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Day: August 16, 2018

RSMeans’ construction project pricing turns on materials cost data analytics

Concrete News
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Greenville, S.C.-based Gordian Co. has added Predictive Cost Data to its RSMeans Online service, citing the technology’s potential to deliver accurate, location-specific figures for more than 100 different types of construction projects up to three years out. With a few clicks, it delivers the cost of materials in a specific region during a particular quarter, helping users prioritize project timing and location.

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Survey prices the leading drains on construction productivity

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A survey of nearly 600 construction professionals finds that time spent on non-optimal activities—fixing mistakes, scouting data and managing conflict resolution—accounts for $177.5 billion in labor costs per year, while rework stemming from miscommunication and inaccurate or inaccessible information will cost the U.S. industry $30 billion-plus in 2018. Management consultant FMI Corp., Raleigh, N.C., and construction productivity software developer PlanGrid, San Francisco, examine how teams spend their time on construction sites, communicate during projects, and leverage technology investments. From survey responses, they determine:

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Infrastructure study findings spell gains for precast methods

Concrete News

Demand for precast concrete in infrastructure products is projected to increase 4.4 percent annually, to $2.4 billion by 2022, with growth fueled by the need to repair the nation’s aging network of bridges, highways, roads and railroad tracks; increased adoption of the method over traditional cast-in-place alternatives; and, efforts by the federal government to increase surface transportation investment.

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HawkeyePedershaab parent establishes umbrella identity

Concrete News

Iowa-based dry cast concrete machinery specialist HawkeyePedershaab Concrete Technologies Inc. has announced formation of a parent company, Afinitas. Since 2017, management notes, HawkeyePedershaab has been building out a vision of creating a global, comprehensive, customer-oriented infrastructure equipment and services platform, acquiring New Hampton Metal Fabrication Corp., New Hampton, Iowa; BFS Betonfertigteilesysteme GmbH, Blaubeuren, Germany; and, most recently, CAM Sales Inc., Ludington, Mich.

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Executive coach: Engagement central to closing construction skills gap

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If construction stakeholders find it difficult to attract skilled workers now, what can they expect in a decade? Those unwilling or unable to effectively attract, engage and retain their workforce will pay the consequences in the not-so-distant future, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which is promoting best management practices through its ConExpo-Con/Agg 360 program.

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Workforce development the White House order of the day

Concrete News

Associated Builders and Contractors is among 20-plus charter signatories to “Pledge to America’s Workers,” supporting a White House initiative, National Council for the American Worker, that President Donald Trump created by Executive Order. The Council is charged with developing a strategy for training and retraining workers across high demand industries.

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Cemex stormwater capture plan neutralizes advocacy group gripes

Concrete News

Cemex USA will upgrade stormwater management at three southern California ready mixed operations as part of an agreement with Inland Empire Waterkeeper, Los Angeles Waterkeeper and Orange County Coastkeeper to resolve an ongoing dispute regarding the groups’ claims of Clean Water Act violations. The producer is revising best management practices (BMP) at Irvine (Orange County), Fontana (San Bernardino County) and Compton (Los Angeles County) plants and bringing water-testing protocols beyond current requirements. The agreement also calls for Cemex to contribute $55,000 to identify and fund future environmental-mitigation projects through third-party groups Rivers and Lands Conservancy, Pacific Marine Mammal Center and From Lot to Spot.

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