a Tier 4 Final FPT engine with fuel efficient Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology. It also features a hydrostatic drive system and an advanced load management system that automatically reduces track speed (increasing torque) with a heavier load on the blade, and increases track speed (reducing torque) with a lighter load on the blade—ensuring that the machine is working at optimal power and efficiency at all times. “This machine is very, very fuel efficient,” says Golden. “I mean, right now in this market, we have to watch all of our dollars and cents down to the fuel costs, and we see that rising continuously. So that goes into a lot of our decision making also is what’s the fuel efficiency of the machine. We have an older dozer that just eats right through it. Where this machine here, I can run probably 2, 3 days without really having to think about the fuel on it, which makes it nice. So, it’s a benefit for us on that side of things as well.”

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202215CASE M Series dozers also offer industry-leading visibility and easily adjustable controls that allow the operator to set both steering and shuttle sensitivity to smooth, moderate, or aggressive.“The comfort level is very good. The controls on it are smooth and easy to use. And you can see everything when you’re sitting in the [cab]. That’s the big advantage of the small dozer here, is you can see everything. I mean, the [visibility] and what you can see as you’re grading is very, very good.”In addition to the smooth controls and excellent visibility, Golden says that, for its size, the 850M packs enough power to handle heavy-duty applications. “The power of these machines is great. I mean, you can put it in a cut-the-fill area and not have issue with it. As we move forward on this project, we’re going to minimize some of our heavier equipment to go to another project. So, our 850, we’ll keep here with [our] excavators and haul trucks. And we’ll actually use that machine in a heavier application at that point, which it will ... I have no issue with it performing.”FACTORY-FIT MACHINE CONTROL The 850M deployed by MacMor also features factory-fit CASE SiteControl machine control solutions powered by Leica Geosystems. For Golden, this simplified the acquisition process by allowing him to group the precision solution in with the purchase of the machine. It also combined all elements of the investment into a single payment, financing package and interest rate. “It’s simplified ordering,” he says. “The dozers that are coming out [now], you almost have to have it on them. It just takes that guesswork out of what we need and the questions of what the machine has. It’s better to know right off the bat it’s coming out with it. It should be a standard. That’s just where we’re at with things, especially on the finish side, because of what the application is with the dozer.”Machine control provides a number of operational and business advantages. “Our machine control was something I wasn’t 100% sure of at first. It’s been an evolution,” he explains. “We [ask ourselves] how can we be more competitive with production on jobs, and that led us to now go to the machine grade control.”“Looking at production and hitting schedules and deadlines,” he adds. “This is going to come in handy for that side of things for us.”In addition to the productivity gains, Golden has also seen advantages in lower operating costs. “It takes us from having a surveyor out on the project, putting in hundreds of stakes that have the potential of getting knocked over—which in essence, we always use a rule of thumb that each stake costs you about 75 bucks. So, it doesn’t take long, if you knock over 100 of them, that’s $7,500 quick. So, to put the machine control in it, that takes that out of it also.”“And then it takes the questions out of it of what it’s supposed to look like. Our guys can see it more with a screen and seeing what they’ve got going on there.”Golden also sees an advantage to the dozers being outfit with machine control from the factory when he eventually turns that machine out onto the secondary market.“So, you look at the value of the machine here after X amount of years, and then you look to spin out of it and go

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com16project profileto a new one. That makes that machine that much marketable for the next guy,” he says. “Here’s a machine. It’s fully integrated. It’s ready to go. That’s, I think, the advantage of these dozers this way.”DEALER SUPPORT The 850M comes standard with CASE ProCare, which includes a factory warranty, a planned maintenance contract, as well as newly enhanced CASE SiteWatch™ telematics that provides insight into machine performance, maintenance intervals, and more. MacMor has partnered with CASE dealer Groff Tractor & Equipment for their equipment and service needs. “I turned to Groff back in 2013 and those guys have been by my side ever since,” he says. “The support, the service side, anytime we called, those guys work right with us to help us on anything that we need. The sales staff and the support we have with them has been great as well. I can’t ask for a better group to help us.”Groff Tractor & Equipment is a CASE SiteControl-Certified dealer with a full-time machine control specialist on staff (Kyle Sarvis), along with trained technicians and parts support. This kind of support has been critical for onboarding new machine control components and getting all of MacMor’s machine control systems working together. The support provided by Groff also gives Golden the extra confidence to deploy this new technology in the field. “You got to have that confidence in the gentlemen coming out to do that set up for you,” he explains. “We have guys that have some experience with it, but as for the initial setup and understanding it, it’s best to rely on the folks that have that person to do that work.”BUILDING INTO THE FUTUREStarting as a three-man crew and growing to 46 employees has taken a lot of hard work and dedication, and Golden has his eyes set on further growth in the future. “Our future’s based on what the market’s doing,” he explains. “We keep an eye on it every couple of months to see how things are shifting. In the public sector we’re watching to see what’s going on there with municipalities, boroughs, budgets, and state budgets. And then we keep in close communication with our developers, as well. So that way we can figure out which direction we have to shift, and which way we have to go for the continued future for our company.”CLOSING THOUGHT“I’m just proud of the growth that we’ve had,” he concludes. “I look at where we came from to where we are today … and then the relationships that we’ve built with people over the past 8 years. It makes me feel really proud of what we’ve done here.” about the authorJeremy Dulak is a product manager with CASE Construction Equipment. For more, visit www.casece.com.

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202219Brent Kennedy, co-owner of Kennedy’s Grading Inc., began visiting jobsites as an eight-year-old tagging along with his dad, who started Kennedy’s Grading in the early ‘60s.“We’d go around and check on the jobs,” he says. “It was a good time back then. I knew immediately this was what I wanted to do. I just wanted to move dirt. It’s all I’ve ever known.”Headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina, Kennedy’s Grading does the “whole package” except for curb and gutter and paving when it comes to site development for commercial property and housing developments around the Triad. TROUBLE-FREE EQUIPMENTKennedy’s Grading bought its first Hitachi, a ZX300LC-6, a little more than 3 years ago and has since added a ZX350LC-6 and another ZX300LC-6 to its fleet.“The first time I got in the cab, I loved it,” Kennedy says. “I knew it was for me and I’ve loved it ever since.”Kennedy’s operators agree with him. “Hitachi cabs are very spacious,” says Joshua Lambeth, Kennedy’s grading operator. “You can sit in them for 10-12 hours a day and feel like it’s been no time at all.” The company uses its Hitachi fleet primarily for mass excavation and top loading off-road trucks. Recently, the excavators worked on a 62-lot housing development with 160,000 cubic yards of cut to fill—at the time, one of several jobs the company was working on in Davidson County, North Carolina. Production demand reliability and Kennedy says his Hitachi excavators deliver it.“The Hitachis have been trouble-free machines,” he says. “They’re very productive and we like the fuel economy. They’ve been exceptionally good machines, all of them.”

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com20project profileLEVERAGING TECHNOLOGYOn its most recent ZX300LC-6, Kennedy’s Grading opted for Hitachi’s Solution Linkage Grade Guidance system.“We got into GPS about 4 years ago; we had never had it before,” Kennedy says. “In today’s market, it’s a must. No matter where you’re at on the jobsite, you know where you’re at, where your house pads are, where your curb and gutter start and stop. It vastly improves production.” Kennedy’s crew—and his bottom line—continuously experience the benefits of Hitachi’s grade management technology. “Moving dirt is easier and cheaper because you don’t move it twice,” Kennedy says. “You can put it down with confidence knowing that you’re not going to have to move it again.”MOVING FORWARDCurrently, Kennedy’s Grading consists of 18 employees, six of whom are Kennedy family members. And the ones who aren’t directly related are like family.“It’s been really good working with family day in and day out,” Kennedy says. “A lot of people wouldn’t say that, I guess, but we’ve been really lucky. A lot of the guys on my crew who aren’t related to me, I’ve had longstanding relationships with them. I’ve known a lot of them since I was a kid.” It’s that loyalty that Kennedy counts on to keep the future looking bright.“There’s definitely been some trials and tribulations over the last year and a half,” he says. “But we’ve got a great crew. Based on all the feedback we’re getting from our customers, no one has any intentions of slowing down. Everybody is upbeat.” CLOSING THOUGHT“If we promise somebody a firm completion date, we stick by it and we try to keep everybody moving forward. I mean, I like to see dirt move. The more the better!” about the authorKristin Stires authored the article in Hitachi’s BREAKOUT magazine, winter 2021 issues. For more about Hitachi’s equipment, visit www.hitachicm.us.At the end of the day, for Brent Kennedy, co-owner of Kennedy’s Grading Inc., it’s all about doing what you say and keeping the dirt moving.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com22project profileBoom Pumpsreaching all sides of the pourCOHESIVE COLLABORATIONThe $100 million regional office for First West Credit Union in Langley, British Columbia, is a welcome addition to a southwest Canadian city that takes pride in its tight-knit charm. To bring the impressive high rise structure to life, Vancouver-based A.J.’s Concrete Pumping was tasked with navigating a number of challenges that elevated the undertaking from ordinary to complex. From special setups and extended horizontal reaches to the need for lightweight outrigger support, proper equipment selection was of the utmost importance to meet the jobsite’s demands. That’s why A.J.’s called upon its reliable fleet of Putzmeister boom pumps to take on the project, with the 39Z-, 47Z-, and 56Z-Meter boom pumps brought into action. THE SITE AND SETUPThe First West building is composed of slightly different linear forms that are bundled together to represent a cohesive collaboration. When the building is finished it will create a comfortable-yet-functional architectural statement that promotes pride of place and strength in unity. However, the building site demanded considerable problem solving from contractors.Located on an extremely busy corner lot adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway, the layout meant restricted access and precise operation to maintain safety and quality. In addition, the site was located on a large deposit of blue clay soil, which creates a slippery and unpredictable base for equipment. Though contractors would typically build a temporary roadway of crushed rock for ready-mix trucks to deliver concrete to the pump, this solution was not a sustainable option due to the volume of concrete needed to finish the job. This temporary solution would only allow for 10-15 ready-mix trucks to drive across it before it would need to be rebuilt. This pour called for about 140 truckloads of concrete.In order to save time on rebuilding a temporary roadway, contractors stationed a 39Z-meter on the perimeter of the jobsite accessible to ready-mix trucks. From there, the 39Z-meter pumped into a 47Z-meter located closer to the footings. On the other side of the site, a suspended slab was fitted with additional re-shoring to hold a 56Z-meter.The three-pump setup made it easy for crews to reach all sides of the pour, preventing equipment from getting stuck in the blue clay mud.

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202223“The restricted site access made this a unique pour,” says Scott Sutherland, operations manager at A.J.’s Concrete Pumping. “Using our brand-new 39Z to pump into the 47Z got people excited.”HIGH PRESSURE & PERFORMANCEThe scope of the job required the entire footing for the new building to be pumped in one day. Crews worked steadily to pour more than 49,440 cubic feet of concrete over an 8-hour span. In order to meet the deadline, A.J.’s Concrete brought a special piece of equipment from its fleet—the first of the new Putzmeister 39Z-meter boom pumps to be built in North America. The new high-pressured pump kept the job moving, delivering concrete through approximately 100 feet of slickline to the 47Z-meter. The slickline was secured with thrust blocks and high-pressure clamps to ensure safety and smooth delivery.The redesigned 39Z-meter boom pump features a .13 HPD Pump Cell designed to be the highest-performing, longest-lasting pump cell on the market with a rod side output up to 180 yards3/h and rod side pressures of 1,233 psi.“The performance of the new high-pressured pumping cell is amazing,” Sutherland says. “It delivers a smooth pour, even through hundreds of feet of slickline.”EVERYTHING HAS A PLACEFrom muddy blue clay to space and weight restrictions, A.J.’s chose equipment based on the site conditions. That’s why each pump was carefully selected for the restrictions of the jobsite. “The general contractor specifically requested us to bring our 56Z for the light outrigger load and horizontal reach,” says Sutherland. “The 56Z was perfect for the job. It’s the only pump that was able to meet the weight restrictions for the suspended slab with maximum reach.”The 47Z-meter was also chosen specifically for its outrigger configuration, but this unit was selected for its small footprint. It was the largest pump with an outrigger spread that was able to fit on the second specially created platform while still delivering as much reach as possible to cover all sides of the pour. “The smaller footprint of the 47Z was important for the location on the jobsite,” says Sutherland. “The difference between the footprint of the 47 and the next largest pump is monumental when you’re on a congested jobsite.”The pump was stationed in the center of the jobsite, where a temporary platform was created using six-inch minus stone and large swamp pads to further stabilize the equipment. For safety reasons, the temporary platform was built large enough to accommodate the outrigger setup.THE FINISHED PRODUCTThe First West Credit Union’s regional office was completed in 2020. First West occupies about half of the 130,000-square-foot building, including office space, a fitness center, outdoor patio, and better access to public transit. The rest of the building features retail and additional office space for lease. As the building transitions from construction project to city landmark, stakeholders are confident it will live up to its original inspiration—an Aesop Fable dating back to 600 B.C. that spoke to the value of togetherness and cooperation: “This bundle of sticks you cannot break, take them singly, with ease, you may break as you please.”A.J.’s Concrete Pumping finished pouring the footings for the six-story building in early January 2019.CLOSING THOUGHT“Putzmeister’s compact outrigger configurations, versatile boom configurations, and low unfolding heights give us a competitive advantage in the Vancouver market,” says Sutherland. “This job would have not been possible without the quality and specifications of the Putzmeister equipment on site.” for more informationSpecializing in concrete and material placing equipment for the construction industry, Putzmeister America, Inc. is the North American division of one of the world’s most recognized and respected heavy equipment manufacturers, Putzmeister Concrete Pumps GmbH. For more, visit www.putzmeister.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com24equipment solutionHydraulic PowerHydra-Pack increases options for any jobsite CURB ROLLER MANUFACTURING Curb Roller Manufacturing, the world leader in shaped concrete roller screeds, offers the Hydra-Pack HP1300, a portable heavy-duty hydraulic power unit. With a powerful 13 hp Honda GX390 engine and a 5-8 gpm hydraulic flow, the Hydra-Pack provides ideal power to operate the company’s Curb Roller CM4000 and Hydra-Screed HS3000 systems. The highly versatile Hydra-Pack can also be used to power additional hydraulic hand tools or equipment for extended periods of time, providing flexibility in tight spaces or remote locations that larger hydraulic power sources can’t access. “All Curb Roller Manufacturing products are designed to improve efficiency and reduce fatigue for concrete contractors,” says Seth Ulmer, Curb Roller Manufacturing sales manager. “The Hydra-Pack is a vital piece of support equipment for our Curb Roller and Hydra-Screed, but it also opens up other opportunities for hydraulic equipment.“COMPACT WITH POWERThe Hydra-Pack delivers an impressive two-way directional flow with up to 2,250 psi. It features an 11-gallon, 12-gauge steel reservoir to provide plenty of hydraulic fluid and cooling capacity to power tools for building renovation, highway maintenance, and utility work. 13-inch, puncture-proof, flat-free tires and a compact size allow operators to navigate even the most congested jobsites with ease. Its compact size, the same as a standard generator, means it easily fits in the back of a pickup or job trailer for stress-free transport to and from the jobsite. If contractors can easily get power where they need it, even in tight spaces where skid steers and mini excavators can’t go, they can be more efficient.The highly versatile Hydra-Pack can be used to power hydraulic saws, jack hammers, and other hand tools, providing flexibility in tight spaces.Curb Roller Manufacturing offers the Hydra-Pack HP1300, a portable heavy-duty hydraulic power unit with ample power to operate the company’s Curb Roller CM4000 and Hydra-Screed HS3000.

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202225Paired with the Curb Roller CM4000, the Hydra-Pack provides an ideal solution for faster, more efficient concrete shaping in curb and gutter applications. The unit offers sufficient torque to drive the Curb Roller drum, allowing a single operator to perform jobs of all types and sizes, including patch and repair work. With reduced labor requirements, contractors can complete work up to twice as fast as manual methods of face forming. MINIMIZE MULTIPLE POURSFor projects that would normally take multiple pours, the Hydra-Pack can be used to power the company’s Hydra-Screed HS3000, a two-operator hydraulically powered roller screed system, for faster production times and a superior-quality finish. The Hydra-Screed pairs with a custom drum or 6-inch OD 10-gauge steel pipe to allow for continuous pours in applications like flatwork, flumes, and more. The Hydra-Screed achieves job completion in half the time of alternative methods and offers removable ends to quickly change different lengths of pipe or profile shapes. Custom drums can be applied to applications as wide as 30 feet when using the Hydra-Pack. CLOSING THOUGHTIn addition to driving the Curb Roller and Hydra-Screed, the Hydra-Pack provides ample power to run post drivers, submersible pumps, hydraulic saws and breakers, and other common hand tools that have proper psi compatibility. for more informationCurb Roller Manufacturing has been the world leader in shaped concrete roller screeds for more than 10 years. With high-quality products for everyday concrete work, Curb Roller’s ergonomic machines not only make it easy to shape standard curb, gutter, and sidewalks, but also flume, v-gutter, swale, and other unique shapes. For more, visit www.curbroller.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com26equipment solutionRoad Buildingmaneuvering the orange barrelsTOUGH TIRES DELIVERSpring is the time for many road repairs and the start of many highway projects. Orange barrels seem to pop up everywhere you look.With much attention being given to the infrastructure bill, road projects will be a major priority throughout the country. This will mean a lot of manpower and equipment working on the roads at all hours of the day and night. In the long run, these projects will lead to greater efficiency, but for the short term, they will cause many bottlenecks and headaches for drivers. LONGEVITY OF EQUIPMENTFor contractors, it will be necessary to have equipment and accessories that can stand up to the challenges of the jobs and last as long as possible to complete projects in timely manners. Equipment such as motor graders, compactors, excavators, and wheel loaders are all utilized in road surfacing projects. Road projects can involve paving, rehabilitating, or just repairing a portion of the road. They involve demolition and removal of existing surfaces, clearing and grading for a new road base, adding the subbase and binding layers, and applying new asphalt layers. TIRES FOR EXTREME CONDITIONSDuring these processes, the equipment drives over broken concrete, rebar, soil, hot asphalt, and sink holes. The tires need to be able to withstand the extreme conditions involved in these jobs. Durability and extended performance are extremely important for tires in road projects. Tires must be developed specifically for each terrain and condition of the job. BKT has a full line of tires with different treads and compounds designed for all types of road equipment and infrastructure jobs. For motor graders, the EARTHMAX SR 23 is a radial tire with special cut resistant tread and excellent traction both forward and laterally. The EARTHMAX SR 30 is versatile for loaders, dozers, and dump trucks and is excellent in site preparation, construction, and building in all weather conditions because of its block pattern and increased traction. The PAC MASTER PLUS for compactors is designed with a special compound for high heat resistance. It has a wider contact area and smooth tread pattern which gives better stability and durability to help ensure a longer tire lifecycle. The increased tread width of the EM 936 SUPER tire gives excavators extra stability in digging, loading, and transporting operations. It is a bias tire with excellent traction, even in heavy-duty conditions, and provides enhanced handling and riding comfort during projects.BKT makes many different tires for wheel loaders in many patterns and compounds. For road construction, the all-steel radial EARTHMAX SR 25 Plus is a G-2/L-2 rated tire that has a non-directional tread for traction and stability. The self-cleaning properties keep the tire durable and free of debrisCLOSING THOUGHTWith so many different machines and processes required for road projects, BKT has the tire line that can handle every step involved. for more informationFor more information about choosing the best tires for the job, visit www.bkt-tires.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com28equipment solutionA recent research study by Coyote Logistics, “Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Driving a Smarter, More Sustainable Future,” found that 81% of companies are more focused on sustainability today than they were 3 years ago. Corporations are under pressure to operate more efficiently, spurring growth in sustainable warehousing/distribution centers. With consumer interest in green practice growing, businesses are evaluating everything from packaging to transportation of goods to optimization of warehouse space. One less obvious way to reduce their carbon footprint is by replacing a traditional concrete slab floor with a DUCTILCRETE® engineered slab system. These systems significantly reduce their environmental impact through the use of more sustainable materials. For example, when a Cincinnati-based auto parts manufacturer wanted a 154,000-foot plant expansion, they used a DUCTILCRETE engineered slab instead of conventional concrete for the floor. These specially engineered systems usually require less concrete than traditional slabs, while maintaining the same strength or higher. On this project alone, the contractor was able to reduce the amount of concrete needed by more than 1,914 cubic yards, resulting in a savings of nearly $200,000—and a reduction in an estimated 600 tons of CO2 emissions. RETHINKING FACILITY DESIGNHistorically, warehouses and manufacturing facilities were built with traditional concrete slabs. The manufacture of cement is tough on the environment, according to the EPA, emitting roughly 0.9 pounds of C02 into the atmosphere for every pound of cement produced. A batch of concrete is made up of roughly 7-15% cement. This means that manufacturing just one cubic yard of concrete results in 400 lbs of CO2 going into the atmosphere. Installing a DUCTILCRETE engineered slab significantly lowers this environmental impact in a number of ways.Reducing the floor profile cuts the amount of concrete used. DUCTILCRETE engineered slabs typically only require a 6-inch slab, compared to a conventionally designed 7-inchconcrete slab. Using a DUCTILCRETE system for a one million square foot warehouse could potentially eliminate the release of roughly 1.2 million pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere. A reduction in profile thickness also results in less aggregate used in the concrete and fewer trucks (i.e., less fuel consumed) to deliver concrete to the jobsite. Replacing steel reinforcement with macro fibers. DUCTILCRETE engineered slabs use macro-synthetic fibers to strengthen the concrete as opposed to traditional reinforced steel. This is another way to lessen the environmental impact of the floor. A study by the University of Akron in Ohio evaluated the impact of replacing conventional steel rebar with fiber reinforcement in a 150,000 ft2 concrete floor and found this could reduce the carbon footprint by 56%. CLOSING THOUGHTSince there are far fewer joints and fewer resulting joint problems with a DUCTILCRETE engineered slab system, there is much less need for epoxies and other joint filling materials, which can contain harmful chemicals. Engineered Floorsreduce carbon footprint while maximizing spaceDUCTILCRETE® ENGINEERED SLABBy Jorge Garciaabout the authorJorge Garcia is the director of the Ductilcrete business within GCP. Dedicated to the end-user, he is passionate about creating a positive customer experience that highlights the benefits of the company offering. Jorge has over two decades of experience in the concrete construction industry. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace, Jorge is proud to contribute to improved efficiency and satisfaction company-wide. For more, visit gcpat.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com30equipment solutionEngineered FlangeEngineered Flangepaving the way with detectable warning systemsALERTCAST PAVERDetectable Warning Systems™ (DWS) has engineered and developed its groundbreaking AlertCast PAVER in response to air entrapment issues stemming from traditional ribbed paver designs. The AlertCast PAVER represents the most innovative paver in the field today, delivering minimal aggregate displacement by combining four side-flange vents and PENETRATOR® anchors which allow for easy and solid installations. Now a part of the proprietary product family of Mar-Bal, Inc., DWS has been providing quality detectable warnings for more than 28 years. INNOVATIVE DESIGNThe rib designs of traditional pavers run center-to-center (north-to-south), AlertCast PAVER’s design features four side-flange vents running right-to-left (east-to-west). The key to this design is to provide minimal air entrapment between the paver and concrete, ultimately resulting in an easier and quicker installation. Made in the USA, the AlertCast PAVER is a glass reinforced thermoset composite detectable warning panel engineered for superior impact resistance, slip resistance, wear resistance, and long-term durability featuring truncated domes molded to ADAAG in-line dome spacing specifications. The panels can be used in a wide range of publicly accessible environments including: pedestrian crossings, railway platforms, and ADA curb ramps, among others. DWS possesses one of the industry’s most complete line of ADAAG and DOT compliant tactile warning products. The addition of DWS’ new AlertCast PAVER further expands their portfolio of detectable warnings, offering a superior and installer friendly paver backed by a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.FOUR SIDE-FLANGE VENTSThe unique perimeter flanges are designed to eliminate air pockets underneath the panel. Each vent runs east-to-west specifically engineered to prevent air pockets. Ultimately, the flange vents prevent trapped air to ensure a solid and easy installation. PENETRATOR ANCHORING SYSTEMThe patented PENETRATOR anchoring system locks the panel securely into the concrete with minimal aggregate displacement. It is a simple press-and-place installation system that delivers maximum holding capabilities with the best psi pull-down strength (on each anchor) available in the industry. All panels are shipped with PENETRATOR anchors installed, and a protective covering to ensure the panel remains clean during installation. Additionally, installation instructions are attached to every panel (written in English and Spanish). Available colors are Brick Red, Black, Colonial Red, Grey, and Yellow.EASE-OF-INSTALLATIONMost standard paver versions on the market require a counterweight to hold the panels down until they are set, AlertCast PAVER’s combination of anchors and side-flange vents help eliminate this step. Ease of installation means less issues for workers and the ability to install more panels per day. ALERTCAST PAVER SOLUTIONDevised in accordance with all applicable local and federal safety regulations, such as Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), AlertCast PAVER Paver Front

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202231PROVIDING SAFETY PRODUCTS THAT ARE UNIQUE, TESTED AND PROVENwww.bedlocksafety.com ▲ 217-553-0963 TWO CHAINS ARE BETTER THAN ONETHE ORIGINAL PATENT#6905174NEW FOR 2022REPAIR 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.usrepresents a revolutionary solution to the old problem of air entrapment in detectable warning paver safety panels. According to Joe Dunnigan, DWS national sales manager, “AlertCast PAVER is a uniquely new design style on the market that replaces the old rib design with the patented perimeter flange and PENETRATOR configuration.” Anthony Lignetta, Mar-Bal’s director, proprietary products, adds, “Our engineering team has developed a paver superior to any alternative on the market. Ultimately, the AlertCast PAVER’s side-flange vents are a groundbreaking design that results in minimal air entrapment and provides an easier installation experience.” Mar-Bal provides DWS with full-service, innovative, and economical detectable warning (and adjacent) products addressing these needs in both the USA and abroad. Known as ‘The One- Source Solutions Provider,” privately held Mar-Bal has three state-of-the-art U.S. manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Virginia, and Missouri—producing everything entirely turnkey. DWS features quality products designed for ease of installation, two warehouses, timely delivery, and unparalleled customer service. CLOSING THOUGHTProviders of one of the most complete lines of detectable warning products on the market, DWS offers rigid, cast iron, and flexible materials for either cast-in-place or surface applied applications. for more informationDetectable Warning Systems is part of the Mar-Bal, Inc. proprietary family of products. Headquartered in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Mar-Bal, Inc. has been an innovative leader in the custom composite, molding, and material manufacturing industry since its founding in 1970. For more than three decades Mar-Bal, Inc. has manufactured and engineered quality, customized parts and materials while delivering unmatched client cost-effectiveness through superior customer service and the Total Value Commitment. Mar-Bal, Inc. operates manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Virginia, and Missouri. For more, visit www.detectable-warning.com. Paver Corner with Penetrator

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com32equipment solutionequipment solutionWhen a contractor needs to rent a piece of equipment for a job, they depend on a rental company. But, if the rental company doesn’t have that machine in their fleet, they need a partner who they can rely on to help meet their customers’ needs—and that’s where re-rental comes in.WHAT IS RE-RENTAL?Rental companies can find larger, more specialized pieces of equipment than they normally keep in their fleet through a re-rental business. This model allows rental companies to provide their customers with newer, well-maintained equipment without the need to purchase the machines themselves. This means that re-rentals can help meet the needs of both the rental company and, subsequently, the end-user.Sitting down with ERS ReRents, a re-rental company located in Huntsville, Alabama, that offers JLG® equipment to rental companies that need to supplement their existing fleet to meet a specific customer need, they provided us with insights into why companies like theirs focus on these types of transactions. WHY RE-RENTAL WORKSOne of the reasons rental companies turn to re-rentals is because of the type of equipment these companies offer. For example, ERS says that their company specializes in high-reach boom lifts—straight, articulating, and atrium—along with telehandlers, and that the average asset cost per unit is $200,000, says Heath Boone, vice president of ERS. For rental companies who do not want to invest in these larger, higher-reaching lifts, they can re-rent them on an as-needed basis.“Many rental companies don’t own larger telehandlers and man lifts because they can maximize their fleet with smaller equipment,” Boone says. “Being able to provide those machines from a re-rental company keeps their customers from going to another company when they need larger equipment.”SELECTING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENTWorking with a re-rental company’s customer service representatives, many tools can assist contractors in the equipment selection process.For example, equipment information on the re-rental company’s website, like ERS’ equipment selection page, guides users to see what equipment options the re-rental company offers that pair with a particular task. To get started, users need to answer three questions:• What are you moving?• Where are you working?• What is the working height? Also, digital tools like JLG’s Augmented Reality app allows re-rental companies and their customers to view whether the equipment can fit in an actual work area. And, users can also take advantage of JLG’s BIM library, which allows the placement of 3D access equipment models in jobsite plans, to help with selecting the right re-rental equipment for the project.ADDITIONAL BENEFITSIn addition to re-rentals, re-rental companies oftentimes provide preventive maintenance, annual inspections, and repaint services, making them a one-stop-shop for a rental company, says Bill Griffin, vice president of sales at ERS.Using a re-rental keeps rental houses from having to tie up money in capital expenses, as well. Rental companies can use re-rental equipment seasonally or to meet short-term needs, then call them off rent when they are no longer needed. By not owning the equipment, they don’t have to absorb its depreciation cost.“And, for national rental companies who perhaps have the needed equipment in their fleet in another area of the country, it’s sometimes more cost-effective to use a re-rented machine rather than to move the machine to where it’s needed,” Boone says.When the customer is finished with a re-rented machine, the rental company simply returns the machine to the re-rental company’s facility or in some Specialized Equipmentconsider working with a re-rental companyWORKING SMARTBy Jennifer Stiansen

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202233cases to the rental company’s yard where it is inspected and prepared for the next rental. When future demand in an area could require another rental in the short term, the re-rental and rental company renting the machine may agree to have it remain in the rental company’s yard for no charge so it’s at the ready for future customer use.FOCUS ON CUSTOMER NEEDSSuccessful re-rental companies tend to have one thing in common: a strong focus on the customer. But these companies are more than just an on-demand equipment rental resource. They each also operate a unique business model to best serve their customers. For instance, Michael McCurry, president of ERS, says they chose to offer equipment with features that improve their customers’ rental experience. For example, ERS’ JLG equipment fleet is equipped with ClearSky® telematics, which allows the company to monitor, diagnose, and fix machine challenges quickly. “We get alerts on the equipment before the customer even knows there’s an issue in some instances,” McCurry says. “We’ll get a code and pick up the phone to tell the rental company and then help diagnose the service call before it even comes in.”Digital tools, like ClearSky telematics, also help re-rental companies like ERS offer specialized services and knowledge about these machines. “With bigger lifts, the end-user and rental company normally aren’t trained to service the machines. We use telematics from our computer to help them troubleshoot,” Boone says. “By helping in many cases to solve the customers’ problem over the phone, they’re up and working faster, so they’re more productive on the job.”And when equipment does need to be serviced, re-rental companies like ERS can offer local services to repair, inspect, and maintain the equipment, helping to keep the machines operating at peak performance. “We have field service technicians who work remotely to support the rental companies,” says Boone. “These machines can be very technical, and as the equipment owners, we can provide quick response times for equipment needs and service to keep customers up and running.”CLOSING THOUGHTSome of the major benefits of working with re-rental companies include access to top-of-the-line equipment and technologies, as well as service support. And, it all starts with the customer—helping them to rent the right machine for the work to be done. about the authorJennifer Stiansen is director of marketing with JLG. For more, visit www.jlg.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com34management solutionmanagement solutionThe Construction and Engineering (C&E) sector has been on a stop-start journey throughout the pandemic; the initial lockdown delayed projects and brought tough times for C&E employment. But as infrastructure and housing projects have now begun ramping-up, the scenario has reversed, there is now a concerning human capital shortage to execute these ambitious recovery plans. HUMAN CAPITAL SHORTAGE These rapid investments and demands come at a time when the industry is facing a shortage of both materials and human capital. While supply chain shocks have been well-documented across almost every major industry, it’s the shortage of workers that is hitting the C&E sector the most. There are three clear areas where I see new technologies and business models helping close the workforce gap. MODULAR CONSTRUCTIONOne of the most innovative ways to ease the pressure of the skills shortage while boosting productivity is adopting an offsite and modular construction model. This trend of building modules or components in a manufacturing facility, and then shipping them to the construction site to be assembled, is increasing in pace and we are seeing many new modular and offsite manufacturing plants being built.Fundamentally, the rise in this construction model is the result of innovations in the industry. As the trifecta of new materials, more informative data, and technologies become more readily available, they are being applied to improve the quality of these offsite assets—while still gaining the benefits of lower cost, speedier construction, and crucially, less reliance on a large workforce. During the pandemic, it also allowed continued operation of construction companies in a safe, secure, and controlled way.It’s for these reasons that, at IFS, we expect offsite to become the new normal over the next 10 years. In fact, the U.S. Modular Building Institute agrees this will help balance the need to ramp-up new projects amid workforce pressures. It states, “The modular industry can offer more predictable work locations and hours, less labor-intensive work, a higher degree of technology integration in the workplace, and much safer working conditions. We can serve as a catalyst for the major rebirth of the U.S. manufacturing base, creating thousands of new jobs while addressing our own massive infrastructure needs.” DIGITIZING THE DETAILS Modular or offsite constructions starts from the ground up and must be executed smoothly not just from design to installation, but also, through to aftercare services. It is in these aftercare services where C&E organizations can boost revenue through continued maintenance or service-based contracts. Enter Building Information Modeling (BIM).The ultimate end goal of BIM is better information management, which gives project owners a structured set of data they can use to manage a build over its lifecycle. From the request for proposals, to the contract through design revisions, right down to serial numbers on every piece of capital equipment and the size of the bulb for the exit sign, asset data should be structured and well organized. BIM requires that the software underpinning construction projects be data-driven rather than document-driven, so structured data about the asset can flow directly into the systems used to build and manage that asset. This means taking project and operational data out of spreadsheets and into a central, structured environment. The end result is a more connected project environment.The results are clear to see. The Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering (CIFE) at Stanford University People Matteraddressing the construction human capital shortageTECH-LED CHANGEBy Kenny Ingram By Kenny Ingram

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202235conducted a survey of 32 BIM-assisted projects, and found that the use of BIM technology resulted in: an 80% decrease in the time required to generate an expenditure quote, up to 40% reduction of unbudgeted project changes, savings amounting to up to 10% of the contract value due to timely clash detections, time savings of up to 7%, and cost estimation accuracy within 3%. All of these benefits will be crucial to mitigate the impact of human capital shortages. AUGMENTING HUMAN CAPITAL There are some positive signs of change in the C&E workforce dynamic. A HBI construction market labor report in fall 2021 found half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $50,460 annually and the top 25% make at least $71,000. In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $49,150, while the top quartile (top 25%) makes at least $67,410. The report also found women make up a growing share of the construction workforce, up to 10.9% in 2020 from the 10.3% in 2019. The HBI labor report also found the median age of construction workers is currently 41, but digging deeper due to aging trends, the share of construction workers aged 25 to 54 dipped from 72.2% in 2015 to 69.0% in 2019. The industry needs to prioritize change management to encourage younger, more digitally savvy entrants into the sector.Younger, more innovative C-suite executives are coming, and they should look to technology-led change to see how they can benefit all employees and the future workforce. The technological improvements are ready and available to optimize jobsites with devices such as ring scanners and virtual or augmented reality. BIM principles can incorporate 3D design and there are enterprise solutions available to connect every C&E worker, from the procurement team right through to site managers. CLOSING THOUGHTThere is opportunity for real and positive change in the current C&E climate, as projects ramp-up due to a once in a lifetime infrastructure and housing demand. But C&E organizations need to address their workforce dynamics in order to capitalize on this revenue potential. Business and technological change is required to continue to close the human capital shortage gap and set C&E organizations up for continued success. The first out of the gate to address human capital will reap big rewards. about the authorKenny Ingram is VP of C&E with IFS, a world-leading provider of business software for project and asset lifecycle management. Kenny is regarded as one of the top specialists in project-based business systems and has been heavily involved in driving the IFS strategy for nearly two decades. For more, visit www.ifs.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com36management solutionContractors know that the future of the industry is digital, and many companies are already using digital solutions for tasks such as daily reporting, safety management, and timesheets. The World Economic Forum estimates that a full-scale digitalization of the industry could save $1.2 trillion. So why is the industry struggling to make digital work? Because of a lack of buy-in from the boots on the ground. Real-time data collection is a critical element of digitizing the industry and that means field workers are a big part of the process. It doesn’t matter how good a tech solution is; if employees don’t use it, it’s worthless. That’s why thoughtful implementation, starting at the ground level, is critical to success.There are a few key best practices to implement for those looking to get buy-in when it comes to digital transformation. They include: ASSESS THE NEEDS OF ALL EMPLOYEESEffective collection of field data relies on field employees to collect and send such data. Yet, according to Autodesk, only 28% of contractors consult the needs of field employees when considering new technology. All users need to be taken into account when selecting technology. Solutions that are difficult to use, time-consuming, or don’t provide adequate support will not be used. It’s that simple. WORK SMARTER NOT HARDERLearning new technology takes time and temporarily disrupts work; there is no getting around that. In a deadline-driven field like construction, anything that could cause a delay puts a bad taste in workers’ mouths, especially if they don’t perceive any benefits. You must be able to clearly demonstrate how technology will make their jobs easier and faster. From field to office, every employee needs to know what about their job specifically will improve. If you can show how a task that normally takes 15 minutes now takes three clicks on a mobile app, you’ll have buy-in in no time. INTEGRATIONThe ease and convenience of technical solutions can be undone in a single word: integration. According to the JBKnowledge 2021 Construction Technology Report, 28% of the construction industry using technical solutions says that none of their tools integrate. Programs that can’t talk to each other need to have data transferred manually. Not only does this significantly increase the risk of human error, but it also ends up wasting all the time you were trying to save in the first place. When adopting new technology, it is imperative that it integrates with programs already in use. PILOT PROGRAMRoll-out is another struggle when it comes to introducing new technology, especially for larger companies. The amount of training and support needed to get everyone up to speed can be overwhelming. Consider implementing a pilot program instead. This allows a small group of employees to be early adopters of the tech, which means reduced support and training needs. Once the technology is implemented company-wide, the pilot participants will act as an added support team in the field. CLOSING THOUGHTTechnology has the potential to solve many of the construction industry’s problems, but its implementation needs to be considered as carefully as its selection to be fully effective. Decision-makers must take a holistic view of all users and touchpoints, along with their different needs, to find the best solution and implement it effectively. management solutionWorkforce Managementcreate employee buy-in for your data solutionDO WHAT MATTERSBy Fred HaynesPART 3 OF 4about the authorFred Haynes is a solutions engineer at Assignar. For more, visit www.assignar.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com38management solutionThe pandemic accelerated trends in the construction industry related to labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and material cost increases. Ultimately, these trends resulted in an increased appetite in the sector for offsite or industrialized construction, new methods of material procurement, and technology adoption. Here are specific trends that the industry can expect to see in 2022: RAPID GROWTH OF PREFAB & OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION METHODSThe challenges mentioned above facing the industry today are pushing contractors to embrace offsite prefabrication to deliver projects effectively. Safety protocols during the pandemic also drove production offsite to prefab shops and factories to prevent the spread of COVID at the jobsite. Also relevant to the rise of offsite methods are the ubiquitous use of 3D BIM modeling, onsite 3D scanning to determine as-built conditions, and software platforms purpose-built to run offsite factories, which simplify this transition. This is leading to an expansion in the amount of single- and multi-trade prefabrication, panelization, and volumetric modular construction being done offsite. Trade and specialty contractors who adopt prefab methods are seeing additional benefits. They can pull dangerous or time-consuming overhead work into the shop to increase their teams’ safety and efficiency. They are also developing standardized catalogs of items that their prefab shops can efficiently produce so jobsite teams know which types of prefabs they can request to accelerate their install schedules. This has some follow-on benefits: it standardizes the parts used in the shop, limiting waste and simplifying material procurement. Additionally, as the production capacity of the prefab shop is better understood, contractors can build product catalogs for their design and detailing teams, allowing the production of more repetitive prefab elements and increasing the efficiency of the shop teams. REAL-TIME TRACKING OF SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORKSThe continued rise of offsite construction creates new challenges and opportunities for general contractors. As they develop new kits-of-parts and jobsite-based assembly factories, opt for the direct procurement of materials, or leverage more single- or multi-trade offsite prefabrication, the complexity of tracking what’s getting produced, which stage of production and where offsite elements are, as well as quantifying subcontractor or vendor delivery and installation performance also increases in complexity. These complexities drive the adoption of better, more comprehensive software platforms for tracking procurement, production, delivery, and performance in real time. These are being adopted in the point solutions or custom spreadsheets that have traditionally sufficed to track project deliveries and subcontractor performance. A best practice for teams looking to understand the current state of prefab operations for their business is to adopt technology that provides real-time visibility into specific jobs, including current status, location, and timing of produced materials. This improves accuracy of projects and drives productivity for today’s teams. INCREASING USAGE OF MASS TIMBER & OTHER SUSTAINABLE MATERIALSAccording to a recent report from United Nations Environment Programme, the building and construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the industry at large is beginning to realize its impact, it’s identifying new best practices, processes, and materials to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency. Leading the way is Mass Timber, manufactured using small-diameter lumber from sustainably managed forests. Mass timber sequesters carbon and helps projects meet sustainability targets. Timberlab grew from the desire to alleviate pinch points in the mass timber industry through ownership of essential services and products that are not widely available in the construction market. A Swinerton company, Timberlab, was launched to deliver the entire lifecycle of a mass timber project from inception to installation and accelerate Industry Expectationstrends for the year continueIN THE KNOWBy Justin Schiwager

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202239the mainstream adoption of mass timber. From Ascent, the world’s tallest hybrid building, to the PDX Airport Terminal Redevelopment—Timberlab is a leading example of wood innovation and prefabrication possibilities. RISE OF THE BUILDING PRODUCT PLATFORMHistorically, the construction industry has started every project from scratch: planning, designing, and constructing each custom project in a one-off fashion. Not standardizing or “productizing” reusable design and fabrication elements results in wasted time and resources, higher costs, and prolonged schedules. Now, however, innovative building owners and developers are leveraging their work from previous projects, developing catalogs of reusable elements, and applying them to future projects. These kits-of-parts are paving a new way forward for the industry.Once defined, the kits-of-parts are incorporated into building product platforms used to quickly generate new project designs in a fraction of the time traditionally required. This dramatically reduces the soft costs associated with design, estimating, and project management. These product platforms are now being developed for many building types, including data centers, global hotel chains, healthcare facilities, commercial offices, multifamily housing, and more. Additionally, these building product platforms allow owners and developers to move up the value chain, unlocking new revenue streams with reduced supply chain risk. With a product platform, it’s finally possible for owners and developers to own desirable portions of the supply chain through the direct procurement of high-margin materials with opportunities to leverage volume discounts on bulk purchases. Not only are there cost advantages, but direct deals with partner manufacturers and material suppliers allow greater confidence in timely material deliveries through comprehensive material demand forecasts.CLOSING THOUGHTThe pandemic has increased the pace of change in the construction industry. What’s emerging now is a more innovative industry embracing new project delivery methods, including offsite construction and prefabrication, new levels of productization of buildings, and direct procurement of materials. By embracing these innovations and the new digital technologies that enable them, productivity rates are increasing, and contractors, owners, and developers can move up the value chain to add more value and earn more revenue on projects. about the authorJustin Schwaiger, PE, is Manufacton’s director of customer success, enabling construction companies to efficiently run their offsite factories by building scalable implementation programs and partnerships advancing industrialized construction. For more, visit www.vizztechnologies.com.

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Financing Optionsensuring steady and sustainable growthMONEY MATTERSBy Matthew GillmanPhoto courtesy of Mikael BlomkvistMAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com40management solutionMany business owners in the construction scene are looking for ways to secure capital without going through rigorous loan applications from traditional lenders. Some finance experts predict that business owners may have difficulty getting a loan, especially if they incurred significant financial loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Business owners might not even consider getting financing from traditional lenders, knowing that losses and unpaid debts have tainted their balance sheets. This makes alternative financing options all the more critical.ALTERNATIVE FINANCINGAlternative financing allows you to get financial support through various options, apart from small business loans from banks and credit unions. It pertains to any type of financing that falls outside traditional options offered by banks. Before discussing your financing options, let’s talk about why you need more capital for your construction business.WHY YOU NEED CAPITALConstruction companies are always in need of capital because they have to invest in heavy machinery, equipment, and tools before starting their projects. Without access to capital, it will be difficult for company owners to make strategic growth decisions, such as hiring more employees or opening more offices.If you’re a construction company owner, knowing why you need capital before checking out your options is important. Why do you need the money in the first place? Do you think you’re earning enough to carry on debt? The sooner you determine where you will use the funds, the easier it will be for you to find the right loan.When you’ve identified why your business needs money, it will be easier for your lender to determine whether you’re qualified to get a loan or not. During this process, lenders will help you identify the best type of loan to support your needs. After that, you can use this reference below to know your financing options. While you have various options to choose from, you should consult with finance experts to point you in the right direction.BEST FINANCING OPTIONSEquipment financing: Having the right equipment is key to getting the job done when you’re in the construction business. But buying new equipment can be expensive, and sometimes it’s not possible to pay for it all at once. This is where equipment financing comes in. Equipment financing or equipment loan is one of the most preferable types of financing that allows you to purchase or lease new equipment without paying upfront. For companies, this means getting the equipment they need to optimize existing workflows and accomplish construction projects right on schedule.Business line of credit: A business line of credit functions as a revolving fund, which you can use for unexpected expenses. It serves as your financial cushion for emergencies such as renovating your shop, repairing equipment, mitigating cyber threats, or processing employee payroll when money is tight.This type of financing allows you to pull out funds from your accounts whenever you need it, then pay it back with interest before they’re due. When your business line of credit is left unused, no interest charges will be incurred to your account.A line of credit can be beneficial for construction company owners who need funds but don’t want to disrupt their cash flow. It’s what you can use to finance projects without going through the hassle of applying for a loan every time you need money.SBA 7(a) loans: The SBA 7(a) loan is the most in-demand SBA loan program to date. It’s also the most flexible because you can use it to suffice for short- and long-term working capital needs, debt refinancing, or purchasing new office equipment.

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202241This type of loan is designed to help small businesses secure financing when they might not otherwise qualify for a loan. What’s great about any SBA loan is it’s backed by the government. The SBA may guarantee up to 85% of the loan amount you’ve qualified for, which reduces your risk as a borrower.Invoice factoring: Invoice factoring is when a construction company sells its outstanding invoices to a third-party company at a discount. In return, the company will receive a lump sum of cash, which can be used to cover various expenses, bills, and debts.Invoice factoring can benefit your business in so many ways. First, it allows you to free up much-needed cash quickly. Second, it can help improve your cash flow and reduce reliance on credit lines from banks or other financial institutions. Lastly, invoice factoring can also build your business credit score when payments are made on time. This can be helpful when seeking loans or other forms of financing in the future.Term loans: Having a steady stream of income is crucial for your business. One way to maintain a positive cash flow is by taking out a term loan, which you can use to keep operations running.A term loan is a type of financing that’s repaid over a fixed period, usually between a few months and 5 years. The repayment terms will depend on the stability and structure of your business, your credit profile, and your purpose for borrowing the loan. The interest rate on a term loan is usually fixed, which means it will not change over the life of the loan.The main advantage of term loans is that they offer flexibility in terms of repayment schedules and interest rates. This makes them ideal for construction businesses that often have irregular income streams. Business term loans that use collateral to secure funds often have longer terms and lower rates associated with the loan agreement because the collateral offers security for the business term lender.CLOSING THOUGHTSGetting financing for your business will go a long way in ensuring its steady and sustainable growth. Before deciding which loan option is best for you, talk to finance experts and lenders. They will guide you through the application process and increase your chances of securing capital with better terms and rates. about the authorMatthew Gillman is a business financing expert with more than a decade of experience in commercial lending. He is the founder and CEO of SMB Compass, a specialty finance company providing education and financing options for business owners. For more, visit www.smbcompass.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com44software solutionThe last 2 calendar years were marked by uncertainty; however, they have provided lessons which were a catalyst for the development of new, innovative ways to overcome the challenges the world has faced. The year ahead is where construction and engineering can get back on track, with technology and a move towards total asset lifecycle service emerging as the cornerstone for the growth of the construction and engineering (C&E) industry. Here are three key predictions for the year ahead and beyond. CONSTRUCTION FIRMS PROVIDING SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE ARE SET TO DOUBLE BY 2025, SUPPORTING BUILDS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFECYCLESFast and friendly service is more commonly attributed to a waiter in your favorite restaurant than a worker on a construction site. However, an increasing number of asset owners are seeking to outsource service and maintenance contracts for their assets putting contractors who focus on the entire asset lifecycle at a significant advantage.Typically, these contracts are usually awarded to asset management specialists, however given the contract value for service and maintenance can typically be 120%-200% greater than value of the actual construction contract alone; if service and maintenance is also secured by the same contractor this can not only increase their revenue margins but also provide a more predictable and reliable revenue stream—which provides a platform for growth, innovation, and long-term success. However, winning these coveted service and maintenance contracts and delivering the full asset lifecycle, requires construction companies to become more customer centric and change their outlook. This starts with a desire to increase build quality and remain focused on delivering the final asset on time and most importantly on budget. The operating model also makes construction companies design the asset from a total asset lifecycle cost and performance perspective—changing their mindset to think more about what outcome the asset delivers. For many this is a significant change and will require them to support a much wider set of business processes than they have been used to in the past which could include an opportunity to bring in new skilled labor. In short, the next generation of construction contractor will have to see themselves as a Total Asset Lifecycle Service Provider. BY YEAR END, UP TO 85% OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL EMPLOY MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES (MMC)As construction methods continue to evolve, so is the reliance on modern methods of construction. With practices like offsite and modular construction continuing to become a method of choice due to their ability to reduce the construction time and improve quality—all whilst helping to lower costs, and reduce the ECO footprint, it makes sense then that this trend will continue to be a differentiating factor for many.There is a common misconception, though, that modern methods of construction are only about moving some of the work into a manufacturing facility. This is certainly part of the story but, it’s much greater than that—with the main aim being to do more with less. It is about rethinking the whole project process, for example, designing the asset with a view to it being built using modular and offsite principles. Construction companies must think about standardization of materials and components (Lego and configuration principles). They must consider logistics, shipping, and storage requirements when designing the asset to make sure it is practical, low cost, and ECO friendly. Service-first Mindsetbest practice for long-term growthYEAR OF INNOVATIONBy Kenny Ingram

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202245And as part of this respect best practice material and inventory management principles. Finally, constructors need to have a more structured approach to managing and executing construction work packages for erection, installation, and construction tasks moving towards a final assembly mindset.A long-term outlook will eventually result in 80% of the work being done offsite and 20% onsite so the winners will be the companies who can optimise this new way of working. Approximately 85% of all construction projects are predicted to use modern methods of construction in some capacity by the end of 2022. It’s therefore vital that construction companies ensure their business system architecture can support this trend. With many legacy systems unable to support modern methods, advancing construction techniques, logistics and shipping, and engineer to order manufacturing processes—a radical rethink is required. In short, the next generation contractor will be a hybrid business—contractor and logistics company and sometimes a manufacturer as well. INTEGRATED PROJECT MANAGEMENT (IPM) WILL BECOME AN ESSENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INGREDIENT FOR PROJECT CONTINUITY In an industry which faces constant disruptions, battles disconnected jobsites and unpredictable environments, planning has never been so important. This has become hugely apparent throughout 2021, with the ongoing challenges around the diminishing labor pool still raging now combining with the equally troubling situation of raw material price increases and lengthening material supply lead times adding an uneasy lack of predictability. Demonstrated by the likes of steel increasing by 70% and timber prices tracking 23% higher than in 2020, raw material inflation is a major concern to many construction companies—especially given the extremely tight profit margins many already operate on.Unfortunately, these challenges do not look like they’ll be easing anytime soon. It is therefore crucial that engineering and construction companies who want to grow and deliver projects successfully develop a more integrated planning process that starts from the initial project inception. The industry has traditionally managed with a reactive fire-fighting approach but the resource constraints that the industry now faces means that this approach is no longer sustainable. Most industries have been driving to become lean by having fewer preferred suppliers and just in time deliveries. The resource shortage challenges are making it a necessity to think more about a “Just in Case” strategy to make sure projects can be delivered on time. The result is that planning excellence is now a MUST HAVE rather than a NICE TO HAVE.CLOSING THOUGHTWith the challenges of the past 2 years behind us, the year ahead is set to be a year of construction innovations. In response to the recent disruption to projects and a smaller labor pool, organizations are having to adapt to a changed business environment. As governments commence recovery plans spearheaded by infrastructure projects, construction and engineering projects are starting to gain momentum once again. However, the industry landscape has changed and so must businesses in order to thrive. A service-first mindset is now the best practice for long-term growth in this new world. about the authorKenny Ingram is vice president C&E with IFS. For more, visit www.ifs.com.ON THE WEBMore about project continuity in this article on mcsmag.com

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com46legal solutionRansomware Alertthink again, and then againPROTECT YOUR BUSINESSMany contractors and other businesses do not even think about it and if they do, they think it is something only the Fortune 500s of the world need worry about. This delusion is extremely dangerous and short-sighted. As the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency repeatedly warn, ransomware attacks have an impact upon all sectors, and many ransomware attacks also target small- and medium-size businesses. According to the FBI’s 2018 and 2019 Internet Crime Reports, there was a 37% annual increase in reported ransomware cases and a 147% annual increase in associated losses from 2018 to 2019. Particularly targeted at present is the infrastructure and the expansion of construction projects occurring under the infrastructure programs of the federal government.FORMS OF RANSOMWARERansomware is a form of malicious software—malware—designed to block access to a computer system or data, often by encrypting data or programs on information technology systems to extort ransom payments from their targets in exchange for the key to decrypting the information and restoring the target’s access to their systems or data. The “cybercriminals” use stealth, phishing and creative schemes to introduce the malware into the target’s systems, taking advantage of gaps or weaknesses in the electronic systems or, in fact, ignorance, laziness or mere inattention of the targets. As the U.S. National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force states, common infection mechanisms include:Email phishing campaigns: The cybercriminal sends an email containing a malicious file or link, which deploys malware when clicked by a recipient. Cybercriminals historically have used generic, broad-based spamming strategies to deploy their malware, though recent ransomware campaigns have been more targeted and sophisticated. Criminals may also compromise a victim’s email account by using precursor malware, which enables the cybercriminal to use a victim’s email account to further spread the infection. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) vulnerabilities: RDP is a proprietary network protocol that allows individuals to control the resources and data of a computer over the internet. Cybercriminals have used both brute-force methods, a technique using trial-and-error to obtain user credentials, and credentials purchased on dark web marketplaces to gain unauthorized RDP access to victim systems. Once they have RDP access, criminals can deploy a range of malware, including ransomware, to victim systems.Software vulnerabilities: Cybercriminals can take advantage of security weaknesses in widely used software programs to gain control of victim systems and deploy ransomware.In addition to the attack, the cybercriminals often threaten to publicly disclose victims’ sensitive files. The Cybercriminals then demand a ransomware payment, usually through digital currency, in exchange for the decryption key.ELECTRONIC OPERATIONSContractors increasingly rely on electronic systems and the exchange of contracts, subcontracts, vendor communications, designs, drawings and specifications, and shared documents and data, but like many businesses, contractors often do not have a true IT or in-house network security staff, thus making them more susceptible than average to such ransomware cyberattacks. And even average is nowhere near good enough.The economic and reputational damage caused by ransomware incidents, whether from the initial disruption or through the often-extended recovery, can be extensive. Not only will ransomware incidents severely impact the contractor’s operations, but by forcing it to shut down during the attack, the contractor cannot perform and becomes potentially subject to liability to the owner for the delays, missed benchmarks, additional supply costs, or other breach of contract. DANGER OF RANSOMWAREVictims of such ransomware cyberattacks often think they should—or have no choice but to—just pay the ransom. This is an understandable reaction, but it is fraught with serious dangers, and not merely dealing with despicable and dishonest actors who may or may not live up to freeing the captive system and data and may or may not slip a stealth sleeper file or backdoor for a later attack or the theft of data.In fact, paying or facilitating ransomware payments may subject the victim and those assisting the victim By Christopher Scott D’Angelo

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202247to significant criminal or civil penalties. For example, as the Department of the Treasury notes, “ransomware payments made to sanctioned persons or to comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions could be used to fund activities adverse to the national security and foreign policy objectives of the United States. Ransomware payments may also embolden Cybercriminals to engage in future attacks.” Such activities may also be subject to restrictions and liability under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or the Trading with the Enemy Act, Executive Orders, and Office of Foreign Assets Control Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, among others.PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESSWhat should the contractor do? First adopt and maintain detailed protective policies or systems and remember to review your contracts, particularly the force majeure and limitations of liability clauses to be sure that they protect you in the event of delays, disruptions and other effects of a ransomware attack or other cyberattack not only on your company but also on all those whom you work with on the project.In addition, contractors and other businesses should investigate insurance options. The right insurance can help reduce concerns about ransomware attacks. The challenge is finding affordable coverage. According to Marsh, in 2021 cyber insurance pricing in the United States increased an average of 96% year-over-year. Insurers are also insisting on more staff and updated systems. In looking for insurance, the business should be looking for and considering coverage for business interruption, data recovery, security incident and breach coverage, and dependent business interruption relating to supply chain risks. Companies should also look for insurers that provide support and service.CLOSING THOUGHTThe cliché is “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Here, it is more, an ounce of prevention can save your assets. Act now. about the authorChristopher Scott D’Angelo is chair of both the Business Disputes & Products Liability Practice and International Practice at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP, based in Philadelphia and New York City. His practice involves business, products liability, construction, class action, and insurance counseling and litigation, including his role as national counsel for several major U.S. clients and his representation of foreign concerns in the United States and U.S. concerns abroad. He can be reached at cdangelo@mmwr.com.ON THE WEBMore resources and contacts are in this article on mcsmag.com

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com48technology solutionSmart Road Infrastructureunderstanding the opportunities for AI-cameras and LiDARTECH INNOVATIONAs the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January sparked a new wave of autonomous vehicles (AVs) coming to the automotive market in the next few years, much focus as of late has been on the technology of these vehicles themselves. However, the technology embedded in road infrastructure is also beginning to see more conversation between service providers and municipalities.With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G network connectivity, smart-road infrastructure technology offers the promise of being added to many different roads, bridges, and other transit systems across the U.S. in hopes of improving real-time traffic analytics and tackling the most challenging road safety and traffic management problems. One technology at the center of this discussion is on the present-day use of AI-enhanced cameras and tomorrow’s promise of LiDAR technology.ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAMERAS Today there are hundreds of thousands of traffic cameras deployed in the U.S. alone, and even millions more when CCTV cameras are considered. They are mainly used for road monitoring and basic traffic management applications (e.g., loop emulation). However, bringing the latest advancements of AI to these assets can immediately improve basic application performance and unlock more advanced software applications and use-cases.AI and Machine Learning deliver superior sensing performance over traditional computer vision techniques found in legacy cameras. They enable more robust, flexible, and accurate detection, tracking and classification of all road users with algorithms that can automatically adapt to various lighting and weather conditions. In addition, they allow for predictive capabilities to better model road user movements and behaviors, and improve road safety. Agencies can immediately benefit from AI-enhanced cameras with applications such as road conflict detection and analysis, pedestrian crossing FEATURELEGACY CAMERAAI-POWEREDCAMERALIDARAI-POWEREDCAMERA & LADAR INFUSIONChallenging lighting (low light, glare) Low Medium High HighAdverse weather conditions (snow, rain, fog)Low High Medium HighLocalization Low Medium High HighClassification Low High Medium HighAffordability High Medium Low LowRELATIVE PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF CAMERA VS. LIDAR TODAY1. Assumes presence of IR or good low-light sensor2. Expected to improve with timeBy Dr. Georges Aoude and Karl Jeanbart

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prediction and infrastructure sensing for AV deployments.LIDAR TECHNOLOGY LiDAR can provide complementary and sometimes overlapping value with cameras; however, there are still several safety critical edge cases where LiDAR’s technology does not perform well (e.g., heavy rain and snow, granular classification), and where cameras have been proven to handle better. Moreover, today’s LiDAR technology remains expensive to deploy at scale due to its high unit price and limited field of view. As an example, it would take multiple LiDARs at a hefty investment to be deployed in a single intersection, where just one 360-degree AI-camera can be a more cost-effective solution.For many budget-focused communities, AI-cameras remain the proven technology of choice today. Over time, as the cost of LiDAR technology moderates, communities should evaluate augmenting their infrastructure with such sensors. SENSOR FUSIONWhen the cost of LiDAR technology eventually sees an anticipated reduction, it will be viewed as a strong and viable addition to the AI-enhanced cameras that are being installed today. Similar to autonomous vehicles, sensor fusion would be the go-to approach for smart infrastructure solutions and would allow to maximize the benefits of both technologies. See table.The use of a cost-effective and performing AI-powered camera today, combined with the great potential of LiDAR in the coming years, could help communities and municipalities achieve a win-win scenario today and tomorrow.CLOSING THOUGHTAt the end of the day, the goal is clear in improving overall traffic flow and diminishing vehicle crashes and fatalities, but the technology and implementation strategy has to be right in doing so. The technology monitoring our roads needs to change too, thus calling for the consideration of AI-powered cameras today with the promise of LiDAR tomorrow. www.mcsmag.com MAY 202249about the authorsDr. Georges Aoude and Karl Jeanbart are co-founders of Derq, an MIT spinoff powering the future of connected and autonomous roads, making cities smarter and safer for all road users, and enabling the deployment of autonomous vehicles at scale. Derq provides cities and fleets with an award-winning and patented smart infrastructure Platform powered by AI that helps them tackle the most challenging road safety and traffic management problems.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com50technology solutionAs the saying goes, the only constant is change—and that’s particularly true in the construction industry. This makes the data accuracy specific to jobs and resources extremely important. Worker shortages, global supply chain disruptions, and price increases are just some of the many challenges construction companies face today. Because of this, proper data management and agile planning are necessities for construction teams seeking to meet their business goals and remain financially strong.The pandemic taught construction companies the importance of scenario planning to best address the constant and rapid change that occurs in the industry. Yet many organizations continue to be hindered by cumbersome and inconsistent spreadsheets that are, unfortunately, the basis for critical business decision-making. This slow and inefficient process makes scenario planning quite difficult. Manual financial planning and analysis processes are time-intensive, often taking days or weeks to determine budgets, forecasts, and month-end close. Further, they do not allow for multiple iterations of forecasting and analysis. This means that once market conditions change after budgets and forecasts are set, construction companies often are at a loss to where they are headed and/or how they stand financially.CONSOLIDATION IS KEYFor construction companies and contractors, information is typically scattered across different groups and departments within the organization. This vital data can exist in individual computers, network drives, mobile devices, and even in boxes locked up in storage rooms, making the process of consolidating information important for specific projects and the overall outcome of the business quite difficult to manage. To make the best possible use of this disparate and siloed data, executives and teams need a more unified and automated system. At the end of the day, both time and money are wasted when construction companies are looking across multiple departments for missing data. Not to mention the great potential for mistakes and inaccuracies from manual entries, which can lead to financial losses. By consolidating that data into one central location, organizations can quickly access the data they need for generating reports and timely decision making and feel confident in their final outcome. BETTER FINANCIAL PLANNINGBy digitizing the FP&A process through technology tools like corporate performance management (CPM) software, construction companies are empowered with the most recent data, automatically pulled from different sources into one centralized dashboard. CPM enables construction teams to quickly consolidate their data without the inconsistencies of spreadsheets, while benefiting from real-time insights that help them better understand the story behind their data. This helps construction teams know more about the status of their materials, timelines, and available cash, so they can make smart decisions no matter what happens next. CPM gives construction teams the agility they need to run scenarios based on common industry challenges, make quick decisions, and reforecast to maximize profits and achieve long-term goals. IMPROVE MITIGATING RISKAnother advantage to modernizing the FP&A process is the vast improvement in mitigating risk. Construction teams often suffer when Excel files are passed around to different stakeholders, resulting in broken formulas, errors, and conflicting versions of the truth. For instance, numbers input by the interior design team could be up to date, while initial information added by the contracting team may be weeks old. This results in inaccuracies, confusion, and sometimes direct financial loss. In contrast, CPM solutions give teams across the organization a holistic view of the data, resulting in greater efficiency and more reliable and confident decision-making.Construction Financebuilding a better future through modernized data managementBEST PRACTICESBy Daniel Fellows

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202251REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE A great example of this is Colorado-based Encore Electric, which recently standardized its reporting process by switching from an Excel spreadsheet-based program to CPM software from Prophix. By switching to Prophix CPM software, Encore automated its budgeting process and arranged for all of its data to live in a cloud-based system. With Prophix’s standardized templates and workflows, it now takes Encore just 30 minutes to create a new budget and add in each stakeholders’ data inputs. Automating this process has saved the company over 1,800 hours in the budgeting process.Encore Electric gained the added visibility of key performance indicators (KPIs) provided by the Prophix CPM solution. With the finance team now able to easily capture a clear picture of the status of Accounts Receivables, the company is armed with the information it needs to take action—improving its days sales outstanding (DSO) by 40 days. This has far-reaching benefits in the construction business, from enhancing working capital, to creating greater flexibility with short-term capital decisions—reducing the company’s need to borrow cash in a time when interest rates are on the rise. FP&A PROCESS AGILITYFor contractors and construction teams, maximum agility in the FP&A process is incredibly important. Companies in this industry must be especially prepared to pivot their operations, adapting to changing market conditions to be proactive instead of reactive. Historically, the construction industry has lagged behind others when it came to technology adoption. But construction companies and contractors now have the ability to centralize their data, track trends, and make use of “historicals” to create the smoothest reporting and projections possible. Businesses like Encore Electric are benefiting from moving beyond cumbersome paper-based tools and leaning into agile technology-enabled planning tools to make the most of data. CLOSING THOUGHTBusinesses today, no matter what industry they are in, rely on accurate and consolidated real-time data to make timely business decisions. For today’s construction companies, where the only constant they know is change, tapping into agile data management and CPM software tools is key to be able to scale, grow, and navigate their business, within even the most volatile markets. about the authorDaniel Fellows serves as a product marketing manager for Prophix, a global leader in mid-market CPM software. For more, visit www.prophix.com.www.sunflowerboatandbarge.com • 563-583-0556• Sectional Barges• Spud Barges from 75x32 to 195x70• Hydraulic Dredges• Truckable Tugboats from 300 – 600 hp• Traditional Tugboats• Support EquipmentAvailable for Lease:

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com52maintenance solutionPavement Preservationintegral in maintaining infrastructureCRAFCO PRODUCTSCrafco transformed how pavement cracks were repaired more than four decades ago. Today, they are among the most recognized and trusted materials and equipment manufacturers in the pavement preservation industry. Since 1976, Crafco has delivered the highest quality materials and equipment to extend pavement life effectively. Crafco products are used across the United States and globally to preserve pavement, bridges, roofing, waterproofing, and athletic surfaces. Be it roadway, parking lot, airport, or overpass, Crafco products are integral to maintaining and preserving our infrastructure. Crafco’s high-quality sealants work in all climates and provide long-lasting protection, durability, and reliability. When tested, Crafco’s sealants demonstrated the longest service life in the industry, achieving 7+ years of service life in asphalt and 21+ years in concrete pavement joints.* CRAFCO PRODUCT FAMILYSome of the industry’s top brands that customers know and respect are part of the Crafco family, including Crafco® Roadsaver, PolyFlex, and Asphalt Rubber hot-applied sealants, Mastics One® and TechCrete™ repair products; Action Pave® pavement sealers and acrylic coatings for sport courts; Deery® sealants and mastics; Flex-A-Fill® sealants; and Ultraseal™ sealants and waterproofing system.At Crafco, the Materials Quality and Technology (MQT) Department rigorously tests and monitors the production of its materials for formula quality and product improvements. A staff of 24, including six engineers, is always focused on innovation and continuous quality. The professionals at Crafco work with ASTM to develop and update specifications for products used worldwide. The MQT department furthers research projects to target performance improvements through ongoing memberships and the Asphalt Institute. As a member of the Association of Modified Asphalt Producers, Crafco stays updated on new and ever-changing technology; this is something Crafco customers have come to expect when it comes to performance and value for all of their brands. The rigorous QA and QC standards established in this department verify nothing gets to a customer unless it is perfect. INNOVATION IS KEYFrom 1976, when Crafco first started, innovation has always been key to customer loyalty. The company started with the revolutionary idea of making a flexible sealant to repair pavement cracks. The pavement preservation industry was born when Crafco began its business using rubber reclaimed from old tires and a patented manufacturing process. Over the 45 year history of Crafco, the materials they produce are constantly evolving and improving. As a recognized leader in asphalt modification manufacturing, Crafco meets all the needs of its customers by having the most diverse line of pavement preservation products. In the early 1980s, Crafco was the first manufacturer in the pavement preservation industry to package sealant in a box. Constantly innovating, Crafco now holds two patents on meltable packaging processes for sealants and mastics. Crafco’s innovative meltable packaging reduces packaging, removes waste, and saves labor. Meltable packaging is good for the environment and reduces labor costs for the customer—a win for you and the planet.SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENTCrafco also produces the specialized equipment to apply its products. They designed and built the specialized equipment needed to utilize the innovative sealants it created, born from necessity at its origin. Crafco offers two revolutionary melter/applicator models—the EZ series, a workhorse, and the Super Shot series, its flagship melter. The unsurpassed simplicity of the Super Shot series takes all the work out of the operation. An integrated control system monitors every aspect of the process. Crafco’s patented on-demand pump and sealant dispensing system makes crack sealing easy. Start the *PPRA website, Treatment Resource Center, September 19, 2018, roadresource.org/treatment_resources/crack_seal.

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www.mcsmag.com MAY 202253engine, set the temperature, and the control system takes over—properly running the melter. Over several decades, the EZ series has evolved to the highest production melter Crafco offers. The center heating tower in the material vat speeds up melting and increases output. It is a workhorse that is unmatched. Crafco also has the Model 30 Pavement Router, used to create a perfect reservoir for the sealant to be placed in the crack, optimizing its longevity and performance. The router can cut pavement at a rate of over 1,000 linear feet per hour, getting the job done quickly. In anticipation of the OSHA regulation on dust and working to achieve a better overall work environment for the operator, Crafco pioneered a dust control system to contain the respirable dust generated when cutting the pavement. Additionally, Crafco has developed a Crack-Vac 2TM unit to clean the pavement and contain dust, dirt, and debris when cleaning the cracks. Equipped with a HEPA air filtering system, the environment stays clean, the operator remains comfortable, and no dust gets created. STANDARD OF SUCCESSAll of Crafco’s equipment is manufactured to meticulous quality and usability standards and is backed by the best warranty in the industry. Because Crafco equipment is so intuitive and automated, it simplifies application and protects worker safety. The engineering group at Crafco is focused on developing new and innovative equipment and features through ongoing research to provide the industry’s safest and most reliable equipment. They are constantly testing the equipment, ensuring it meets the highest quality standard in the industry. At Crafco, the success of its customers’ is their success as well. All of the employees at Crafco and its distributors are dedicated to making sure its customers are successful. Crafco appreciates the many years of success achieved together with its loyal customers. CLOSING THOUGHTWhen it comes to partnering with Crafco, they make it easy. Crafco has a nationwide distribution network that offers maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, new and used equipment sales, and rentals. Crafco’s team will consult with its customers to find the best, most cost-effective solution for needed. Crafco and its distribution network provide expert training, on-site support, troubleshooting, and service. From high-performance materials to award-winning equipment, it’s no wonder Crafco is a recognized leader in the pavement preservation industry. for more informationFor more about Crafco products, visit crafco.com.

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com54modern construction productsThe Infinity X1 Worklight with Bluetooth Speaker provides adjustable illumination with the added bonus of connectivity to listen to your favorite music and USB charging port to charge your device. The lights have a rugged exterior and are versatile with multiple ways for use. The brightest light setting provides 700 lumens for up to 2.5 hours with an illumination field of 28m. There is also a medium and low setting. There are also two red light settings—a solid red light for use at night and in low light settings to preserve night vision and a flashing red light for emergency signaling. The Infinity X1 Worklight is available at Costco in a two-pack for $29.99. For more, visit www.infinityx1.com. INFINITY X1Speaker WorklightAquajet introduces its newest hydrodemolition robot: the Aqua Cutter 750V. The new model launches Aquajet’s revolutionary patented Infinity oscillation that moves the water jet in an infinity—or figure 8—pattern, removing more concrete in a single pass while reducing shadowing, eliminating the risk of pipe holes and providing an ideal bonding surface. The 750V features the next generation Evolution 3.0 Control System that includes new functions, including the ability to automatically calculate optimal settings for lance motion for greater precision and efficiency. The 750V cleans and descales rebar without causing microfracturing. For more, visit www.aquajet.se. AQUAJETAqua Cutter 750V Elgin Sweeper announces the new RegenX1, a customer-driven design, mid-dump regenerative air street sweeper that is easy to use, clean, and maintain. The RegenX1 is a single-engine, truck-mounted regenerative air sweeper that eliminates the work of maintaining two engines and cost exposure resulting from “missed” auxiliary engine regenerations. The new sweeper also utilizes a highly efficient dust separator and large screen surface area to reduce carryover and sand blasting. A 56-inch roll-off container dump height with 50-degree dump angle and 8 yd3 hopper helps avoid double handling and reduces dumping. For more, visit www.elginsweeper.com. ELGIN SWEEPER Air Street SweeperLeica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, announces the Leica AP20 AutoPole—an innovative solution for automated total stations. The AP20 AutoPole combines an intelligent sensor module with the new AP Reflector Pole. The tilt compensation of the AP20 AutoPole increases efficiency when working with total stations. Tilt compensation decreases measurement time and increases flexibility and safety on site by enabling the measuring of points in locations that are inaccessible or put the user at risk. By updating the pole height automatically in the field software, the system ensures that the height on record is always correct. For more, visit hexagon.com. LEICA GEOSYSTEMSAP20 AutoPole www.sunflowerboatandbarge.com • 563-583-0556• Sectional Barges• Spud Barges from 75x32 to 195x70• Hydraulic Dredges• Truckable Tugboats from 300 – 600 hp• Traditional Tugboats• Support EquipmentAvailable for Lease:sunflowerboatandbarge.com563.583.0556

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MAY 2022 www.mcsmag.com56coach’s cornerIntention Mattershow to develop high-performance teamsJUST A THOUGHTBy Randy GorukREGISTER TO RECEIVE A TIP EACH WEEK FROM RANDY AT WWW.LEADERSEDGE360.COM.Generally, leaders know that poor teamwork generates poor results, good teamwork generates good results, and exceptional teamwork generates exceptional results. It’s the exceptional leaders who proactively and strategically develop their employees to become high performers. They know the more developed their teams are, the better their employees will perform—and they’ll get better-than-industry-average results. They also know their people will be more productive because they’re engaged, empowered, and inspired to work at a high level. How can you develop high-performance teams? Here are three keys: ESTABLISH AN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGYA popular definition of engaged employees is people feeling passionate about their jobs. Committed to the organizations’ goals, they put discretionary effort into their work. As a result, people on the team work extremely well together. Excited to be with each other, they work in harmony; they’re creative; they get things done productively. They also value a work environment in which coworkers to want to contribute.Leaders wanting a high-performance team must understand, appreciate, and respect the value of having engaged employees. Then they must identify the greatest opportunities to improve their performance and measure the effectiveness. IMPLEMENT CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TRAINING Understanding how business is conducted helps everyone know and appreciate the performance of others throughout the organization. Cross-functional training gives team members exposure to aspects of the business outside their primary areas of responsibility such as someone in estimating gets exposure training in accounting. Cross-functional training is about understanding how the pieces fit together. It can also strengthen working relationships, break down silos, minimize turnover, encourage and support teamwork, improve company morale, and improve overall performance and results. During the training process, exceptional leaders ask challenging questions to ensure cross-department connections are made. CREATE A DESIRED WORK ETHIC CULTURE To develop a company’s culture, leaders must first identify what the desired culture looks like, then determine what must happen to achieve it. For example, leaders might envision a team of people who exert a tireless level of effort to get the work done. Everyone willingly does what needs to be done without complaining or hesitating—and even without being asked. Next, they identify the traits of people who have the desired work ethic. Here are ways they can follow through:• Identify people those work ethic other leaders admire and respect and make a list of qualities they possess.• Think about people whose work ethic is not up to par and make a list of qualities these people possess.• After refining the list of wanted work ethic traits, recruit and hire only people who possess the majority of traits on the list. • Over time, develop or replace those who do not possess the desired work ethic. about the coachAs a leadership development expert, Randy Goruk works with construction industry leaders to improve employee engagement and business growth. Contact Randy directly to learn how he can help you and your team: randy@LeadersEdge360.com.ONE LAST THOUGHT Leaders who proactively and strategically develop their people into high performers will have success attracting and retaining top talent.

Modern Contractor Solutions May 2022

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