TechBrief

Canvas, a San Francisco-based construction robotics company that focuses on drywall installation, announced recently that it has raised a $24 million Series B. The round is led by Menlo Ventures, and will be used to expand the startup’s fleet of robots and develop new applications for its technology.
SOURCE: FORBES

On this episode, President and CEO at Gilbane Building Company Mike McKelvy covers everything you need to know about Construction Safety Week 2021 – happening May 3rd through May 7th. Mike shares his excitement to be the chairman of this year’s event and his passion behind the “Holistic Safety” theme; walks through the wealth of planning resources and communication tools that firms can use to participate; and talks about lessons learned, future goals, and how he keeps him team engaged in safety initiatives. Also hear from some Construction Safety Week partners who are offering free training and resources. Kevin Cannon, head of AGC’s safety and health services, ties it all together with what you need to know about OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, which is happening the same week.

We are proud to report that we have had a strong year in 2020 as the contents of our Annual Report - The Power of Engagement - make clear. In our catalogue of some of the association’s most significant accomplishments, you will see how we work to support the entire construction industry as The Construction Association. As you will see, we continued to successfully advocate on behalf of the industry and keep construction essential; provide high-quality virtual programs and connect members with the officials and resources they need to be successful. As important, our two philanthropic organizations continue to make significant investments in the future of our industry and improving local communities, thanks to generous contributions from our members.

Every week brings new reports of materials costs hitting record highs, while lead times lengthen or become ever more uncertain. AGC of America recently released a Construction Inflation Alert. This document is intended to help chapters and members explain to owners, government officials, and others, what is happening and what all parties can do to minimize the damage.

Imagine a collaboration utopia for architects, engineers, fabricators, contractors, and project owners. What would it be like? Maybe it’s a world where all software talks to each other, regardless of which company sells it. Maybe it’s a world where no one has to remodel and duplicate work on a project because there’s a seamless flow of information handed off from discipline to discipline. Or maybe it’s a world where all collaborators can work together in a common data environment and access the important information they need, when and where they need it.
SOURCE: AUTODESK

COVID-19 has changed day-to-day operations in the construction industry. Social distancing as a safety precaution is now the norm on many jobsites, and enforcing it often means restricting the number of workers who can be onsite. At the same time, social distancing requirements shouldn’t prevent projects from moving forward and teams from being able to do their jobs. Adopting construction technology that allows processes and tasks to be performed remotely is a viable way to address this new challenge.
SOURCE: TRIMBLE

A 92 percent reduction in employee-involved rear-end collisions, a 5 percent reduction in insurance premiums and at least a 5 percent savings in fuel costs are the most significant results that Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, a member of multiple AGC chapters, saw in the first one and one-half years of a new driver safety program.
BY SHERYL S. JACKSON

 

Bangert, Inc., a Master Builders of Iowa member, recently announced a dynamic addition to its leadership team with industry veteran, co-founder of Event 1 Software (Office Connector) James Coyle, appointed as Sales Director.

RedTeam, a construction management platform for commercial contractors and a Florida East Coast Chapter member, recently announced the hiring of Andy West as the company’s new chief operating officer (COO).