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OCTOBER 2022DIGITAL EDITION

OCTOBER 2022WWW.MCSMAG.COMTHE FUTURE OF THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRYTHE INDUSTRYWOMEN IN WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION DIGITAL DIGITAL REPORTINGREPORTINGPREVENT DISPUTESPREVENT DISPUTESWORKPLACE WORKPLACE PRIORITY PRIORITYINVEST IN SAFETYINVEST IN SAFETYSWOT SWOT ANALYSIS ANALYSISSTRATEGIC STRATEGIC PLANNING PLANNINGERGONOMICSERGONOMICSREDUCE INJURIESREDUCE INJURIES

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com4CARBON MONOXIDE PREVENTION ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITEGuest Post by Jane MarshQ&A WITH MAUDE BEAUPIED, DEMO ROBOT OPERATORGuest Post by Katie Grube3840OCTOBER 2022VOLUME 16 ISSUE 10Inside This Issue36special focusIN EVERY ISSUEIndustry News ............................ 08Modern Construction Products ... 50Coach’s Corner ........................... 52technology solutionDistracted Drivingminimize risk with coachingsoftware solutionDigital Reportingpreventing project disputesspecial focusChristina OdenOMD I Corp.14WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONlegal solutionPrice Escalationaddressing price increases on projects with contracts, clausesON THE BLOGThe Merlo P120.10 HM in Boyd Cat Bowling Green, Kentucky, is heading to a residential jobsite for the Fulkerson family, to be used for various lifting projects. Amanda Butler, equipment sales representative for Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., tested multiple features to ensure the Merlo P120.10 HM is work ready. Photo courtesy of Brittany Pippin Photography18special focusLinda PawlakWalbec Group22special focusNatalie MartinCresset Chemical Companywww.ams-merlo.comwww.bigge.comMaude Beaupied

SPECIAL FOCUSChristina Oden .......................................................... 14McCarthy Building Companies .................................. 16Linda Pawlak ............................................................. 18Denise Stoppleworth ................................................. 20Natalie Martin ............................................................ 22EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONMaking the Switch..................................................... 24MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSWork Smart Not Hard: P3 of 4 ................................... 26To Upgrade or Not ..................................................... 28Reduce Risk .............................................................. 30Pain Points ................................................................ 32SOFTWARE SOLUTIONSLinarc Platform .......................................................... 34Digital Reporting ....................................................... 36LEGAL SOLUTIONPrice Escalation ......................................................... 38TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONSDistracted Driving...................................................... 40VoIP Simplified .......................................................... 42SAFETY SOLUTIONSInvest in Safety: P1 of 2 ............................................ 44Ergonomic Solutions ................................................. 46SUBSCRIPTIONS 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 ChiefWOMEN: CONSTRUCTION’S FUTUREWelcome to October! This month’s issue features women in construction influencing the industry. From a trailblazer in NYC (pg 14) to a company embracing women in the workforce (pg 16) to an agency owner covering the construction arena through meaningful communications (pg 20), the future of the construction segment is strong. The mantra, “Work Smarter Not Harder,” has been around a long time. This mindset also applies to scheduling and optimizing a crew’s strength (pg 26). For guidance on whether or not to purchase or lease your next piece of equipment, check out page 28. For 10 steps to manage risk on projects, check out the article on page 30. This month’s issue has a legal article addressing price increases on your projects and it come down to the clauses in the contract. Check it out on page 38. Lastly, this month’s Coach’s Corner talks about SWOT analysis; a must-read as 2022 enters its last quarter. Be prepared for 2023.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, 52COACH’S CORNER SWOT AnalysisMAKE PLANS TO ATTENDWork trucks are vital in the masonry and construction industries, so it’s about time they have their own section at one of the biggest trade shows in the industry. Modern WorkTruck Solutions is here to make it happen, bringing you Work Truck Live! at World of Concrete. Work Truck Live! is an exhibit area dedicated only to the workhorses of the industry. Happening January 17–19, 2023, in Las Vegas, Work Truck Live! will showcase the work truck industry’s newest innovations and updates that will increase a company’s fleet safety and productivity.Jade Brasher EditorModern WorkTruck SolutionsOCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTHPink represents support for the cause.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsEQUIPMENT BUYING MADE SIMPLE WITH NEW ONLINE PORTAL A brand new online platform that connects equipment buyers and vendors launches. Equiphunter.com is a custom-built online platform that provides construction equipment buyers with a one-stop request for quote (RFQ) solution that can save them both time and money. The free to use website enables buyers to submit their new and used equipment needs via a simple online form and receive customized quotes from registered vendors. Buyers can view and compare the quotes in their dedicated dashboard and contact their chosen vendor to complete the sale.Buyers benefit from a convenient one-time submission of their requirements and can expect to receive a minimum of 3 quotes within 7 days from leading manufacturers, dealers, and resellers. Vendors have access to a dynamic quote submission tool that enables high levels of personalization, including the addition of videos, photos, specification sheets, freight costs, additional fees, and more. Equipment buyers and vendors can now sign up for a free account at www.equiphunter.com.HOLCIM INVESTS IN 3D CONSTRUCTION PRINTING TECH LEADER COBODHolcim announces its investment in COBOD International, a global leader in 3D construction printing, to advance world-class 3D printing materials, robotics, and automation together. Building on its collaboration with COBOD since 2019, this investment will further leverage Holcim’s innovative range of proprietary ink TectorPrint, tailored for 3D printing. Holcim and COBOD have successfully collaborated on a range of innovative building projects, from 3Dprinted windmill tower bases with GE, to the world’s first 3D-printed school in Malawi and Africa’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing project in Kenya.Holcim’s TectorPrint is an innovative 3D printing ink range that can be tailored for complex applications from residential buildings to infrastructure. Empowering smart design, 3D printing can reduce material use by up to 50% to build more with less with no compromise in performance. Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com. Visit cobod.com for more information.LFM CAPITAL ANNOUNCES NEW INVESTMENT IN ATTACHMENTS MANUFACTURER CIDLFM Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses, announces its investment in Construction Implement Depot (CID). CID is a leading manufacturer of skid steer and compact track loader attachments, compact tractor attachments, and mini-excavator attachments. CID’s products are manufactured in OSHA Compliant Guardrail andStair Rail SystemsSafety Boot® Guardrail SystemStringerShield® Stair Rail System1.800.804.4741safetyboot.com• Non-Penetrating Design• Rugged Steel Construction• Exceeds OSHA Regulations• Simple, Aordable & Reusable• Residential, Multi-Family & Commercial Applications• Unique Free Standing Design• Keep Post Attached For Reuse On Next Level Or ProjectFeatured on osha.gov website!

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com10industry newsits Denton, North Carolina, factory and sold through distributors, private label, and OEM arrangements throughout North America. The broad-based product line is used for a variety of applications, targeting the landscaping, light construction, lifestyle farmer, snow removal, and more. The company will emphasize a digital first strategy to provide dealers and customers with real-time visibility to pricing, availability, lead-time, customization, parts, operating manuals, and more. A national dealer network will also be available for customers who prefer in-person shopping or service experiences. For more, visit www.cidattachments.com.TRIMBLE’S SETS NEW STANDARD FOR ROBOTIC TOTAL STATION SCALABILITYTrimble introduced the latest addition to its portfolio of innovative robotic total stations—the Trimble® Ri. The instrument’s flexibility and upgradeability make high-end total station technology more accessible and sets a new scalability standard for use across the construction industry.The Trimble Ri will be offered in multiple configurations to meet a diverse set of workflows for MEP, concrete, steel, and general contractors. The base units can be scaled remotely via annual subscription licensing packages and software customization.The Trimble Ri is built on the company’s decades of field-proven experience developing and producing robotic total stations. Easy to operate with extended layout capabilities, the total station provides longer laser range, focusable EDM, eye-safe laser pointer, and improved target tracking. Leveraging Trimble FieldLink software on a tablet or FieldLink MR on a Trimble XR10 for Mixed Reality, users can control and automate their workflow with improved accuracy and visibility. With Trimble VISION™ technology, integrated digital cameras, the instrument can be controlled from anywhere on the jobsite and allows for quick and accurate target detection and lock. In addition, the self-calibration feature performs automatic calibrations as required and reduces the need to send the total station in for service. The Trimble Ri Total Station is available now worldwide through Trimble’s Building Construction distribution channels. For more, visit www.fieldtech.trimble.com/Ri.TAKEUCHI CELEBRATES PRODUCTION OF FIRST TRACK LOADERS AT NEW SOUTH CAROLINA FACILITYThe first compact track loaders rolled off the assembly line at Takeuchi’s new manufacturing facility in Moore, South Carolina. This facility, Takeuchi’s first production facility in North America, will eventually produce nearly all the company’s compact track

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com12industry newsloaders, allowing Takeuchi to reduce compact track loader production lead time for its North American customers and better meet market needs worldwide. “The North American market has demonstrated the greatest demand for Takeuchi compact track loaders over time, and that demand continues to grow,” says Jeff Stewart, president of Takeuchi-US. “Manufacturing these popular machines here is a sound business decision because it eliminates the need to ship them from an overseas facility to supply our North American dealers and customers. However, Takeuchi’s global markets are also expanding, and we expect to export more compact track loaders from our new facility as production levels increase.” Takeuchi has historically produced compact track loaders at one of their factories in the Nagano province of Japan. After most compact track loader production has moved from Japan to the South Carolina facility, Takeuchi will retool that facility to produce compact excavators.Forty people currently work at the new 156,000-square-foot production facility and standalone office building, with plans for additional staff to come on board as Takeuchi ramps up track loader production over the next few months. Ultimately, the facility will employ around 150 people, generating even more job opportunities and infusing money into the local economy. For more, visit www.takeuchiglobal.com.EARTHCAM PREMIERES LIVE WEATHER SERVICE FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTSEarthCam, the leader in live camera technology, content and services, at Autodesk University introduces its which uses an onsite, wireless, solar-powered sensor array to detect and calculate 16 points of Live Weather Service, weather and environmental data. This data is combined with NOAA observed conditions and radar maps to create precise, localized microclimate information—far more accurate than regional forecasts alone can provide.Live jobsite camera imagery is overlaid with accurate, straightforward weather data to create a complete environmental record for the lifetime of each project. Project managers now have a searchable archive of activity at each location, with the added context of easy-to-read graphical weather visuals.The construction industry increasingly experiences weather events that lead to delays or disputes, and needs to be proactive when potentially unsafe conditions require work cessation or emergency response. Relying entirely on local regional forecasting is risky for projects that are in remote locations, as the closest forecast data relates to a location that is many miles away from the jobsite. For more, visit earthcam.net/liveweather.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com14special focusChristina OdenChristina Odenfounder and president of OMD I Corp.WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONChristina Oden is the founder and president of OMD I Corp., a commercial and residential general construction company licensed in New York, New Jersey, and soon to be Florida; formerly known as Oden+Matilsky Development Corp, prior to acquiring her former business partner’s shares in the company late 2019. Oden comes to the table with a vast knowledge and a 25-year pedigree grounded in New York City construction and land development. Having now built more than 50 high-end restaurants and boutique hotels, as well as 30+ condos, makes her a sought-after builder and one that has the luxury to pick and choose which subcontractors she employs on development projects. Her vast background in operations and construction in the food and beverage industry all but assures the client that she will have the ability to recognize and easily rectify any potential operational issues with the build, prior to its construction. She not only brings a higher level of Southern integrity but also her keen eye and attention to every minor detail to every build she signs on to develop. Oden is among the less than 3% of women within the construction industry nationwide. HER EARLY STARTOden got her start in the construction and development industry in a small town in rural Kentucky, where she grew up just outside of Fort Knox Army Military base. She grew up farming crops, raising farm animals, and building whatever needed built or mended. She says that, “In Kentucky, women work right alongside men out in the fields, and no one thinks a thing about it.” She left farming life to attend college in Kentucky and then later made her journey to NYC to attend Law School. During undergraduate school she worked full time for an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry, who set out to build and operate six restaurants in 3 years. MOVING FORWARDShe took that ambition and moved to New York City where she would attend NYU Law School (Personal Injury/Civil Rights) and where she began working for a prominent developer. Over her tenure, she would oversee projects including The Trump Bar, 10ak, The Playboy Club, Brooklyn Chophouse-Times Square, H&H Bagel, Baby Brasa for Chef Franco Noriega, Jean Georges, LT Burger for Chef Laurent Tourondel, AG Kitchen for Chef Alex Garcia, and a few mega ground-up full building developments. She fell in love with NYC construction and land development, building close to 100 NYC luxury restaurants, several boutique hotels, and hundreds of high-end residences.THRIVING AND KNOWNLater after honing her knowledge, she founded her company with a male partner but almost immediately bought out his shares deciding to tackle this venture on her own. “I never thought anyone would take a woman seriously here until I got in there and did it. I realized that no one cared that I was a woman, all I needed was to be good and ethical, not male,” she says. Now many years later she is among the less than 1% women founders in the construction industry in NYC.CONSTRUCTION TRENDSWhen asked what her construction trend predictions are for NYC, she had this to share: I am very optimistic about the reports of this newly passed

infrastructure plan; I feel that if done correctly, it could lead to a massive increase for our workforce development and an influx of apprenticeships for our skilled trades, that until now unfortunately has only seen decreases year after year. A lot of older tradesmen are retiring and the younger generation has this incorrect preconceived notion that the construction industry is only made up of backbreaking low earning dirty fingernail positions. I feel this influx will bring more insight to the industry as there are many high paying white collared jobs here for the taking. I am also seeing an incredible increase in the use of AI (automated intelligence), BIM (Building Information Modeling), and Digital Twinning/3D Models. The technology surrounding the construction industry has grown exponentially since I learned the trade. With the advancements of technology, we are now able to get inside the build even before mobilizing to the site and this allows us to do many wonderful things such as estimate material, labor costs more accurately, and finalize the designs of all interiors with far more precision then ever before. Now, clients do not have to use their imagination, they can see quite vividly their project completed quite realistically. Also, helping to combat the increasing labor shortage is the ability to automate and augment human processes that would have come at a much high manpower expense. We can decrease the amount of hours required at half the cost. Another trend that I am seeing is building with a greater sense of sustainability. Being cognitive, purposeful of the material use, and utilizing engineering products that will not take from the environment but rather assist it. It is not just recycling materials anymore, but rather highly inventive materials are being used. I feel this is where the industry is leaning towards heavily with no end in sight.CLOSING THOUGHTWhile I do not forecast the average brick and mortar office space coming back strong just yet, as it is far more financially appealing for businesses to promote their employees to remain working at home, I have seen a considerable amount of massive sized data centers popping up everywhere from dot com/app companies that are no longer remaining out in Silicon Valley. I am also seeing a lot of these oversized warehouses that are being built to facilitate the pandemic/post pandemic ecommerce delivery loads. While we are not building traditional working offices right now, we are keeping quite busy building 100-200,000 square-foot data centers and warehouses. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202215for more informationFor more about Christina Oden and her construction company, visit www.omdicorp.com.

“OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com16special focusColleen MartindaleColleen Martindalesenior estimating director, McCarthy Building CompaniesWOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONThe construction industry continues to battle a labor shortage in an incredibly competitive market nationwide. Total job openings in construction as of July 2022 are 375,000 (this number hit 440,000 in April, the highest in Bureau of Labor Statistics records going back to 2001). On top of a general shortage, the construction industry also has a generational problem. Skilled tradespersons are retiring faster than they can be replaced. Construction unemployment is low, below 4%, and with industry demand rising, we can’t keep up. These workforce shortages, alongside current economic conditions continue to drive construction cost increases.WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCEWomen represent 47% of the general workforce in the United States, but only a small percentage of the construction workforce. For the first time since data collection began in 1964, the number of women employed topped 1 million this year, representing a 14.1% share of the industry. This is a milestone worthy of celebration, but we cannot abandon our focus on women. Recruiting and retaining women in the construction industry is an opportunity that we can’t afford to ignore. This 1 million is still comprised of mostly administrative and management roles, with significantly less women (4%) represented in the trades. A focus on women in construction is a great opportunity to regain ground lost by women in the workforce during the pandemic. Construction jobs pay better than other jobs with similar education requirements, and the gender pay gap in construction is lower than all other industries.THE MCCARTHY PARTNERSHIPMcCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (an employee-owned company) recognizes the value of a diverse workforce, and the importance of looking for Top Talent in populations that have been historically under-represented. The McCarthy Partnership for Women is an employee resource group specifically focused on recruiting, retaining, and developing top female talent in the construction industry. The Partnership for Women operates slightly differently across the country, to meet the needs of each region, but generally, is focused on five areas to help women succeed at McCarthy and in the industry: personal and professional development, internal and external networking, communication and awareness, recruiting, and outreach. McCarthy turns to its employee-partners and its data to develop programming that has helped steadily increase the company’s female headcount and the percentage of women in management roles over the last several years. So many times, important relationships and business deals are forged outside of the office, say, on a golf course with clients. We heard that some of our teammates were intimidated to participate if they were invited at all. So, we designed an event to expose those employees to the game, teach the rules, the etiquette, the dress code, and give them a chance to practice, and network with other employees who played often. The “Golf Primer” has been replicated in many of our offices around the country, and we have an entire new crop of female employees who help round out our teams. NETWORKING TIPSSimilarly, when we heard that some folks felt uncomfortable when networking, we shared our best tips and tricks, and then designed some internal networking events for practice. Across the country, we have hosted many client facing networking events, often focused on connected McCarthy’s female population to high-powered women working for our clients, and in the industry. DIVERSE RECRUITINGWe continuously evaluate our recruiting practices: who we were sending to recruit and where we were sending them. Ensuring that we send a diverse team to represent a real cross-section of our employees at every recruiting event has helped us to connect better with all kinds of candidates. For example, we have involved more women in recruiting, both for college graduates and skilled labor positions. We also recognize the importance of early career education. We invest time in the education of students

and their parents about the variety of high paying opportunities in the construction industry—with or without a college degree. CLOSING THOUGHTWe believe that early discussions about career opportunities in construction need to happen to help dispel the myth that women cannot be successful in our industry. A pervasive misconception exists that construction careers aren’t for women. The truth is that there are a wide variety of career options, both in the trades and in project management and support roles. “”www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202217WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONfor more informaationFor more about the McCarthy Partnership for Women, visit www.mccarthy.com/careers/partnership-women.“Having candid conversations regarding gender with senior superintendents on projects, that were facilitated through McCarthy Partnership for Women development activities, helped me to see what my role should be as we focus on forging jobsite partnerships. I find that my confidence, knowledge, and expertise are enough to convey any message that I need to convey to the field.” ~ CECIA SAENZ, project safety manager, Ismaili Center Houston “It’s refreshing to see McCarthy focus on recruiting a diverse group of people who bring a wide range of experience and perspective to our company. This leads to a diverse group of role models in leadership positions who our entry-level partners can look up to. I’m proud to be a part of this group and a mentor to our partners in the Marine division!” ~ SARAH JOHNSON, sr. field engineer, oversees field engineering and surveying crews on all marine projects “The day I walked out of my first career fair marked a course-altering event in my life, and I owe it to the two women who represented construction with intellectual articulation and confidence. Overall, I’d say the women and men in this industry have welcomed and encouraged me to take greater strides in my development. McCarthy Partnership for Women has been a great source of support.” ~ VALERIA ZEBROWSKI, sr. project engineer, Port Houston Bayport Terminal Wharf 6 Our digital marketing campaigns can identify prospects interested specifically in your product, and then tell you exactly who they are! See what our customers are saying:The reports are awesome! Thank you. If we can get that level of information from all of our suppliers, we will be very happy! We have already made one machine sale to a prospect from the eBlast and I am sure there will be more. Paul Gazik,Business Development/International Salesfor You Need Leads!You Need Leads!We Have the We Have the Solution!Solution!Call us today to get started at 205.795.0223 or email us at russell@mcsmag.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com18special focusLinda PawlakLinda PawlakVP of strategic improvement, Walbec GroupWOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONHCSS, a leading provider of innovative software that helps heavy civil businesses streamline their operations, offers insights about the future of construction from its customers, who are leaders in the construction market. This is a summary of what one executive shared when answering questions about automation, the future of supply chain and electronic material ordering, the environmental impact of the industry, and the current labor situation. More details on additional interviews with other executives can be found at www.hcss.com under The Future of Construction. MEET LINDA PAWLAKLinda Pawlak is the vice president of strategic improvement for the Walbec Group, a family of companies including Payne and Dolan, Northeast Asphalt, Zenith Tech, Parisi Construction, Premier Concrete, and Construction Resources Management. Together, they produce high quality construction materials and deliver unparalleled design, engineering, and construction services. Here’s Pawlak’s take on the top construction trends and how she thinks they’ll impact the industry.HCSS: How will automated equipment change the industry in your view?PAWLAK: Having automated equipment allows us to react faster to changing conditions. We can manage construction projects more rapidly and with information, which enables us to make more informed decisions that don’t rely on humans to collect the data, analyze the data, and discuss the data. It enhances the speed and accuracy of decision making..HCSS: What would be the impact of automated payments?PAWLAK: If technology can help us reduce the manual inspection and exchange of quantities and work output that’s done in the field and speed up both the collection and the agreement of those quantities, it can revolutionize the way we can can exchange information, the quality of that information, and the iterative processes in place today for each customer. Contractors can each have their own set of data and then compare it and validate it to pay faster and easier.HCSS: What is the future of supply chain and electronic material ordering?PAWLAK: Construction is riddled right now with phone calls and messages. The faster we get information, the more efficiently our customers can request orders and materials, and the better off we all can plan. Customers can plan for their work and we can balance our workloads. It revolutionizes its speed, improving

the ability on both sides to be accurate, efficient, and productive.HCSS: What does the industry need to do to engage employees more?PAWLAK: Walbec exists to help people reach their destinations. That goes for our customers, our team members, our neighbors, everyone. Competing within the industry for talent is one thing, right? Be the best. Be the best contractor. Be the best in the industry. That’s one thing. But right now, we are competing with other industries for the very same skill set, for the best of the best. In order to do that, we need to provide the same opportunities that other industries do. We need to be able to stand up against not just other companies in the industry, but industry to industry. In an industry where we all work disconnected because of the geography differences, technology can still provide that continuity, that sense of belonging to something bigger than the sum of its parts. We are finding more and more innovative ways to do that. COVID gave us the push we needed to embrace that, and to find ways to make connections and develop and grow team members remotely, despite geography.HCSS: What impact do you expect environmental practices to have on the industry?PAWLAK: Implementing environmentally friendly practices are part of our overall mission. We’ve always strived to be as green as we can, and society expects it now. Thankfully, we have always been environmentally minded. We have a group of people who are solely dedicated to being sustainable for our neighbors, our team members, and for the world. We are continuously researching ways to improve our ability to leave a smaller footprint, use less energy, and be more sustainable overall. We can do that through cooler temperatures for asphalt paving, reclamation, or emissions, and being a good neighbor to the communities where we live and work in.CLOSING THOUGHTLike the rest of the world, the pace isn’t going to slow down. It’s great to be able to embrace it. We can use technology to do that, to listen to our team members, and find better ways to keep everyone engaged. And, for this, we are better. The sum of our parts is way better and it’s what makes us a better organization. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202219for more informationHCSS is the trusted leader in construction software for estimating, field entry, project management, safety, digital plans, fleet management, and telematics. For 35 years, the company has used annual user group meetings to listen to customers resulting in innovative software to manage every part of the project lifecycle. For more, visit www.hcss.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com20special focusDenise StoppleworthDenise Stoppleworthpresident of IRONCLAD MarketingWOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONDenise Stoppleworth is the owner and lead strategic planner of IRONCLAD Marketing, a marketing firm that specializes in supporting manufacturers in the construction, mining, and agricultural industries. Below is an excerpt of a Q&A with Denise as we focus on women making a difference in the construction industry.MCS: When did you realize you wanted to work in construction?STOPPLEWORTH: I’ve been around equipment my entire life. As the youngest of two daughters of a third-generation homesteader, my dad was an equal-opportunity employer. He believed his daughters could run any equipment a boy could. I had experience with mowers, rakes, balers, cultivation, and combines. I have been operating equipment since I was tall enough to reach the pedals. That’s where my love for the industry, the ideals, and the people working long hours to provide a comfortable way of life for all of us started.MCS: Who inspires you? STOPPLEWORTH: I grew up on a small farm around men and women who worked long, strenuous days in the heat and cold, rain or shine. It’s the same in the construction industry, and quite frankly, that’s what drew me to it. The grit and determination of workers within the industry have always inspired me. These are the folks that work and produce with their hands what the rest of us need for everyday living. Construction workers are hard-working and dependable, yet so humble and unassuming. They are the salt of the earth. That is why I love this industry so much.MCS: What has been the most surprising part of being a woman working in construction?STOPPLEWORTH: The most surprising part has been the passion I developed for the industry and the pride I experience when I drive by a construction site where my clients’ equipment is running, and I can tell my family what’s happening. It’s amazing to travel across the state—and the country—and see equipment at work wherever I go. I never thought I would be so passionate about equipment, but I am!MCS: What is your favorite part of your career?STOPPLEWORTH: As I mentioned before, what I absolutely love about my job is the people. The people I deal with are genuine and have a passion for our country, our communities and supporting the people they call neighbors. They put in long hours to do the job right, and they give back to the public in big ways both through the work they accomplish and the things they do outside of work. I love getting to know them, seeing the world through their eyes, and learning from their business insight.MCS: What is your most memorable moment so far working in the construction industry?STOPPLEWORTH: The memories that hold fast for me are the moments I got to get in the dirt and do the work or observe a jobsite up close. Being on a landfill directing a photo shoot. Operating a

compact tractor loader backhoe. Driving a compact track loader. Those are the experiences that stick with you and give you something to brag about!MCS: What is the biggest challenge of being a woman working in the construction industry?STOPPLEWORTH: I don’t know that I have found it challenging to be in this industry. I started when I was in my early 20s, and I have always found the people inviting and welcoming. They are proud of the work they do and willing to share their knowledge with you at any time. All you need to do is ask.MCS: What is the biggest change you have seen in the construction industry since you started?STOPPLEWORTH: The construction industry continues to change. Outsiders can look at it and say it’s low-tech, but the truth is it’s a very high-tech industry with more and more work being completed through automation and robotics. These methods have helped address the demands of workforce shortages. In addition, the construction industry cares about protecting the environment and its employees from noise, dust, and contamination, and continually offers new solutions to address those challenges.MCS: What advice would you give a woman starting a job in construction?STOPPLEWORTH:: Just do it! Don’t be intimidated by the equipment or the technology. Embrace it. Ask lots of questions and be passionate about what you do, and you will be successful.MCS: What would surprise us about you?STOPPLEWORTH: I don’t really know. I’m just a small-town farm girl living her dream surrounded by the hardest working, most down-to-earth people you could find. What more could a girl ask for?CLOSING THOUGHTIt’s easy to go about our daily lives without thinking about the construction industry’s impact. We often take for granted the roads we drive on, the bridges we cross, the stores we shop in, the churches we attend, or the office buildings we work in. But, if you take a minute to ponder it, the construction industry has left a lasting mark everywhere in our lives making it easier to connect with those we care about, get the products we need, and do what we love. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202221for more informationFor more about Denise Stoppleworth and her marketing firm, visit www.ironcladmktg.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com22special focusNatalie MartinNatalie Martintechnical sales manager, Cresset Chemical CompanyWOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONI’m Natalie Martin, a non-traditional concrete mother of three sons. I live my life to make myself happy and my boys proud. I was born in California and raised in Tennessee, so I have that southern charm with a little street gangster. I’m a leader, helper, and thrive on saving someone’s day. I am also the technical sales manager for Cresset Chemical Company, and I’m lucky to receive great support to be able to thrive as a mother and a woman in the concrete industry. The concrete industry has accepted me, my big crazy hair, my corny jokes, and loudness. I finally found where I fit in; I found my place the non-traditional way.NOT TRADITIONALI grew up having this feeling that I would be a builder but NO WAY, I was a girl. Girls get married and have children. So that’s what I did. Over the years I became a professional team mom, a Sunday school teacher, and having the house where all the kids hung out. Sounds like a dream, right? Not for me, even though I was good at these things, I always felt like an outsider, always had this feeling of not being understood or fitting in. I started to become uncomfortable and resentful. The feeling I was meant to build became overwhelming till one day I woke up, drove to Columbia State Community College, and enrolled in school. I received my Associates in Science with the motivation of becoming someone great in the construction industry. I did not receive support from family at first, especially when I decided to continue my education at Middle TN State University with a degree in concrete. CONCRETE!!! Yes, concrete the number two commodity after water. That means plenty of job opportunities. My family’s support did grow as my happiness and success did. How did I afford school with 3 children? This is where being non-tradition begins to pay off. There is plenty of grant and scholarship funds for students of any age in a STEM program. Also, where there is a will there is a way. UNIQUE CAREER PATHWhile working on my CIM (Concrete Industry Management) bachelor’s in science degree at Middle TN State University. I interned with three different companies. This beefed up my resume quite nicely and at graduation I was holding seven job offers. Many of those jobs I would say were on the traditional side, sitting at a desk organizing and budgeting the lives of men on the road, but then there was one that was different. One company saw that I would be great on the road. They saw my strength, understood my passion for concrete, and appreciated my fearlessness. My technical side would lead to being a great salesperson. So, with keys in hand and a list of my customers, I moved to Florida to work as a territory manager for Stalite Lightweight Aggregates. This was a great job that allowed me to work on fun projects (typically the only woman on site.) During this time, I became familiar with the Prestress/Precast Concrete Industry (PCI) and fell in LOVE. When I was offered a position with Cresset Chemical Company as their technical sales manager, I took it. With the support Cresset had to offer I knew I would quickly grow in this industry. I work for

one of the best family owned companies where we work as a team and support group for one another. They have made it easy for me to succeed in my career and motherhood. LIFE/WORK BALANCEMy life is different week to week. One week I’m home and mothering my sons. The next week I’m driving or flying to different parts of the country to visit a customer, work a convention, or attend a meeting. In addition to motherhood and work, I am addicted to volunteer work. I am the VP of CIM Patrons board, chair of CIM Outreach Committee, associate board member for G/CPCI, the chair of the Diversity Committee for PCI, voting member of about five other committees in PCI/ACI, and a commencement and motivational speaker. It sounds like a lot, but I have learned to perfect a good life/work balance (disclaimer—it’s not perfect; life is a constant battle of balance and it’s ok, I’m happy.) What surprisingly made me a better mother was the traveling. In my travels around the country, I meet and work with people from different backgrounds and experiences. It has really taught me to be respectful of people’s train of thought, beliefs, and how they live. In my experience with working with mostly men, I now raise my sons with an understanding and patience of the path they are choosing to become men. I have become their support and advisor, not a yeller or dictator. They have traveled with me on many occasions and together we have worked and built lifelong friendships with fellow industry families. They have helped me close deals because of how respectful and loving they are to me and my work. Our life is not traditional … but works for us. CLOSING THOUGHTThis is a man’s world and I choose to be in it, not to prove a point, but because I truly love and respect concrete. Even as a lady I am heard, I am seen, and I am respected. I must pinch myself sometimes. And, for the ladies: Don’t take rejection personally and don’t kill yourself trying to prove yourself. You never have to take being uncomfortable just walk away. Take your safety seriously. Be confidant, know you belong, and be kind to your fellow women in our industry. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202223for more informationFor more about Cresset Chemical, visit cresset.com.Nat and sons.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com24equipment solutionRepairs and replacements are part of life. When equipment reaches a certain age, we replace it. When building structures become outdated or unsafe, we replace them. Doors are no exception. This holds true for standard walk-through doors, but also for overhead, oversized doors. Doors are one of the first things people see on buildings; therefore, they need to not only look good, but they need to operate safely and efficiently. Although the doors on buildings are built to last a long time, their outdated operating systems can pose safety risks and become more susceptible to breakdowns. Old doors start experiencing problems after a lack of service and exposure to weather conditions, causing them to become structurally and cosmetically worn out over time. While the options may seem endless when searching for a door replacement, a bi-fold door offers the best fit for many openings. Traditional sectional doors work in some cases, but most only accommodate an opening up to 40 feet wide. Bi-fold doors provide a better fit and a variety of benefits while also offering a simple and efficient replacement. WHY UPDATE?There are two key differences between bi-fold and sectional doors: size capabilities and how they open. Rather than retracting into the interior space like sectional doors, bi-fold doors mount on the exterior of the building and fold up and in half to provide full use of the opening, from the floor to the bottom of the building’s rafters. Bi-folds have a unique truss system that allows them to be used in openings as wide as 90 feet, making them an ideal solution for large buildings. Manufacturers can also tailor bi-fold doors to meet the customer’s vision for both look and function. Doors can be customized with different colors or windows to meet any desired aesthetic, making them a natural fit on an existing building.While sectional doors can be built to accommodate openings as wide as 40 feet, a new bi-fold door also requires less maintenance and will not break down at inopportune times, which increases efficiency. Sectional door designs operate with rollers and hinges, which aren’t optimized to handle both the static and dynamic load of a door that large. Over time, these larger sectional doors will require more maintenance than bi-folds, which have fewer moving parts and are designed specifically to handle large loads. By upgrading a door, customers have peace of mind knowing there’s no need to repair it every few months, ultimately making it a more cost-effective investment.HOW TO UPDATEThe first step in replacing a traditional door with a bi-fold door is choosing a manufacturer. A dependable manufacturer understands structural building requirements and communicates those to their customers early on. It’s Making the SwitchMaking the Switchwhy and how you should update to bi-fold doorsMIDLAND DOOR SOLUTIONSBy Jason MyrvikBi-folds have a unique truss system that allows them to be used in openings as wide as 90 feet, making them an ideal solution for large buildings.Bi-fold doors have different load requirements than sectional doors, and often will require a more robust structural framework, such as a larger header, so engineers and contractors must know what will be needed to accommodate the door.

important to work with a manufacturer that is familiar with bi-fold doors. Bi-fold doors have different load requirements than sectional doors, and often require a more robust structural framework, such as a larger header, so engineers and contractors must know what will be needed to accommodate the door. Other structural factors must be considered as well, including whether the building is new or existing, and if it’s made of steel or wood. This is why working with a manufacturer that considers all these details during the initial quoting process is important. They will take the time to ensure that the door they spec and the structural requirements needed to support that door are accurate from day one. Find a company that will take charge of the entire process, from design to manufacturing to installation. This ensures the door design and installation are done right the first time.KEY FEATURES When it comes to choosing the door itself, there are few key things to look for. Consider a door that comes standard with just one latch for locking it closed. A single-latch system ultimately saves time from having to go to each doorjamb to lock and unlock the door, which is required with a double-latch system. In addition, look for doors with a safety switch, which eliminates the risk of damage when a user forgets to release the latch. An automatic latch is an even more convenient option. It allows operators to open the door with the push of a button—even from the comfort of a vehicle. Look for an all-steel door with solid welded construction. A heavy-gauge steel tubing and robust truss system provide optimal strength and durability even in strong winds and other harsh weather. Solid welded doors offer a strong frame design with minimal chance of parts loosening over time, resulting in virtually no maintenance.CLOSING THOUGHTIt’s always a good idea to replace an outdated, aged, and potentially unsafe door. Working with a trusted manufacturer who understands what it takes to make a door that lasts, and one willing to work one-on-one to build the perfect door, is worth the time and investment. From the first consultation to final installation, you’ll have a successful experience making the switch during your next door update. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202225about the authorJason Myrvik is the general manager at Midland Door Solutions, which manufactures and installs bi-fold and hydraulic doors for new and existing buildings. He has more than 20 years of industry experience. As general manager, he oversees the manufacturing and installation departments, ensuring the best customer service from door design to production to on-site installation. Contact him at jason@midlanddoorsolutions.com. For more, visit www.midlanddoorsolutions.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com26management solutionbest practices for optimizing crew schedulingNEXT-GEN WORKFORCEBy Marcel BroekmaatWork Smart Not HardPART 3 OF 4With the recently passed Infrastructure Bill generating more demand for work and an ongoing labor crisis, contractors and their crews have to do more with much less. Jobs need to be completed to get paid, but crews risk being overworked or underutilized without thoughtful scheduling processes. The labor crisis isn’t predicted to end soon, and work from the Infrastructure Bill will be rolling out for at least the next decade. Contractors need to be thinking long-term and sustainably when it comes to their work management processes, especially when it comes to scheduling.OVERHEAD VIEW Even the best-planned schedule is going to undergo changes. Whether it’s bad weather or an equipment malfunction, something will happen to make you revise your plan. But when making those changes, you must keep the entire work backlog in mind. Construction is a series of related tasks. Changes aren’t made in a vacuum; making one change will result in three more elsewhere in the project. You need the ability to see those changes to make the best decision, not just for the task at hand but for your entire work pipeline. A decision that seems to fix the problem in the short term could result in more significant consequences in the future. Without the ability to view the impact in its entirety, you can’t foresee those long-term changes.FIND THE BEST FITWhen scheduling, you must look beyond availability and focus on the job’s specific needs. Examine not just the work but what the environment is like, the client’s priorities and requirements, and current budget status and progress. All these factors can play a part in choosing the best person for the job. For example, if a job is well under budget, sending a qualified worker with slightly less experience might make more sense than sending your most experienced (and expensive) laborer. And don’t forget to consider the company’s backlog at large as well. Just because a worker is the most skilled at a particular task does not mean it is automatically the best assignment for them.DON’T OVERLOOK THE DETAILSA perfectly designed schedule won’t do you much good if you don’t have the permits to start the work or your excavator operator’s license is expired. Incorrect documentation is one of the most common scheduling mistakes in construction. Not only should you include document review as part of your regular scheduling operations, but you also need a transparent process that defines where documents need to end up and the exact steps to get them there. Personal documents, like worker licenses and certifications, need built-in accountability measures for both the individual worker and management.TECH TO KEEP TRACKWhile contractors must make decisions with the entire project’s scope in mind, it’s hard to manage when information is spread across multiple emails, spreadsheets, and whiteboards. Technology can help by bringing all those moving parts under one roof. Platform solutions like construction management software allow contractors to allocate, schedule, and manage projects within a single program.CLOSING THOUGHTVisibility and transparency are essential to making smart scheduling decisions. But, as projects and operations have grown in size and complexity, it has become increasingly important to take a holistic view and make informed decisions. The right technology solutions can help by removing the administrative burden of organizing and coordinating data, so contractors can make the decisions they need to get back to building. about the authorMarcel Broekmaat is chief product officer at Assignar, a cloud-based construction operations platform. For more, visit www.assignar.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com28management solutionTo upgrade or not to upgrade your equipment—it’s a question that concerns many small business owners but is particularly relevant to contractors. It seems there is always some new and improved spin on jobsite mainstays, from project management software to power tools to heavy machinery. But constantly trying to keep pace with the latest and greatest in equipment can have a big impact on the bottom line—in some cases, only to see an investment become obsolete in just a few years.On the other hand, outdated equipment can limit your business’s potential, hurt your reputation, or even be dangerous. So how do you know when it’s time to upgrade your equipment, and how can you manage cash flow to lessen the burden? Here are some practical tips to keep in mind when considering your next equipment purchase. ASSESS YOUR BUSINESS’S EQUIPMENTThe first step to determining if you need to invest in new equipment is to take stock of your current equipment. Look at how much you’re spending on just maintaining old equipment, and the productivity lost as a result. If you’re going to have to replace that old truck in another year or two, it might be more cost effective to do so now. It might also be safer. According to OSHA, the construction industry accounts for 20% of workplace deaths, and relying on outdated power tools, vehicles or heavy machinery can put your business at risk for sidelined employees or even lawsuits. Of course, there’s also your reputation to consider, with customers as well as with your employees. Your equipment is often the most visible part of a jobsite, which means it reflects on your business. And if you want to hold onto valued employees, you can’t expect them to use unreliable or obsolete equipment.But even if your equipment isn’t especially old or requiring constant upkeep, it’s worth assessing whether new purchases could benefit your business. Also ask yourself if there are new purchases that would improve your team’s efficiency or your customers’ satisfaction, like software that could automate project management, streamline communication and workflows, and keep customers informed. Investing in new equipment can also generate new business opportunities, either by allowing you to take on new kinds of work or more work.Before you take the plunge into upgrading your equipment, the most important thing is knowing why you’re making this investment and how it will benefit your business. If you do decide it’s time to level up, your next step is to figure out the most cost-effective way of doing it. MAKE A FINANCIAL PLANWhen it comes to paying for new equipment, you have a few options: financing and leasing. Each has its pros and cons, and which route you take depends on your specific needs.Option 1: Equipment Financing: An equipment loan is a popular option and can be used for everything from office furniture and computers to trucks and excavators. Before applying for equipment financing, you should weigh the short- and long-term benefits. If the equipment will bring in revenue–or another, more intangible benefit–greater than your monthly payment, then financing might be a great option. However, also think about the lifespan of the equipment. Will it continue to be useful for a while after it’s paid off? Other benefits include:To Upgrade or NotTo Upgrade or Notkeeping up with the Joneses on equipmentNEXT EQUIPMENT PURCHASEBy Gianpierre RaicoviBy Gianpierre Raicovi

• Own the equipment: Once the loan is paid off, the equipment will be yours to use and depending on the equipment it can even be leveraged as collateral to borrow against, or even resell.• Easier to qualify: Because the equipment is used as collateral, your credit score will not be as much of a consideration. Also, in many cases, you won’t be held personally responsible for repaying the loan.• Tax benefits: You can often fully deduct the cost of newly purchased equipment. In other cases, you can take depreciation deductions.• Build credit: By building a history of on-time loan payments, you can increase your credit score and make it easier to qualify for other types of business loans.Cons might require an initial down payment and may have higher interest rates than other types of loans.Option 2: Equipment Lease: With a lease, you agree to rent the equipment for a period of time. At the end of the lease, you return the equipment—although you will usually have the option of renewing the lease or purchasing the equipment. Some pros include the possibility of being more affordable. The monthly payment might be lower than a comparable loan and rarely requires a down payment. This could be useful if the equipment could become obsolete in the near future. And, it’s tax deductible.Some of the cons include fewer options; you won’t have the full range of equipment to choose from; additional fees (pay close attention to your contract. You might be held responsible for insurance, maintenance, and other fees on top of your lease payments.CLOSING THOUGHTWith new equipment, it’s time to start reaping the rewards. If you’ve made your business more efficient, be sure to inform your customers of the benefits. Alternatively, your new capabilities might allow you to take on more complicated, higher-end work for which you can charge more. Don’t forget to advertise your new services and spread the word to potential employees as well to attract in-demand candidates. If invested wisely, new equipment can be a boost to your business that will pay off for years to come. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202229about the authorGianpierre Raicovi joined Lendio in October 2015, bringing a little over 3½ years of financial industry experience to his chief sales officer role. In the nearly 7 years he’s been with Lendio, Gianpierre has experience in all strategic and functional aspects of sales but finds building teams and culture most compelling. Gianpierre leads all efforts that encompass SMB Success. For more, visit www.lendio.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com30management solutionReduce RiskReduce Risk10 steps to manage risks on projectsSTRATEGIES Most contractors recognize that the construction industry involves significant risks. Companies must engage in smart risk management processes to reduce their exposure and avoid or reduce some of their risks to protect their business operations. Both general contractors and subcontractors must mitigate risks before they agree to take on work on a project. Certain risks, including operational risks and others, can be difficult to predict and might be experienced by all of the parties involved in a project.Some of the common types of risks contractors face include supply chain risks, natural disasters, technical risks, transportation logistics risks, equipment availability risks, labor availability risks, management risks, economic/financial risks, workplace injury accident risks, thefts, and more. Before you take on a project, you need to identify the risks you will face and take strategies to mitigate them. Here are some ways you can mitigate risks in the projects you take on. IDENTIFY THE RISKS BEFORE AGREEING TO A PROJECTBefore you agree to perform work on a project, you need to analyze it to identify all of the risks that might arise. If you don’t take the time to identify the risks, you won’t be able to effectively manage them. ORDER THE RISKSAfter you have identified the risks of a project, you should then place them in order of priority based on the likelihood they will occur and the degree of harm they would cause if they do. When you do this, you can then prioritize the greatest risks and plan how to tackle them. BONDINGOne type of common risk faced by subcontractors on construction projects is the risk of non-payment. If you are a subcontractor who is considering a project, the risk that you won’t be paid by the general contractor for your work should be addressed. While you can file a mechanic’s lien against the project owner’s property, a better way to handle this type of risk is to make sure the general contractor has a payment bond. Contractors’ bonding might include several types of bonds to protect others from harm. A payment bond guarantees that subcontractors and suppliers will be paid for their work on time, helping you to avoid the mechanic’s lien process if you aren’t paid. LIABILITY INSURANCEYou must also make sure that you have sufficient insurance coverage to protect you against the types of risks you might face while working on a project. Two types of insurance policies you should have include commercial liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. These types of policies can protect you against losses caused by accidents on the worksite. STANDARDIZE PROCEDURES AND STEPSYou should have a standard set of procedures and steps in place to mitigate risks. While the risks you will face will vary based on the projects, having a standard set of procedures can guide you through the risk management process so that you can more easily identify and evaluate risks. There are multiple software options that can be used to help with this process. OPEN COMMUNICATIONMaking sure you keep open lines of communication with all of the stakeholders involved in the project throughout its life is critical for both avoiding risks and responding to those that can’t be avoided. Communication allows you to keep everyone on track and up-to-date with changes as they occur. It also helps each involved party to understand the potential risks and the steps that they must take to avoid them. SAFETY TRAININGAs a contractor, you must comply with numerous safety regulations that are enforced by the OSHA. If you fail to comply with safety requirements, you could face heightened risks of serious workplace accidents, substantial penalties from OSHA, and substantial liability. Make sure to know the safety regulations that govern your business. Make sure your employees are thoroughly trained and have the safety equipment they need to perform their jobs. You should also have steps in place to ensure employees comply with wearing their By Eric Weisbrot

safety gear and engaging in other safe practices on the worksite, including potential discipline if they fail to do so. DOCUMENT RETENTIONYou should have a system in place to store all of the documents, emails, and reports in a single place so that they can easily be accessed whenever you need to refer to them. A good document storage and retention system can help to protect you against potential litigation and keep better track of your projects. A good document storage and retention system also help when it’s time to file taxes, renew your license, or renew your bond. QUALITY CONTROL MEASURESAn important way to mitigate risks is to have good quality control measures in place. During the project, you should have a designated supervisor perform regular quality checks. It is much easier to fix something during the construction process than later after the project is completed. Quality control measures can also help to reduce the risk that a construction defect claim might be filed against you in the future once a defect is discovered. Quality control helps to ensure that you and all of the workers who are performing work on the project are following their requirements under the contract. DON’T BE AFRAID OF RISKSIf you worry too much about risks, you might end up missing out on potentially lucrative contracts. Instead, you should learn how to assess risks and evaluate projects so that you understand when the potential rewards outweigh the risks vs. when you should pass on a potential project. Properly evaluating risks should help you identify risks that can’t be avoided so that you can determine whether taking on the project is worthwhile. It can also help you to implement strategies to reduce risks on projects that offer more benefits than disadvantages so that you can increase your profits.CLOSING THOUGHTRisk management is a key component of growing your business as a contractor. By implementing strategies to reduce the risks you might face on a project, you can be better prepared to handle them when they arise. Being ready with processes in place is a good way to reduce risk. Risk is part of business; best to be prepared. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202231about the authorEric Weisbrot is the chief marketing officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog. He has held a range of different roles within the surety industry, from agent assistant to bond issuer, which gives him a unique insider perspective on surety related topics. For more, visit www.jwsuretybonds.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com32management solutionPain PointsPain Pointsdiscussing the challenges and how technology may helpEXPERT INSIGHTBelow are responses courtesy of Casey Banks, managing risk control consultant at Travelers, as the topics of challenges and pains points are discussed and how technology may benefit the industry.What are some of the biggest challenges and pain points for contractors that you’re seeing today?BANKS: Supply chain issues are one of the biggest challenges today. A contractor’s ability to acquire the building materials, tools, and equipment needed has caused and continues to result project delays, pushing back start dates and completion timelines. This issue has affected every type and size of contractor across the country, from general contractors to electrical contractors to excavation contractors.We’ve seen contractors who are struggling to get the materials and products they need to get their projects done try to identify substitutions to keep the job on schedule and within budget. However, this can bring with it other challenges. For instance, some of the products and methods they may be using could end up costing more. And when materials are swapped, project bottlenecks can occur because a contractor may need to involve other parties, such as engineers and project owners, and review and sign off on the changes.Another issue contractors are facing, which existed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, is the skilled labor shortage. During the pandemic, we saw this ebb and flow a little bit as projects temporarily shut down and then ramped back up. Today, as construction work continues to increase, the concern of finding skilled labor is becoming a problem with not just field workers but all positions within the organization. Add to this the growing number of workers leaving the industry or retiring, and you have a situation where companies are looking at alternative methods to meet project demands. And hiring new workers brings with it additional risk. According to the 2022 Travelers Injury Impact Report, which analyzed more than 1.5 million workers compensation claims over a 5-year period (2015-2019), 48% of all construction workers compensation claims occurred within the first year of employment. How can technology help address and reduce these risks?BANKS: There are many ways that technology has the potential to help address these risks. The 2022 Travelers Injury Impact Report found that sprains and strains were the top cause of injury in the construction industry (30% of all construction workers’ compensation claims). We’ve seen an increased focus on the use of technology to help drive these numbers down and better manage these exposures on jobsites. For example, to help reduce soft tissue injuries, Travelers offers contractors virtual and on-site ergonomic assessments that leverage AI-enhanced video capabilities and access to a Travelers ergonomics professional to assist in developing consultative solutions that help keep workers safe. With a higher number of newer workers being injured on jobsites, there is also an opportunity to leverage technology and tech-driven training programs for these workers. For example, proximity detection systems can help prevent struck-by incidents on jobsites with heavy equipment in use. And virtual and augmented reality can help train and onboard workers by placing them in hazardous situations they may encounter on jobsites without physically putting them in harm’s way; crane safety and fall protection training are two areas where this can be particularly helpful.We’ve also seen an increase in the development and deployment of various technologies to address loss scenarios and property damage risks on construction projects. Water sensors can help detect

when there’s an abnormality in water flow on a jobsite and allow for immediate notification and shutdown of the water in active systems to prevent significant damage and costly project delays. Using robotics for tasks like bricklaying, rebar tying and even jobsite surveillance can help supplement, not replace, the workforce, potentially providing some relief for contractors who may be struggling to find the skilled labor they need. Keep in mind, though, that these solutions still require some type of human involvement.Other advancements that can help with workforce challenges are prefabrication and modular construction. More and more contractors are utilizing off-site operations to produce or assemble construction components. This can, for instance, help eliminate the number of people required to install the equipment on the jobsite.How can contractors identify and evaluate the technologies available?BANKS: The first step is to identify the specific business concern that needs to be addressed. This allows contractors to narrow down the options for consideration. The second step is to research technologies, including talking to other contractors who are using the solution themselves and to your insurance carrier. Involving the technology vendor in a pilot program may be a good opportunity to “test drive” the technology without making any significant financial investments upfront.At Travelers, we take a test-and-learn approach to technology so that we can understand how each solution works on a jobsite. This allows us to identify any potential challenges and risks as well as the benefits it can deliver to a contractor. We can also learn if the technology doesn’t deliver on all of a vendor’s promises. We share what we’ve learned with our customers to help them make more informed decisions. In addition to using our input, customers should also test the technology themselves before investing fully to determine if it is the right solution for their needs. CLOSING THOUGHTBe sure you have the right structure in place within your organization to be able to adopt and support that technology once you’ve identified it. We’ve seen cases where companies have made the investment in a technology but don’t have the capacity to manage and act on all the data that comes along with it. It’s critical that you have buy-in across the organization in order to implement and manage this solution on a day-to-day basis. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202233for more information For more about Travelers, visit www.travelers.com.

Linarc, Inc., the fastest growing collaborative project management platform in the construction industry, launches a better way to deliver construction projects. Linarc solves the daily challenges that owners, design teams, and contractors confront while driving projects to completion.“I built Linarc to eliminate the inefficiencies that plague the construction industry. Linarc uses technology, integrated connectivity, intelligent data analysis, and real-time updates to give everyone the tools, resources, and information they need to perform at their best. As a result, projects run smoother; progress moves faster; and projects are completed on time and on budget,” says Shanthi Rajan, Linarc CEO and founder.ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTIONLinarc is an All-In-One project management solution that eliminates the need for multiple systems. Linarc has built-in features that provide everything you need to manage construction projects successfully in a single, intuitive, easy-to-use platform. In addition, Linarc is an open API and integrates easily with standard project management solutions, ERPs, and other software for seamless accounting and transparency.COLLABORATIVE SCHEDULINGThe Work Breakdown Structure is at the heart of every project schedule. Linarc’s unique collaborative scheduling feature harnesses the power of technology and predictive analytics to allocate resources to individual tasks in the WBS hierarchy to eliminate delays and ensure on-time completion.Linarc links work crews, materials, and equipment to the schedules of values and updates progress in real time so projects stay on track.• Project owners have clear insights into work progress and budget expenditures.• Design teams are connected to project execution for quick reference and problem-solving.OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com34software solutionLinarc PlatformLinarc Platformfosters collaboration and efficiency PROJECT MANAGEMENTSHANTHI RAJAN is the founder and CEO of Linarc, the newest construction project management solution for mid-to large-scale projects. Shanthi has a successful track record as a serial entrepreneur, having built and sold multiple companies. She is a product leader with experience in all aspects of company building—ideation and product development—including product-market fit, product strategy, building teams, and go-to market.Previous startups include an immersive learning platform, which was acquired by IBM. She also built the first omnichannel eCommerce service and enablement platform. Her latest venture, Linarc, provides an innovative construction project management solution that helps general contractors, subcontractors, and construction project leaders to improve project delivery and performance.“LINARC USES TECHNOLOGY, INTEGRATED CONNECTIVITY, INTELLIGENT DATA ANALYSIS, AND REAL-TIME UPDATES TO GIVE EVERYONE THE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION THEY NEED TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST.”~SHANTHI RAJAN, LINARC CEO

• CFOs and procurement specialists have control of project financials. Real-time updates and predictive analytics provide complete transparency to stay on budget.• Management teams get detailed reports and quick reference dashboards to keep them informed and on target.• Supervisors/forepersons control assignments and material deliveries for seamless workflows and sustainable progress.• Field crews receive detailed work assignments with documents, photos, and visual cues to keep them safe, productive, and on task.• Modular offering allows you to use only what you need. Start with document control to manage RFIs or submittals, punchlists, schedule management, or budget management.Linarc eliminates communication silos across your entire project portfolio, and the system’s intelligent analysis gives company leaders the leverage of combined resources across all their projects.CLOSING THOUGHTThese company-wide insights eliminate idle time and increase business efficiency. To get a live demonstration of Linarc in action, visit linarc.com/project-management. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202235Linarc PlatformLinarc Platformfosters collaboration and efficiency PROJECT MANAGEMENTfor more informationLinarc is a modern, easy-to-use, all-in-one cloud-based construction management software for teams. Collaborate and manage multiple projects from anywhere. Gain complete visibility into your operations, keep your team accountable, and make informed decisions based on data you can trust. For more, visit linarc.com.Linarc Project Summary Dashboard

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com36software solutionIn construction, profitability depends on a company’s ability to manage risks. Projects are complex, and even with careful oversight many are derailed when minor issues aren’t quickly identified and resolved immediatelyPoor communication is one of the most common causes of disputes, which cost construction companies a significant amount of time and money each year. Misunderstandings between designers and contractors, the field and office, or companies and their customers lead to delays, rework, and litigation.Luckily, modern tools like digital reporting software can help construction companies better track project progress and manage their customers’ and partners’ expectations. Digital reports streamline communications from the field, so decision-makers know exactly what’s happening onsite at all times. How does poor communication lead to disputes? While communications can break down and cause major problems during any phase of a construction project, there are a few common pain points.DESIGN ERRORSWhen the design team makes a miscalculation, uses the wrong scale of measurement, forgets an important functional element, or makes any other mistake when drafting construction plans, this can cause major delays to the project schedule. This is especially true when the design error is not caught until well into the implementation process.LACK OF PROGRESS UPDATESField crews are often very busy with project-related tasks each day. Daily reporting may be the last thing on their minds. However, it is incredibly important to provide detailed, consistent updates to project managers and other key stakeholders responsible for keeping the project on track.MISMANAGED EXPECTATIONSConstruction companies and their customers don’t always perfectly understand each other. Contract terms are often misinterpreted, leading to misunderstandings about costs or deadlines that aren’t noticed until the project has significantly progressed.How can digital reporting technology help? Modern technology has completely changed the way we communicate on a personal basis, but many construction companies still rely on old-fashioned methods to share information on the job. Unfortunately, traditional pen and paper reports, individual spreadsheets, phone calls, emails, and text messages quickly become too time consuming and overwhelming to be efficient. When collecting data is a chore, field workers struggle to provide detailed, accurate information, and project managers lose track of how progress measures up to project estimates. They spend valuable hours tracking information down and attempting to analyze and organize it for customers. Digital ReportingDigital Reportingpreventing project disputes BEST PRACTICESBy Brian Poage

Mistakes or safety issues are easily missed or overlooked until it’s too late and an incident has occurred. Digital reporting systems that are designed for the construction industry streamline the communication process for both workers in the field and the office. Digital tools help field contractors quickly collect and share data in customizable, easy-to-understand report formats. This makes it easy for project managers and other stakeholders to review project work as plans are being implemented. They can respond quickly when an issue arises, and they can provide more frequent updates to customers to make sure they are on the same page and haven’t misinterpreted design plans or timelines. DIGITAL REPORTING FEATURESThe best digital reporting software helps construction companies improve report accuracy and increase visibility while also saving time over traditional reporting methods. Detailed data: Digital reports are consistent, reliable, and accurate. Using templates and checklists, digital reporting software standardizes the reporting process so field crews know exactly what information they should provide with little guesswork. They can use mobile data capture and voice-to-text capabilities to quickly complete reports and submit them to managers on time.Digital reporting systems will also automatically organize data collected into different views to track material usage, budgets, and other key performance indicators. Project managers don’t have to spend time combining and analyzing the data manually, which further reduces communication errors. Real-time reports: Stored and shared through cloud storage, digital reports are available for instant access once they are submitted. Instead of having to track down reports from multiple sources, project managers can view real-time data all in one place as soon as it is available. They can quickly download reports and share this information with customers on a regular basis to help manage their expectations. Photo and video capabilities: With digital reporting, attaching visual data like photos and videos to reports is much easier. Photos and videos show what’s happening onsite better than text descriptions, allowing both project managers and customers to easily review progress at a glance. Using photos and videos increases visibility and clarifies issues that text reports can’t efficiently communicate.Easy resolutions: In the event a dispute occurs, digital reports are easily accessed. They can be searched easier than physical files so a particular report can be located. Managers can use digital search features to quickly find a report and resolve any conflicts fairly. Historical data can also be more easily reviewed to help project managers draft more accurate bids and make informed process improvements.CLOSING THOUGHTThe most important tool for reducing risks in commercial construction is good communication. Digital reporting helps construction companies better communicate project progress both internally and externally. With improved visibility, you can catch potential issues early and respond before they turn into costly disputes. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202237for more informationRaken is a California-based construction software developer that designs tools with ease-of-use in mind. The company’s digital reporting solution features an intuitive interface for capturing and sharing real-time project data. Raken can help your team automate repetitive tasks and gain increased visibility without adding stress to the workday, keep your projects on schedule, and your customers informed. For more, visit www.rakenapp.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com38legal solutionPrice EscalationPrice Escalationaddressing price increases on your projectsCLAUSES AND CONTRACTSConstruction industry participants—from owners down to subcontractors and suppliers—have become all too familiar with dramatic increases in the price of certain construction materials since the COVID-19 pandemic began disrupting global trade in early 2020. While the prices for many materials had started to recede from their early-pandemic peaks, the war in Ukraine and other economic factors over much of the past year have once again driven prices for certain materials through the roof. From lumber to steel, concrete to copper, glass to fuel—or more likely, most or even all of the above—companies are suffering severe financial consequences from price increases, often substantial price increases. In such a volatile economic climate, it is especially important for project participants to pay close attention to contract terms allocating the risk of the cost increases and overruns relating to these unforeseen spikes in materials pricing.THE CLAUSEGenerally speaking (and in the absence of an express provision stating otherwise), the contractor bears the financial risk of price increases unless there is an express price escalation clause included in the contract with the owner. Similarly, the subcontractor will bear the same risk relative to its upstream contractor. For instance, in Indiana, ordinarily a contractor is not entitled to a price adjustment for unforeseen difficulties or unexpected losses that may arise during the performance of a firm, fixed price contract. See Appeal of B&W Press, 1984 WL 148109 (G.P.O.B.C.A. 1988). Such risks include increased costs attributable to inflation. “Absent a price escalation clause in a fixed price contract that would shift the risk of price increases from the contractor to the Government, the risk of unanticipated price increase by a supplier of material needed by a contractor is assumed by the contractor.” Id. (internal citations omitted).THE CONTRACTAs a result, there has been an industry-wide response to address potential issues with price escalation. Unsurprisingly, much of this response has to do with contract language and/or contractual risk allocation. As a threshold matter, it is critically important to carefully read and review any contract terms in order to ensure that all parties fully understand and agree to the allocation of risks for increased materials pricing on any given project. For a contractor or subcontractor performing work on a project, this risk is especially important in fixed-price projects, where that contractor or subcontractor can easily end up underwater on a job when material prices increase. On the other hand, an owner or developer (or a contractor subcontracting work out) may be more concerned with price increases on jobs contracted on a cost-plus basis, where material price increases may dramatically increase the total amount owed to the contractor to complete the project.Regardless of the type of contract and what the party’s role is on a project, everyone needs to be aware of basic contract considerations. With respect to materials and the potential for price increases, the focus should be on the inclusion of language in the initial proposals and whether (and how) it is addressed both upstream and downstream. Additionally, there can be upfront negotiating for if and when price increases occur and when it may result in adjustments to the contract. For instance, is there a period during which prices are “locked”? Is there a mechanism for recovery for price decreases? It is also important to pay close attention to the materials that are included and/or specified by the contract documents. The initial negotiation process can also address how best to factor in long lead times on certain items, how to address the timely ordering of materials, and the usage of contingencies or allowances. By Christopher S. Drewry

The list goes on and the possibilities are seemingly endless, but the initial contract language can be critical. MANAGING THE RISKThe primary means of managing post-contract price escalation risk, however, is through the use of a material price escalation clause. Big picture, a material price escalation clause entitles a contractor to a change order where the price of certain types of materials increases either between the time of bid submission or the time the contract is effective and when the contractor orders the material. Such a clause is the answer to the situation described above, where there is otherwise no entitlement to a price adjustment in the absence of a provision.There are different ways to address the price escalation itself. It could be handled based upon an open-ended increase that occurs any time between bidding or signing the contract and actual construction, or it could be established at a certain threshold or percentage increase where the contractor may be entitled to additional compensation only if the price escalations exceed a certain percentage or amount. Alternatively, it could be a “delay escalation” clause where it freezes a fixed price for a set period of time and allows the downstream contractor additional compensation if the project is delayed beyond the established number of days or a specified date. It is also important to point out that price escalation clauses can go both ways. While such clauses currently are critical for contractors and subcontractors in order to address rising construction costs, there may very well be situations going forward where the owner may prefer such a clause. In this instance, it effectively serves as a price de-escalation clause where there may be a price reduction in materials. CLOSING THOUGHTPrice escalation clauses serve as the contractual mechanism for proper risk allocation associated with price increases (or decreases, as the case may be) on a project. As such, it is imperative that owners, contractors, and subcontractors alike consider the risks involved in changing material prices between the time of the bid and ordering of the materials and establish each party’s expectations through specific contract terms prior to contract execution. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202239about the authorChristopher S. Drewry is a partner with the law firm of Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP, in Indiana (www.dsvlaw.com), where he focuses his practice on construction law and litigation, as well as labor and employment law and litigation. Chris is the immediate past chair of the Construction Law and Litigation Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel, and he can be reached at cdrewry@dsvlaw.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com40technology solutionMore construction fleets are hitting the road than ever before, and to keep pace with the heightened risk of distracted driving, it is necessary for construction companies and contractors to ensure the safety of themselves, their workers, and the public. When you think of safety risks for construction workers, it’s natural to first consider the heavy equipment and otherwise dangerous machinery used daily. Believe it or not, vehicle-related incidents have become a leading cause of accidents and serious injury in the construction industry. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported approximately 38,680 fatalities from traffic accidents in 2020, 3,142 of which were due to distracted driving.To safeguard drivers from danger, construction industry fleet managers are turning to a combination of smart dashcams, telematics, and GPS tracking to gain a holistic, 360-degree view of the driver’s environment and behavior. Video recordings from dashcams can provide evidence of drivers looking at their phones while driving, data captured from telematics can determine the vehicle’s speed and braking patterns, and GPS tracking can reveal if the driver is blowing through stops or deviating from their scheduled route. This visibility helps construction fleet managers decrease the number of accidents through multi-point driver accountability—bolstering road safety for employees, drivers sharing the road, and pedestrians. PHONES DISTRACT DRIVERSDistracted driving consists of any activity that diverts attention from safe driving. As the grips of mobile connectivity continue to take hold, drivers often forget that when behind the wheel, they travel at high speeds on busy roadways. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that distracted driving is responsible for nearly 60% of teen crashes, and the National Safety Council reported that cellphone use accounted for 27% of all car accidents. That’s not surprising because, at 55 mph, a quick glance to read or send a text diverts attention from the road for five seconds, long enough to travel the length of a football field. Cellphone use behind the wheel increases the risk of a crash by 165%.Unfortunately, drivers tend to think their behavior on the road isn’t the problem. While 87% of drivers said texting and driving is dangerous, another recent study showed that 70% of drivers admitted to recently using a mobile device while driving. DISTRACTED DRIVING RISKS According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), crashes caused by distracted driving cost employers $18.8 billion in 2018. And it’s not just your drivers you need to be concerned about—you may have a well-behaved, highly conscious fleet that is exposed to the risk of nearby distracted drivers. Of course, not all distracted driving incidents lead to an accident, but it can still be costly to your operation. A distracted driver might miss a turn or fall behind schedule, impacting fuel usage or customer service. Distracted driving can impact your fleet in several ways:• Driver injury and cost• Vehicle damage• Damaged reputation• Increased insurance costs• Expensive lawsuitsDEPLOY TECH & TELEMATICSDrivers are often tasked with transporting construction materials across many miles and can become weary and bored when on the road. Automated sensors can detect whether the driver who has been behind the wheel for hours is drowsy or distracted. Sensors aren’t only looking at the driver but are also working to detect distance in relation to the next vehicle, monitor seatbelt compliance, and notify fleet managers of stop signal and traffic light violations. Leveraging real-time data, contractors can be alerted to safety hazards. When used together, fleet management tech solutions establish benchmarks that prevent roadway accidents by monitoring distracted driving, in addition to:Distracted DrivingDistracted Drivingtechnology and coaching can minimize riskPROTECT YOUR FLEETBy Ray Kosick

• Speed: According to the NHTSA, more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities were related to speeding. • Ignoring Red Lights or Stop Signs: This behavior is a significant source of injuries and can lead to much higher insurance rates if one of your drivers is cited. • Following Distance: Tailgating is one of the most dangerous driving habits and a chief cause of accidents. DRIVER COACHING PROGRAMDriver coaching is an extra layer that will help prevent accidents instead of only reacting to them. With the rise of smart dashcams, coaching drivers will be more important than ever. Insurance rates are climbing, and every fleet manager wants to control every cost possible. If your organization doesn’t have a driver safety program, you’re missing an opportunity to reduce costs. And if your driver is at fault in an accident, proving your commitment to fleet safety can show that your organization is trying its best—a benefit when negotiating a settlement.Here are a few considerations when kickstarting an effective driver coaching program:• Train Drivers on the Technology: Train drivers on how the technology works from end to end so they can hit the ground running with positive driving behaviors. • Critical Measurements: Every fleet has unique challenges, but measuring speed, distracted driving, red-light running, and tailgating is consistently most important.• Set Goals for Improvement: Baseline data help set measurable, achievable goals. Reward safe drivers and give lower-performing drivers a chance to improve through modeling.• Establish a Coaching Culture: Once your drivers improve, continue their coaching sessions even if they’re performing well. CLOSING THOUGHTThrough better data and coaching, construction fleet managers can build a culture of safety that prevents distracted driving while improving performance. Incorporating GPS tracking and smart camera technology—paired with consistent driver education and safety coaching—will reduce costs, improve safety, and enhance overall fleet operations. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202241about the authorRay Kosick has helped GPS Insight customers ensure success with GPS tracking and telematics technology for nearly 14 years. Kosick began in technical support services, migrated to hardware fulfillment, and has served as product manager for the past several years. He is known as the resident expert on telematics devices within GPS Insight. For more, visit www.gpsinsight.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com42technology solutionFor construction companies of every size, the pandemic accelerated the shift toward hybrid information technology solutions that facilitate both remote and in-office communications between customers and employees. In the marketplace today, this has increasingly involved mobile and office phones with integrated software that offers sophisticated voice, video, messaging, and workforce management capabilities. This has augmented the complexity of the phone system requirements and presented construction businesses with a plethora of options. Users usually operate from office phones and mobile devices and are working more in and out of the office, so there is a greater demand for forwarding messages to avoid missing calls. Also, a host of new services beyond calling are often expected such as Short Message Service (SMS)/Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), video conferencing, visual voicemail, and call recording. On top of all this, the phone system is increasingly connected through APIs to existing company systems such as contact centers, workforce management, and Customer Relationship Management systems (CRMs), so important data can be monitored and evaluated in various ways. CHALLENGE TO SOLUTIONThe challenge for construction companies, however, has been dealing with issues of quality and integration, along with constantly escalating provider prices and add-on fees that can end up costing over $70 per user each month. When managers need the services to stay operational but do not have the time or inclination to sort through complex billing, they can feel like a captive of their technology provider.“Today, construction business owners feel besieged with all the software-as-a-service fees, which constantly creep upwards, never downwards in cost. They are enticed with low offers to start, and then the price doubles or triples on renewal or any changes,” says Eric Brackett, president of BTI Communications Group, a technology convergence provider serving the business and logistics sectors. The company acts as a single-source provider of complex phone (VoIP), network, and physical security systems, down to installation of wiring and conduit as well as cybersecurity monitoring and protection.In addition, construction businesses prefer a phone system that includes access to every service option from the start, whether used or not, at a low fixed monthly rate, which eliminates extra fees and complexity. “Business owners and managers appreciate having only one line item on the bill that covers everything. When the prices don’t change for a fixed period, this eliminates the issue of escalating expenses and surprise add-on costs,” says Brackett.He notes that such a system can improve both the customer and employee experience by integrating web services including voice, video, SMS/MMS, smartphone and PC, as well as contact center, CRM, and workforce management. “Today, a construction business phone system needs to enable working from anywhere, whether at the office, at home, or on the go, and offer the full breadth of communication technologies,” says Brackett.He adds that some of the more advanced marketplace options are now easier than ever to incorporate and use. These allow business employees to use their own smartphones without purchasing new equipment since the service functions with almost every cellular provider. To streamline use, a web portal can enable users to take control and easily manage the entire system through a simple interface. Video conferencing also facilitates collaboration anywhere on any device, and some or all calls can be recorded and retrieved as needed.VoIP SimplifiedVoIP Simplifiedintegrating services beyond callingFIXED COST OPTIONBy Del Williams

OPTIMIZING BUSINESS TELECOMAstral Energy of Montvale, New Jersey, buys energy wholesale and sells it retail to over 15,000 businesses in the B2B market. Ashton Fox, chief operating officer of Astral Energy, sought a more robust, stable solution than his existing telecom service provided.“Many of our customers work off their smartphones on the road so texting and multimedia messaging is important to communicate with them. If our customers struggle to reach us or we are challenged to reach them because of our phone system, it doesn’t work,” says Fox.As a solution, Fox and Astral Energy turned to a new option in the business market called GoodPhone by BTI that provides complete web, voice, video, SMS, MMS, CRM, contact center, and workforce management service and integration for customers and employees. The service functions on smartphones and office phones, as well as on PCs used as phones.Complete phone service with all the needed options costs a flat monthly rate of less than $25/user. For the contracted period, each user can utilize an unlimited number of phones as part of the same flat rate. Phones can also be rented or purchased from BTI, or existing VoIP devices used. When employees use their personal smartphone by downloading the GoodPhone App, they no longer need to give out their personal cell information to handle business calls. Instead, they can provide clients with one office number to reach them, and make or take calls from their web phone, mobile app, or desk phone while always displaying the office number.The service also allows businesses to text promotions and contact customers via SMS and MMS messages, as well as track the responses. Employees can monitor messages and set auto-responses with customized text from one account. The service facilitates resolving customer issues by enabling the search of text archives with a 360-degree view of customer interactions. When video conferencing is required, the service currently allows up to 1,000 people to participate and up to 25 to share a screen.CLOSING THOUGHTBusiness telecom systems have long been complex and costly, leading to user frustration. However, with greater choice in the marketplace today, construction businesses that integrate essentially all required telecom services through VoIP phones at a low, fixed cost can streamline their operations and gain a competitive advantage. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202243about the authorDel Williams is a technical writer based in Torrance, California. For a free 14-day trial or a zero-commitment review of telco bills, call 1-800-HELPBTI (1.800.435.7284), email info@btigroup.com, or visit www.btigroup.com.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com44safety solutionInvest in SafetyInvest in Safetymake workplace safety a priorityBEST PRACTICESWhen Paul O’Neill started as the Alcoa CEO in 1987, the aluminum manufacturing giant was in trouble. Several of its recent product launches had failed. Investors wanted to hear how O’Neill planned to turn the company around.When he gave his first speech, O’Neill didn’t discuss new revenue streams or cost-cutting measures. He chose an unusual topic: worker safety. One investor ran out of the room to tell his top clients to dump Alcoa stock.By the time O’Neill retired, Alcoa’s net income had grown to five times what it was when he started.Workers missed 1.86 days per 100 employees due to injury in 1987; by 2012, its lost-days rate had dropped to 0.125. The quest to improve worker safety pushed Alcoa to improve its manufacturing processes. It also revealed ways that current processes were creating suboptimal aluminum products. What started as a focus on safety led to better processes, better products, and higher profits for Alcoa.Improving workplace safety isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a smart investment in the future of any company. OSHA COMPLIANCEThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration has guidelines in place for sanitation, first aid, hazardous materials, ventilation, personal protective equipment, safety exits, and more. Although following OSHA requirements is a must for any business, and failing to comply can cost thousands of dollars, reviewing the guidelines is the best place to start any occupational safety and health improvement effort.OSHA compliance, however, is only the beginning. For instance, in companies with a unionized workforce, safety requirements are often part of worker contracts, and failure to protect workers can lead to litigation and compensatory damages. When a glaring safety issue exists, even if specific laws or regulations don’t cover it, it still exposes businesses to liability. If needed, companies should consider hiring consultants that can identify obstacles to workplace safety and provide remediation steps.OFFER TRAININGHiring occupational safety and health experts to deliver training is a good start, but it’s also important to get the right training that offers the most benefits for company workers. One way to start is with a job hazard analysis, which documents each step of on-the-job tasks and the potential safety issues arising from each task. This analysis identifies the highest-risk activities, so businesses can identify immediate safety training priorities. Offering these opportunities provides multiple benefits to your company. Not only do you reduce the risk of a serious accident, but comprehensive, ongoing workplace safety training programs can:Support a culture of safety. When safety is addressed on an ongoing basis, it becomes ingrained in the company culture and part of the expectations for every employee.Increase loyalty. When employees believe that you care about their well-being, they are more likely to be loyal and productive employees.Improve corporate reputation. Your company’s reputation influences everything from how customers perceive you to your ability to attract top talent. A commitment to worker safety helps support your reputation as a great place to work.Save money. Safety training helps prevent injuries and absences that increase operating costs. Providing evidence of ongoing safety education may also help reduce the cost of insurance. And, if an accident does occur, providing proof that you took all reasonable steps to prevent the incident can help reduce any penalties that may be levied against you.CLOSING THOUGHTBusinesses that recognize the importance of safety in the workplace are businesses that succeed. And making safety a priority begins with exceptional health and safety training. for more informationThis article was originally published by Columbia Southern University on The Link. Columbia Southern University offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in occupational safety and health, as well as a bachelor’s in environmental management. CSU’s online bachelor’s and master’s programs in occupational safety and health are touted by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. For more, visit columbiasouthern.edu/safety. PART 1 OF 2

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com46safety solutionWorkplace injuries are prevalent in many occupations, and construction is no exception. Workers in this sector have to handle tasks that increase their risk of injury, often leading to lost work days and hefty medical bills. With the construction industry a vital part of our economy, it’s crucial to keep employees of this sector safe and healthy. That is possible with the help of ergonomic solutions. These solutions will help prevent work-related health issues and allow employees to perform their tasks safely. WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?Ergonomics is the science that ensures your employees’ capabilities match their equipment and working environment.Injury prevention programs suggest personalized solutions based on the needs of each industry to prevent workplace injuries. Apart from that, ergonomic solutions can help:• Improve productivity and quality of work• Make it easier to perform demanding job tasks• Create a safe and healthy workplace• Boost morale and create a happy working environment• Reduce medical costs and workers’ compensation claimsERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS Here are ergonomic risk factors in the construction industry that ergonomic solutions can address. Awkward postures. Many construction workers perform their tasks with habitual movement patterns and postures that may not be serving their health for the longer-term. These poor postures can result in different back, neck, and shoulder injuries.Repetition and Static Posture. Repetition involves repeating the same task with a similar range of motion for more than 2 hours which can increase the risk of local tissue strain or injury. Static posture is when the workers maintain one alignment for a long time. It can limit blood circulation in the muscles and cause aches and cramps.Vibration. Any vibration that enters the body from power tools can put pressure on the tissues of a worker’s hands, arms, and fingers.Force. Demanding tasks that require high muscle power introduce force as a risk factor. Using the body to apply extreme force can put stress on the muscles. Contact Stress. Contact stress occurs when an external object puts pressure on soft body tissues and can lead to localized injury and nerve damage.Extreme Temperature. Extreme heat can lead to fatigue, while extreme cold can lower sensitivity and lead to a lack of bodily harmonization.INDUSTRY INJURIES The above risk factors will not only cause physical discomfort but lead to the following musculoskeletal disorders and more in the long run, such as back pain, tendinitis, sprains and strains, rotator cuff syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome. GENERAL ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS Ergonomic programs provide these general solutions to create a safer work environment and proactively prevent injuries. Workplace Modifications. Professional ergonomists know how to inspect a worksite for hazards and safety issues. Once they identify these issues with on-site inspections, they recommend modifications you can make to the equipment layout, material flow, and more to eliminate the risk factors.Stretching Programs. A simple 3 minute stretching routine before work and between shifts can prepare the body for the physical aspects of a job. Personalized warm-up exercises created based on the needs of construction workers can improve balance, eliminate fatigue, and lower the chances of musculoskeletal injuries.Athletic Training. Proper body movements and mechanics are essential to employee safety, especially in a physically-challenging industry like construction. Ergonomists can instruct workers on correct body forms to reduce pressure on their muscles and prevent avoidable injuries.Handling Techniques. Construction workers are always handling technical equipment and lifting heavy objects Ergonomic SolutionsErgonomic Solutionsreducing workplace injuriesBEST PRACTICESBy Jordan McDowell

that take a toll on their bodies. By learning the proper handling and lifting techniques, they can lower the pressure on their bodies and stay safe at work. Early Intervention. To stay ahead of injuries and take a proactive approach to prevention, workers should learn to identify the early symptoms. Employers must provide the necessary resources to tackle minor musculoskeletal issues and fatigue before they become painful disorders with costly treatments. INJURY-SPECIFIC REMEDIESApart from the general solutions, there are injury-specific ergonomic solutions that can address particular work-related issues. Here are the ergonomic remedies to some common injuries in the construction industry. Lacerations. Lacerations are deep cuts on the skin of hands and fingers. They are one of the most common injuries among construction workers, costing thousands of dollars in compensation claims each year. Ergonomic Solution: Providing employees with cut-resistant gloves and proper cutting tools can protect their skins from lacerations and keep them safe while on the job. Upper Extremity. Upper extremity injuries such as sprains in wrists and joint pains can limit employees’ working abilities. Ergonomic Solution: By providing proper materials and equipment like extension poles and spring-assisted finishing tools, employers can reduce upper extremity injuries. Lumbar Spine. Lumbar spine injuries mainly result from working in improper postures for long. Body positions like bending, twisting, kneeling, or squatting can lead to these injuries and put the body under stress. Ergonomic Solution: Once again, the right tools can eliminate the need for the body to work in these awkward postures and reduce the stress on the arms, neck, and shoulders. Eyes. Eye injuries such as inflammation and abrasion can be very challenging for the workers and keep them away from work for days due to the area’s sensitivity. Ergonomic Solution: Protection gears like goggles and face shields are crucial. Employees must wear them when necessary to keep their eyes safe. CLOSING THOUGHTS Accidents will happen in every workplace. However, ergonomic solutions can reduce the risk of these injuries and their respective costs. With safety ensured, employees can work better and thrive at their jobs. www.mcsmag.com OCTOBER 202247about the authorJordan McDowell is a writer and content strategist. He specializes in manufacturing and often covers workplace safety, but also enjoys writing about the automotive industry and the great outdoors.Break new ground, win more work and complete it more profitably with a unified platform for heavy construction estimating, operational workflows and business insight. HEAR DAN’S SUCCESS STORY AND MORE AT B2WSOFTWARE.COM/DANDAN VALLENCOURT VALLENCOURT CONSTRUCTIONB2W Maintain drives preventive maintenance and tells us exactly what each asset is costing us.

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com50modern construction productsIsuzu Diesel introduces a new digital Controller for all current Tier models of its Engines and Power Units. With industrial grade-sealed connectors, this durable structure controller works indoors/outdoors in hot/cold conditions and is sunlight, water, and soil resistant. It is technologically advanced for generator monitoring, automatic ramping, maintenance reminders, and expandable for future applications and telematics. It includes a single controller part number system for easy, infinite reprogramming for a variety of engine applications with an auxiliary harness and USB port. The Isuzu REDTech™ Controller can be used with constant and/or variable speed engines. For more, visit www.IsuzuREDTech.com. ISUZU DIESEL New Controller Ligchine International, a worldwide leader in laserguided concrete screeds, announces the acquisition of the E-Z Placer concrete placer and line dragger from Remont, LLC. The E-Z Placer was introduced at the 2022 World of Concrete, where it captured the attention of show attendees because of its portability, ease of use, and agile approach to efficiently and quickly placing concrete in line pump applications. The E-Z Placer is a self-propelled, remote-operated concrete placer and line dragger in a single, easy-to-transport unit. For more, visit ligchine.com. LIGCHINE Acquires Remont’s E-Z Placer KEEN Utility updates the women’s San Jose work boot. Now available in a waterproof option. A KEEN.LUFT cell comfort midsole provides air-infused comfort with nearly 100,000 air bubbles per cubic centimeter providing all-day comfort helping to reduce foot fatigue over time. The boot features an EH-rated, slip-resistant outsole that disperses liquids underfoot quickly for better surface area contact satisfying ASTM and SATRA non-slip testing standards. The San Jose also features a roomier toe box and unobtrusive, asymmetrical aluminum safety toe caps that are 35% lighter than steel. For more, visit www.keenfootwear.com. KEEN UTILITY Women’s Work BootThe UtilityScan DF is for complex jobs that have multiple targets that are buried shallow and deep. With the two antennas, 300 MHz and 800 MHz, built into one system, you can view shallow and deep targets simultaneously in a single scan on the screen. Both metallic and non-metallic targets can be identified quickly and easily, and GSSI’s patented LineTrac technology gives users the ability to detect AC power and induced RF energy present in buried utilities. Use the UtilityScan DF before you dig.For more, visit www.geophysical.com/products/utilityscan-df. GSSIUtilityScan DF STAY UPDATED:@modern contractor solutions@mcsmagEDITOR’S CHOICE

OCTOBER 2022 www.mcsmag.com52coach’s cornerTaking SWOT Seriouslystrategic planning analysisJUST A THOUGHTBy Randy GorukA SWOT analysis is often used in strategic planning by construction companies. The acronym SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The SWOT approach can also be used in developing a plan that’s not strategic. For example, it can help you create marketing plans, staffing plans, business plans, and more.To maximize your success, though, it’s critical to follow the SWOT process by using discipline and eliminating personal bias. Start by asking these questions:What are our 3 greatest strengths? How do we know what they are? How will we leverage this information? As an example, if company leaders identify “reputation” as a strength, it must take in more data beyond the leaders’ view of themselves. If proof exists, then building strategic initiatives to leverage that strength may make sense. Unfortunately, leaders’ bias often trumps the formal measurement process; therefore, their plan may be flawed.What are our 3 greatest weaknesses? How do we know what they are? How will we improve? Weaknesses generally fall into the categories of people and capital. Knowing your weaknesses and doing nothing about them can lead to long-lasting problems affecting your company’s ability to grow profitably. Putting a plan in place to tackle your weaknesses has been critical to the survival of many companies. What are our 3 greatest opportunities? How do we know what the opportunities are? How will we capitalize on them? Don’t fall into the trap of defining someone’s “pet project” or “hot button” as an opportunity. This happens far too often. You want to strategically capitalize on real opportunities, which likely fall under the categories of streamlined processes, profitable growth, expansion, mergers, and acquisitions. What are our 3 greatest threats? How do we know what they are? How will we master them? Regardless of the many threats to your business, being proactive is key to your success. Identify and anticipate the actual threats and know they are real. Successful leaders don’t take the approach of reacting to a threat once it’s on their doorstep. Thoughtful positioning will result in a better outcome than reacting to a threat. THE SWOT PROCESSBe intentional as you use the SWOT process, which helps you become more disciplined as you make sound decisions and create effective plans to grow your business. As you’ll find, it’s easy to list a strength, a weakness, an opportunity, or a weakness. However, it takes unbiased effort and discipline to substantiate the items you’ve included. It also takes open discussion and a healthy debate to take the correct actions. That’s why many organizations bring in an outside perspective to facilitate the discussion. Sometimes an internal bias (such as believing it has “the best customer service in the industry”) isn’t recognized until an outsider constructively brings it to your attention. A SWOT analysis requires more than gathering a list of action items and working them. You must adopt a structured approach to prioritizing these items according to those having the greatest impact on the business. From there, you build action plans to achieve those priorities. 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. For more, visit leadersedge360.com.ONE LAST THOUGHT SWOT will work for serious leaders. From it, you can create a winning strategy—one that requires you to be unbiased, disciplined, and strategic in your approach.