Modern Contractor Solutions September 2023 : simplebooklet.com

SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com4LORD & SONS: ONESTOP SUPPLIER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTSFrom PacLeaseCONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT RENTAL MARKET BY 2032From Global Market InsightsNEW PROJECT BUILDER & LIBRARY: TRANSPARENCY CATALOGFrom Sustainable Minds4822SEPTEMBER 2023VOLUME 17 ISSUE 09Inside This Issue50special focusIN EVERY ISSUEIndustry News .............................. Modern Construction Products....... Punch List ....................................equipment solutionINNOVATIVE FUELINGpowers efficient labor and ultimate business growthmaintenance solutionTHE CROWN CURBoverlay existing curb with concreteequipment solutionQUARRY PRODUCTSNY Projects BenefitCONCRETEmaintenance solutionCONCRETE PRESERVATIONPoreShield takes a new approach, protecting from the insideON THE BLOGTHUNDER CREEK EQUIPMENTEvolving Fueling Practices: A contractor fuels his equipment with an innovative fueling solution that requires no HAZMAT endorsement and, depending on the state, no CDL. Contractors and fleet managers are taking fueling and lube into their own hands with new solutions. ThunderCreek.com40technology solutionFIBERS 101fiber-reinforced concrete25equipment solution MONOLITHIC POURSshape & finish curbs24

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PROJECT PROFILESTopping Out ........................................................ 143D Lift ................................................................. 16EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONSTablet Connected ................................................ 18Submerged HPUs ................................................ 20Innovative Fueling ................................................ 22Quarry Products ................................................... 24Monolithic Pours .................................................. 25MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSSupply Chain Automation ..................................... 28Mitigation Culture ................................................ 30SOFTWARE SOLUTIONSScheduling Toolbox .............................................. 32Mobile Applications ............................................. 34LEGAL SOLUTIONFinCEN Efforts ..................................................... 36TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONSTech Outlook ....................................................... 38Fibers 101 ........................................................... 40SAFETY SOLUTIONSPPE Management ................................................ 44AI Video Telematics.............................................. 46MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONSConcrete Preservation .......................................... 48The Crown Curb ................................................... 50FEATURED PRODUCTPulse-Bac Vacuums PRO-Series ............................ 55SUBSCRIPTIONS For all changes, go to:MCSMAG.COMClick the SUBSCRIPTIONS button in the main menuwww.mcsmag.com 3100 Lorna Rd, Ste 101Birmingham, AL 35216DONNA CAMPBELL Editor in Chiefdonna@mcsmag.com MIKE BARKER Publishermike@mcsmag.com RANDY MOON Media Consultantrandym@mcsmag.com KEVIN MCCLARAN Media Consultantkevin@mcsmag.com JUANITA NESSINGER Media Consultantjuanita@mcsmag.comMIKE HOLLEY Media Consultantmike.holley@mcsmag.com LISA AVERY Art Directorlisa@mcsmag.com SETH SAUNDERS Digital Media Specialist seth@mcsmag.com INGRID BERKY Office Manageringrid@mcsmag.comTIM GARMONCEORUSSELL HADDOCKPresidentCHRIS GARMONCFODONNA CAMPBELLVice President, EditorialTONYA BROWNINGVice PresidentNo part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The views expressed by those not on the sta of Modern Contractor Solutions, or who are not speciﬁcally employed by Highlands Publications are purely their own. All Industry News material has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled directly from its corporate website, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to donna@mcsmag.com.For reprint information, contact Chris Garmon at chris@mcsmag.com.Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525. Undeliverables 355 Admiral Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2N1 Modern Contractor Solutions Magazine@mcsmagModern Contractor SolutionsCONCRETE MATTERS There’s nothing better than having a concrete foundation for projects requiring a solid base. This issue of MCS brings you content from Thalle Industries on quarry products being used in Hudson Valley, New York, for a variety of projects (page 24). Next up, Curb Roller Manufacturing shares about monolithic pours with its Badger Curb Maker to seamlessly shape and finish curbs (page 25). For a contractor’s guide to fiber-reinforced concrete, check out the article on page 40. From a maintenance standpoint, Crafco delivers a product made from American-grown soybeans to protect concrete from the inside for the ultimate in concrete preservation; simply spray it on (page 48). And, finally, a novel idea to overlay existing curb with concrete versus removal and replacement, check out The Crown Curb on page 50. The cover for this issue highlights Thunder Creek Equipment’s innovative fueling, which allows a contractor to fuel his equipment with a fueling solution that requires no HAZMAT endorsement and, depending on the state, no CDL. All this, plus articles on PPE Management, Supply Chain Automation, Mitigation Culture, FinCEN Efforts, and AI Video Telematics. Welcome fall, football, and family time … it’s September. Cheers, Donna CampbellEditor in ChiefGOLDEN WARRIORS Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Zachary Coon, from Birmingham, Alabama, assigned to the "Golden Warriors" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet to start its engine on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), July 17, 2023. VFA 87 is deployed aboard CVN 78 as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8. Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, representing a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nolan PenningtonTurn The Ship Around!punch•list56

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsBOBCAT ANNOUNCES BACKYARD MAKEOVER CONTEST WINNER The winner of the Bobcat Backyard Makeover Contest is Julie Rummer from Turlock, California. Julie will receive a $25,000 backyard makeover using Bobcat equipment to transform her backyard and garden. She will also have the opportunity to meet country music superstar—and Bobcat enthusiast—Justin Moore. Five finalists were selected based on the originality and creativity in their contest entry submission, as well as sharing the impact of how a backyard makeover would empower them to accomplish more. Julie’s powerful story received the most votes from the public. Julie survived an auto accident in 1995 that left her paralyzed as a quadriplegic. She is now wheelchair dependent, and often encounters challenges maneuvering in her backyard. While she loves to garden, the dirt and weeds often get stuck in her wheelchair. She would like to makeover her backyard and make it wheelchair accessible so she can be outdoors more often, which she says helps her forget her mobility limitations. For more, visit www.bobcat.com. VOLVO CE AND AEM HOST REP. JOYCE TO CELEBRATE DD25 ELECTRIC COMPACTOR AND NEW TRAINING FACILITY Volvo Construction Equipment, in partnership with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, hosted U.S. Representative John Joyce (PA-13) in August to celebrate the company’s first electric asphalt compactor, which was designed and is produced at its Shippensburg facility. The DD25 Electric compactor highlights the equipment manufacturing industry’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, encouraging contractors, builders, and operators to build the modern infrastructure needed for a 21st century economy and global marketplace, while reducing their environmental footprint. As part of the same event, Volvo CE held a ribbon cutting for the company’s new technical training center on the same campus. The facility will serve as a training center for dealer service technicians and will expand the company’s capacity and offerings for hands-on training and continuing education through virtual platforms. For more, visit www.volvoce.com.TAKEUCHI DONATES EXCAVATOR, ENGINE TO EMPOWER COLLEGE & CAREER CENTERStudents enrolled in Empower College & Career Center’s Heavy Machinery and Construction Pathway can now learn their trades by working with a real compact excavator and diesel engine courtesy of Takeuchi-US. The compact equipment manufacturer recently donated a TB235-2 excavator and a diesel engine, valued together at approximately $70K, to the Jackson County, Georgia, organization as a part of its ongoing philanthropic program, “Takeuchi Gives.”Empower College & Career Center (EmpowerC3) is an educational partnership with businesses in Jackson County and the surrounding area. EmpowerC3 engages high school students in career-relevant

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com10industry newslearning experiences. EmpowerC3’s Heavy Machinery and Construction Pathway is a focus area within its Construction program. Students learn about industry fundamentals and occupational safety. Eleventh and twelfth-grade students are also introduced to various heavy equipment categories and applications, as well as heavy equipment operation. For more, visit www.takeuchi-us.com. BESPOKE METRICS AND PROCORE DEEPEN COLLABORATION TO STREAMLINE PRECONSTRUCTION PHASECOMPASS by Bespoke Metrics, a leading provider of prequalification and risk management technology, announces the integration of its prequalification system with the Procore platform, marking a significant milestone within its involvement on the Procore App Marketplace. Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of construction management software and launched the Procore App Marketplace in 2016 as an online hub for third-party integrations and custom applications modernizing the everyday life of the construction professional. This expanded integration will weave COMPASS's Prequalification tool into Procore's digital workspace, setting a new benchmark for improved precision and an upgraded user experience during the critical preconstruction phase. The integration of COMPASS's prequalification system with Procore aims to redefine the bidding dynamic. This will make it easier for general contractors to find and hire prequalified specialty contractors, helping save valuable time. For mor. visit compass.bespokemetrics.com and www.procore.com. HCSS ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEARSTORY TO HELP STREAMLINE OPERATIONSHCSS announces a new integration and partnership with Clearstory, the commercial construction industry's only Change Order communication tool purpose-built to reduce risk for all stakeholders. This purpose-built integration helps contractors and their customers streamline the documentation of time and materials (T&M) work on the jobsite, signature authorization, and instantly having it logged back in the home office, ensuring that everything is accurate and up to date. Clearstory will integrate with HCSS HeavyJob, an HCSS software offering streamlined, data-driven project management. Both companies aim for integration and clear, direct channels for communication and oversight. Clearstory aims to reduce change order risk by enabling collaboration across all project stakeholders, regardless of what systems they use internally. For more, visit hcss.com and www.clearstory.build.CONCRETE INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SEEKS DONATIONS FOR 2024 AUCTION AT WORLD OF CONCRETEThe Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program—a business-intensive program that awards students with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry Management—is seeking

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com12industry newsdonations for their 2024 CIM Auction to be held at World of Concrete. The auction is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The silent auction will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the live auction begins at 1 p.m. “The proceeds from the 2024 CIM Auction will benefit the CIM National Steering Committee (NSC) and support the current CIM programs at Middle Tennessee State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Texas State University, California State University – Chico, South Dakota State University, and the Executive MBA program, as well as help fund scholarships,” says Ben Robuck, chairman of the CIM Auction Committee. World of Concrete exhibits are open from January 23-25 and seminars run January 22-25. Last year’s auction items included two concrete mixer trucks, a truck-mounted concrete pump, a laser screed, cement, fly ash, aggregate, concrete saws, drills, safety equipment, training sessions, reference books and software subscriptions, laptop computers, sports travel packages, golf and vacation travel package, and more. Those interested in donating to the auction should contact CIM Auction Committee Chairman Ben Robuck at ben.robuck@cemex.com.INTRODUCING ‘MUD TALK’ CONCRETE INDUSTRY PODCASTJoin Ligchine on its new podcast “Mud Talk,” where three seasoned professionals from the concrete industry come together to share their wealth of knowledge, experiences, and stories about the fascinating world of working with concrete and flatwork. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to source for valuable insights, tips, and entertaining anecdotes that will leave you both informed and inspired. Check out the podcast on Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and search the podcast title on the Samsung Podcast app.JCB NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING OF NEW ON-CAMPUS WALKING PATHJCB, the world’s largest privately- owned manufacturer of construction equipment, announces the official opening of its new walking path located at the company’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. The one-mile walking path surrounds the water feature at the front of JCB’s 1,000-acre North American Headquarters. The official opening of the walking path was held on Monday, August 14, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Richard Fox-Marrs, president and CEO of JCB North America, Tonya Poole, vice president of human resources at JCB North America, and members of the executive team were on hand to cut the ribbon and welcome all JCB team members to walk the inaugural lap together. This new campus feature emphasizes JCB’s commitment to team member health and wellness and demonstrates that the company’s slogan “JCB Better” extends past the manufacturer’s equipment and service, through to the well-being of their employees. For more, visit www.jcb.com/en-us.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com14project profileTopping OutTopping Outimplementing quick-release hooks for setting bar joists RED CEDAR STEELRed Cedar Steel, a national steel erection contractor, recently topped out on a 3-million-square-foot industrial complex in Jurupa, California, using a new remote-controlled hook. OTH Pioneer Rigging’s LudwigHook below-the-hook lifting device is used to release loads from rigging safely from a distance, eliminating the need to manually unhook rigging.LUDWIGHOOK SYSTEMRed Cedar Steel was introduced to the LudwigHook system at the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) Conference in February 2022. Red Cedar Steel had the opportunity to do a free trial of the hooks at its headquarters in Wisconsin after the trade show and was immediately sold. One week later, the company purchased eight additional LudwigHook kits for Red Cedar Steel crews to use across the nation. “From the moment I came across the hooks from OTH Pioneer Rigging, I knew it would be a game changer for steel erectors,” says Nick Martinez, general field superintendent for Red Cedar Steel. “So, when we were approached by Triad Fabricators to erect 1.5-million-square-feet of bar joists on six buildings for the Agua Mansa Industrial Park, I knew immediately that we needed to implement the hooks into the job.” PROACTIVE APPROACH Martinez took a proactive approach to introduce the new rigging tool to the other contractors and ironworkers on the job. “This is a revolutionary concept so I compiled all of the user manuals, product specs, and additional documentation to present to Triad Fabricators, and the project’s general contractor, KPRS Construction Service, Inc.,” says Martinez.Due to the location of the project, the other contractors wanted assurance that the hook would meet Cal/OSHA guidelines. “When I looked into this further, I found that as long as we followed protocol for OSHA Subpart R, Cal/OSHA was not concerned about the use of the product on the jobsite,” says Martinez. “To ensure compliance with U.S. and Canadian standards, OTH Pioneer Rigging conducted a comprehensive certification evaluation,” says Jeremy Poste, vice president of operations at OTH Pioneer Rigging. “We can provide a summary of the documents to contractors to satisfy any questions that arise,” he adds. LudwigHooks comply with ASME B30.20 and meet OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 requirements. The radio frequency remote control has received certificates of acceptance from the FCC in the United States and ISED in Canada. In addition, the user manual meets voluntary industry consensus standards found in ANSI Z535.4 and Z535.6.“In addition, using these hooks helps contractors mitigate risks outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1926.753(d) and 1926.1425(b), where the regulation specifies that employees shall not work below suspended loads,” says Poste. HOOKS IN ACTION Martinez gathered the project’s senior site superintendent from KPRS Construction Service, Inc., representatives of the Ironworkers District Safety Counsel, representatives from the crane rental company, the crane operators for the project, and the ironworkers from Ironworkers Local 433 to see the hooks in action. “That’s what

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sold our company on the use of the hooks so I knew I needed to demonstrate to others how beneficial the hooks could be,” says Martinez. “It didn’t take long for everyone to see how revolutionary this product is, and the feedback I received after the demonstration was incredible. The senior site superintendent for KPRS was extremely impressed that ironworkers were able to safely release loads from the ground 200 feet away using a remote-control. They were immediately on board and wished the industry had something like this sooner,” says Martinez. SAFETY, SPEED, PRODUCTIVITYBy the time Red Cedar Steel was given permission to use the hooks on the jobsite they were 20 days into the steel erection process. The company was responsible for erecting 60-foot joist girders that were approximately 7,500 lbs to 8,000 lbs each. Red Cedar Steel utilized two 90-ton rough terrain cranes from Link-Belt with two LudwigHooks per crane to make the lifts. “Each LudwigHook has a working load limit of 4,400 lbs, so when you put two hooks together, the working load limit is actually 8,800 lbs. This allows users to create a customized solution to achieve scalable lifting capacity,” says Oliver Gleize, president of OTH Pioneer Rigging. The remote control is color-coded to coordinate with hooks which allows users to open the hooks all at once or one at a time. The opening mechanism of the hook switches off when lifting over 55 lbs, ensuring that the load cannot be dropped during a lift. When the load is set down, the opening mechanism switches on allowing the user to release the hook through the remote control. Each remote control has a unique ID resulting in a unique code transmitted to the hooks in order to prevent a remote from controlling hooks from another kit if one is being used by another team nearby. “Being able to eliminate the process of manually unhooking the rigging was a big reason for us to integrate the hooks into our process. Not only does it save time, there is a huge safety benefit. Safety is always at the top of mind so being able to keep our ironworkers out of the process is a big deal,” says Martinez. During the course of this project, Red Cedar Steel estimated that each lift only took about three minutes to complete. The LudwigHook solution features a long-lasting battery life which is capable of making more than 100 lifts per day for a full week before recharging is required, and the hook remains locked if the battery is fully discharged. CLOSING THOUGHT“We had a very strict schedule for erecting the bar joists and using the hooks allowed us to stick to that schedule. Implementing the LudwigHooks was my biggest accomplishment of 2022 and now everyone wants to use the hooks for every project,” says Martinez. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202315for more informationFor more information on LudwidHooks, visit ludwigsystem.com.CUTTING EDGE IMPALEMENT PROTECTIONCARNIE CAP is the most effective way to cap exposed rebar while keeping your workers safe and on the job.National OSHA Compliant • CAL-OSHA ApprovedPatent #5826398, 6073415ORDER TODAY!(888) 743-7725 www.carniecap.comWORKS IN HORIZONTAL, VERTICAL & INCLINATIONAPPLICATIONS✓ ASSEMBLE WITH 2X4 OR 2X6 LUMBER ALREADY ON SITE✓ SAFELY DISTRIBUTES WEIGHT ACROSS ENTIRE SYSTEM✓ NO MORE CAPPING EVERYREBAR!✓

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com16project profileOne of the most prolific and expert users of 3D Lift Plan from A1A Software, LLC, taught himself how to use the program, and the former ironworker credits the lift planning tool with launching his career. Brian Robinson, general superintendent for Brewer Crane and Rigging, San Diego, California, has created more than 2,700 lift plans since he began using 3D Lift Plan in 2015. Brewer Crane serves San Diego and the Southwestern United States. Robinson primarily works for the company’s Tower Crane Division, which provides turnkey service including site inspections, plan reviews, lift planning, and engineering for erection and dismantling. The company’s tower cranes are rented with a certified crane operator. Robinson uses 3D Lift Plan for pre-planning tower crane placement on major construction sites, including ingress and egress for equipment setup, assessing minimum and maximum radius distances through various phases of construction, checking for violations of air rights, and demonstrating that the crane can be safely dismantled.Today, General Contractors often reach out to Brewer Crane and Robinson to develop the documentation that will visually show a site owner that a difficult project can be done, assisting them in winning the bid in the first place.REWARDING CAREER PATHRobinson came from the field, originally working as a post-tension cable and rebar ironworker, one of the most physically demanding jobs in construction. In 2010, when many large-scale projects were being postponed or canceled due to the economic recession, Robinson decided to learn how to use AutoCAD to make himself more marketable. Fast forward five years and Robinson was working as Brewer’s project superintendent on construction of the San Diego Superior Courthouse. The project was running three shifts on a 24-hour schedule. “The amount of communication that had to happen on that project was unbelievable and if there were ever any gaps in that flow of information it could bring the project to a stop,” says Robinson. Already familiar with AutoCAD and Bluebeam, a steel detailing and document management software, Robinson had also just begun dabbling in using 3D Lift Plan after being introduced to it by a salesperson from Brewer Crane. “I realized that 3D Lift Plan is one of the most efficient ways to convey a lot of really important information accurately to fill in the gaps in communication between the trades, engineers, customers, and the crane operations in the field. Preventing the negative affect that a lack of clear communication had on crane operations is what inspired me to start using 3D Lift Plan,” he says.From that job on, Brewer Crane came to rely on Robinson’s skills with 3D Lift Plan, setting him on the path to becoming a General Superintendent for the company.SOLVING CHALLENGES Brewer Crane also operates a Mobile Crane Division. The largest crane in the mobile fleet is a 450-ton Grove GMK 6400 all-terrain crane. The sales team uses 3D Lift Plan to assist with selecting and sizing cranes for customer bids. “It’s common when configuring (or choosing) a crane for a job to err on the side of caution, but with 3D Lift Plan, we can often show the customer that the job can be done safely with a smaller crane, saving the customer some money,” says Robinson. “This improves the sales process, improves customer confidence, and generates customer loyalty.”It is his work with the Tower Crane Division, however, where the features of 3D Lift Plan really shine. “It was a game-changer for me. I can layer into 3D Lift Plan a satellite image of the location, a plan view, and civil engineering drawings to identify underground utilities. This creates a template of the jobsite that 3D Lift3D LiftBREWER CRANEpower user credits A1A Sotware with launching his career Brian Robinson, general superintendent, Brewer Crane and Rigging

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is completely accurate—from location of curbs to height of adjacent buildings, location of underground voids and identification of access roads,” says Robinson.Robinson uses 3D Lift Plan for planning nearly every aspect of a tower crane setup and tear down. For example, 18 months before a tower crane was erected, Robinson showed the GC where lane closures would be required for assembling the crane, which direction trucks with crane loads would be coming from, that the air rights of neighboring properties were not violated, what the ground bearing pressures would be, that every lift could be accomplished from the setup location, and how the tower crane could be safely dismantled when it was no longer needed.“Without 3D Lift Plan, it would have been hard to know if we could even do the job, much less assure the customer and the site owner. The customer values this level of detail, and we consider providing it as a cost of doing business,” says Robinson.A 5-minute time lapse video shows Robinson creating a lift plan from start to finish. The task took him less than one hour to complete. He started by creating an image file in Bluebeam, then imported that into 3D Lift Plan. “In the video, you’ll see me opening the drawings for the first time, putting the crane where the customer had requested it, and then finding a much better spot for the crane, changing its location, and finally creating a lifting template complete with both crane locations and logistics,” he said. View the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcdF2x0uhlEIn another example, Robinson used 3D Lift Plan to figure out how to erect two tower cranes from one setup position, and in a third situation, he got a panicked call from a general contractor’s project manager who had discovered that at the last minute the city would not allow a mobile crane to set up on a major roadway. The project manager feared for his job if he didn’t come up with an alternative. Robinson worked late to identify a new location that would get the job done before the cranes arrived on site the next morning.CLOSING THOUGHTWhile the business benefits of 3D Lift Plan are apparent—winning bids, providing required documentation, improving work processes and communication, solving challenges for the customer—it’s the field personnel that Robinson thinks about most when creating lift plans. “When you think about the tight tolerances and exact placement of loads that take place on jobsites every day, the people most at risk are the ironworkers and riggers on the receiving end of the hook. I try to remember that this is the plan that could keep them safe,” he says. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202317for more informationA1A Software, Fernandina Beach, Florida, develops software and interfaces for the heavy construction industry. The company got its start by developing the well-known lift planning program called 3D Lift Plan, and it now offers other business management tools specific to the needs of crane and construction equipment owners. For more, visit 3DLiftPlan.com and iCraneTrax.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com18equipment solutionTablet ConnectedTablet Connectedupgrading from laptops to rugged mobile devicesJOBSITE ESSENTIALComputers are essential to the construction industry. Workers need to be able to view and keep track of data, building plans, onsite vehicles, and a host of other things. For a long time, this work has been performed onsite using laptops. Otherwise, it required a lot of time and communication between those working in the office and those on the job. Introducing mobile devices, such as handhelds and tablets, to the construction industry can drastically change how work can be done.At Juniper Systems, rugged tablets and GNSS receivers are built and designed to become an indispensable part of your work and function as your office, anywhere. Earlier this year, Juniper released the all-new Mesa® Pro Rugged Tablet with features you will use every day:• 10.1-inch screen • Sunlight-readable display with multiple touch profiles • IP68 rating for dust and water protection • MIL-STD-810H rating for multiple stresses, including drops • 11th Generation Intel® Core™ • Microsoft® Windows 11 Juniper Systems knows construction workers need devices that can keep up with their surroundings. Rugged devices allow those in the construction industry to save money and be more efficient with their time and resources without compromising device performance. This article explores why rugged mobile devices, specifically the Mesa® Pro are better-suited tools for the construction industry than a laptop.VISIBILITYSome construction managers take laptops into the field simply because the larger screen makes it easier to view when working on projects or looking at plans. The Mesa Pro was designed with this in mind. With a 10.1-inch high-resolution screen, users can see more than on a typical handheld. The larger screen means that workers no longer need a laptop to do their work efficiently.In addition to the large screen, the Mesa Pro also has a sunlight-readable display. Meaning it provides a bright image even in direct sunlight. Data and plans can be easily seen while working, regardless of the environment. Having dust and water protection is a plus with its IP68 rating.DURABILITYThe laptop wasn’t designed to be used outside of a home or an office. This is especially true for those working in harsh surroundings. In an environment with power tools and heavy-duty machinery, workers should have devices that match. The Mesa Pro is a rock solid device that has undergone extensive testing to handle the harshest environments.Not only are rugged tablets like the Mesa Pro designed ergonomically, making them easier to carry around on the job than a laptop, the Mesa Pro is also designed Juniper Rugged™. This means it was specifically designed to keep out things like dust and dirt and offer protection against heavy rain and multiple drops onto concrete.Mesa Pro is the world's first IP68-rated rugged tablet with active cooling. Ingress protection (IP) ratings are used across the electronics industry to rate the protection a device has against solids and liquids compromising internal systems. A rating of 6 is the highest protection from solids, such as dust, sand, rocks, etc. An 8 is a rating against liquid ingress, this includes drips, sprays, and submersion. Mesa Pro is rated to and capable of submersion at one meter for 45 minutes.

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Along with Juniper Systems’ tests, the Mesa Pro has also been tested to meet MIL-STD-810H test procedures. Workers can go throughout their workday without needing to always be wary of their devices and making sure they are protected. With a rugged mobile device, you can focus on the job at hand.PERFORMANCEBefore the advancement of mobile devices, laptops were the only devices that could run the software needed in the construction industry. Now, with devices like the Mesa Pro, users can run that same software on a device better equipped to handle their harsh environments. The Mesa Pro is equipped with a range of processors to meet your needs. Software programs like BIM, AutoCAD, Revit, and SOLIDWORKS can run on the Mesa Pro, making this the ideal device for those working in vertical construction. These are just some programs that can be run on the Mesa Pro, relevant software for concrete surfacing and flatness monitoring are also compatible. Contact Juniper Systems for any questions about software compatibility.In addition to computing power, the Mesa Pro was specifically engineered to prevent it from becoming overheated. These advanced programs won’t slow your device and workday down by running them on the Mesa Pro, meaning you can truly take the office with you to any construction site. CUSTOMIZATIONAn additional benefit that sets the Mesa Pro apart from other mobile devices is that it is easily customizable. Additional scanners, antenna, and other hardware can be incorporated into the Mesa Pro to offer users a more customized solution than a standard laptop. There are many different sectors within the construction industry, all needing different things from their devices. Rather than purchasing additional equipment, Juniper Systems collaborates with users to create a customized rugged device unique to their needs when possible. The same conveniences offered on a laptop are now available on a more rugged device. Construction workers don’t have to sacrifice durability for performance. Mobile devices like the Mesa Pro can handle the same workload while providing users with an easy-to-read screen and protection from harsh elements. CLOSING THOUGHTJuniper Systems hears from its partners and customers in construction that service and technical support are a big consideration when choosing new hardware. Juniper Systems’ customer support is housed in the same building where its products are designed and assembled. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202319for more informationIf you would like to learn more about the features Juniper built into the Mesa Pro for the modern contractor, email sales@junipersys.com, or visit junipersys.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com20equipment solutionSubmerged HPUsSubmerged HPUsincrease construction equipment reliabilityPATENTED DESIGNIn the construction industry, hydraulic processes are essential to efficiently prepare the site in myriad ways. Excavators use a hydraulic bucket to dig, demolish, lift, or dredge. Versatile backhoes with a front-loading bucket can be used to excavate trenches and lift or unload materials. Bulldozers move and remove soil with a hydraulically raised or lowered heavy metal front blade. A wide variety of other equipment from loaders, graders, pavers, scrapers, and compactors to dump trucks, tower cranes, and pile driving equipment also relies on hydraulic equipment. Essentially, Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs) provide the “muscle” behind all this operating machinery. However, frequent exposure to moisture splashed from the construction site and roadways as well as weather, washdowns, humidity, and other corrosion-causing factors can wreak havoc on the hydraulic component parts.For decades, there has been little variation in the basic component configuration of HPUs, which convert electrical power to hydraulic energy. Highly complex hydraulic systems consist of many components including manifolds, directional valves, and the system’s motor and pump, which are mounted to the top of the oil reservoir. Additional components such as filters, pressure gauges, and heat exchangers may also be needed to meet application requirements. IMPROVE RELIABILTIYWhile the design is technically sufficient, OEMs have long sought ways to improve the overall reliability of hydraulic systems that must operate in inhospitable, moisture-prone environments.One challenge is that high-value components like the motor and pump are also the most likely to require repair or replacement in many cases. Yet current HPU design involves mounting the motor and pump to the reservoir, which exposes the components to the environment and potential corrosion damage. Even if the HPU is in a toolbox with the vehicle battery, it is regularly exposed to moisture from various sources. Accelerated corrosion only leads to premature service, repair, and replacement.REDUCING DOWNTIMESince critical equipment and machinery cannot function without a sound hydraulic system, downtime and lost revenue can result as well. When this occurs, OEMs receive service calls and complaints from customers that are having problems with the unit. In the industry, maintaining the construction schedule is crucial to help the entire project stay on track and on budget. Any heavy equipment downtime due to the unplanned breakdown of hydraulics can be extremely costly if it delays the project or leads to unused manpower and late penalties.In addition, while not a concern in all applications, smaller, more compact HPUs are generally preferred where space is limited.INNOVATIVE REDESIGN To significantly increase HPU reliability and provide greater design flexibility, a leading Submerged HPU with manifoldWhen heavy equipment operates in harsh, corrosive environments, using innovative Submerged HPU’s will result in fewer repairs and greater equipment reliability.

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hydraulic parts manufacturer, KTI Hydraulics Inc., redesigned these vital components to create the industry’s first “Submerged DC HPU.” Founded in 1998, the Santa Ana, California-based company provides Hydraulic Power Units and components for use in commercial and industrial hydraulic equipment. In the patented design, the motor and gear pump are protectively submerged in the reservoir fluid, rather than the typical configuration of mounting the motor/gear pump and manifold to the top of the reservoir. Protecting the motor and gear pump in this manner has many benefits. When the motor and gear pump are submerged, the high-value parts require substantially less maintenance and replacement. The new units are particularly ideal for equipment and machinery operated in harsh, corrosive environments. The oil also functions as coolant, resulting in a longer duty cycle.KTI Hydraulics Inc. offers the Submerged HPU with a 1.8 KW 12V and 24V DC motor with superior ingress protection (IP) ratings (a measure of an enclosure’s resistance to dust or liquid intrusion). The HPU includes a pressure-loaded gear pump, potted solenoid, and a reservoir with 5 quarts of usable volume. Several optional add-ons are available as well.The new, innovative HPU configuration also enables a more compact design (15 1/2” x 9 1/2” x 8”), which is ideal for OEMs looking to minimize the space required for hydraulic components.To provide more flexibility in design for OEMs, the Submerged HPU is offered with a variety of common hydraulic circuits. Custom circuits can be designed upon request. This configurable approach allows for one base unit to utilize multiple circuits. The Submerged HPU allows the OEM to change the manifold to work with a multitude of different standard or custom circuits. This contrasts with current HPU designs that lock the OEM into either a single-acting or double-acting configuration. For hydraulic equipment distributors, the capability eliminates the need to stock four different types of HPUs, conserving inventory space and capital. With the submerged HPU, the distributor can purchase a single SKU item to hold in inventory and then the needed manifolds.CLOSING THOUGHTGiven the critical importance of Hydraulic Power Units in the construction industry, Submerged HPUs are bound to appeal to equipment OEMs experiencing excessive service calls. By ensuring the motor and gear pump are protected within the oil reservoir from wet, corrosive environments, the result will be fewer repairs, greater equipment reliability, and more on−time project completion. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202321for more informationFor more, visit ktihydraulicsinc.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com22equipment solutionSince 1962, the James A. Rogers Excavating company near Little Rock, Arkansas, has been providing developers with site preparation, planning, and earthmoving services. The continued success and growth of the company has led to more jobsites spread further apart—which creates all new challenges for two of the most important tasks that face heavy equipment fleet managers: greasing and fueling. “We do small dirt work and multi-million-dollar jobs,” says David Miller, preventative maintenance lead and self-described grease monkey, James A Rogers Excavating. “This market's booming. We have been awarded more jobs in recent years and even hired about 30 new employees last year. Right now, we’re hitting our goals, and we’re expecting to perform well beyond our goals. Obviously, with more jobs you need a bigger fleet of equipment and that means a lot more fuel. We have eight service trucks at any one time with either 100-gallon fuel carrying tanks or 62-gallon tanks, and they were really struggling to keep up.”THUNDER CREEK SOLUTIONWith the cost and limitations of adding more service trucks to the company’s existing lineup, they began exploring other options. They decided to purchase a Thunder Creek 920-gallon Multi-Tank Trailer (MTT920). As Miller recalls, “The Thunder Creek trailer arrived about the same day I did. On my first day on the job, I did a quick tutorial and I hit the road. We really didn’t have a choice. We had a lot of machines working and we couldn’t keep up with fueling.” Thunder Creek Multi-Tank Trailers allow business owners and fleet managers to haul bulk diesel to their jobsites without requiring a CDL or HAZMAT endorsement from the driver (Miller has neither). This is made possible by isolating diesel in eight separate 115-gallon, DOT-compliant non-bulk tanks. Tanks are joined by a manifold to a common pump, creating complete isolation during transport and controlled dispensing of fuel at the jobsite. Each trailer is built to maintain a low profile and is configured to provide optimal balance and a smooth ride at highway speeds, as well as in the most rugged, off-highway conditions.Each trailer can be outfitted with an optional utility box that houses additional tools such as air compressors, greasing systems, and more—and the front compartment is designed to handle Thunder Creek’s exclusive 2-in-1 diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) storage and dispensing system. “I currently don't have a CDL,” says Miller who also does not carry a HAZMAT endorsement. “That was my first concern when I interviewed. But, with the Thunder Creek MTT 920, we’re at 115 gallons of fuel per tank, which is under the 119-gallon threshold. Just to make sure, we filled the trailer up completely and put it on a scale. It’s under the [CDL] weight limit, which is great for someone like me with just a regular driver’s license. I can get the job done without having to worry about any extra qualifications. It’s also great for a lot of business owners, because the demand for workers is extremely high right now.”GREASE AND FUELMiller put more than 12,000 miles on his truck and trailer in the first four months the company owned it—and it has been front and center in keeping the company’s equipment fueled and greased. “On some of our bigger jobs, things can get busy,” says Miller. “At one job I’m thinking of, we started with a D-11, 330, 336, and a 380 Innovative FuelingInnovative Fuelingpowers efficient labor and ultimate business growthBEST PRACTICESBy Cole Walker

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all moving on the same site. I was dumping 600 gallons of fuel every day and filling a 1,000-gallon tank that was there. I would make a run once a day (no matter what) and sometimes twice a day. To keep machines moving at full potential, I had to be on my toes.”The focus is also not just on the big equipment—each site includes countless pieces of compact equipment that are critical to uptime, even if they take lower quantities of fuel. “There are also lots of jobsites where we have small equipment running and there aren’t enough service trucks to fuel them,” says Miller. “Every one or two days, I swing by those jobs and fill up the smaller equipment.” CRITICAL FOR UPTIMEThe rear utility box with air compressor and 35-pound greasing kit has also been critical for the company’s fleet management activities. While built primarily for fuel, the Thunder Creek trailer helps considerably in daily tasks critical to keeping equipment up and running—especially in hot and dusty Arkansas summers. “I'll get set up and they'll bring me a piece of iron,” explains Miller. “The operator will jump off, grab the fuel, I'll grab filters. I'll blow filters. They'll usually put the filters back in as I'm greasing the equipment. So, me and an operator basically attack it. I think the most I've done is 27 to 30 machines in a day. It was a good day. And then some days I get 10 to 12 just depending on my traveling. So, with the amount of equipment we have, you could do this every single day and it still takes you three days to touch the machine again.”GOOD DEEDS TOOIt has also helped Miller serve as a good Samaritan from time to time. “I actually was pulled on the side of the road to change the tire for somebody one day,” he says. “There was an older couple pulling in—they needed a tire change. So, I used my Thunder Creek to do a tire service. It was funny because I wasn't trying to get caught, but I got caught, and the boss drove by and snapped a picture of it. I said ‘Sorry, boss.’ He's like, ‘No, I wasn't mad at you—that was awesome.’”CLOSING THOUGHTWhether pumping thousands of gallons of diesel over the course of a busy day or helping save the day for local elderly couples in need of a hand—the addition of the Thunder Creek MTT 920 has only helped James A Rogers Excavating do good.“It would take at least two employees all day to fuel the same amount with service trucks. I can do the same work in a single day with the Thunder Creek. It only took me about 45 minutes to read the manual and understand what I needed to do. The trailer is very user-friendly. It looks complex, but it works with common sense. Plus, it looks great with the truck. I love it.” www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202323about the authorCole Walker is a territory sales manager with Thunder Creek Equipment. For more, visit thundercreek.com/equipment/daily-fluids/no-hazmat-fuel-and-service-trailer.

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High-profile construction projects in the Hudson Valley are receiving asphalt, concrete, rock, or other quarry products from Thalle Industries.“From the Indian Point power plant to the West Point academy, our products are critical to many of the region’s most important projects,” says Glenn Pacchiana, Thalle Industries’ president and CEO. “We supply locally sourced and produced construction materials that help our customers reduce their carbon footprint by reducing transportation costs.”Thalle Industries is an environmentally responsible supplier of high-quality virgin and recycled aggregate, asphalt products and brownfield fill for the construction industry. Thalle produces asphalt and virgin stone products at its Fishkill, New York, quarry; ready-mix concrete and recycled stone at its Dakota Concrete site in Montrose; and recycled stone at its Virtual Quarry® in Elmsford, New York.Thalle’s high-profile projects this summer include:• U.S. Military Academy at West Point: As part of a 17-year academic building upgrade program, West Point will modernize eight facilities that are between 50 and 110 years old. Dakota Concrete provides West Point contractors with concrete.• Indian Point Energy Center: Holtec is working on a 12- to 15-year decommissioning program at the former nuclear power plant in Buchannan, New York. Dakota Concrete is a supplier.• Beacon Station: Work at Metro-North’s Beacon Station includes the renovation of a passenger platform. Dakota Concrete is a supplier.• Route 9: Thalle supplied 34,000 tons of asphalt to ELQ Industries starting in mid-April for the repaving project along Route 9 near Poughkeepsie.• Frito-Lay: The consumer products corporation is building a new $100 million fulfillment center in East Fishkill. The complex will serve as a distribution warehouse serving customers in the New York metro market. Thalle provides asphalt for the parking lot.Thalle Industries’ ability to deliver concrete to some of the Hudson Valley’s major projects is due to the recent opening of Dakota Concrete at 2099 Albany Post Road in Montrose, New York. Dakota Concrete also has a new Virtual Quarry recycling center, which will give customers from Putnam and southern Dutchess counties a new recycling option.CLOSING THOUGHTOver the winter, Thalle Industries upgraded its 350-tons-per-hour asphalt plant with the latest burner and silo technologies. During the height of the paving season, the plant can load pavement trailers and trucks within three minutes SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com24equipment solutionQuarry ProductsQuarry ProductsHudson Valley NY projects benefit from local providerTHALLE INDUSTRIESfor more informationFor more about Thalle Industries, visit thalleindustries.com.Photos courtesy of Thalle IndustriesDakota Concrete delivers concrete for the platform work at Metro-North’s Beacon Station.Dakota Concrete delivers concrete to a local road.

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Curb Roller Manufacturing offers the Badger Curb Maker for monolithic pours. Designed to seamlessly shape and finish curbs after another product screeds flatwork, the innovative machine supports user efficiency and reduces the need for extra equipment, transportation, and labor. The Badger Curb Maker is battery-powered and lightweight, and delivers high-quality, uniform results for concrete pours. While it was designed for monolithic pours, the Badger Curb Maker can also be used for patch and repair work and to complement a slipform machine. “There has been a growing demand for monolithic pours from operations both large and small as they look to improve their efficiency,” says Seth Ulmer, sales manager at Curb Roller Manufacturing. “The Badger Curb Maker increases productivity for curbing work by up to 150%. This product turned a once tedious task into a quick procedure that can be completed by almost anyone on a jobsite.”COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONTraditionally, there are three ways contractors have completed monolithic concrete pours: with expensive slipform pavers, or by hand shaping or face forming, both of which require highly skilled labor and more materials. The Badger Curb Maker offers a cost-effective, battery-powered solution that is easy to learn and provides consistent results with less reliance on the operator’s skill level.With monolithic pours, contractors skip the step of an additional pour before placing and finishing the curb. Once concrete is poured and the flatwork is completed either by a roller screed or a laser screed, the Badger Curb Maker is positioned along its perimeter to form the concrete to the shape of the curb. One operator oversees the equipment by wearing an adjustable waist belt to guide and pull the Badger Curb Maker as it spins in the opposite direction to put the concrete in place. Another crew member manages the concrete with a rake or shovel to ensure the correct amount of material is in front of the machine. CORD-FREE SOLUTIONThe battery-powered Badger Curb Maker joins a growing trend of battery-powered equipment on jobsites to provide a portable, cord-free solution for limited space sites. The Badger Curb Maker is powered by a 12 amp-hour DeWalt battery—compatible with many other tools on jobsites—which has the capability to complete a length of concrete curb as long as 150-200 linear feet with a single charge. “We are passionate about providing safe, efficient, user-friendly solutions for our customers,” Ulmer says. “The debut of the Badger Curb Maker demonstrates our commitment to further innovate the market and help our customers continue to find new ways to improve their bottom line.”CLOSING THOUGHTThe Badger Curb Maker meets the needs of contractors who are not only looking for a more efficient way to shape a new curb for a parking lot or street, but also for projects like patching or repairing old infrastructure. Like Curb Roller Manufacturing’s Curb Roller product, the Badger Curb Maker can be paired with a variety of drums to meet curb specification requirements, including many customizable drum widths and sizes. Curb Roller Manufacturing will continue to offer its monolithic setup on the Curb Roller as well as the Hydra-Screed with large custom drum options to provide additional solutions for monolithic pours. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202325Monolithic PoursMonolithic PoursBadger Curb Maker designed to seamlessly shape and finish curbs CURB ROLLER MANUFACTURINGfor more informationCurb Roller Manufacturing has been the world leader in shaped concrete roller screeds for more than 10 years. With high-quality products for everyday concrete work, Curb Roller’s ergonomic machines not only make it easy to shape standard curb, gutter, and sidewalks, but also flume, v-gutter, swale, and other unique shapes. For more visit www.curbroller.com.The Badger Curb Maker can be paired with a variety of drums to meet curb specification requirements, including customizable drum widths and sizes.equipment solution

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com28management solutionAs contractors continue to deal with many challenges (including rising labor costs, labor shortages, economic uncertainty, risk of recession, and the rising cost of materials) supply chain issues remain at the forefront of their concerns. Contractors are finding ways to be more lean and more efficient with regard to inventory management, and many of them are using sophisticated technology to automate operations and stay ahead of the curve. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades have been hit the hardest in 2023. However, the contractors who consider a digital vendor managed inventory (VMI) solution can begin to picture a world where real-time consumption data flows through a customizable, secure, cloud-based, easy-to-install and deploy platform that makes valuable information visible to both the suppliers and the consumers. It’s a solution that ensures a lean inventory pipeline with no stockouts. The simple-to-use technology is affordable and robust. Accurate and granular consumption data automatically generates the required supply chain documents and digitizes sales order entry for the suppliers—eliminating purchase order entry and receipt entry for the consumer.This type of inventory automation is a big win for the entire construction industry supply chain. If you want to know what is on your shelf, a digital VMI platform provides complete visibility and massive amounts of data to track. But there are even more advantages—such as collaboration among suppliers through data-driven CloudSourcingTM, which allows independent suppliers to work together with a consumer on a single RFID-powered supply chain platform that manages complex supply chains.SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Consider the complex supply chain of a huge construction project like the development of 4,000 apartment buildings with on-site trailers stocked full of inventory—including sheet metal, lumber, screws, nails, wood glue, safety products, bolts, hardware hinges, door hinges, electrical wiring components, piping, HVAC equipment, pumps, etc. A robust, cloud-based, digital VMI platform uses powerful RFID technology and the Internet of Things to manage that inventory being consumed by multiple workers, managers, and various suppliers. A worker simply walks into the trailer and gathers the supplies needed. A split-second scan of the RFID smart labels on each product instantly records massive amounts of data, creates a purchase order to replace the supplies, and manages the least amount of inventory required of each product to keep the inventory as lean as possible with no possibility of stockouts. A similar scenario applies to truck-bound inventory coming from off-site warehouses. For example, using automation a plumbing supply company can deploy several trucks of supplies to various jobsites, deliver the materials needed, and return to the warehouse with the necessary data to refill the trucks with supplies for the following day’s deliveries. An effective digital VMI system alerts the plumbing supplier about exactly what is in each truck and also delivers accurate data about what has been consumed from each truck. A handheld scanner performs an instant inventory audit and automatically generates and delivers all the paperwork necessary to restock the necessary supplies. The platform also works for remote warehouses that are accessed by multiple suppliers and consumers. As inventory is pulled from each warehouse at any time of Supply Chain AutomationSupply Chain Automationa game changer for contractorsINVENTORY MANAGEMENTBy Andrew Johnson

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the day or night, the consumption data are automatically recorded from the RFID smart labels. No humans are required to man the warehouses or physically count inventory. Bills are automatically generated from the supplier to the consumer. Purchase orders to replace the products are automatically generated, eliminating the possibility of stockouts. The trailers, trucks, and warehouses look like retail outlets on the inside (similar to ACE Hardware or Home Depot aisles). The user simply “shops” for what they need, picks the required supplies, swipes the RFID labels, and goes back to work. At any time, the consumer or supplier can see exactly what is on the shelf, what has been ordered, and what is being consumed on a regular basis to help keep the inventory as lean as possible. The platform works for huge items like lumber, roofing supplies, water heaters, motors, HVAC systems, and pumps as well as with smaller items like nuts, bolts, and screws. If an RFID label can be placed on the item, it can be scanned with the consumption data recorded.AUTOMATION, RFID TECHNot to be confused with barcodes, which must be individually scanned with limited ability to record complex data, RFID technology uses a magical user interface. It eliminates the need for screens, keyboards, and handheld or peripheral devices—all of which most contractors find inconvenient and obtrusive.With RFID technology, the user can collect a bag of 500 small pieces along with 100 other various supplies in a bin. When placed on the scanning table, one RFID swipe instantly calculates the entire inventory of all the pieces in the bin while recording extremely accurate data.The digital VMI hardware is connected to a cell tower, which is used to instantly report the consumption data back to the supplier so that inventories can be replenished automatically. The data is completely visible and transparent.If a contractor is working with several different suppliers on a jobsite, a digital VMI allows all those suppliers to be on the same platform without disclosing proprietary information. Within the digital platform, the suppliers can only see their own data and not the data of the other collaborating suppliers. However, the contractor can quickly see which components are available from which suppliers because the collective data is visible to them. The consumer collaborates with their partners, but the partners don’t have to collaborate with each other. The platform provides them with the flexibility to filter the data to look at only one product or one category supplier. They could also filter the data to look at items that are close to stocking out, or they could filter the data to look at items that cost more than $500, for example. All the filters are designed to provide visibility and useful data across all the product category suppliers. Before digital VMI technology existed, suppliers were forced to have multiple branch locations to physically deliver components to contractors, as needed. Now, even remote jobsites have the ability to get parts and supplies quickly, efficiently, and without the risk of stockouts that can halt production indefinitely. When working an automated supply chain management system, contractors can remove daily clutter like multiple purchase orders and the physical counting of shelf inventory. A digital VMI provides contractors with eyes on their inventory 24/7 with accurate, granular consumption data in real time. It allows them to work with several independent suppliers, which provides a better supply base than working with a single distributor of multiple products. A specific supplier list can be easily curated. Pushing the data to the consumer through the dashboard provides the contractor with their own dashboard to see exactly what’s on the shelf and what is running low. CLOSING THOUGHTWith no end in sight to rising labor costs and continued economic uncertainty, it is clear that the construction industry can leverage practical technology such as digital VMI to fill those gaps and effectively manage complex supply chains. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202329about the authorAndrew Johnson is an entrepreneur, inventor, and business owner. Formerly the sales manager at the family distribution company, he is now the CEO of ShelfAware, which is redefining industrial supply chains by leveraging RFID technology, the internet, and the power of data. He can be reached at andrew@shelfawarevmi.com or 913.270.8400. For more, visit shelfawarevmi.com.Not to be confused with barcodes, which must be individually scanned with limited ability to record complex data, RFID technology uses a magical user interface.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com30Today’s capital projects are becoming more complex and facing an uncertain risk climate which renders traditional risk management methods increasingly obsolete. Risks such as inflation, supply chain disruption, skills shortages, and extreme weather events increasingly affect multiple project metrics and partners. The increasing cross-sector, multi-disciplinary collaboration and complexity of capital projects will also necessitate more collaborative, comprehensive risk management. Although there continues to be a high level of industry optimism, many construction firms are concerned about disruption from skills shortages and economic stagnation and recession as well as other woes, according to our Global Capital Projects Outlook 2023 (GCPO) survey. The challenge is that risk planning processes have not evolved in line with the growing complexity of projects and the fast-fluctuating array of threats they face. Risk expertise is often still confined to a few specialists, and risk assessments cover only a few project management processes, preventing collaborative oversight and control of risks across all processes and teams. Fragmented, inaccessible risk data also prevents organizations from joining the dots to form a bigger picture of how individual risks affect wider project performance. TURBULENT ENVIRONMENTProjects are becoming increasingly complex and diverse, with the movement toward alternative delivery contracting models often resulting in projects becoming larger in scope, rather than being awarded as multiple, smaller projects. Renewable energy projects are prime examples, with renewable technologies such as offshore wind-to-hydrogen involving multidisciplinary collaboration across a wide range of industries from oil and gas to wind and power. At the same time, the operating environment for construction is becoming ever more uncertain. One customer recently reported that average equipment waiting times have risen from 10 to 14 months and face severe challenges finding sufficient skills. Cost and pay inflation also feature heavily among disruptions being experienced across the industry. With these new question marks conspiring with all the traditional challenges of delivering projects against aggressive cost and schedule targets, risk management will need to become far more collaborative and comprehensive.Yet, today risk assessments are sometimes restricted to a narrow view of project controls, often just scheduling, prohibiting the discovery of the root causes of risk. Quantitative Risk Assessments focus a lot of energy on risk at a specific point in time, then it’s back to executing until it’s time to do the next risk workshop. These infrequent assessments are usually led by specialists using specialized tools, rarely leaving behind meaningful changes in the quest to adopt a disciplined, risk mitigation culture. The fragmentation of risk information is further reinforced by the continued application of traditional delivery models such as design-bid-build and “waterfall” approaches where each project phase is risk-assessed sequentially and separately. Fragmented project data is itself becoming a delivery risk, with 41% of GCPO respondents reporting that poor data collection, analytics, and insights are now a risk to growth.SIMPLIFY RISKRecent project management approaches are breaking down silos and allowing risk management to be spread across all construction processes and personnel. Cloud-based digital tools can assimilate feedback from subject matter experts on a continuous basis, in conjunction with the CPM schedule. The same automated technologies allow ongoing risk assessments throughout project lifecycles to create more agile, adaptive risk management. This democratizes and decentralizes risk assessments so that all teams can bake risk management into their planning and continually adjust to new challenges. Allowing risk management expertise to permeate the entire business empowers all members of the project team—from engineers to procurement managers—to monitor and manage risks in a consistent way.Digitalization is also simplifying complex risk analytics methods such as Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA). Some modern project controls systems include the capability to perform QRAs inherently, including management of the risk register, performing simulations and risk calculations, and creating reports such as tornado charts to identify areas of focus. Monte Carlo—the long-accepted computational method that simulates project outcomes across thousands of varying scenarios—can play a central role in a digital QRA, with the advantage of being Mitigation CultureMitigation Culturedemocratizing risk management in capital projectsDIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONBy Brad Barthmanagement solution

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directly integrated with the CPM schedule and its associated risks. Traditionally, performing a QRA might be done once a quarter, or only at major project milestones in accordance with contract requirements, as it involved a lengthy process to gather up the data to provide to a specialist who would then perform the assessment—yet another lengthy process. Now digital QRAs can be performed as frequently as desired, supporting a culture of continuous risk mitigation. This creates greater transparency and fosters multidisciplinary, multi-party risk management. Recent advancements in AI hold the potential to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of risk assessment. By learning from previous projects—both identified risks, and deltas between expectations and outcomes—AI-enabled planning systems can augment human intelligence to great effect. Such systems will result in a better overall planning process by identifying risks earlier and making them visible to a wider project audience. As the demand for construction continues to outpace the industry’s capacity to keep up, a digitalized risk management approach, augmented with AI, can essentially enable construction firms to do more with less. When everyone in the organization is benefitting from the lessons learned from all previous projects, plans inherently get more accurate and expectations are properly grounded in reality from the outset. All of which leads to more orderly execution of the work and greater project certainty. As preferred contracting models continue to evolve from traditional design-bid-build to shared risk models, an increasingly critical element of success is a standards-based approach to risk assessment. All parties in a shared-risk contract need transparent visibility to current risks and their impacts on cost and schedule. In such contracts, allowable contingencies related to project price and duration are often tied directly to routine risk assessments. When those assessment are performed “out in the open” through a digital, democratized approach, it builds trust and confidence across all project stakeholders. CLOSING THOUGHTToday’s complex, diverse capital projects and fluctuating, far-reaching risks entail a new approach to risk management. Construction firms have a ready-made risk management resource in their wider workforce of discipline experts, and digital transformation can unlock that knowledge and draw on both human and machine insights to fuel smarter risk planning across stakeholders and roles. Digital transformation can be a key enabler for smarter and more resilient projects. The democratization of data will see risk management transformed from an occasional exercise into an ongoing component of every project controls process across project lifecycles. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202331about the authorBrad Barth is chief product officer at InEight. For more, visit www.ineight.com. 1-877-350-5584

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com32sotware solutionScheduling ToolboxScheduling Toolboxschedule-data analysis tool benefits construction firmZACHRY CONSTRUCTIONWhen Ranjeet Gadhoke, vice president of project controls at Zachry Construction Corporation, went looking for a schedule-data analysis tool, he experimented with numerous options, each of which had one or more shortcomings. One of the programs, recalled Gadhoke, was so laser-focused on the score and the quality of the schedule that it didn’t truly provide the big-picture perspective that he was seeking—too much of a “micro view.” Another tool that he used for some time was not “graphical” enough. It told him everything he needed to know, but it generated so many pages of data, finding the right information was like finding a needle in … well, you know where. Yet another offering presented information in a more graphical format, but, according to Gadhoke, it was just making the data fancier. It did not offer the comprehensive insights that he and his team demanded. He describes this program with the most wonderful colloquialism: “It was like putting lipstick on a pig.”THE CHALLENGEDespite the challenges of finding the optimal solution, Gadhoke could not abandon his search, as the search had been catalyzed by myriad issues within the company’s scheduling process that were not going to go away on their own. “The scheduling software we were using didn’t allow for easy communication to the team,” he recalls. “We would have to print our bar and Gannt charts, lay them out on the table, explain to people what the scope of the activity was, the remaining durations, finish-to-start scenarios, you name it. It became quite a challenge to communicate the schedule. Some people in the meeting would keep the reports, others threw them out. Our biggest challenge, then, was how do we quickly and clearly communicate our schedule to all the stakeholders?”But that was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. “To make matters worse, we would have to export info from our scheduling program and build our S-curves, calculate schedule compression, and compute float consumption. By the time our scheduling program finished figuring out those KPIs, it was time to do another monthly update. So, it was difficult to get information and by the time we got it, it was almost irrelevant.”And of course, there was the schedule itself. SCHEDULE ANALYSIS“I needed a tool that could analyze the schedule for delays, overruns, and other potential obstacles,” Gadhoke says. “All of the other capabilities we were looking for were certainly critical, but if we could get a platform that could also help us better manage the entire schedule on a project, we would not hesitate to pull out our checkbook.”Gadhoke’s exhaustive search led him to SmartPM, the premier schedule-data analysis tool. For Zachry, SmartPM checked all the relevant boxes, and the checkbook appeared. “SmartPM did everything we needed it to do, and more,” says Gadhoke. “It allows us to identify potential roadblocks in our schedule—and do it early enough to remediate the issues. It presents information in a graphical format that allows us to communicate a project’s status quickly and easily. And it can be used to create a high-level overview for the C-suite executives or a deep dive for the site team. It all goes back to how the product analyzes data. No one else examines the data quite the way they do.”REVIEWING THE DATAThe use of SmartPM is assigned to the “data creators”: the area schedulers and area-controls people. The area-controls people produce their monthly update and load it into SmartPM (a manual process which will soon be automated). Once it’s populated, the area schedulers review the data; if anything raises a red flag, they’ll communicate it to the project managers. “We have a monthly meeting with 70-80 people, in which we review one region at a time,” Gadhoke explains. “Before we start the meeting, I show the information generated by SmartPM. This means everybody sees it at one time. We’ve got all kinds of dashboards that present the information in a graphical, easy-to-comprehend format. When the meetings are adjourned, there is a crystal-clear understanding of all the projects in that region.”Gadhoke notes that SmartPM provides top-level executives involved in a project with one of the most valuable assets: predictability. “By and large, CEOs are good at managing risk. But if they’re using garbage data, it’s hard for them SmartPM recently introduced a Narrative Report feature, which provides an easy-to-understand, written description of a project’s status; Zachry will be putting that to use in the very near future.

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to forecast where they’re going. And when predictability disappears, CEOs lose interest in whatever we’re telling them. SmartPM helps us provide CEOs with the data they require to figure out where the job is going from both a time and money perspective, which makes risk management much easier.“It's not just predictability,” says Gadhoke. It’s visibility of a company’s entire construction portfolio, which comes in handy, given that Gadhoke manages multiple projects and the portfolio manager he was using was not nearly as robust as he needed. “You see something that’s falling behind, or you notice a project was compressed 10% one month, then 25% the next month, but the end date hasn’t moved. You can begin to ask questions about whether there are other areas where people could be performing parallel work. You get to see a simple dashboard; as you study it over time, you can train your mind to see the difference in the deltas. Because of this visibility, communication with management is greatly facilitated.”ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE While tangible, measurable results are difficult to ascertain, Gadhoke notes that because SmartPM provides visibility into the direction of a project based on trends, he can use that information to prevent negative trends from getting worse and improving positive trends. Plus, SmartPM is an effective tool for determining where a delay occurred and who was responsible. Gadhoke offered an example to illustrate this point. “One of the projects we worked on experienced some delays,” he said. “Previously, it might have been hard to pinpoint where they happened. In meeting with the project owner, I was able to bring in SmartPM and show exactly how the delay occurred. The owner had no trouble following the data, and it ultimately helped us negotiate the claim much more in our favor. The owner told us that contractors usually come in and say everything is his fault. SmartPM analyzed exactly what fell on him and what was on us.”Some companies using SmartPM claim that it helps them produce better schedules to begin with; when the program is consistently pointing out the same problem areas, schedulers become more diligent in eliminating these roadblocks right at the starting line. A SCHEDULING PIONEERFor a company that can bill itself as a pioneer in scheduling, Zachry already has the scheduling process well under control. Consider: H.B. Zachry Company was one of the early adopters of the critical path method (CPM) of scheduling, experimenting on construction projects back in 1959. What’s more, Zachry and IBM jointly created a new approach to scheduling known as the “precedence diagramming” method; in March 1963, the two firms entered into a joint venture agreement to develop and implement this system for project scheduling.But even with this kind of scheduling pedigree, there’s always room for improvement. “Some of the entries that SmartPM uses to grade schedules were already part of our process,” observes Gadhoke. “No open ends, not too many lags, including the right amount of float—these are the kind of basic criteria we had already incorporated into our scheduling guidelines. But that doesn’t mean we don’t make the occasional scheduling error. In fact, because we make fewer scheduling mistakes than most companies, our errors are harder to spot. In that respect, SmartPM keeps us on our toes and helps us stay on track.” Gadhoke expects to expand the use of SmartPM to not only include more of the program’s capabilities but to even apply it to the bid process. “They recently introduced a Narrative Report feature, which provides an easy-to-understand, written description of a project’s status. We will be putting that to use in the very near future. SmartPM can also be a big differentiator for us at bid time,” he adds. “I can see SPM analyzing our proposal schedule, figuring out if we can take advantage of rephasing, then gaining an advantage on price.”Zachry has been so impressed with the SmartPM platform, they decided to invest in it. All the company’s intellectual property, such as patents, are housed in a company known as Zachry IP, or Zipco. Over time, Zipco grew into a vehicle for investing in advanced construction technology. And in February of this year, SmartPM became one of their investment targets. “We just liked what they had to offer in terms of their current technology, as well as their roadmap for the future,” Gadhoke explains. CLOSING THOUGHTThere’s no question Zachry made a sound investment in its purchase of SmartPM by ensuring smoother communication to both teams and executives; identifying potential problems areas well in advance; producing better reports; and even being able to place the responsibility for issues where they rightfully belong—even if it’s their own company. It’s highly likely their financial investment will be just as sound. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202333for more informationFor more about SmartPM, visit smartpmtech.com.Zachry Construction Corporation handles massive infrastructure jobs like the $178.3 million expansion of US 281.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com34sotware solutionIn an industry that increasingly operates on tight schedules and margins, sluggish accounting workflows can hurt your firm’s profitability. Relying on paper and manual processes can interfere with cash flow, strain relationships with subcontractors and suppliers, and delay project timelines—just to name a few possible downsides. As the costs of debt and equity rise, contractors looking for ways to streamline and accelerate invoicing and accounts payable (AP) processes are turning to cloud-based mobile applications.Connected mobile applications alleviate the delays, errors, and costs associated with paper-based payments and invoicing, allowing workers in the field to access and capture data in real time. Removing paper from the equation reduces the risk of miscommunication, mistakes, and lost documentation. Integrated mobile applications also eliminate the need to re-enter information from paper or spreadsheets into construction management software in the office. When a problem or conflicting information arises, employees don’t have to follow a paper trail or chase people down for answers.With data stored securely in the cloud, accounting teams can access up-to-date project information and use it to generate client invoices quickly. The seamless flow of information between the office and the field provides accounting teams with the data they need to keep the bills paid and invoiced without delays.MOBILE DATA SHARING Connected mobile applications are especially beneficial for service contractors, giving technicians in the field real-time access to the information they need to self-manage their work. Technicians no longer have to perform a series of manual processes to input data from the field into systems when they get back to the office. And accounting teams don’t have to delay invoicing because they’re waiting on technicians to enter information.Mobile applications use the same connected data as the back office to generate purchase order requests. Receipt information and tracking can be captured in the field, with a three-way match in place to ensure the accuracy of purchase orders. Electronic signature capture allows customers to sign, approve, and receive emailed work orders from the technician’s mobile device. With a real-time connection to the office, completed work orders are routed to accounting for generating invoices right away.Texas-based civil contractor Great Basin Industrial (GBI) replaced manual processes and spreadsheets with a connected mobile app to accelerate time and materials (T&M) Mobile ApplicationsMobile Applicationsto fast track accounts payable and improve cash low TAPPING INTO By Michael Smith

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billing, improve cash flow and reduce costs. Before making the change, GBI captured T&M in spreadsheets and transmitted them to the office, where the information was entered into its accounting ERP.A heavily manual process, consolidating T&M data into field tickets for owner submission took around 30 days. Complexity, the sheer volume of tickets and spreadsheet-based tracking left many T&M dollars unbilled. Work-to-billed-to-paid time stretched 50 days or more, which impacted cash flow. Billing consumed an outsized proportion of the accounting team’s time and resources, and project managers lacked daily cost data to ensure that projects stayed on budget.With the ability to capture labor, equipment time, materials and production in the field, producing a field ticket went from 30 days to just one day. The company’s cash flow improved, and its work-to-billed-to-paid time decreased by 50%. GBI also reduced the number of people focused solely on billing by 50%, freeing up accounting employees to focus on other crucial tasks.DECISIONS ON THE GOContractors are also finding that cloud-based mobile applications extend the power of data analytics tools beyond the office. Whether on a jobsite, in the office, in transit, or even working from home, mobile analytics tools are expanding access to real-time data and insights, helping contractors better understand their work so they can adjust course and make important decisions on the fly.However, enjoying the benefits of mobile construction data analytics requires a connected, cloud-based software suite. With a shared set of standardized construction data, information can flow seamlessly, allowing users to pull virtually any data they want in minutes. Mobile data analytics can be applied across the organization, allowing virtually any construction professional to compare and segment data, whether in the back office, in the field. CLOSING THOUGHTIt impacts nearly every aspect of our daily lives, so it’s no surprise mobile has begun to play a significant role in the construction industry. The ability to capture and access data on the go and quickly analyze, compare and digest it in the office or the field can be transformative. While many contractors recognize the important role mobile applications can play, looking at the different ways they bring value—from accounts payable and cash flow to field operations, communication and analytics—may highlight new opportunities to do even more. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202335about the authorMichael Smith is the senior director of growth and innovation at Trimble Viewpoint, where he leads the development of next-gen solutions that enable contractors to run smarter and more profitable office and field operations by connecting workflows and gaining insights through shared real-time data and industry-leading analytics.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com36legal solutionFinCEN EffortsFinCEN Effortshelping root out payroll tax evasion and workers’ compensation insurance fraud in real estate construction industriesNEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTSBy Christopher Scott D’AngeloFinCEN EffortsFinCEN Effortshelping root out payroll tax evasion and workers’ compensation insurance fraud in real estate construction industriesNEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTSBy Christopher Scott D’AngeloThe Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Treasury Department issued a notice to financial institutions on August 15, 2023, calling attention to what it describes as “a concerning increase in state and federal payroll tax evasion and workers' compensation insurance fraud in the U.S. residential and commercial real estate construction industries.” It reported that state and federal tax authorities lose hundreds of millions of dollars to these schemes. It further noted that “[t]hese schemes further affect the local and national construction job markets, and put legitimate construction contractors and their employees at a competitive disadvantage.”“FinCEN is committed to combating fraud by shedding light on how illicit actors within the construction industry are using shell companies and other tactics to commit workers' compensation fraud and avoid payroll taxes," says FinCEN Acting Director Himamauli Das. "We are proud of our collaboration with [IRS Criminal Investigation (CI)] in issuing this Notice and exposing tax and insurance fraud that has plagued the construction industry and undermines law-abiding construction firms. Today's Notice provides information that financial institutions can use to remain vigilant in monitoring, detecting, and reporting suspicious activity that may be indicative of payroll tax evasion and workers' compensation fraud in the construction industry." CI Chief Jim Lee adds, "By enlisting the help of financial institutions, we hope to crack down on fraudsters and level the playing field for legitimate business owners." SHELL COMPANIES & FRAUDAmong other things, the Notice notes that such payroll tax evasion and workers’ compensation fraud schemes are often generally perpetrated through the use of shell companies and fraudulent documents. “The basic structure of the scheme is as follows: (1) Individuals involved in the scheme will set up a shell company whose sole purpose is to allow certain construction contractors to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums as well as state and federal payroll taxes. (2) The shell company achieves this by engaging in two kinds of fraud: First, once established, the shell company operator takes out a minimal workers’ compensation policy and rents or sells the policy to construction contractors that employ a much larger number of workers than the policy is designed to cover, thereby committing insurance fraud. Second, the shell company operators facilitate tax fraud because the contractors use the shell company to pay their workers ‘off the books’, and without paying the required state and federal government payroll taxes.”This Notice is intended to further the efforts of FinCEN and CI to combat the use of shell companies in this and other illicit activity. Last year, FinCEN issued a final rule establishing a beneficial ownership information reporting requirement, pursuant to the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act. These are substantial new reporting requirements requiring attention presently.The rule requires most corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States to report information about their beneficial owners to FinCEN. REQUIRED TO REGISTERUnder the Rule, which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2024, all such entities not otherwise exempted existing as of the effective date will be required to register with FinCEN and provide Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) within one year of the effective date (i.e., by Jan. 1, 2025). FinCEN estimates that the number of the reporting companies exceeds 30 million entities. All such entities formed after the effective date will be required to provide such BOI within 30 days of formation.

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The rule also requires that the information be kept current, so any changes in beneficial ownership must be reported timely.The exemptions under the rule are generally not applicable to construction companies. The exemptions pertain mostly to entities whose ownership information is otherwise publicly available, such as publicly traded companies, banks and other financial institutions, other entities operating under the securities acts, certain “large operating companies”, etc. The definition of “beneficial owners” who must be identified is very broad: “For purposes of this section, the term ‘beneficial owner’, with respect to a reporting company, means any individual who, directly or indirectly, either exercises substantial control over such reporting company or owns or controls [directly or indirectly] at least 25 percent of the ownership interests of such reporting company.” Direct or indirect ownership may include: (a) joint ownership of an undivided interest; (b) ownership through another individual acting as a nominee or similar intermediary; (c) ownership through a trust (including a trustee or a settlor or beneficiary of a trust if that individual holds the authority to direct certain activities of the trust); and (d) ownership through one or more intermediary entities. Likewise, the definition of control is very expansive, including not only senior officers, but also one who has authority over the appointment or removal of any senior officer or a majority of the board of directors (or similar body), or who directs, determines, or has substantial influence over “important decisions” made by the reporting company. And even the definition of “important decisions” is expansive and covers many decisions most would consider routine.There are substantial penalties for non-compliance.FinCEN is developing a new federal BOI data base, called the Beneficial Ownership Secure System, or BOSS, to receive, store and maintain collected BOI information from the reporting companies to FinCEN, including updates. The BOI information will be available to certain government agencies, as well as financial institutions that are required to obtain BOI under other FinCEN regulations.Companies should be analyzing their reporting requirements and gathering their necessary information presently so they will be prepared for filing when required to do so. While the deadline for existing companies is January 1, 2025, that time will be upon us quickly. In addition, if an existing company creates a new subsidiary, joint venture or other entity after January 1, 2024, it will need that analysis and information for filing well before then, i.e., within 30 days of formation.CLOSING THOUGHTTwo additional regulations will be issued by FinCEN to address: (a) the protocols for accessing the BOI database by permitted users; and (b) revisions to the current Customer Due Diligence Rule. Additional information may be found at: FinCEN Notice: www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/FinCEN_Notice_Payroll_Tax_Evasion_and_Workers_Comp_508%20FINAL.pdfRelated IRS notice: https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/fincen-notice-highlights-concerning-increase-in-payroll-tax-evasion-workers-compensation-fraud-in-the-construction-sectorRule, 31 CFR Part 1010: www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-30/pdf/2022-21020.pdfRelated Rule Notice by FinCEN: https://www.fincen.gov/beneficial-ownership-information-reporting-rule-fact-sheet#:~:text=The%20rule%20describes%20who%20must,company%20applicants%20of%20the%20entity.FinCEN FAQ: www.fincen.gov/boi-faqswww.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202337about the authorChristopher Scott D’Angelo is a partner and chair of both the Business Disputes & Products Liability Practice and International Practice at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP, based in Philadelphia and New York City. His practice involves business, products liability, construction, class action, and insurance counseling and litigation, including his role as national counsel for several major U.S. clients and his representation of foreign concerns in the United States and U.S. concerns abroad. He is a member of the Construction Law and Litigation Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel. He can be reached at cdangelo@mmwr.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com38technology solutionOver the next 3 years, the construction industry is planning to invest $18.2 billion in autonomous technology. This figure is taken from the Autonomous Construction Tech Outlook, a survey of over 1,000 industry professionals conducted by Hexagon into the key challenges, priorities and mentalities behind adopting autonomous technology.Such an amount shows that construction firms are increasingly turning to autonomous and automated technology to meet their business objectives. However, for these investments to prove valuable, there must be more awareness industry-wide on how and which specific technologies can aid in remedying a company’s primary challenges. By taking a strategic approach to implementing autonomous technology for particular short- and long-term priorities, firms can overcome key pain points in their workflows, improve their bottom line, and stay competitive in the rapidly changing landscape of commercial construction.TOP SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES When asked about the most challenging areas of their operations, technology leaders pinpointed the three most common obstacles:1. Procurement and supply chain issues2. Communication and collaboration3. Inefficiencies and wasteTo resolve these, investing in emerging technologies was cited as the number one area of focus. The short-term business priorities (12-18 months) reflect these obstacles, with the top priority being the improved management of materials and supply chain, followed by increasing efficiency/productivity and finding solutions to address labor issues.Autonomous construction technology can help firms achieve short-term priorities in several ways. For example, autonomous materials management workflows can efficiently handle supply chains. These automate much of the effort in the ordering and tracking of materials, optimizing delivery schedules, and streamlining the process of receiving and processing materials. Additionally, autonomous reality capture systems (robotic drones, reality capture, UAVs) can reduce cumbersome or repetitive manual labor for site surveying, progress tracking, mapping and deviation monitoring, thus increasing the speed, accuracy, and value of data collection.An example is Turner Construction Company, which implemented autonomous reality capture into their workflow with one of Leica Geosystems’ autonomous laser scanners mounted on a Boston Dynamics mobile robot. This combination of technology captures real-time data of site conditions and progress. Thanks to this, the company reported improved flexibility and a notable reduction in repetitive tasks and scanning time. They were also able to hand over data to the field teams more quickly, enabling better-informed decision-making with highly accurate datasets. With this actionable data, construction firms can ensure tasks are performed correctly, in the proper location, at the appropriate time and on the first attempt. SUSTAINABILITY IS KEYIn contrast, the study revealed that in the long term (3-5 years), the focus on sustainability and environmental social governance (ESG) shifted from being the last priority to becoming the foremost concern. While the jump is significant, this may not come as a surprise. Beyond the requirements for construction firms to deliver a job on time, on budget and to a high-quality standard, sustainability has evolved as a fourth demand. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, 42% of GC firms reported client requirements as the top reason they are adopting more sustainable practices.In an industry where profitability is a constant concern, sustainability has often been regarded as a hindrance. However, by embracing greener practices, firms can reduce operating expenses by minimizing material, labor, and rental equipment costs. The dual importance of profitability and sustainability means that for firms to deliver on their sustainability promises, it is essential that the changes made also improve cost, quality, and efficiency. Some autonomous technologies that can contribute to this include measurement tools that will enhance the accuracy of the construction process and optimize resource usage and verification tools that aid in avoiding rework and ensuring the project is compliant. By using these autonomous solutions and collecting the data, companies can identify key inefficiencies Tech OutlookTech Outlookinvesting in a brighter future for construction with autonomous technologyHEXAGONBy Taylor Cupp

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in their processes and make intelligent corrections, reducing resource usage and waste. Thus, with autonomous technologies, construction firms can improve both sustainability and profit.RIGHT INVESTMENTS With an $18.2 billion investment forecasted in autonomous technology, the question remains of where to dedicate this money and how each company can make the right investment choices for their needs.First, it is essential to have a clear idea of the primary issue and the best solution to resolve it. For example, in terms of fulfilling sustainability goals, 37% of respondents found that fully autonomous robotics drove sustainability benefits. However, only 17% of firms are investing in this technology. This suggests a disconnect between understanding the potential of autonomous technology to solve critical issues and investing in the best solutions. To overcome this, an in-house or external technology consultant could help outline the right technology and the right combination of technologies in order to derive business value.A significant obstacle when investing in new technology is workforce acceptance, especially when autonomy is introduced, as it may meet with resistance. One way to approach this is to ensure that any new technology is one that provides direct benefit to the workforce. This can be done by investigating what the most repetitive, uninspiring, or unenjoyable tasks are throughout the workflow and identifying the autonomous solutions that help remove them. The right technology solution is the one that improves the experience of the employees as well as the construction process through the automation of low dexterity tasks so that focus can be placed where human value can be added.CLOSING THOUGHTWith investments set to increase, the use of autonomous technologies will continue to rise as construction firms seek out the best solutions to their critical short- and long-term priorities. However, for new technology to have the most impact, it is vital to first understand the top challenges for employees and the business and plan the investment accordingly. By doing this, the disconnect between understanding the importance of autonomous technology and understanding the right kind of technology for a specific problem is reduced, allowing construction firms to solve their most pressing priorities, improve the experience of their employees, and achieve their broader business goals. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202339about the authorTaylor Cupp is senior manager of Building Solutions at Hexagon’s Geosystems division, which provides a comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions that capture, measure, and visualize the physical world and enable data-driven transformation across industry ecosystems. Hexagon is the global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. For more, visit hexagon.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com40technology solutionOffering crack resistance from plastic and drying shrinkage, fiber-reinforced concrete is an increasingly popular choice for flatwork and elevated construction—from precast and ready-mix concrete to shotcrete. Some fiber types even greatly reduce construction time and eliminate the need for steel.WHY USE FIBERS?Regarded as a cost-effective, durable, and even sustainable alternative to conventional steel, fiber-reinforced concrete boasts a variety of benefits:• Prevents plastic and drying shrinkage cracks• Enables faster construction times and lower labor costs• Finishes smoothly with any surface fibers quickly fading under foot/vehicle traffic• Provides same level of reinforcement as wire mesh with even distribution• Eliminates need for chairs to support conventional rebar and wire mesh• Well recognized by major concrete organizations and tested to industry standardsHOW SYNTHETIC FIBERS COMPARE TO STEELMicro-synthetic fibers provide superior resistance to plastic shrinkage cracking over welded wire, but aren’t resistant to additional cracking from drying shrinkage, structural load, or other forms of stress. However, they should be regularly specified in any concrete type to improve cracking resistance, spall protection, freeze-thaw durability, and homogeneity of concrete during placement. Microfibers are available in ½-inch – ¾-inch (12 – 19 mm) lengths, with dosage rates varying from 0.5 – 1.5 lbs/yd3 (0.3 – 0.9 kg/m3) depending on fiber product and application type. Macro-synthetic fibers not only provide resistance to plastic shrinkage but enhance concrete’s durability and limited structural capacity when properly designed and distributed three dimensionally. Macrofibers are like steel fibers, but typically easier to place and finish due to their lighter weight, non-corrosive nature and high pumpability. They are available in 1 ½-inches – 2-inches (38 – 50 mm) lengths, with dosage rates varying from 3.0 – 15 lbs/yd3 (1.8 – 9.0 kg/m3) depending on fiber product and application type.So, can synthetic fibers compete “head-to-head” with steel? Absolutely! Macrofibers offer durability and residual strength capacity equivalent to steel. Macrofibers generally require 5-10 times less material weight than steel, streamlining on-site handling and storage. Their non-magnetic and non-corrosive characteristics also make them ideal for exterior pavements where aesthetics and safety are a concern. Additionally, these fibers are more pliable and less abrasive to pumping lines and equipment.CONCRETE FLOORINGFiber reinforcement can be used to replace steel for temperature/shrinkage crack control and limited structural applications in concrete floors. The 3D design offers greater abrasion, fatigue, and impact resistance while increasing service life and durability. The concrete matrix’s increased tensile capacity also reduces shrinkage stresses, which allows for increased control joint spacing with macrofibers. This is combined with improved concrete mix designs using advanced chemical admixtures and proper placement/curing practices.Some fiber manufacturers have experimented with joint-free floors. Low water-to-cement ratio, less cement content, and shrinkage reducing and/or compensating admixtures with adequate curing reduces the risk for curling and shrinkage cracks. Factors like proper subgrade preparation, placement, saw-cut depth, curing time and exposure conditions must also be considered.Fibers 101Fibers 101a contractor’s guide to fiber-reinforced concreteBEST PRACTICESBy Michael MahoneyMacrofiber reinforcement provides cost savings over rebar and welded wire.Typical Steel Fiber Reinforcement

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It is highly recommended to conduct testing and verification prior to flooring construction to meet engineering and specification requirements. This typically involves initial shrinkage tests on the proposed concrete mix design to establish general shrinkage characteristics, which then informs potential joint spacing measurements. CONCRETE PAVEMENTFiber-reinforced concrete is a cost-effective, sustainable solution for resurfacing and rehabilitating existing pavements and bridge decks. Many state DOTs and other transportation agencies are recommending macrofibers and developing performance-based specifications for overlays and full-depth replacement systems for a long, maintenance-free service life. Macrofibers also significantly reduce installation time and labor, while producing concrete pavements that are easily placed with less environmental impact on the jobsite.CONCRETE WALL SYSTEMSMacro-synthetic fibers are also used as an alternative to steel reinforcement for concrete wall systems. The dosage rates are based on strength-to-strength calculations supported by standardized test methods and industry practices. This significantly reduces time and labor costs, while producing more durable concrete. Macrofibers can also provide the same strength capacity as steel in wall applications like foundations and retaining walls.Macrofibers are a cost-effective, sustainable solution for buildings constructed with insulated concrete form (ICF) wall systems, which have historically been reinforced by steel rebar engineered to resist forces from soil, wind and other loading conditions. Dosed correctly, macrofibers eliminate rebar in ICF wall systems.CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONCRETE MIX DESIGN & APPLICATIONAdding fibers often reduces the slump of a concrete mix, which measures the workability of fresh concrete during placement. This is like adding more ingredients to the mix and, therefore, requires more fluid to maintain an apparent slump. Used at typical dosages, microfibers only decrease slump slightly and don’t require major changes to maintain placement characteristics. Yet, macro-synthetic and steel fibers can significantly impact concrete workability, depending on fiber type and dosage.The ACI 544.3 standard offers recommendations that can modify the mix design of fiber-reinforced concrete. The use of chemical admixtures like superplasticizers or water reducers can also increase concrete workability without adding water.SURFACE FINISHINGFactors such as fiber material type, architecture, dimension, and dosage may affect the surface finish of fiber-reinforced concrete, as well as the required surface-finishing method. Stiff or rigid fibers typically have a greater tendency to protrude up through the slab than flexible fibers.Proper external vibration is another key factor when finishing fiber-reinforced concrete. Generally, the same finishing techniques and approximate timing as conventional concrete should be used. When casting samples for testing, no internal vibration within the molds can be used.Synthetic fibers may delay bleed water at the surface, which impacts finish timing on larger slabs.Brooming in one direction or using specific broom bristles to align surface fibers can minimize surface appearance. If necessary, a torch can burn off synthetic fibers on a concrete surface once all desired properties are achieved. When finishing industrial, commercial and warehouse floors where high dosage levels of macro-synthetic and steel fibers are used, a laser or vibrating screed is usually recommended.CLOSING THOUGHTIn conclusion, fiber-reinforced concrete provides a resilient, durable and cost-effective construction solution while also providing safer working conditions and more efficient construction. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202341REPAIR SPALLS AND CRACKS IN 10 MINUTES!ROADWARE 10 MINUTE CONCRETE MENDER™It’s thin, it gets in, and it won’t pop out!See more at www.roadware.us or call 800-522-7623.Cartridge applied or bucket mixed, Roadware Concrete Repair Products will have your oors ready for trafc, coating, or polishing in about 10 minutes. Any size repair. Blend with sand and pigments to create unlimited colors. Permanent repair.800-522-7623ROADWARE INCORPORATED381 BRIDGEPOINT WAYSOUTH ST PAUL, MN 55075 www.roadware.usabout the authorMichael Mahoney is a professional engineer and director of marketing and technology for fiber-reinforced concrete at Euclid Chemical. He is a fellow and member of the American Concrete Institute and has served on various committees for the National Pre-Cast Concrete Association and American Society for Testing and Materials. For more, visit www.euclidchemical.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com44safety solutionPersonal protective equipment (PPE) is as vital in keeping construction workers safe at a jobsite as proper vehicle and equipment maintenance, but ensuring PPE integrity can be tricky.Unfortunately, poorly maintained PPE increases both the likelihood and the severity of workplace injuries, which can have ripple effects throughout the organization, including workers’ compensation fees, productivity and profitability loss, lawsuits, and reputational damage—the latter of which can negatively impact bid win rates and the ability to attract new employees and contractors.Keeping workers safe on the job should come in at number one on the priority list for businesses. By using customizable, digital inspections, managers can track and monitor PPE conditions to ensure no faulty PPE leaves the building.PPE IN CONSTRUCTION The construction industry is a high-risk environment to work in, and employers have to account for all possible job hazards when assessing what PPE to provide for their crews. Whether employer-provided or employee-provided, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure any and all PPE used is effective, properly maintained, and sanitized. “Contractors and employers can be liable when equipment fails or is never issued, but also for [...] failing to inspect safety equipment regularly, and failing to repair or replace any safety measure that has been reported as faulty,” explains law firm Hofmann & Schweitzer.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The number of DJTR (days of job transfer or restriction) cases in the private construction sector increased 10.4% in 2021 to 35,200 cases.” Law firm Cooney & Conway cite PPE failure as one of the top causes of construction industry injuries that can range in severity, from minor to DJTR and even death, including fall, struck-by, and electrocution injuries.MAINTENANCE & HISTORY Reusable PPE needs regular maintenance and upkeep, including proper storage and sanitation, for maximum efficacy. Because different PPE has different maintenance requirements, it can be difficult and a bit tedious to effectively track and monitor each piece, especially when using manual tracking methods like spreadsheets and paper forms. Construction organizations can use cloud-based, automated software with a native mobile app, such as fleet management software (FMS), to customize digital inspections for all types of PPE. Workers can complete inspections using their mobile device. Results from digital inspection submissions are uploaded in real time, and failed inspection items automatically alert management to the problem so corrective action can be taken quickly to ensure maximum safety compliance.Since a large part of PPE maintenance is knowing the signs of wear and tear, damage, and equipment faults, managers should clearly communicate these signs and what to look for with their crews so they can perform inspections with the knowledge and understanding of what to inspect and why. Managers can even provide instructions for any inspection task, and employees can attach images and documents or leave comments within inspections, improving communication around maintenance and faulty PPE. Custom inspections can include such items as rips, tears, fraying, breakage, sun damage, loose stitching/thread, cracking in plastic components, sharp edges on plastic components or metal fasteners, severity level of natural wear and tear, and more.PPE ManagementPPE Managementincrease safety with custom digital inspections INVENTORY BESTBy Rachael Plant

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An added benefit of using FMS to manage PPE is inventory logs. By adding PPE to the fleet’s parts inventory, companies can easily see what PPE is available and what has been purchased, as well as evaluate replacement and procurement needs. PPE inventory logs provide key management data, such as:• In-use and backup PPE inventory counts• When specific pieces of PPE were purchased• How much and/or how often specific PPE has been used over a certain timespan• To whom specific PPE is assignedThis information improves accountability among crews and can help companies develop a PPE management program based on historical insights.BENEFICIAL HISTORY DATA Cloud-based FMS with automation features and a high level of customizability allows fleets to track and manage any fleet asset, from vehicles and heavy equipment to tools, trade supplies, and PPE. FMS automatically collects, consolidates, and aggregates data to provide real-time insights and reduce data overload. One of the key benefits of its use is automated, configurable reporting based on current and historical data, which allows companies to easily see PPE trends over time, such as:• Usage• High-fail items• Low- and high-performing brands/products• Cost trends• Inspection compliance rates, including overdue inspectionsPPE can also be assigned to specific employees or vehicles to maximize accountability and reduce instances of lost or misplaced PPE. On the topic of lost and misplaced PPE, by adding PPE to the company’s parts inventory, appropriate storage locations can be assigned so everyone knows exactly where each piece of PPE is supposed to go.CLOSING THOUGHTUsing customizable, digital inspections and PPE assignments in FMS provides increased accountability and clean historical data for improved insights into types of PPE failures, failure rates, replacement time frames, procurement needs, product/brand quality, and preventive maintenance compliance rates. Using this data, fleets can determine if, and what, changes they need to make to improve safety compliance, reduce PPE-related expenses, and help ensure all crew members end the day the way they started—uninjured and in one piece. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202345about the authorRachael Plant is a content marketing specialist for Fleetio, a fleet management software company that helps organizations track, analyze, and improve their fleet operations. For more, visit www.fleetio.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com46safety solutionAI Video Telematics AI Video Telematics virtual eyes on the ground and across the site with real-time data RISK MANAGEMENTThe construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. It has the second highest number of occupational deaths, and recent data identifies vehicle collisions as the second most common cause of fatal construction injuries. By their very nature, construction sites are dangerous places and full of potential hazards, but new video telematics technologies can provide real-time camera feeds and a truly 360° view of on-site construction operations. This article explains how video telematics is providing construction professionals with the visibility and data insights to ensure the highest level of safety is maintained at all times—completely revolutionizing construction health and safety.Making up just 7.3% of the U.S. workforce but accounting for up to 21.7% of fatal injuries in 2020, construction workers are significantly overrepresented in workplace injuries. However, when it comes to construction equipment and moving vehicles, there is the added risk to vulnerable people that can occur on the road network or at the entrance of a construction site, as the death toll for accidents involving heavy equipment can account for almost half of fatal construction incidents in one year. GREAT RISK, GREAT NEEDWhile there are safety protocols in place to minimize the risks involved with heavy equipment, it’s hard to completely eliminate risk altogether. Here’s where video telematics with its ability to provide real-time data for analysis, offers enhanced visibility to support risk detection and prevention, as well as aiding future risk planning.COVERING ALL BASESWhen it comes to complex and heavy machinery that require advanced maneuvering, even the most experienced plant operator can find it difficult to detect a sudden, unforeseen or previously unknown risk and respond quickly and efficiently in the moment. Here a combination of cameras and sensors give drivers a complete 360° view around the plant via an in-cab monitor, a view that they would not previously have had. Front, side, and rear cameras ensure equipment is covered from all angles, while corner, side, and rear sensors warn of nearby people—such as workers, pedestrians, or cyclists—especially in blind spots. This system can also be linked to specific driving maneuvers, so a driver can view the appropriate camera when turning, for example, the left-hand indicator or reverse gear links to the correct camera angle when engaged.ADD EXTRA INTELLIGENCEGoing forward, AI is what will set this next generation of video telematics apart as it becomes increasingly embedded in camera hardware. The latest intelligent detection cameras adopt deep learning technology to provide real-time insight. This enables the cameras to identify and track vulnerable people, making it possible to trigger an alert to the driver, especially when manual detection is difficult due to blind spots. The technology can even activate an external, audible alarm when someone enters virtual exclusion zones around the plant, thereby supporting the operator by alerting those around of the risk while preventative action is taken.NO TO COMPLACENCYWith traditional proximity sensors, alerts can be triggered by inanimate objects, so there is a risk that drivers become complacent and take less notice of an alarm because of false positives. Here AI-enhanced smart cameras make all the difference. The AI-powered detection camera can locate people up to 20 meters away in real time, establishing the severity of risk dependent on their proximity to the equipment. With such high levels of accuracy and range, it provides the driver with increased reaction time and reduces the possibility of collisions.24/7 VISIBILITY Vehicle and plant camera technology is no longer a simple driving aid. To get the most value out of the data captured, forward-facing cameras and mobile digital video recorders (MDVRs) can now be connected 24/7 to a cloud-based platform, such as VisionTrack’s NARA (Notification, Analysis and Risk Assessment) platform. Recorded footage and supporting data of any collision, near miss, or harsh driving event is uploaded and can be viewed almost instantly. This provides plant or fleet managers with virtual eyes on the ground, enhancing visibility and control of equipment on site or out on the road. EVENTS IN CONTEXT Everybody in the telematics industry talks about driver behavior and being able to determine how a piece of equipment is being used or treated effectively. Video footage combined with telematics data provides important context to the recorded incident, unlocking new value from the telematics data. By Matthew Ison

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This allows construction managers to gain true visibility into the data to take targeted and effective action. If a video shows someone doing something risky that is linked to the event, then a more meaningful intervention can be made to improve safety. It also allows driving styles to be measured and analyzed, so steps can be taken as part of a wider safety strategy and training initiative.ADVANCED MONITORING Construction businesses can also monitor compliance using captured video and data. Almost any activity can trigger a recording by combining video telematics with event tracking on the equipment. Because cameras can be fitted almost anywhere on the plant, it is possible to ensure drivers are not ignoring safety procedures and investigate following a complaint or incident.Take, for example, entering or exiting the cab of plant equipment and construction vehicles, which is a leading cause of slips, trips and falls (STFs) within the sector. A video telematics solution can connect a side camera to the door sensor, so footage is captured to validate that drivers are always facing the equipment and have three points of contact with the machinery. MEETING SAFETY STANDARDS The OSHA guidelines for health and safety promote proactive action and identify video as one of the favorable methods to detect and remove risk. But video telematics takes risk identification and management one step further by continuously monitoring real-time risk and using this data, with the help of AI, to plot patterns and build up a clear plan for risk mitigation. Cloud platforms such as NARA can improve safety compliance with additional safety features like the occupant safety rating that monitors the wellbeing of the driver and can even alert emergency services to severe distress or injury following a collision—providing life-saving minutes to plant and vehicle operators. There can be no doubt that the adoption of a compliant video telematics solution has an important role to play in meeting construction industry safety requirements.CLOSING THOUGHTThe U.S. construction industry loses more than $11.3 billion a year to serious non-fatal workplace injuries—all of which could be preventable. Telematics alone can only go so far to prevent safety risks, as it offers only a vague image of the level of safety, with out-of-context incidents and potential false alarms. But when real-time video and telematics data are brought together in AI-powered video telematics, we suddenly have 360° visibility not only into activity on the ground but more importantly, into the digital data, to make telematics data more actionable. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202347about the authorMatthew Ison is head of sales for North America at VisionTrack, For more, visit www.visiontrack.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com48maintenance solutionConcrete PreservationConcrete PreservationPoreShield takes a new approach, protecting from the insideA REVOLUTIONIn 2011, the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University launched a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new soy-based concrete protection product developed by the university. INDOT had approached Purdue a few years earlier, seeking a way to prevent concrete joint deterioration on state highways—a costly problem that has long plagued transportation networks. In response, researchers at Purdue created an innovative mixture of soy methyl esters (SME) and polystyrene—a new approach to concrete preservation called PoreShield™.The test location in that study was a busy stretch of 13-year-old concrete roadway on U.S. Highway 231 in Lafayette, Indiana. Six slabs were treated with PoreShield, while six more slabs were left with no protection and the remaining sections kept their existing silicone sealant as a control group. When the test area was evaluated 10 years later, the treated sections looked the same as the day PoreShield was applied, while the untreated sections and control sections showed heavy deterioration. Since that first test began more than a decade ago, PoreShield has proven itself repeatedly in the real world and in the lab—not just for its protective capabilities, but also for its safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Read on to see how PoreShield works and how it has protected a variety of infrastructure.A HOMEGROWN SOLUTIONPaul Imbrock helped develop PoreShield as an undergraduate research assistant at Purdue and has worked to refine and promote PoreShield ever since. Imbrock joined Crafco, Inc. when the company acquired PoreShield earlier this year. He says PoreShield is fundamentally different than conventional silane-based sealers because it soaks into the concrete instead of merely sitting on top.“We were interested in SME from the start because of its ability to spread thinner than water,” Imbrock says. “Where other solutions work as a film cover, PoreShield protects from within the pores, preventing outside elements from entering the pores.”Those outside elements include salt ions that can interact with concrete and cause serious cumulative damage. Moisture can also damage concrete when it expands at freezing temperatures, breaking the concrete structure. While conventional sealers tend to wear away or crack within a few years, PoreShield works inside the concrete, staying effective for 10+ years. Concrete protected by PoreShield has no place for ions and moisture to penetrate and do their damage.In addition to working differently and lasting longer, PoreShield offers a safer alternative to toxic silane sealers. Made from American-grown soybeans, PoreShield is low-VOC, nonhazardous to humans and the environment, and doesn’t require PPE for application. PoreShield also A concrete preservation product called PoreShield™, made from American-grown soybeans, is sprayed on concrete. The PoreShield™ solution penetrates the pores to prevent outside contaminants from doing damage to the concrete.

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satisfies the increasing focus on sustainability. Because soybeans are already commonly grown for a variety of other purposes, PoreShield benefits from a reliable, renewable crop supply and existing economies of scale. It has earned the USDA BioPreferred seal due to its renewable soy-derived technology and meets the requirements of the 2021 Build America, Buy America Act, which requires all federally funded infrastructure projects to use products sourced and made in the United States.Contractors and public agencies love PoreShield’s ease of application. With just a simple sprayer, minimal surface preparation and no special training, PoreShield can be sprayed quickly on long stretches of highway joints, bridge decks, and other concrete applications.In 2020, Tony Korba, concrete operations manager at E&B Paving, applied PoreShield to 14 miles of PCCP joints on I-65 near Seymour, Indiana. He used a recreational vehicle retrofitted with a sprayer and two hoses to allow two workers to apply PoreShield at the same time.“It was basically as fast as you could walk,” Korba says. “The speed of the application was just unbelievable compared to a sealant.”GROWING ACCEPTANCEFollowing the application to I-65, the Indiana Department of Transportation published a unique special provision specifying “soy-based penetrating sealers for PPC joints.” INDOT wrote PoreShield into its design manual specification, allowing it for use as a general part of PCCP design. Several other state DOTs have used PoreShield on their projects, including Arkansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Texas, Oregon, Washington, and Nebraska—not to mention numerous city and county public works departments.PoreShield isn’t limited to just transportation projects. It has been applied to a wide variety of concrete surfaces, including hog barns, building foundations, loading docks, sidewalks, parking garages, road salt storage buildings, the Indiana State Fairgrounds and even a water park. Whether sprayed on cured concrete or used as an admixture, PoreShield provides the same simple application and long-lasting protection.CLOSING THOUGHTRigorous tests by independent laboratories and state agencies have proven PoreShield’s potential as the future of concrete preservation. One test involved freezing and thawing samples of concrete 300 times in a salt solution to simulate long-term weathering and exposure to deicing salt. At the end of the test, the samples treated with PoreShield looked almost new and showed no damage, while the silane-treated samples and the untreated control group both showed significant scaling and loss of mass. Other third-party tests have borne out PoreShield’s ability to inhibit water absorption, chloride ion diffusion, stain absorption, calcium oxychloride formation and more. “We subjected PoreShield to these tests because we truly believe in it,” Imbrock says. “A solution is only valuable if it actually works, and we want PoreShield to earn the trust that concrete professionals have put in it.” www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202349for more informationFor more about Crafco’s PoreShield™, visit www.poreshield.com. PoreShield™ can be sprayed quickly on long stretches of highway joints, bridge decks, and other concrete applications.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com50maintenance solutionThe The Crown Crown CurbCurboverlay existing curb with concrete vs. removal and replacementNOVEL IDEABy Jesse Jonas, P.E.By Jesse Jonas, P.E.When a parking lot concrete overlay job is commissioned, there are standard procedures regarding the different design elements of the job. One such element is the curb, which historically has been approached in one of three ways: a) Remove and replace poor curbsb) Remove pavement adjacent to the curb and tuck the overlay inc) Overlay against existing curb and lose curb heightGenerally, method (a) is used when the curbing is in disrepair and needs to be reconstructed. Options (b) and (c) are done when the curbing is in fair to good shape, but still come at other ancillary costs to the design and construction teams. With option (b), there is additional cost associated with the 4-8 feet of pavement removal, which allows for the grade transition to maintain full existing curb height. Additionally, drainage must be surveyed to assure the grade change in the tucked sections does not pool, or move water adversely to the surrounding environment. Option (c) overlays the concrete lot directly against the existing vertical curb, thereby losing 3-4 inches of curb height, and the resulting shorter curb height becomes another drainage consideration engineers must study to ensure the remaining height is sufficient to manage the water flow and gutter spread. The other smaller, but evident, issue with (b) and (c) is that you end up with a bright new concrete lot, but do not have the visual consistency of the existing curbing system, which typically has a contrasting hue as compared to the bright white pavement surrounding them.Well, if you’ve ever taken a multiple-choice test, you’ve noticed that there are usually four options to choose from, right? We agree, and despite the three existing options being somewhat evenly implemented over the 50-plus concrete overlaid parking lots completed in the past 15 years, there have been quite a few of those lots that were begging for a little innovation. Using sound knowledge of materials and deep understanding of concrete engineering properties, an option (d) was destined to be born. A FOURTH OPTIONIn the fourth quarter of 2022, the Concrete Council attended a preconstruction walkthrough as a contractor was about to begin work on building the third and final lot of a large project. During this walkthrough, an interesting question was posed by the Concrete Council with the rest of the team, “Could we overlay the existing curb, as opposed to the plan removal and replacement of it?” This idea had its roots back when the entire project was being designed a year prior. At that time, the local ACPA chapter took the idea to the national stage where other Chapter State Executives weighed in on this concept’s history. Unfortunately, there was not much documented history to properly assess the pros and cons of such an approach to the curb. In the end, the design team decided to play it safe and stick with what they knew. Because they were not too sure of the ultimate outcome of such a bold new strategy, they opted to go with a traditional removal and replacement. They did not want to create such a large “unknown” for the owner of the lot, especially when considering this was the first time the lots would be overlaid in concrete. However, the idea lingered in the minds of some of the ACPA members.When this idea resurfaced before construction on the third lot two years later, it began to seem more plausible. As the field conversations began to pick up momentum, and the idea was shared with the agency leadership and contractor, it was clear that there may be an opportunity to give this novel idea a try. Although there were still some unknowns regarding the theory and benefits, and there were still some concerns expressed by the design team regarding the lack of quantifiable data on the approach, the agency decided to give it a try. THE EXECUTIONThe Concrete Council staff worked side by side with the contractor and owner to pour the curb cap monolithically with the 4-inch overlay. During this time, they could communicate in real time with the staff

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to ensure best practices and placement applications were being followed so that this novel approach would have the very highest chance of succeeding.Ultimately, the design decision was made to cap the curb with a minimum of 2 inches of fiber reinforced PCCP on the vertical face along with 4 inches on the top face in order to raise the curb height in conjunction with the overlay. There were four guidelines/practices that would need to be followed for the highest possibility of success: 1) The curb would need to be power washed thoroughly to remove the various oils, dirt and grime present2) The forms needed to be in exact alignment with the existing curb, ensuring the 2-inch minimum clear3) A full depth sawcut was required 8 inches from the face of the curb, to help relieve stresses from pulling on the cap4) Any existing joints must be precisely matched to the overlayTHE RESULTSBy the end of the project, more than 400 feet of existing vertical curb was overlayed, and out of this, a new name for this application was born, a “Crown Curb.” Per the owner’s testimony, this method saved nearly $10,000 from the initial bid prices for removal and replacement of the existing vertical curbs. CLOSING THOUGHTSince installation, the Crown Curb has been continually monitored. Post construction observation has shown zero cracking or bonding issues, and all parties involved consider this to be an overwhelming success. www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202351about the authorJesse Jonas, P.E. is a civil engineer serving the Concrete Council of St. Louis, whose primary goal is to increase the incremental use of concrete construction in the area by serving as a resource to owners and agencies considering concrete construction. Membership is made up of firms in the St. Louis area involved in concrete production and construction. The Council provides technical input, site visits, in-house presentations, and cost comparisons, at no cost, for consideration of concrete construction. For more, visit www.concretecouncil.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com54modern construction productsVENTURO HT60KX Heavy-Duty Service Crane Venturo introduces the Venturo HT60KX, a made in the US heavy-duty service crane that is purpose-built to handle whatever work demands, anywhere from agriculture and construction to municipalities and truck repair. Rated at 60,000 ft with a heavy 10,000 lb lifting capacity, and 25 and 30 ft reach options, the HT60KX delivers the brute power needed to tackle any job. The operator-friendly design and safety-redundant features of the VLC™ remote control system help make the HT60KX the long-lasting, durable crane needed to get the work done. For more, visit www.venturo.com.The Bobcat 265 and Bobcat 230 from Miller Electric provide dependable welding and auxiliary power for a wide variety of applications in machines that are more than 100 lbs lighter and 13% smaller than previous models. The 265 can connect to telematic systems, is equipped with a remote start/stop technology, possesses a multiprocess welder to deliver improved weld quality, has ArcReach technology that allows operators to change parameters at the weld joint without walking back to the machine, and much more. The 230 delivers a higher arc quality for 7018 and 6010 stick electrodes and have an independent welder and generator power system. For more, visit www.millerwelds.com.Diamond Mowers launches the new Disc Mulcher Belt Drive (BD) Pro X, a game-changing attachment for professional mulching contractors. It is coupled with a belt drive with a two-speed hydraulic motor to increase torque and disc speed. The disc speeds up during re-processing and back-dragging so operators can finish the job in less time. Available in a 60-inch cutting width to handle trees and brush up to 14-inches in diameter and mulch material up to 6 inches, it attaches to large frame skid-steers and CTLs and is paired with a 107cc variable displacement bent axis piston motor to match its hydraulic flow of 32-50 gpm. For more, visit diamondmowers.com.BRASS KNUCKLE SmartCut™ Brass Knuckle® SmartCut™ (BKCR4420) offers a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) knit shell to provide ANSI cut level A4 protection without bulk, with a strength-to-weight ratio 8 to 15 times higher than steel. SmartCut has a water-based polyurethane (WBPU) coating as a palm and finger base coat. This helps reduce penetration of liquids, including light oil. Then it secures grip with a foam nitrile top coat, perfect for working with oils, petrochemicals, fuels, and most acids. Then, a sandy grip finish further enhances abrasion resistance and cut protection. For more, visitwww.brassknuckleprotection.com.DIAMOND MOWERS Disc Mulcher BD Pro X EPRO Geo-Seal EFC Geo-Seal EFC is an innovative concrete floor barrier system that eliminates vapor intrusion for brownfields or any environmentally impaired site. Fully tested and proven highly effective against VOC vapors such as chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons, plus methane gas, Geo-Seal earns wide approval among various regulatory agencies. Typically composed of 10 mil primer (Geo-Seal® EFC PRIMER) and 20 mil coating (Geo-Seal® EFC), the system is applied to existing building concrete floors. It is designed to be a finished system designed for foot traffic, or additional flooring options such as carpet or vinyl can be installed over the system. For more, visit www.eproinc.com.IRONCRAFT Trade Dress IronCraft, LLC updates its “trade dress” standardizing its Flat IronCraft Gray paint with optional colored accent elements on all implements and attachments. This allows dealers to standardize their inventory and then add factory kits to upfit different color options at the point of sale, or after purchase. Color accents can also be installed by end-user if they change tractor colors. Dealers can also update/change colors with in-stock inventory. IronCraft benefits from shorter lead times and reduced/simplified inventory. In addition to a new paint scheme, new decals from DuraMark Technologies have been implemented. For more, visit www.ironcraftco.com.MILLER ELECTRIC Bobcat 265 and Bobcat 230 Engine-Driven Welders

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www.mcsmag.com SEPTEMBER 202355featured productIf you’ve used vac on a jobsite with any type of fine dust you’ve probably face an all-too-common problem. Most industrial and shop type vacuums have a fatal flaw: no matter the strength of the motor, as soon as it's turned on, the filter begins to clog. When the filter clogs you can lose up to 50% of your suction making the unit useless for many jobs, and this can happen quickly. It can be a real hassle. Then you have to remove the filter and clean it, which is time-consuming, messy, and keeps you from the job at hand. This common issue is what led to the creation of Pulse-Bac Vacuums. CONSISTENT SUCTIONPulse-Bac is different from standard vacuums found on the jobsite. Pulse-Bac's Automatic Pulse-Clean Technology keeps filters clean to deliver consistent suction. Its revolutionary technology reverses the air flow at regular intervals, blowing filter clogging dust and debris off. The multi-filter system cleans one filter while the other continue to produce vacuum. Best of all, Pulse-Bac's technology is 100% automatic and keeps filters clean using only simple physics. No compressors to add extra weight, no button to stop and push, or lever to pull. Pulse-Bac just works. Durable steel construction and American-made dependability have made Pulse-Bac Vacuums the choice of professionals for more than 15 years. And, because even the best-made machine can have problems, Pulse-Bac’s proven jobsite performance is backed up with lifetime service and support. This means you’ll never pay for repair labor. TACKLING DUST COLLECTIONSurface prep and other construction professionals face some tough challenges when it comes to dust collection. The fine, abrasive dust from concrete and other hard surfaces present several issues. This is where Pulse-Bac got its start. Pulse-Bac’s founder noticed the almost inescapable loss of suction that occurred with most vacuums used in the construction industry. This, of course, was caused by the filter becoming clogged with fine dust and debris and cutting off the airflow to the vacuum motor. After constructing several prototypes, he had his eureka moment and that’s when Pulse-Bac was born. Today, Pulse-Bac is a readily available brand that offers innovative, high-quality products with 15 patents under its belt for the innovations found in its vacuums. The spirit of innovation instilled by our founder is alive and growing every day at Pulse-Bac. Pulse-Bac vacuums are still produced in Tulsa, Oklahoma, not far from where the first proto-type was produced more than 20 years ago. Pulse-Bac has vacuums that are EPA RRP and Silica Dust compliant. Contact Pulse-Bac to learn more about how Pulse-Bac can help you control dust on your jobsite. Pulse-Bac Vacuums PRO-SeriesFor more about Pulse-Bac vacuums, visit www.pulsebac.com.DESIGNED AND BUILT IN AMERICA

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The ninth book on your punch list is Turn The Ship Around!, telling the true story of how Captain David Marquet turned the worst-performing submarine, USS Sante Fe, into the best of its fleet in less than a year. WHY THIS BOOK?Turn The Ship Around! provides a new mode for leading a team called the “leader-leader” model; this approach that can be implemented in any company to tap into the potential of people at any level. To adopt the leader-leader approach successfully, you must incorporate three essential elements: Control, Competence, and Clarity. At the heart of this model lies decentralized control, but its effectiveness hinges on the presence of Competence and Clarity. Without these two foundational pillars, decentralizing control can result in disorder and confusion. When all three components are effectively integrated, they synergistically reinforce each other, creating a positive feedback loop. CONTROLControl pertains to the autonomy and authority to determine the reasons, objectives, and methods of one's work. The objective is to distribute decision-making authority as widely as possible within the organization. If you're interested in exploring various methods to decentralize control, such as revising control policies, fostering mindset shifts through behavior, openly discussing thought processes, and conducting regular check-ins to align and educate individuals, this book is for you. COMPETENCEIn order for decentralized control to be effective, individuals at all levels must possess the technical expertise necessary to make sound decisions. If you delegate additional responsibilities to individuals without equipping them with the requisite knowledge and resources, the system will falter. In the book, Marquet delves into a variety of tools and techniques to enhance technical competence across all levels, including promoting deliberate action, embracing continuous learning, prioritizing certifications over briefings, and focusing on defining goals rather than methods. CLARITY To enable individuals at all levels to make informed decisions, they must be fully aligned with the organization's mission and have a comprehensive understanding of its objectives and decision-making criteria. The book explores a range of strategies to cultivate clarity, foster trust, inspire individuals, and establish clear guiding principles at all organizational levels.CLOSING THOUGHTIt's crucial to recognize that our subconscious tendency to categorize individuals as either leaders or followers, along with the associated assumptions, can significantly shape our perceptions and behaviors, ultimately impacting both individual employee performance and the overall success of the organization. To gain deeper insights and discover effective strategies for challenging and reshaping these ingrained beliefs, I highly recommend reading the book. SEPTEMBER 2023 www.mcsmag.com56Turn The Ship Around!L. DAVID MARQUET, AUTHORWelcome to punch•list, a new column for 2023. Each month I’ll be providing a book review in an effort to add good reads to your punch list for the year. for more informationL. David Marquet is a top graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the commander of the USS Santa Fe submarine from 1999 to 2001. Under his leadership, Santa Fe was transformed from the worst-performing submarine in its fleet to the best. After serving with the U.S. submarine force for 28 years, Marquet retired from the navy and has since been working as a leadership consultant. His book is packed with anecdotes about the navy and his personal reflections. For more, visit davidmarquet.com.P•Lpunch•list | 0923

Modern Contractor Solutions September 2023

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