Using Technology to Deal with Construction Labor Shortage

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By Dr. Sergey Sundukovskiy The ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry is a chronic issue that isn’t going away. The construction industry must turn to technological solutions to help manage increasingly complicated projects with fewer workers. It’s been nearly a decade since the worst days of the Great Recession and the housing market crash. An estimated 30 percent of construction workers left the field during the economic downturn. The skilled construction labor pool has never recovered. More than 70 percent of construction firms reported having trouble recruiting for hourly craft labor positions in August 2017, according to the Associated … Read more

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A Chat with Josh Farr, Superintendent at Robins & Morton

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Taking ownership, building forward and giving back By: Chris Maday Schmidt Josh Farr is a superintendent with Robins & Morton, and has been with the company for six years. In the fifth grade, he wrote an essay describing what he wanted to do when he grew up: “I want to work in construction,” Since he graduated from Auburn University in 2012, he has consistently set records, won awards, built strong structures and strong teams. Join Construction Superintendent as Farr shares his impression of the younger, new-generation workforce; his secret to creating relationships on the job and the best piece of advice he’s … Read more

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Fenton Logistics Park Takes Shape with BJC Build-Out

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Kadean Construction has started building out Fenton Logistics Park Building I for BJC HealthCare’s Clinical Asset Management division located in St. Louis, Missouri. The builder is finishing 80,000 square feet of the interior of a new 160,000-square-foot tilt-up building to serve as a warehouse for surplus supplies and equipment that may be redistributed among BJC affiliates or donated to nonprofit organizations, said Kadean President Mike Eveler. Kadean’s work includes constructing new offices and common areas, such as a break room and dining area, installing new electrical service and mechanical systems and lighting upgrades in the warehouse area. Kadean Project Manager … Read more

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Persistent Workforce Shortages Challenge Commercial Construction Industry

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The Q1 2018 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index reveals nearly two-thirds of contractors are highly confident that demand for commercial construction will increase over the next year, however, continued concerns around labor shortages have put even greater pressure on the industry. To increase jobsite efficiency and improve labor productivity, increasingly more builders are turning to alternative construction solutions, like prefabrication and modularization. The Q1 Index indicates contractors turn to innovations such as prefabricated and modular building materials to create more efficient jobsites (89 percent), increase labor productivity (85 percent), drive cost savings (58 percent) and … Read more

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A Guide to Replacing Skid Steer Buckets

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One foot on the top of the bucket, the other in the cab, turn around, roll cage down, take a seat, parking break off, ignition engaged, you peer out over the edge of the bucket…dang. There it is. The cutting edge of the bucket is curled back, worn out and ready to be replaced. Sudden expenses are always frustrating and this is no different. However, with better technique, a few industry tips and some preventive steps, forecasting future bucket issues will become easier and you can increase the lifespan of your bucket. Proactive purchasing The best way to avoid unexpected … Read more

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