Constructionexecutive201905 DL PDF

May 2019
plus
CONTRACTORS’
GUIDE TO THE
BOTTOM LINE
REWARDING
CAREERS
Hard Work and Mentorship Pay Off for
ABC’s Top Craft Pro and Instructor
I Built That.
As digital transformation impacts the
construction industry, how will you build
the next generation of buildings?
Using connected, content-enabled, and constructible

data, the Trimble Constructible process empowers
every person, phase, and process to work in real-time
collaboration. Go beyond BIM to coordinate and
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D I SCOV ER HOW: W W W.CO N ST RUCTIBLE.COM

ABC national
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE
MAY 2019
DEPARTMENTS
4 Industry Insider
6 In Brief
8 Washington Update
10 Equipment
76 Technology
78 Business Development
82 Community Outreach
84 Viewpoints
FEATURES
18
An ‘All in’ Instructor
Clemon Prevost gives 110% to his electrical
students.
COVER STORY 24
12
Everything Starts
A CERTIFIED With Safety
Leadership-driven programs yield happy
PRO employees and more business opportunities.
33
Thanks to multi-skill training and mentorship, Adrian Rios is an all-around Special Section:
asset to McCullough Construction, Inc., Arcata, California. Contractors’ Guide to
the Bottom Line
CONSTRUCTIONEXEC.COM
Construction Executive (ISSN 1544-3620, Vol. 28, No. 4) is published

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Cover Photo: ABC Craft Professional of the Year Adrian Rios (right) and ABC Craft Instructor of the Year Clemon Prevost at the
ABC Convention in Long Beach, California. 1
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INDUSTRY
INSIDER
As Seasonal Work Ramps Up, THE MAGAZINE FOR THE

BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION
Stay Focused on Safety and EDITORIAL

Associated Builders and Contractors
Workforce Initiatives
editor@constructionexec.com
Michael D. Bellaman, Publisher and
ABC President/CEO
Lauren Pinch, Editor-in-Chief
Joanna Masterson, Senior Editor
Maggie Murphy, Digital Editor
T
he 2019 ABC Safety Performance Report, which DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
The YGS Group
captures the results of ABC STEP member compa- (717) 505-9701
nies performing real work on real projects, is now Mike Vucic, Senior Art Director
available for anyone to view at abc.org/spr—and
ADVERTISING
the takeaways are encouraging. For example, STEP MagazineXperts LLC
Diamond companies are 680% safer than the BLS (973) 383-0888
industry average (in terms of OSHA recordable incidents), dberry@magazinexperts.com
Donald R. Berry, National Sales Manager
and those with new hire orientations lasting more than
200 minutes improve their TRIR by 85% on average. I urge you to share REPRINTS
this report with colleagues and project team members so you can dive into reprints@magazinexperts.com
the eight core leading indicators that have the most dramatic impact on SUBSCRIBE
incident prevention. ConstructionExec.com/Subscribe
Three of the many ABC member contractors that understand the impor-
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
tance of a world-class safety culture are highlighted on page 24. Each is a
Carole Bionda, Nova Group, Inc.
recent ABC National Safety Excellence Award winner with leadership-driven Tony Joyce, AvalonBay
programs that yield happy employees and more business opportunities. Tony Rader, National Roofing Partners
Despite the satisfied and fulfilled workforce that we in the industry see at Eric Regelin, Granix, LLC
work every day, the ability for people to achieve their career dreams in con- Ed Rojeck, Tradesmen International
struction seems to be a bit of a secret in our country. Starting on page 12, we Michael Stilley, S&B Engineers & Constructors
open a window to our world through the eyes of ABC’s Craft Professional of Tim Walton, Walton External Affairs
the Year Adrian Rios and Craft Instructor of the Year Clemon Prevost. Please
share their inspirational stories of training and mentorship widely as we
strive to attract young talent to the construction industry.
More wisdom is featured in the Viewpoints Q&A on page 84, where three
leaders explain the valuable lessons they learned in their first year of business.
As we head into what’s typically the busy season for construction, don’t
lose sight of the big-picture safety and workforce initiatives that breed qual-
ity across the industry. As always, ABC is here to help you succeed.
Michael D. Bellaman
Publisher
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INBRIEF
Shipping Containers
Added to 2021
International
Building Code
NINETY-SEVEN PERCENT OF
the International Code Council voted in
favor of allowing ISO shipping containers
to be used in commercial construction.
Chapter 31 of the 2021 International
Building Code will be updated to spell
out what code officials should look for
in container construction to confirm
structural safety. Code officials and rep-
resentatives from the shipping container
building industry also will release new
code and safety guidelines.
Contractor and
Report Offers Eight Ways to Proactively Equipment
Reduce Safety Incidents Distributor Optimism
ACCORDING TO ASSOCIATED Builders and Contractors’ 2019 Safety
Performance Report, companies that have reached the Diamond level of ABC’s STEP Remains Strong
safety management system are 680% safer than the BLS industry average (in terms of CONTRACTORS AND EQUIP-
OSHA recordable incidents), and those with new hire orientations lasting more than 200 MENT distributors believe construction
minutes improved their TRIR by 85% on average. industry expansion is more likely than
The report, available at abc.org/spr, analyzes eight core leading indicators that have contraction this year, according to the
the most dramatic impact on incident prevention. For example, it’s impossible to hold 2019 Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
toolbox safety talks too frequently: Conducting them daily rather than monthly resulted Construction Industry Forecast. Ninety
in an 85% reduction in TRIR. percent of respondents expect net profits
Additionally, implementing a formal process to assess safety program needs and to remain the same or rise in 2019, and
establish annual goals leads to a 50% reduction in DART rates, and contractors with Wells Fargo’s optimism quotient remains
substance abuse programs are 60% safer than those that don’t conduct any alcohol or very strong at 122, compared to 133 in
drug testing. 2018, 123 in 2017 and 108 in 2016.
Court Upholds Repeal of Michigan

46%
say flexibility is the main
Prevailing Wage Law reason to rent equipment
THE MICHIGAN COURT of Claims upheld a 2018 decision by the Michigan

Legislature to repeal the state’s prevailing wage law, dismissing claims by the union-led The vast majority of contractors (96%)
group Protecting Michigan Workers. plan to purchase new or used equipment
Repeal was achieved last year through a “public act,” with Protecting Michigan this year; of those, three-quarters plan to
Taxpayers (led by Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan) obtaining more maintain or increase their 2018 buying
than 350,000 signatures to mandate that the legislature vote up or down on the issue level. Similarly, 92% plan to maintain or
in both chambers, without the typical requirement for a signature by then-Gov. Rick increase their rental activity.
Snyder (R) once passed. The report also found tariffs and
Opponents claimed the enactment of a $75,000 appropriation resulting from the interest rates could somewhat or greatly
repeal rendered the effort invalid, but the judge disagreed, ruling that “the legislature impact business operations this year
has made appropriations by way of public acts” for decades. for 62% and 85% of respondents,
With this ruling, Michigan secures its status as the 24th state without prevailing respectively, more so for distributors than
wage policies. contractors.
6
Tech Used Daily: INDUSTRY EVENTS
62% CALENDAR
May 15-17
93% 10%
ABC Users Summit
Dallas
June 1-5
Smartphones Tablets Smartwatches CFMA Annual Conference & Exhibition
Las Vegas
Contractors Foresee Strategic Advantage From

Prefabrication, AR/VR and Sensors June 5
IN ITS SEVENTH annual Construction Technology Report, featuring feedback on budgeting BuiltWorlds Machines Conference
for, selecting and supporting technology, JBKnowledge found 46% of the nearly 3,000 contractors Chicago
surveyed dedicate less than 1% of their overall annual sales volume to IT. On the high end, 2.5% of
contractors spend more than 7% on technology.
Additionally, 65% of respondents only have one to five people on staff who are dedicated to IT.
In terms of technologies respondents think are positioned to give companies a strategic advan-
tage, prefabrication came out on top at 37.8%, followed by augmented/virtual/mixed reality (28.4%), June 6-8
jobsite sensors (21.6%), robotics (20.9%), machine learning/artificial intelligence (17.8%) and AIA Conference on Architecture
blockchain (6.8%). Las Vegas
The full report is available at jbknowledge.com/report.
June 23-27
PLA Neutrality Illinois Adopts New ABC Legislative Week
Becomes Law Energy Code Washington, D.C.
in Kentucky THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL Energy

Conservation Code is now state law across
H.B. 135 IS now law in Kentucky after pass- Illinois, with the intent of increasing energy
ing the Senate in March by a 26 to 10 vote and efficiency and lowering operating costs for Aug. 21-24
the House of Representatives in February by a commercial buildings. NAWIC Annual Conference
narrower 50 to 44 vote. Per the code, which took effect March 1, Atlanta
Introduced by Rep. Phillip Pratt (R) and open plan office areas must use occupancy
signed by Gov. Matt Blevin (R), this legislation sensor controls for lighting shutoff. General
ensures state and local governments cannot lighting in individual zones must reduce power
require project labor agreements on taxpayer- by at least 80% when occupants are not
funded construction projects. detected for 20 minutes. When occupants are
As a result, the nearly 88% of Kentucky’s no longer detected in any zone, the entire office
private construction workforce who have area must shut down all lighting.
chosen not to join a labor union can work on A new code provision allows the use of
projects in their own communities, funded by luminaire level lighting control technologies as
editor@constructionexec.com
their own tax dollars. an alternate compliance option, so long as the
Kentucky is the 25th state to pass a law luminaires have embedded occupancy sensors,
ensuring fair and open competition on state daylight sensing controls, dimming and wireless
and locally funded construction projects. zoning capabilities. visit abc.org/newsline.
WASHINGTON
UPDATE
Amplify the Merit Shop Message at

ABC Legislative Week
BY VANCE WALTER
A
BC members make a differ-
ence in their communities
by building them—from
schools, hospitals and high-
ways to military installations,
industrial facilities, skyscrap-
ers, hotels, professional sporting
venues and the playground down
the street. By building the structures
used to work, play, heal and learn,
ABC members build America.
This summer in Washington,
D.C., ABC members from across
the country will have the opportu-
nity to tell their stories and share
their passion for the construction
industry with members of the
116th United States Congress, lead-
ers in the public and private sectors, Summit, where ABC members leaders to learn the ins and outs
and each other. can harness the innovations of the of lobbying, grassroots initiatives
During ABC Legislative Week, industry by demonstrating diversity and political advocacy. The future
June 23-27, members will send as a key driver of success. Industry leaders of ABC will delve into
a powerful message to Congress leaders and stakeholders will host ABC’s key legislative issues and the
about the impact that ABC mem- thought-provoking discussions and dynamics of federal and state-level
bers have from Main Street to the offer solutions-based recommenda- politics to develop an understand-
steps of the U.S. Capitol. tions that ABC members can utilize ing of how construction businesses
The event creates a forum to build diverse workplaces and are impacted by the legislative
for contractors to boast about supplier networks. decisions that are made by their
their successes while sharing the At the Free Enterprise Alliance elected officials.
workforce, safety and regulatory (FEA) reception, ABC members Legislative Day is an opportunity
challenges they face every day in will spend the evening rallying for ABC members to hear from top
the construction industry. Personal around the principles of free administration and congressional
anecdotes and experiences play a enterprise, effective government, leaders on the issues that impact the
big role in shaping the federal pol- and fair and open competition. construction industry at the federal
icies that can mean the difference This ticketed event also will feature and state levels. Attendees will hear
between expanding operations and a memorable keynote speaker. Stay inspiring calls to action from merit
going out of business. tuned for an announcement. shop advocates and an overview of
The week starts with ABC’s ABC’s Young Professional ABC’s legislative priorities for the
fifth annual Diversity & Inclusion Symposium invites up-and-coming year ahead. Then, ABC members
8
Personal anecdotes play a big Deciding not to attend ABC
Legislative Week essentially consti-
role in shaping the federal tutes a choice to leave the future of
merit shop construction businesses
policies that can mean the difference to chance. It’s about more than
between expanding operations and just participating in the democratic

right to petition the government
going out of business. that has been elected. It’s about
setting ABC members apart in the
offices on Capitol Hill and in the
will have the opportunity to meet issues that are confronting the White House. Many Washington
with their respective elected officials merit shop community and share leaders know that ABC members
on Capitol Hill. insights on the legal battles that build America, and if they don’t
The week culminates with ABC anticipates in the year ahead. yet, they will come June.
ABC’s Legal Conference, which The conference is also an excellent
covers the latest developments and opportunity to network and share Vance Walter is coordinator of
insights on employment and labor ideas with merit shop labor attor- legislative and political affairs at
law and open competition in the neys, construction contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors.
construction industry. Experts will and ABC chapter presidents and For more information, email walter@
address the legal and regulatory government affairs staff. abc.org or follow @ABCGovAffairs.
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9
EQUIPMENT
Low-level Access Equipment

Improves Safety and Productivity
BY SHASHANK BHATIA
L
ow-level equipment is gain- It’s also important to consider
JLG
ing momentum and favor the aging workforce in this discus-
across a variety of industries, sion. Today, up to five generations
mainly driven by health can be on a jobsite at any time.
and safety benefits and the Keeping both younger and older
need for increased produc- employees safe requires low-level
tivity. As an alternative to ladders access solutions that account for
or scaffolding, low-level access fatigue, balance, and the physical
equipment generally offers a max- demands of bringing materials up
imum reach of 20 feet. Different and down to the work area.
manufacturers offer a variety of
designs, and typically these access Another Catalyst of the Low-
lifts are engineered for one person level Access Boom: Productivity
to safely and efficiently perform Reduction of fatigue is a safety
work at height. benefit, but the extended
energy that low-level equipment
A Closer Look at the Highest provides for a worker also means
Priority: Health and Safety increased productivity. Because
According to OSHA, ladders the equipment typically features
continue to be the leading cause guardrails and enclosed platforms,
of slips, trips and fall on job- tie-off points for harnesses,
sites—often sending workers to tool trays and easier portability,
the hospital or at least causing workers can complete tasks more
them to miss a few days of work. quickly and safely without the
Low-level equipment can reduce worker
The scarier statistic is that the rate fatigue, which translates into increased
same concerns associated with
of injury has escalated signifi- efficiency. ladders and scaffolding.
cantly since 2000, and even ladder Low-level equipment also
training joined the top 10 OSHA reports that more than 90,000 features automated braked wheels
violations list in 2017, putting a people are treated in emergency when the equipment is elevated,
deeper focus on the need for safer rooms each year as a result of another safety feature that elim-
alternatives. ladder-related injuries. inates the sliding and constant
In 2017 alone, 2,241 citations That’s not to say ladders won’t adjustments that come with lad-
were issued for unsafe ladder continue to be used. They have a ders and scaffolding.
use, and 20% of workplace falls place in specific applications; for The ability for 360-degree
involved a ladder. The percentage example, projects that are short mobility while elevated and having
is even greater in the construction in duration, otherwise inaccessi- both hands free further extends
trades. If those statistics aren’t ble, and those that do not require workers’ efficiency and confidence
enough, the U.S. Consumer multiple trips up and down with when working at height. Another
Products Safety Commission tools in hand. key differentiator is that this
10
The equipment solutions most quiet and power-free operation,
and no oil, batteries or hydraulics,
companies are seeking must be which makes them eco-friendly
and non-disruptive for sensitive
easily transportable between both environments.
jobsites and individual floors in Plenty of options for low-level

access equipment solutions are
multistory construction. available from aerial access equip-
ment manufacturers and through
rental channels. Any contractor or
equipment typically only requires and individual floors in multistory facilities manager who is looking
one person to move and operate, construction. Modern low-level for safer and more productive ways
unlike ladders and scaffolding that equipment hits on both these to work at height should consider
require two or more, which nega- points, and it takes up less space implementing these cost-effective
tively affects productivity. than expected. Some equipment solutions in their fleet.
Another note on portability: The can be broken down to fit into the
equipment solutions most com- bed of a standard pick-up truck. Shashank Bhatia is senior director of
panies are seeking must be easily A few additional benefits to engineering for JLG Industries. For
transportable between both jobsites certain low-level products include more information, visit jlg.com.
11
Adrian Rios is a welder, carpenter,
and equipment mechanic
and operator for McCullough
Construction in Arcata, California.
ABC National
A CERTIFIED PRO
ABC Craft Professional of the Year
Thanks to Training and Mentorship,

Adrian Rios Is an All-around Asset
BY JOANNA MASTERSON
A
drian Rios is a self-described “regular guy” was honored as Associated Builders and Contractors’
who loves his job as a heavy equipment Craft Professional of the Year, sponsored by Tradesmen
mechanic and welder for McCullough International and NCCER.
Construction, Inc. in Arcata, California. The award recognizes journeymen who spend 90%
Maybe so, if “regular” means being incredibly of their daily job duties using tools or equipment or
hardworking, creative, and multi-skilled in welding, supervising craft professionals performing fieldwork.
carpentry and machinery. Rios and his fellow finalists, Joel Newton and Shaun
Plus, you can hear the genuine appreciation O’Brien (see page 17), embody resourcefulness and the
in Rios’s voice whenever talking about his knowl- ability to think outside the box.
edgeable colleagues, his life-changing mentors “I have worked with and trained many mechanics
and his wife, Chelsey, who occasionally doubles over the past 30 years, and I can say with confidence
as his boss in her project manager role at that once you show Adrian how to do something,
McCullough Construction. you won’t have to show him twice,” says Macky
Add up these qualities and Rios is a shining exam- McCullough, founder of McCullough Construction.
ple of all the exceptional people who build rewarding “He also can troubleshoot any situation, and is intuitive
careers in the construction industry. In March, he and relentless when trying to solve a problem.”
13
McCullough Construction
Rios’s various certifications allow him to go from welding and pounding
nails to fixing machines and picking up materials in a 10-wheeler.
FROM SCHOOL TO THE SHOP TO THE FIELD Technical Institute’s automotive and industrial tech-
As a California native, Rios took shop class his fresh- nology program in Sacramento, California.
man year at Eureka Senior High School, but watching “The program was six-hour days, five days a week.
his older brother learn to weld inspired him to take a It was a perfect fit for me so I could be done in 18
welding class his sophomore year. He loved being able months and get started on my career,” Rios says. “I
to cut and fabricate steel so much that he enrolled in never wanted to go through a four-year school; it just
the class his junior and senior years as well—allowing wasn’t right for me.”
a mentorship to develop with his welding instructor. What did feel right was returning home to the
“He taught me so much, not just about welding, but redwoods and oceanfront of Northern California, and
life lessons too,” Rios recalls. “I still think about the landing a job as a mechanic with a trucking company
conversations we had all the time.” in 2012. But almost two years in, the economy inter-
During high school, Rios also worked in a truck vened with a slight decline in the logging industry that
shop washing vehicles and eventually learning how to caused the 50-driver operation to close its doors.
do minor repairs. The mechanical work sparked his Like all success stories, another door opened, thanks
interest just like welding, so upon graduation in 2008, to McCullough. “Macky showed up and hired me.
he took a couple junior college classes and earned It has been the greatest opportunity of my life,”
some certifications before enrolling in Universal Rios says.
14
McCullough Construction
Rios devised an extension that
“Although Adrian is allows McCullough’s sheetpile

driver to fit multiple machines.
a phenomenal mechanic,
his greatest asset is
his character.”
PROBLEM SOLVED
One of the hallmarks of an ABC Craft Professional of the
- MACKY MCCULLOUGH Year is being a superb problem-solver. This year’s winner,
Adrian Rios of California-based McCullough Construction, is
a natural in that department.
Many of the firm’s projects require the installation of
Rios started working on heavy equipment as the cofferdams made out of sheetpile to isolate work areas from
company’s sole mechanic, replacing someone who was entering environmentally sensitive areas, such as waterways.
preparing to retire. With that work comes the need for a sheetpile driver attach-
“I’d never worked on excavators or dozers, but they ment on excavators. Below, Rios gives an example of using
all have engines and transmissions, just like trucks. I his creativity to devise an extension that would allow the
learned from my coworkers how to run the equipment sheetpile driver to fit all of McCullough’s machines—ranging
so I could understand how to fix it.” from a 324E CAT Excavator to a 350x4 Link Belt.
Things were going great until projects picked up “The first thing that needed to happen was to a build a
during the summer and no equipment was left in the quick coupler that all of our machines could hook into. I had
yard for Rios to work on. Once again, McCullough to purchase the correct size pins, have the proper distance
showed up in a big way. apart, and the correct width to ensure this would work
“Macky approached me in the shop and said, ‘it’s properly.
time,’” says Rios of his introduction to fieldwork. “Once the quick coupler was complete, I needed to build
McCullough took him to his first jobsite, just the two the extension portion. I used the design of a regular excava-
of them running a 30-ton articulating dump truck and tor stick arm, which starts off wide and then narrows down
an excavator. toward the pin. The wide portion is where my quick coupler
“Macky is very intelligent and has helped me was welded onto, and the narrow portion is where I worked
develop my fabrication abilities. He taught me to drive on building my pile driver hanger.
a truck and run equipment, but more than that, he’s “From the quick coupler to the end of the extension
a huge part of my family—he even married my wife measured 10 feet. At the end of the 10 feet, I gave myself
and me,” Rios says. “I can never repay him for all he’s room from the extension so the sheetpile driver wouldn’t get
done for me. The same goes for every foreman at this damaged by the extension itself.
company who is so knowledgeable and has helped me “Everything was coming along well, but I ran into one
out in so many ways.” issue. At an extra 10 feet of length with a 4,500-pound
The feelings are mutual. “Although Adrian is a phe- sheetpile driver, plus a pair of sheetpiles weighing 1,800
nomenal mechanic, his greatest asset is his character,” pounds—not including the weight of the extension itself—
McCullough asserts. “He is willing to do whatever it our smaller machines would have a hard time picking up
takes, whenever and however, to get the project done. this setup, let alone not flopping over. With safety being
You won’t find a more kind and respectable young the biggest concern here, the solution was to build another
man around.” attachment point for our sheetpile driver.
“The issue with that was the mid-picking point would inter-
VARIABILITY DEMANDS VERSATILITY fere with the driver when we wanted to use the 10-foot picking
These days, Rios is responsible for providing main- point. To resolve this issue, I made the middle point detachable
tenance on more than 300 pieces of equipment with by welding in rails and a box setup, and included shackles to
the assistance of three mechanics in the shop—plus attach safety chains for it to be safely transported.
fabricating attachments and welding damaged equip- “Once the driver was attached, we were ready to go. This
ment and falsework for bridges. He has earned welding boom extension has withheld many hours of intense work
certifications from the College of the Redwoods and during the past two years.”
15
ABC National
Rios was honored at the ABC Convention in Long Beach, California, along with Craft Instructor of the Year Clemon Prevost and award sponsors
Tradesmen International and NCCER.
SHN Consulting Engineers, and he has his Class A And it’s a message he’s eager to share with students,
commercial driver’s license with tanker, doubles, triples whether it’s showing off small equipment at elemen-
and hazmat endorsements. tary schools or serving as a mentor in the Humboldt
“My certifications allow me to be a bigger asset to County Office of Education’s Trades Academy for high
the team and help the job keep progressing. One part school juniors and seniors.
of the day I’m welding, then I stop and fix a machine, “I talk about what McCullough has going on, how
then I throw on my carpentry bag and start pounding much fun the work is and how much money can be
nails, or grab a 10-wheeler and go get some materials.” made in construction,” Rios says, noting that being a
Rios’s training also instilled great work ethics related to welding instructor is something he’d eventually like to
being on time and maintaining a calm, smiling demeanor add to his résumé.
amid the challenges that inevitably pop up onsite. “Being For now, “regular” life—with the support system of
an open shop company allows me to do all these different a family-owned business and the limitless opportuni-
things in a day. It keeps me busy, I constantly have a job, ties of a career in construction—is good.
and I’m really proud of what I can do,” he says.
The only thing typical about Rios’s work is that it Joanna Masterson is senior editor of Construction
varies season by season, week by week and even hour Executive. For more information, email masterson@
by hour, which suits him just fine. When he says, “I’m abc.org, visit constructionexec.com or follow
so happy about what I do,” it’s easy to believe. @ConstructionMag.
16
MEET THE FINALISTS
In response to the industry’s labor shortage, Associated
Builders and Contractors has committed to educating and
SHAUN O’BRIEN
Journeyman Electrician and Field
developing at least 500,000 construction workers in the next Superintendent
five years as part of President Trump’s “Pledge to America’s Buist Electric
Workers.” In short: get them in, get them educated and Byron Center, Michigan
give them a dream. Here’s how that has played out for the
runners-up for ABC’s Craft Professional of the Year award. Shaun O’Brien is the perfect example of
a servant leader—a quality that stems from the heart of his
JOEL NEWTON employer, Buist Electric. His objective is pretty simple: focus on
Journeyman Electrician and Foreman developing people and providing a quality product in order to
Windemuller, Inc. raise the standard of professionalism in construction.
Grand Rapids, Michigan O’Brien was drawn to construction by his father, an electri-
cal inspector, who guided him toward Buist after trying college
When Joel Newton came home from for a year. Graduating from an apprenticeship program was a
active duty in the Army, a couple of big milestone, and O’Brien credits it with making him well-
buddies who worked for an electrical contractor shared how rounded because he had opportunities to ask lots of questions
much they enjoyed their work and the benefits they’d already along the way.
experienced in the industry. The potential for long-term career As O’Brien’s career progressed toward running larger proj-
progression was an attractive prospect. ects, he built up confidence and started to look more at safety,
“You don’t start out knowing everything. I’m 23 years in and mentoring people onsite and improving the company as a whole.
I still learn something new every day,” he says. Now, he is helping develop Buist University, where all employ-
Newton completed the ABC electrical apprenticeship ees are invited to participate in labs to learn things they might
program at Grand Rapids Community College and worked not see on the jobsite every day. O’Brien also recently took 19
for two electrical contractors before joining Michigan-based students and administrators from his alma mater, East Kentwood
Windemuller, Inc. in 2012. He’s now a journeyman electrician, High School, on a tour of Buist’s facility, where he shared tidbits
foreman and detail manager—earning the role as a liaison from his 32 years in the industry and even taught the basics of
between the field and office because of his willingness to help how to bend conduit.
with any task. “It’s important to educate kids in school so they understand
Newton’s pre-planning habits enable the company to con- the complexity of our job and the opportunities out there. When I
sistently beat project deadlines and budget projections; plus started in electrical, I liked doing the work. Now I’ve progressed
he engineers safety into jobsite plans to eliminate potential into more of a management position. I’m not sure our youth fully
issues. He’s also responsible for championing prefabrication understand the potential in the industry and what it really means
among the company’s foremen, and he is a go-to authority to be a construction worker. There’s a ton of room for growth no
on Bluebeam workflow software. Perhaps most importantly, matter who you are.
Newton is charitable about sharing his skills with anyone who “I don’t like the construction worker stereotype. We’re always
wants to learn. He consistently encourages fellow employees trying to raise the standard in that area by dispelling myths and
to take their careers to the next level, and he works to spark talking about professionalism in the industry.”
interest in hands-on jobs for a generation that has been pulled

in a digital direction. Read more about these two exceptional award
“It doesn’t seem like I go to work because I’m happy and finalists on constructionexec.com. Newton is the
I want to be there. To be honored for that is another blessing youngest of 13 siblings and a drill sergeant in the U.S.
that’s been placed in my life. I can’t wait to see where that Army Reserves, and O’Brien works with two of his sons and
next step is going to be.” is one architect’s favorite electrician of all time.
17
Clemon Prevost is a
senior talent development
specialist at Fluor’s Gulf
Coast Craft Training Center
in Pasadena, Texas.
ABC National
ABC Craft Instructor of the Year
AN ‘ALL IN’
INSTRUCTOR
Clemon Prevost Gives 110% to His Electrical Students
BY JOANNA MASTERSON
W
hen Clemon Prevost was a kid, he in March from sponsors NCCER and Tradesmen
noticed the repairman who would come International—but the job means so much more to him
to the house to fix the TV earned as than just turning out skilled workers.
much in an hour as his dad did for a “On the first day of class, I tell the students I’m going
whole day’s work. So by 13 years old, the to give 110%, and I only ask them to give 100%. The
self-taught, budding electrician became the neighbor- instructor should be all in, mind and soul,” he says.
hood TV repairman. “My students can feel the passion and know I really care
“What sparked my interest in the electrical field may for them.”
have been kind of immature,” Prevost recalls, “but after
42 years in the industry, I’m still here.” LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Countless students are grateful that’s the case. After Prevost’s best tool in the classroom is leading by exam-
three decades as a craft professional, Prevost turned ple, and that means shedding any misconceptions about
to teaching, first at Remington College and now as being perfect.
a senior talent development specialist at Fluor’s Gulf “I’m truthful and I tell them all my flaws. I tell them
Coast Craft Training Center in Pasadena, Texas. There, this journey wasn’t always easy for me and that you have
169 students have completed electrical training under to earn it.”
Prevost’s guidance, with 78 percent of them working Prevost has a wealth of experience to draw upon.
as of Nov. 1, 2018. He has delivered 314,603 man- After graduating with an associate’s degree in electronics
hours of craft training without a safety incident, as technology from the College of the Mainland in Texas
well as earned the top trainee attendance award for 12 City, he worked as a repairman and instrumentation
straight sessions. and electrical technician from 1977 to 2002.
Those numbers alone make Prevost a worthy recip- “You can come to this industry with a lot of natural
ient of Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2019 ability, but training gave me the employability skills
Craft Instructor of the Year award—which he received I needed: coming to work on time and doing what
19
ABC National
Prevost was honored at the ABC Convention in Long Beach, California, along with Craft Professional of the Year Adrian Rios and award sponsors NCCER
and Tradesmen International.
you’re supposed to be doing, when you’re supposed to PULLING STUDENTS IN

be doing it,” Prevost says. “Being a reliable employee Many students come into training with a lot of concerns,
is what keeps you on the job. Training made me a often carrying the weight of past challenges and not
whole person.” knowing what the future holds. Prevost remembers one
His next opportunity was working as a learning and student who had been expelled from several schools, with
development project manager at BP from 2002 to a history of prioritizing basketball over learning.
2010. The following five years were spent as Remington “But in my class, he’d go home and study right away,
College’s instructor of industrial electrical, instrumenta- and eventually stopped bringing a basketball to class.
tion and specialized production. When his mom asked what I did to get her son to
In 2015, Prevost found a home at Fluor’s Gulf change, I told her I just gave him everything I had.”
Coast Craft Training Center, where he conducts It’s all about motivating students, and it can’t be the
classroom and simulated workplace instruction, as well same across the board, he adds. “Some students are
as represents the company at college, high school and visual, while you can lecture others. And if one student
community events. is struggling, I tell my top students to be mentors so
According to his colleagues, Prevost constantly they can learn to give back.”
develops ways to make classroom and lab experiences Prevost also feeds students’ dreams by letting them
relevant. For example, he has set up go/no-go test know they are there to launch a career. He brings in
fixtures to develop conduit bending skills, has trainees past graduates for inspiration and networking, and even
build start/stop stations from schematics, and adds time shows off his car to illustrate the fruits of hard work.
limits to wiring projects to introduce competition and He’s also known for ending class like a soap opera so
productivity awareness. everyone is eager to come back the next day.
“Whether guiding trainee practice or consulting “You have to use everything possible to pull stu-
with frontline supervisors to determine their training dents in,” he says. “You have to explain the workforce
needs, Clemon executes his work flawlessly,” says shortage, convince them the industry is a safe place
Myron Laurent, Fluor’s senior manager of talent to be, and assure them there will always be a need for
development. “Staff members often solicit his sage qualified craft workers and managers. No matter what
advice on issues related to instruction and helper their weak or strong points are, there’s a place for them
performance.” in construction.”
20
MEET THE FINALISTS
In response to the industry’s labor shortage, Associated Builders JOSEPH FENTROSS
and Contractors has committed to educating and developing at Electrical Instructor
least 500,000 construction workers in the next five years as part ABC Southern California
of President Trump’s “Pledge to America’s Workers.” Instructors Chapter
play a crucial role in achieving that goal. Here’s a look at the deep Anaheim, California
educational investments made by the runners-up for ABC’s Craft
Instructor of the Year award. A couple years after
graduating college with a
FERNANDO SANCHEZ liberal arts degree, Joseph
Senior Pipefitting Instructor Fentross was still uncertain about his career path. A friend who
TIC – The Industrial worked as a project manager for a local electrical contractor
Company intervened and brought him in as an electrical trainee. Fentross
Aurora, Colorado was “green as can be,” but his philosophy of doing everything to
the best of his ability paid off.
It’s pretty special when Fentross has worked hard during the past eight years to
a network of family attain his goal of working as a project manager, currently with
members, teachers and Rancho Pacific Electric, where he manages multiple projects,
colleagues can build on one another’s mentorship to guide from tenant improvements to large-scale public works for
a person into a successful career. That’s been the case for school districts.
Fernando Sanchez, who joined the construction industry at his That field expertise is a highlight in the classroom, where
brother’s urging in 2007. After he advanced in the field for a Fentross has taught third and fourth year electrical apprentices
few years at TIC – The Industrial Company, a wholly owned at Associated Builders and Contractors’ Southern California
subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, he became a NCCER-certified Chapter since 2013. His hallmark is using real-world practices
pipefitting instructor in 2011. to augment NCCER course material and drive class participation.
Today, Sanchez is a senior craft instructor and designated site According to his students, Fentross “goes above and beyond
safety professional for the Training Center in Aurora, Colorado, all expectations” and “is an awesome teacher and role model.”
which means he’s filling the mentor role for a fresh crop of They can tell he really loves what he does, and perhaps more
students every year. He puts his own personal touch on teaching importantly that he understands where they’re coming from.
that resonates with students. “Being able to relate to your students is key,” Fentross says.
“He cares about every one of his students and has faith in “Anecdotal stories are something I draw upon.”
every one of them that they’ll make it, even when they don’t Every class starts with a 20-minute discussion of what
have faith in themselves,” says pipefitter Roxana Villegas. problems or lessons learned students have recently encoun-
Sanchez is mindful of the fact that everyone needs a helping tered in the field. And he’s open about sharing his own personal
hand at some point in life. And once they believe in themselves, experiences, including winning gold in the industrial electrical
that hand can be let go. competition at the 2013 ABC National Craft Championships.
“That’s when the magic happens—when they realize they “There are endless possibilities in construction. Talk to people
can mentor someone else,” he says. “Next thing you know, you with more experience to draw upon,” Fentross advises. “If you
have a whole bunch of people teaching and caring.” want to rise up and be a superintendent or if you want to spe-
Sanchez experienced this positive cycle firsthand. Early on in his cialize in installing a certain type of medical equipment, then go
career with TIC, he was happy to be on his tools as a laborer—to for it. The amount of effort you put in is what you’ll get out of it.”
be a yes sir and yes ma’am kind of worker. Management wasn’t on
his radar, but a strong work ethic stood out to his superintendent Read more about these two exceptional award
and led to opportunities for additional training. finalists on constructionexec.com. Sanchez coaches
“Once I got the training, everything fell into place,” he says. pipefitters in ABC’s National Craft Championships and
“Training has given me the opportunity to better my family and Fentross volunteers at NAWIC and ACE Academy summer
put me in the position I’m in: traveling across the country to camp programs and considers teaching to be his way of
deliver craft training and troubleshoot pipefitting problems.” giving back to ABC.
21
ABC National
Prevost constantly develops ways to make classroom and lab experiences relevant, and he frequently brings in former students for inspiration and
networking opportunities.
GIVING BACK unanswered. I learned a lot from him and see myself
The merit shop construction philosophy is all about going farther,” says E. DeShawne Toney.
rewarding people and companies for their effort and Adds Rosemary Mathew: “He has really changed my life
quality performance. The message is not lost on Prevost, with all the skills I learned. My craft career is very bright.”
who appreciates the industry’s equal playing field for For Prevost, being an instructor is the best possible way
those who are willing to work hard. to give back to an industry that has given him so much.
“Being a craft professional has taken me every “This is the best job I’ve ever had in my life. I don’t
place that I’ve ever wanted to be. It really pays off. know when I’m going to retire because you need to have
And I’m not just talking about money; I’m talking a job to retire, and I don’t consider this a job.”
about making me feel good about doing the work
every day.” Joanna Masterson is senior editor of Construction
The reward that comes from teaching is evident Executive. For more information, email masterson@
in the words of Prevost’s students: “He makes it easy abc.org, visit constructionexec.com or follow
to ask questions, and your questions will not go @ConstructionMag.
22
Real projects start with
the industry standard
Before construction began, CBT protected
Natixis Investment Managers’ new
headquarters in Boston with AIA contracts.
AIA Contract Documents used: B152-Owner/Architect-Interior and FF&E Design.
Learn more about the Natixis project at aiacontracts.org/ce-natixis
© Robert Benson Photography

EVERYTHING
STARTS WITH
SAFETYLeadership-driven Programs Yield Happy Employees
and More Business Opportunities
BY MARLA MCINTYRE
T
hree very different companies have one Forrester achieves its 0.74 EMR, 0 TRIR and 0
thing in common: a safety-first culture that DART rate by requiring all project partners to share its
permeates the very fabric of the business. safety values. The company begins with preconstruc-
This passion translates into teamwork on tion meetings where all key stakeholders, including the
safety issues, satisfied employees and a thriving busi- client, design team and subcontractors, discuss project
ness. Recognition as one of Associated Builders and objectives and potential hazards.
Contractors’ National Safety Excellence Award winners Forrester’s safety plan includes:
is the cherry on top. • daily “wall to wall” inspections to ensure compliance
with each project’s site-specific safety plan;
PRACTICING BEHAVIOR-BASED SAFETY • bi-weekly meetings with owners to review safety data;
With clients such as Jose Andres’ ThinkFoodGroup, the • review of current data and initiatives at board
U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Supreme Court, National meetings and management committee meetings;
Institutes of Health, Kennedy Center and Smithsonian • monthly safety committee meetings to review the
National Zoo, safety is paramount for Forrester effectiveness of safety programs and to identify
Construction, Rockville, Maryland. opportunities for improvement;
“Everything starts with safety,” says Stephen Houff, • activity hazard analysis by subcontractors that detail
president and CEO of the construction management, how work will be performed and any safety hazards
preconstruction and design-build firm. “We promote a it may present for other trades; and
culture that demonstrates our sincere care for each and • monthly mock OSHA inspections conducted by an
every individual on our jobsites.” outside consultant.
To help keep track of more than
2,500 employees, Helix Electric’s
Executive Safety Committee
reviews the safety records of
each of the company’s operating
Helix Electric
groups to see where injuries are

occurring and why.
Forrester Construction
Forrester holds daily safety huddles and pre-task safety meetings with
subcontractors to coordinate work tasks and safety measures. Additionally,
once a month, a randomly chosen superintendent from another project
joins colleagues to perform inspections on a different site.
Forrester also participates in Maryland’s Occupational

Safety and Health Strategic Partnership for Excellence
in Construction Safety program to develop and imple-
If issues are identified, work is stopped, the prob- ment innovative ways to improve worker safety, and
lem is immediately corrected and the subcontractor then mentor and train other general contractors in
is given feedback on what went wrong. All this sends the area.
the message that safety is the responsibility of all 105 “Our team members are excited to work at Forrester
Forrester team members, as well as subcontractors because of our strong safety culture. It enables us to
and owners. attract professionals who want to be a part of it,” Houff
“If individuals from any partners do not share says. “There is no doubt our safety program pays off for
our values or refuse to live by our safety plan, they the company and its team members, but it is virtually
are removed from the project. Every team member, impossible to place a monetary value on it. We do sell
regardless of role, is empowered to remove individuals our safety program as a differentiator when pursuing new
from jobsites who are not complying with our safety projects, and I often receive feedback from clients on how
program,” Houff says. it positively impacts their decision to award work to us.”
Additionally, workers wear numbered hard hat badges
that identify them as authorized personnel who have EMBRACE A SAFETY CULTURE,
completed safety orientation. ADAPT TO IT AND THRIVE WITHIN IT
“Even visitors go through a safety orientation and San Diego-based Helix Electric has more than 2,500
are not allowed onsite without proper safety gear,” employees working at 160 high-density residential,
Houff says. commercial and industrial projects across the country.
26
THREE TOOLS TO PUT
CONTRACTORS ON THE ROAD
TO WORLD-CLASS SAFETY
BY MICHAEL D. BELLAMAN
Executing a commitment to world-class safety takes fortitude 2. SAFETY PERFORMANCE REPORT

and effort, as it is fraught with leadership challenges. During ABC’s annual Safety Performance Report analyzes the cause
this journey, construction leaders eventually ask themselves and and effect relationship between world-class processes and
their employees: incident prevention. For example, companies with a new hire
• Do we truly believe that all incidents are preventable? safety orientation lasting more than 200 minutes reduced their
• Are we unwilling to compromise someone’s safety for profit, TRIR by 85% compared to the BLS industry average, and STEP
productivity and schedule? participants with a robust substance abuse program in place
Not surprisingly, leadership commitment to these tenets reduced their TRIR by 63%.
is the most crucial aspect of the roadmap to The Safety Performance Report is a great
world-class safety. Once that is established, resource if you know some changes need to be
companies can move on to transforming made but aren’t sure where to start. (Hint: Check
their culture, deploying a world-class safety out the eight core leading indicators that have
management system, and finally delivering the most dramatic impact on performance.) View
results through the use of leading and the full report at abc.org/spr, and be sure to
trailing indicators. share it with colleagues and clients.
ABC provides three tools to help contractors
advance their journey to 3. SAFETY ACADEMY
world-class safety in the ABC’s Safety Academy is a
areas of leadership, culture, “If we choose to lead, if we two-day leadership course
process and results. that helps construction
choose to commit, if we choose companies lay out a multi-
1. STEP SAFETY to transform, then we can create year plan for achieving
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM the conditions for everyone to do world-class safety results.
STEP is much more than a STEP data and the Safety
recognition program; it is their work without incident and Performance Report are
an industry-leading safety go home safely every day.” used as benchmarks to help
management system that participants—ideally CEOs,
any contractor can utilize to CFOs, and safety and opera-
take its firm from beginner (bronze) to advanced (platinum). tions directors—understand what they need to work on.
Participants score their level of achievement in various areas The goal is to take the best cultural transformation tips from
and document their incident rates to get an idea of where they leadership gurus and apply them to a practical safety challenge,
can improve. all geared toward the 98% of construction companies that
The ABC National Safety Committee enhances STEP each employ less than 100 people.
year. The committee is comprised of safety leaders from large ABC has 34 certified trainers who present safety academies
and small companies located all over the country, and their nationwide at ABC meetings, chapters and individual companies.
collective knowledge and experience is reflected in STEP for More information is available at abc.org/safety.
the entire industry to benefit from.
Getting started with STEP is free for ABC member con- Michael D. Bellaman is president and CEO of
tractors and suppliers, and it can help lower workers’ Associated Builders and Contractors and co-founder of
compensation insurance rates. Check out the application at the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-free
abcstep.org. Workplace. For more information, visit abc.org/safety.
27
Helix Electric
Helix Electric shows its commitment to a safe work environment by implementing stretch and flex protocols, performing quarterly audits, requiring
supervisory and management staff to take the OSHA 30-hour course every five years, and only pursuing jobs in which safety performance is the number one
priority for all project partners.
Its award-winning safety programs have resulted in one teams, which allows Helix Electric to evaluate what kinds
of the lowest incident rates in the nation. of work it wants to do, who to do it with and where.
Helix Electric stands by its commitment that it will Two years ago, Helix Electric realized that for
never expose employees to uncontrolled hazards. The continuous improvement, employees at all levels
firm also recognizes the business value of safety. needed to be actively involved in safety planning and
“Safety performance is a key success indicator. improvement processes. It created safety improvement
Contractors with better safety performance plan more teams made up of a cross-section of employees in every
effectively, communicate better and generally do a supe- geographical region who identify the most important
rior job in building a successful project. These are the new processes or adjustments needed to improve safety
companies we want to work with,” says Eric Simmons, throughout the company.
corporate safety director, who notes that Helix performs One such process was revising the pre-task plan
98% of its work as a subcontractor. to improve communication and involvement among
On a 2018 project in Hawaii, Helix Electric was sup- employees and supervisors. Field employees embraced
posed to install multiple 4-inch conduits in a trench, but it because it gave them an active voice in a peer-
its site team felt the shoring was inadequately designed created process.
and improperly installed. Staff elevated the issue to senior The pre-task plan helps employees identify hazards
management and refused to enter the trench until cor- in their work area and make sure they have the tools,
rections were made. Senior management supported the materials and other items needed to complete the job.
site team’s assessment, and the executive vice president Employees complete a “mid-shift review” after lunch to
instructed the general contractor to remove the work ensure the work area is still safe, which helps them refo-
from the scope and issue a deductive change order. cus. Superintendents review every pre-task plan onsite,
Every month, Helix Electric’s Executive Safety provide feedback and sign off.
Committee reviews current and ongoing safety concerns One of Helix Electric’s biggest challenges is finding
and looks at root causes and lessons learned. It assesses qualified employees to meet its rapid geographic expan-
open injury claims and how to get employees back to sion. In response, the company streamlined its new hire
work as quickly as possible. The committee also reviews orientation and offers site-specific orientation, safety
each operating group’s safety records to see where injuries training and craft training processes.
are occurring and why. All this helps identify the risk Through the Red Stripe Program, employees report-
associated with different types of projects and project ing to a new jobsite receive site-specific orientation
28
OC TOB ER 12TH , 10:15 P.M .
A GOOD NIGHT’S
SLEEP, WITH BLANKET
COVERAGE
IN AN
INS TANT,
B IL L L E W IS
M A N AGE D HIS
R I SK A N D GOT
THE J O B D O NE
The hotel renovation had to be

completed in five weeks. It would take
multiple subcontractors to pull it off, and
Bill had no time to waste on paperwork or
mistakes. Thanks to CNA’s Blanket Additional
Insured Coverage, the contractors insured with
CNA’s form could meet the project’s insurance
requirements and start working without delay —
allowing Bill to meet his deadline and sleep like a baby.
When it comes to trade-specific

coverages that increase efficiency
and peace of mind …
®
we can show you more.
To learn how CNA’s builders and contractors program can help you maximize
business efficiency, contact your independent agent or visit www.cna.com/abc.
The examples provided in this material are for

illustrative purposes only and any similarity to actual
individuals, entities, places or situations is unintentional
and purely coincidental. In addition, the examples are not
intended to establish any standards of care, to serve as
legal advice appropriate for any particular factual situations,
or to provide an acknowledgement that any given factual
situation is covered under any CNA insurance policy. Please
remember that only the relevant insurance policy can provide
the actual terms, coverages, amounts, conditions and exclusions
for an insured. All products and services may not be available in
all states and may be subject to change without notice. “CNA”
is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Certain
CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the “CNA” trademark
in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities.
Copyright © 2019 CNA. All rights reserved.
Scott, Murphy & Daniel
and a red hard hat sticker to remind supervisors and
coworkers that they may need additional direction
and assistance in completing tasks. The red stripes are
removed after 30 days during a follow-up orientation
meeting that confirms the employee has retained the
information from the site orientation process.
Simmons commends Helix’s visible, vocal and active
executive team in their support of safety and commit-
ment to do the right thing for employees every day and
in every situation.
“Helix Electric is known in the industry for its safety
programs, and that has opened doors into new market
segments,” he says. “Safety is an investment in our Scott, Murphy & Daniel CEO Michael Murphy attends project meetings
success. As we work toward our goal of being the safest to demonstrate his passion for safety and to help review high-risk
contractor, we continue to reap the rewards of improved operations that may require additional training, planning or auditing. For
morale, increased retention and improved perfor- him, safety excellence is a journey, not a destination.
mance. Helix’s commitment to safety has helped attract
employees in a challenging labor market.” no question what he’d do if he had to choose between
making a profit on a project versus ensuring the safety
KEEPING SAFETY PROMISES of his more than 250 associates. It’s not unusual for
G. Michael Murphy, CEO of Scott, Murphy & Daniel Murphy to visit jobsites, audit safety performance and
in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is the type of business assign corrective measures.
owner that safety professionals dream of. He cares about “I want to see every team member go home to their
his employees and his community, so much so that it’s loved ones at the end of the day in the same state they
FREE WEBINAR:
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30
arrived at work,” he says. “Our team members are the “Sixty percent of our employees have been with the
lifeblood of our organization and it is my responsibility company for 15 to 25 years. They say how much it
to protect their safety and well-being.” means to them to be working for a company that cares
Eleven years ago, Scott, Murphy & Daniel’s envi- about their safety and the safety of others,” Murphy
ronmental, health and safety director convinced says—proof that safety pays in many ways.
management to purchase new fall protection equip- Processes that help meet the company’s safety vision
ment. A few months later, an employee slipped include stringent drug and physical demands testing for
backward and fell to a concrete slab 40 feet below. new hires and return-to-duty employees; a site-specific
Because of his training and fall protection equipment, health and safety manual with inspection reports, job
the employee was not seriously injured. hazard analysis forms and specific emergency procedures;
Murphy told the EHS Director, “From this point and project superintendent evaluations that ensure they
on, I will never question any purchase you make that are consistently conducting safety orientations and pro-
will be used to protect our employees,” and he has moting safety participation with all subcontractors.
kept that promise. “Unbelievably, our safety program is managed by
Murphy also has set a goal to one day be recognized one safety director, a full-time field safety manager and
worldwide for a solid safety culture; already, the com- myself,” Murphy says. “This passionate trio has built a
pany has saved nearly half a million dollars on insurance nationally recognized safety program through training
and workers’ compensation premiums. That aside, all team members to buy in and accept nothing short of
Murphy says “safety is simply good business.” a constant culture of safety.”
Significant growth—from $800,000 in sales 20
years ago to $165 million today—has led to demands Marla McIntyre is a freelance editor for Construction
on employees, but even more challenging is the aging Executive and CE This Week. For more information,
workforce and finding qualified personnel who can email mcintyre@constructionexec.com or visit
safely execute the demands of the job. constructionexec.com/newsletter.
FREE WEBINAR:
DRIVING PROFITABILITY
IN THE FIELD
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Webinars.ConstructionExec.com
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2 P.M. ET | 11 A.M. PT
31
LEGISLATIVE
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CONTRACTORS’ GUIDE
BOTTOM LINE
TO THE
64 %
%
45
%
30 %
34 Everything Contractors Need to Know About the
16Cuts and Jobs Act
Tax
38 The Impact of Design-build on Project Costs and Risks
40 Rethinking Fleet Financing to Improve Bottom Line Results
44 Pricing Risk in (and Out of) Construction Projects

64
48 Construction Technology Yields Better Bottom Line Results %
45 30%
%
16%
6%
SPECIAL SECTION:
CONTRACTORS’ GUIDE TO THE BOTTOM LINE
Everything Contractors
Need to Know About the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act
BY ASHLIE FORUM
A
lthough the total impact of
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
(TCJA) will only be deter-
mined with time, certain
changes that begin with the
2018 tax year will have an
immediate impact on contractors.
Corporate Tax Rates and

Other Benefits
One of President Trump’s main
campaign promises was to reduce
corporate tax rates from the brack-
eted system ranging from 15% to
35%, to a much lower flat rate.
As part of the TCJA, C corpora-
tions are now subject to a flat 21% and credit items. Prior to the tax specifically noted as being allowed
tax. law change, C corporations were to take this deduction.
Additionally, for tax years ending required to pay the higher of their For taxpayers who are single
after Dec. 31, 2017, net operat- regular tax liability or alternative and those who file married joint
ing loss deductions are no longer minimum tax. returns, and have taxable income
eligible to be carried back; how- greater than $157,500 and
ever, they are eligible to be carried Pass-through Income $315,000, respectively, the deduc-
forward indefinitely. Any net To compensate for the reduction in tion can be limited by wages the
operating loss deductions generated C corporation tax rates and other business pays and the amount of
post-2017 will be restricted to 80% beneficial changes, the TCJA gives capital assets owned.
of taxable income. owners of certain pass-through
Another major change for businesses, including S corpora- Individual Income Tax
contractors that operate as C corpo- tions, LLCs, partnerships and sole Most contractors should see a
rations is the elimination of the proprietorships, a deduction equal lower effective tax rate on their
alternative minimum tax, which to 20% of the business’s income individual tax returns due to shifts
was designed to re-compute tax lia- on their individual tax returns. in individual tax brackets. The
bility by limiting certain deductions Construction companies are largest reduction occurs within
34
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SPECIAL SECTION:
the highest tax bracket. In 2017, Prior to the TCJA, the average high levels of debt should consider
income exceeding $470,700 was annual gross receipts threshold renegotiating debt or at least con-
taxed at the top marginal rate of was $10 million ($5 million for ducting an analysis.
39.6%, while in 2018 the highest corporations and partnerships with
bracket begins at $600,000 and is corporate partners). Contractors Domestic Production Activity
set at 37%. that exceed the new $25 million Deduction (DPAD)
Following are other changes threshold are required to report The TCJA eliminates the DPAD, a
for 2018. gross profit from long-term popular deduction typically avail-
• The standard deduction projects under the percentage-of- able to manufacturers, contractors,
has been almost doubled to completion method. engineers and architects that man-
$12,000 for single taxpayers For 2018, contractors that ufacture and produce goods in the
and $24,000 for married filing fall below the new revenue United States. DPAD allowed for
joint taxpayers, and personal threshold can elect to be exempt a deduction up to 9% of qualified
exemptions are eliminated. from reporting income on the income.
• The deduction for state and percentage-of-completion basis.
local income, sales and property Excess Business Loss Limitation
taxes is capped at $10,000, Depreciation Individuals will only be able to
adversely affecting taxpayers Another major benefit contractors deduct $500,000 of net business
in high tax states such as New will reap from the TCJA is the losses on their tax returns. Excess
York, New Jersey, Connecticut ability to fully expense any new amounts will be carried forward.
and California. or used assets that are eligible for With the additional deductions
• Mortgage interest is deductible bonus depreciation. Any bonus- available to contractors, it will be
for new debt balances of eligible assets purchased after Sept. more important than ever to review
$750,000 or less (compared 27, 2017, and through 2022 can tax projections during the year to
to $1 million previously), and be 100% expensed in the year of maximize planning opportunities.
interest on home equity loans is purchase.
no longer deductible unless the Also, contractors will benefit from Meals and Entertainment
funds are directly connected to changes to Section 179, which states Meals provided to employees at
the underlying property. that assets purchased to improve the convenience of contractors
• The phase-out of 3% itemized nonresidential real estate, such as were formerly 100% deductible
deductions for taxpayers with roofs, HVAC systems and fire pro- and will now be limited to 50%
incomes exceeding $313,800 tection systems, are deductible up to deductibility. Entertainment
(married filing jointly in 2017) $1 million assuming the contractor expenses are no longer deductible.
has been eliminated. has sufficient taxable income. The deduction for business
meals with clients remains at 50%,
Income Reporting Methods Interest Expense but tickets for client entertain-
One of the most beneficial TCJA Some changes could negatively ment can no longer be deducted.
changes for contractors is how impact contractors. Beginning in Expenses for events such as com-
income is reported. Contractors 2018, deductible interest expense pany parties and meals provided
with average annual gross receipts will be limited to 30% of the during training remain fully
below $25 million will now be business’s adjusted taxable income. deductible.
able to use the cash or completed Businesses with gross receipts less
contract method for tax purposes. than $25 million will be exempt Ashlie Forum, senior manager
Three prior years of gross receipts is from this rule. Although interest of tax and business services, is a
averaged to determine the taxpay- expense incurred in excess of the member of Marcum LLP’s real estate
er’s average annual gross receipts for 30% threshold is carried forward and construction team. For more
the purposes of this test. indefinitely, large contractors with information, visit marcumllp.com.
36
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SPECIAL SECTION:
The Impact of Design-build

on Project Costs and Risks
BY LAUREN PINCH
E
nhanced design-build ingrained into all aspects of the Quality is improved because
strategies offer engineers, project—from design, estimating the process enables the team to
architects and contractors and safety to craftsmanship and gather specifics and make informed
an opportunity to work post-construction turnover. Below, decisions before the final work-
together more cohesively to McCree-Bodine shares additional ing drawings are completed.
present the client with the insights on the impact of enhanced Furthermore, the drawings are
best overall budget. design-build on project costs, more than just permittable; they are
According to Cindy McCree- change orders and risks. buildable, and therefore fewer ques-
Bodine, vice president of business tions on the jobsite should occur.
development at McCree General What are some key ways that
Contractors & Architects in enhanced design-build can How do construction-related
Orlando, Florida, this process improve project speed, quality change orders drive up project
includes being conscientious of the and pricing? costs and heighten team
budget during design and construc- The enhanced design-build deliv- frustration?
tion, as well as providing solutions ery method significantly improves With enhanced design-build, no
through value engineering to either a project’s speed, quality and pric- construction-related change orders
enhance or look for more economi- ing because many steps are done should occur on projects unless
cal options during the design phase. simultaneously, such as estimating there is an unforeseen condition
It also includes maintaining and and designing along with permit- that is either related to a renova-
communicating the critical paths of ting. Additionally, there is a single tion of an existing facility or on a
the schedule throughout the life of source of responsibility for the site with subsurface issues. Owner-
the project. client, which means decisions are directed scope changes after an
With enhanced design-build, prompt, questions are answered agreed-upon guaranteed maximum
quality is not just evident on faster and the overall process price do occur and would create a
the construction jobsite; it is moves more flawlessly. change order.
38
Many owners and clients are Seasoned contractors have seen a How can these solutions help
very concerned about change thing or two and know what to be contractors shift the overall cost
orders that lead to an unexpected on the lookout for. They also know of risk to the owner?
cost increase. Who wouldn’t be what questions to ask the owner to With enhanced design-build, project
frustrated being asked to pay more reduce risk. costs are constantly under a watch-
on a project? Preventing surprises is everyone’s ful eye throughout the life of the
Some change orders may occur goal; however, unforeseen circum- project. When handled correctly, the
to the benefit of an owner or stances may arise. contractor (design-builder) should
client if they receive a credit or The level of value added by cover all its costs, provide a quality
have an owner direct purchase, utilizing enhanced design-build result to the client and, at the end
which provides sales tax savings for the owner is prevalent with of the day, build a project the entire
for a nonprofit entity. These are the contractor being a part of team can be proud of.
common in public/municipal proj- the entire process—from under-
ects or in nonprofit organizations. standing the project’s regulatory Lauren Pinch is editor-in-chief of
restrictions and opportunities Construction Executive. For more
How are contractors uniquely to helping the designers create a information, email pinch@abc.org,
qualified to help the entire buildable set of plans, to providing visit constructionexec.com or follow
project team reduce risk? accurate pricing. @ConstructionMag.
39
SPECIAL SECTION:
Rethinking Fleet
Financing to Improve
Bottom Line Results
BY EVERETT COLE
T
he construction sector
is stabilizing following a
period of rapid growth, with
drivers of commercial con-
struction remaining strong
amid a thriving economy.
While fundamentals are healthy,
experienced contractors understand
that whether a long phase of sta-
bility or a downturn is on horizon,
it’s important to adjust their fleet
management and business opera-
tions strategies accordingly.
Keep Fleets Fresh and Nimble

Through Smart Diversification
and Leasing closer to one-third, with the remain- flexibility to defer the ownership
As economic expansion slows and der being a mix of leased (typically decision until a later date. For the
the construction industry moderates, on terms of three to 10 years) or duration of the lease term, fleet
contractors are faced with uncer- short-term rented equipment. managers can depend on a consis-
tainty regarding whether the country Once the economy gained tent monthly payment despite the
is heading toward a downturn in the strength and the construction fluctuations of increasing equip-
next few years or an extended period industry experienced significant ment costs.
of slow growth. The good news is growth, companies recognized that As a result, owners and managers
that many construction business flexibility should always be a com- will have more time and resources
owners and managers have begun ponent of an equipment acquisition to focus on increasing their work-
to reevaluate fleet financing and strategy. By diversifying fleet own- load and profits, which will become
diversification strategies to consider ership, contractors can save costs, increasingly important as growth
how they can be best positioned for minimize risks and accommodate slows and competition for jobs rises.
either outcome. growth simultaneously. As the industry continues to sta-
During the last decade, many Flexible operating lease (or true bilize, construction firms likely will
construction firms went from lease) structures also offer the want to consider minimizing the
owning approximately half of their bottom line benefits of low-cost short-term rental portion of their
equipment fleet outright to owning fixed-term payments with the fleets. However, some situations
40
SPECIAL SECTION:
may call for continued utilization to rapid growth within the con- and maintenance along with the
of rentals to quickly scale up fleets; struction market, comprehensive, software in one payment. When
for example, when contractors are efficient and up-to-date software working directly with the vendor
responding to natural disasters. is more critical than ever to ensure or a bank, firms likely will be
streamlined integration for contin- restricted to financing far less of the
Consider Financing Software and ued operational growth. overall software costs.
Other Soft Costs That said, the software itself—
While heavy equipment can make along with labor, consulting and Adapt to Changing Regulations
up a large portion of a construction travel costs—can carry a hefty and Rising Interest Rates
firm’s capital expenditures, many expense. Construction companies Tightening banking regulations
other costs go into operating a busi- should look to finance as much and rising interest rates could
ness. What some contractors are of these costs as possible and affect contractors’ ability to secure
not aware of is that it is possible to utilize their excess cash positions financing, and competitive terms,
finance many of these expenses— for working capital and potential so it is important for owners and
including maintenance, software, acquisition-based growth, while the managers to remain informed
installation and training—along industry is trending upward. regarding the potential impact of
with the addition of equipment. Independent equipment finance these changes.
As recent expansion and merger providers can be a good resource for Understanding the limitations
and acquisition activity has led packaging the cost of installation of working with bank financiers,
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42
including the elevated criteria that the long term. While the frequency flow can position contractors for
firms must meet in order to qualify of increases has slowed in recent success, even as overall industry
for loans and leases, many con- months, rates are anticipated to growth decelerates slightly.
struction firms are turning from rise at least once more this year and Remaining nimble as well as
traditional lenders to independent again in 2020. educated regarding the ability to
finance companies that are able to Therefore, locking in fixed-rate secure attractive financing terms
look beyond the bottom line. financing now in order to take can help construction firms stay
By identifying an independent advantage of historical lows is still competitive and maintain growth
finance company that specializes beneficial. The ability to capitalize or healthy operations for several
in the construction business, on fixed-rate options that most years to come.
contractors can discuss their needs independent finance providers
with a provider that understands offer is another important Everett Cole is an account executive
the ebbs and flows of the industry. consideration because most bank at Summit Funding Group, an
Thus, if a prospective borrower has lines of credit are floating rate Ohio-based company that provides
experienced a down cycle, it won’t facilities where interest will likely equipment lease and finance
necessarily prevent it from securing rise over time. solutions to businesses across
competitive terms and rates. A smart financing strategy the United States and Canada.
There is no question rising inter- that helps facilitate smooth For more information, email
est rates will impact financing in operations and improve cash ecole@4sfg.com.
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43
SPECIAL SECTION:
Pricing Risk in (and Out of)

Construction Projects
BY WALEAD ATIYEH
R
isk identification, pric- Two of the most common by management’s dual desires of
ing and management approaches to pricing risk are on avoiding a loss on a project and
are inherent parts of the an activity-by-activity basis, or as avoiding pricing themselves out
construction industry, yet an overall percentage or lump sum of bid contention by adding too
there is often confusion addition to the estimate. Pricing much risk contingency.
on what risk is and then is usually governed by the estimat- Too often, management changes
inconsistency on how risk is priced ing team’s perception of various the markup or contingencies
and managed. project or activity risks, and then within a proposal based on an
44
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SPECIAL SECTION:
Example of a Risk Register

Risk Potential Mitigation Likeliness to Occur Mitigation Detail Total Risk
Description Impact Exposure
Add Qualify Manage at Low Med High
$$$ Bid Execution
Major
Materials Risk $30,000
Material subject 3% increase X X X The project schedule doesn’t $30,000
to escalation in material; provide for material release
due to not being material valued until later, but the risk is
ordered until at $1 million = manageable. Can carry
late in project $30,000 risk a portion of the exposure
schedule. and manage at contract
execution by seeking early
material release.
How Risk Dollars Are Allocated in a Risk Register
Total Risk Exposure Risk in Base Estimate Risk in Contingency Total Risk Carried Risk Uncovered
$30,000 $0 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000
intuition or a method that varies team to mitigate a risk identified at assessment is often contained in a
depending on the proposal process the estimate stage. risk register, which is created early
and the people involved. Further, in the project estimate stage and is
this variation often overlooked Risk Assessment shared with project stakeholders.
during the bid turnover phase A consistent risk management It also serves as a document that
when the estimate team hands off process begins with a risk assess- can be transmitted to the project
the bid to the post-award team. ment. Many contractors consider management team.
The post-award team is left to how risky a project is before It is helpful to have a pre- deter-
put in place its own methods for expending the resources to esti- mined set of criteria to help manage
mitigating risks that may not have mate and price it. In this scenario, the risks identified. The informa-
been identified during the pro- many contractors perform a formal tion in a risk register also includes
posal stage. stage-gate process. Factors that can severity of the risk, possible miti-
Without a consistent method, be considered include the client’s gations and a quantification of the
traceability of the risk carried within reputation, the resources available risk. Possible categories in a risk
an estimate can be misallocated to both estimate the work and per- register include:
during the conversion to a project form the work, as well as the size • client/owner issues;
budget. This failure to trace the and location of the project. • contract terms;
risk from the estimate through the Once a contractor has decided • insurance;
turnover and startup phase of a that the risk profile is acceptable • bid documents;
project can lead to confusion, and for bidding, a detailed risk assess- • geotechnical;
worse yet, a failure by the project ment can be performed. This risk • environmental;
46
• performance;
• schedule impact;
Risk is about uncertainty.
• labor; By putting a structure around
• quantities;
• major materials; the uncertainty, risks can be effectively
• engineered equipment;
• subcontractor performance; managed and project goals can
and
• general project risk
be reached.
Not all these risks will apply,
and contractors should select the
appropriate categories based on the mitigation plan can be developed. smaller amount in contingency for
work to be performed. It is ideal to Typically, mitigation plans fall the project. Therefore, the total
build a risk register in a spreadsheet into at least one of the following risk exposure is $30,000, and half
format in order to easily convey the three categories: add money to of that is uncovered.
information to project stakeholders. the estimate, qualify the bid or Identifying uncovered risk is
manage at execution. vital from a pricing perspective. If
Analysis of Risks Identified The possible mitigation and the there is too much uncovered risk,
When analyzing an identified detail for it should be contained then the profitability of a proj-
risk, consider the potential within the risk register for com- ect is at risk (and in a doomsday
impact, how likely it is to occur munication and traceability. scenario could become a losing
and possible mitigations. The The risk register should be project). However, if all risk is cov-
potential impact should quan- reviewed with management at the ered (no uncovered risk), then the
tify in time and money what the bid review stage, and an agreed-to project could be bid too high.
extent of the risk is. amount to be carried within the
For example, an estimator has bid should be identified. It is Review and Monitor Risk
identified a material order valued at possible to either embed the risk The project risk register should be
$1 million that cannot be released within the estimate cost of the continually reviewed during the
early and is subject to price vola- actual estimate activity, or treat it life of the project and updated by
tility or escalation. That escalation as a contingency item. However, it the project team. Risk is about
can be as much as 3% ($30,000) is important to identify the risk in uncertainty. By putting a structure
over the life of the project. The the register, as well as the location around the uncertainty, risks can
possible escalation would be iden- of any monies allocated to cover be effectively managed and project
tified as a delta to the estimate for that risk to avoid possible duplica- goals can be reached.
that item, and then quantified as a tion in both the estimate activity Further, as the risks occur, the
potential impact. and in the contingency. risk register provides an agreed-
Then the estimator would assess The risk exposure of $30,000 upon thought process and plan.
how likely that is to occur. It is is carried over from the poten- This eliminates guesswork—
ideal to have a scale that ranks the tial impact. In this example, the minimizing risks and providing
likeliness of the risk occurring as estimator has chosen not to carry opportunities to capture addi-
low, medium or high (or a similar any money in the base estimate tional profit.
numeric scale). and to allocate half of the expo-
sure in a contingency bucket. Walead Atiyeh is associate
Risk Mitigation Plan The estimator chose to carry only director of Maxim Consulting
After identifying the risk, quan- half of the exposure as it likely Group, Englewood, Colorado.
tifying the impact and assessing can be mitigated by managing it For more information, visit
the likelihood of it occurring, a at execution, and then carrying a maximconsulting.com.
47
SPECIAL SECTION:
Construction Technology
Yields Better Bottom
Line Results
BY PETE SCHERMERHORN
D
uring the past two years, Following are five ways that real-time access to it to stay on
construction contractors technology is making a difference top of workflows and ahead of
have been steadily turning to on and off the jobsite. potential issues.
technology to help improve
productivity, enhance site Connect Stakeholders With the Provide New Insights Into
visibility and safety, decrease Latest Information Site Operations and Resource
costs and, ultimately, boost bottom Cloud-based software is connecting Productivity
line profitability. different project participants in new Sensors and other connected
A July 2017 McKinsey survey and important ways. With a single technologies are automatically
found that 44% of contractors had stream of information that is avail- collecting information from people,
implemented digital solutions, a able from any smart device, project equipment and tools, providing
number that is expected to grow to leaders and teams can combat the critical visibility into the work that
70% by 2020. This is due in part to errors and delays that arise from is happening onsite.
the flood of outside investment in misinformation and miscommu- With new insights into where
construction technology start-ups nication, such as building from resources are located and how
that is resulting in new, jobsite-spe- outdated blueprints. they’re being utilized, project
cific solutions. And the investment In addition, a robust cloud-based leaders can better coordinate and
dollars are growing as well: $1.05 project management platform can deploy these resources around
billion was invested in the first six collect diverse project information the site to minimize downtime
months of 2018 alone, representing such as certificates of insurance, and maximize worker and asset
a 30% increase over 2017. blueprints, manhours and safety productivity. For example, with
These new digital solutions are certifications. With greater trans- real-time equipment and machin-
streamlining manual processes, parency into project requirements ery location, workers can save
improving safety, and recovering and activities, contractors and sub- time locating the boom lift that
lost time and costs, all of which contractors can save time tracking needs to be serviced or deployed to
help improve the bottom line. down information and instead have another site.
48
In addition, by knowing how Catch Safety Issues Early and report issues can result in
much equipment onsite is actually In addition to the human impact improved productivity, quality
being utilized, contractors can of health and safety issues, and contractor reputation—all of
ensure they have the optimal contractors face significant oper- which can boost the bottom line.
number of machines to complete ating and insurance-related costs.
the task on schedule, and either According to The Bureau of Labor Keep an Eye on the Environment
redeploy under-utilized assets Statistics, construction has one of Sensors, infrared technology and
or make a case for adding more the most expensive hourly work- cameras are documenting envi-
resources to keep a project ers’ compensation costs, which, ronmental conditions onsite. For
progressing. when combined with the natural example, by monitoring tempera-
Additionally, improved records resources and maintenance fields, ture, humidity or water intrusion,
of manhours can help contractors averaged around $1 per hour contractors can identify potential
develop more accurate bids. For worked—more than double the issues before they become full-
example, with better visibility into amount for all professions. blown problems.
how long different trades are onsite, In addition, the median number According to FMI Corporation,
and how long it takes to create a of days away from work because of almost half of all builders’ risk
specified amount of work, contrac- a job-related injury or illness is 10 claims result from some type of
tors can better estimate the time days for this industry group, which weather or escape-of-water event.
and cost for future bids. leads to lost manhours and can stall In addition, internal water system
projects. Combined with the fact failures accounted for almost 25%
Turn Trailing Indicators Into that the number of workplace inju- of its builders’ risk claims between
Real-time Indicators ries or illnesses requiring time out 2006 and 2017. With real-time
In addition to providing remote, of work in construction, natural monitoring that allows contractors
real-time visibility into how resources and maintenance is more to identify environmental issues
many workers are onsite or where than 80% greater than that of all early, firms can prevent potential
they’re located (saving supervisors occupations, this lost productivity damage or rework that would
valuable time spent manually really adds up. impact bottom line profitability.
tracking down information), Being able to detect and better With technology to capture,
aggregate data can be used to respond to possible incidents or monitor and integrate data address-
proactively highlight trends, such jobsite hazards with new technology ing all aspects of a construction
as having fewer trades onsite than can make jobsites safer, and more project—productivity, safety, site
expected, or identify near-miss profitable, in the long run. With conditions and more—contrac-
incidents before they become intuitive tools to report site hazards tors can gain critical visibility into
trailing indicators like schedule or signal distress from anywhere what’s happening across their proj-
overruns and safety incidents. onsite, supervisors can respond to ect sites at any point in time.
Armed with real-world, objec- potential issues faster, assess and Many forward-thinking con-
tive data, contractors can develop control exposure, and reduce the tractors are already using these
robust, timely insights into what likelihood of a severe situation. new insights to proactively
worked and what didn’t and In addition, technology can manage resources and tasks so they
identify opportunities to improve be used to better quantify safety can minimize downtime, limit
productivity and safety on future practices onsite or modify behav- unforeseen issues and control the
projects. As more data is col- iors to improve the overall safety accompanying costs.
lected, the industry will be able to and risk management culture. As
develop better insights and scale the saying goes, an ounce of pre- Pete Schermerhorn is president
best practices to build smarter, vention is worth a pound of cure, and chief executive officer of Triax
safer and more productively than and when it comes to safety, being Technologies. For more information,
ever before. able to better detect, respond to visit triaxtec.com.
49
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LEGISLATIVE Washington, D.C.
June 23–27
Washington, D.C.
June 14–18
Washington, D.C.
June 13 - 17
WEEK
legislative.abc.org
CHAPTER 2019 2020

PRESIDENTS Seattle Minneapolis
MANAGEMENT July 30–Aug. 1 July 28–30
CONFERENCE
cpmc.abc.org
2019
Dallas, Texas
May 15–17
userssummit.abc.org
2019 2021 2022
San Antonio North Miami, Florida San Diego, California
LEADERSHIP Nov. 10–14 Nov 7 – 11 Nov 13 - 17
INSTITUTE 2020
Scottsdale, Arizona
Nov. 8–12
leadership.abc.org
J
oin Construction Executive in recognizing these 25 companies making
construction more productive and profitable. These technology solutions
span every phase of the construction life cycle, from surveying, designing
and bidding through estimating and project management. In addition,
these companies make the tech that contractors depend on to manage their
personnel, vendors, equipment, financials, payroll, document printing and more.
Bluebeam® delivers award-winning Cosential® provides comprehensive InEight has been building software
PDF creation, editing, markup and CRM and proposal automation exclusively for the construction and
collaboration technology designed for solutions for many of the world’s capital projects industries for more
AEC workflows. Contractors can drive largest architecture, engineering and than three decades. InEight solutions
project efficiency by utilizing markup construction firms. Designed to span the project life cycle from
data across the entire project life strengthen client relationships and estimates, contract management to
cycle, and streamline workflow win more bids, Cosential also makes project management, BIM and more.
processes to increase productivity it easy to develop targeted and See profile on page 62.
throughout the project life cycle, from accurate proposals, prepare
planning to completion. qualifications statements, and create
See profile on page 60. résumés, project profiles, project
lists, government forms and other Procore® connects people,
marketing collateral. applications and devices in a
See profile on page 58. centralized hub that helps
construction firms collaborate in real
CMiC offers construction enterprise time. With products for project
resource planning software that management, construction financials,
manages and automates numerous quality and safety, and field
back-office functions, reducing costs Explorer provides a complete productivity, Procore also features an
and increasing profits. From field to construction management solution app marketplace offering integrations
office and back again, CMiC’s ERP that works in a web browser. With with dozens of other construction
eliminates data duplication and other Explorer Eclipse, project supervision technology solutions providers.
common hiccups to ensure fluid and oversight are just a few clicks See profile on page 64.
project management company wide. away, from accounting to project
See profile on page 54. analytics and everything in between.
See profile on page 68.
Sage is the industry leader in

construction financial management
Command Alkon transforms solutions that integrate business
operations by replacing manual as Foundation Software is powerful financials and operations, giving the
job costing construction accounting information needed to make
well as complex tasks and processes

with efficient, scalable and reliable software that incorporates data-driven decisions and tightly
solutions using best-of-breed supply accounting and management tools manage projects. Sage construction
chain technology. Customers realize essential for running a successful mobile solutions streamline and
improved bottom-line results construction business. Foundation simplify jobsite reporting, collaboration
through lower operating expenses, a also offers bookkeeping services and with project stakeholders in real time,
seamless flow of information, and industry-specific education to clients routing and managing documents
automated production, distribution in a single, succinct platform. The electronically, providing field personnel
and business processes. company prides itself on working with anytime access to financial data
See profile on page 56. with customers long after the initial and service technicians with instant
software purchase. access to work order details.
See profile on page 69. See profile on page 66.
52 S PEC IA L A DVER TI S I NG S EC TI O N
COMPANIES MAKING
CONSTRUCTION MORE
PRODUCTIVE + PROFITABLE
Acumatica delivers adaptable and avoid repeating the construction. The application real-time jobsite monitoring
cloud and mobile technology mistakes of the past. delivers game-changing solutions. The company is
enabling a complete, real- productivity designed to unleash recognized for pioneering
time view of business data Construction BI has decades of the full potential of construction the next-generation of multi-
anytime, anywhere. Acumatica experience helping organizations teams on projects of any scale. function jobsite cameras that
Construction Edition keeps evaluate technology, build seamlessly integrate progress
teams on the same page, relying roadmaps, and implement Leica Geosystems recently monitoring, collaboration,
on a core system with the technology solutions in the launched the groundbreaking site-security, safety and
latest project reports, contracts, belief that data exploration and RT360 laser scanner, a portable documentation functions.
budgets, plans, specifications, analysis are the key to optimizing and intuitive device that can be Sensera smart cameras
change orders, invoices, business processes and learned and used the same day. are entirely self-powered,
purchase orders and job costs. improving outcomes. Fast and accurate, the Leica completely portable and built for
RT360 can scan and capture a remote or difficult sites without
Assemble provides a SaaS Corecon Technologies complete point cloud in less than access to power or internet.
solution that acts as a hub provides estimating and two minutes. The RT360 scans
consuming BIM, drawings project management solutions at 2 million points per second Topcon From breaking ground
and point clouds, enabling for general contractors, with automated registration to final inspection, Topcon’s
construction professionals to subcontractors, homebuilders, using computer vision and edge leading-edge construction
condition, query, and connect developers and engineering computing technologies, making solutions give you the tools to
the data to key workflows such firms. Corecon’s construction it faster and easier to obtain be more efficient, improve your
as bid management, estimating, software suite has received accurate as-builts. accuracy and better manage
project management, scheduling, numerous industry awards your data, machines and crew.
site management and finance. and utilizes the latest cloud Paperless Environments is
technologies allowing users to a content management and Trimble provides a mix of
Bentley Systems offers a make informed decisions from workflow automation solutions hardware, software and mobility
variety of solutions to help any internet-connected device. provider whose products technologies that streamline
contractors improve project integrate electronic versions communication and collaboration
planning, protect eroding DroneDeploy has a user- of paper documents and other throughout the construction life
margins and contain project friendly platform making it digital information with existing cycle, from planning, design and
risks, all while ensuring safety possible for construction business applications and site preparation to the finished
and producing the highest companies of any size to infrastructure. Paperless utilizes project.
quality of work. Bentley improve their workflows through custom-built technology to
products help streamline scalable image processing, data create solutions that increase USG introduced the new
construction workflows, storage, and real-time shareable efficiency and profitability. Securock® Exoair® 430 System
optimize resources and manage drone maps and 3D models. combining the company’s
the project life cycle from PlanGrid has one objective: to trusted glass-mat sheathing
planning through handover. Elecosoft construction software make technology so intuitive with a factory-applied Tremco®
covers initial 3D design through and impactful that people in air and water membrane.
Built-On Vision developed its project management, scheduling, construction want to use it. The result is a consistent and
proprietary algorithm to help estimation, and property PlanGrid has been used on more innovative barrier technology
labor-intensive contractors information management. With than one million projects around that protects the building
working on large projects a core offering that delivers 5D the world. Contractors and envelope through the entire
to accurately detect project BIM, Elecosoft also offers a range owners in commercial, heavy building life cycle. Combining
planning deficiencies by of specialist timber engineering civil, and other industries use two products contractors have
analyzing years of historical software solutions. the solution to work together used for years into one also
data. Using the cloud-based BOV throughout the project life cycle. greatly speeds up installation,
tool, construction companies FieldWire has a mission to reduces labor costs and
can, for the first time, create become the world’s most trusted Sensera Systems is a leading increases productivity on the
highly accurate project forecasts field management solution for innovator of comprehensive, jobsite.
53
Forecast With Confidence
TURN YOUR DATA INTO ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS WITH CMiC’S SINGLE
DATABASE PLATFORM™ ERP
W
hen everyone on your team works with a
single database, no one needs to spend any
time manually re-entering data—or worse,
accidentally duplicating it. Your office team
can trust the data they see because their
colleagues have entered it directly from a
jobsite, allowing the office staff to create—or update—
project forecasts with confidence.
Your forecasting models depend on the most accurate and
timely data available, and that’s only possible when you run
your entire business with a system that’s built on a single
database architecture. Accurately marry your invoices and
expected costs with actual work completed. With software Gain complete visibility over your data and make better
built on a single database platform, you can track more than business decisions by using CMiC’s custom dashboards.
just dollars and cents—your field team can record schedules,
manhours and actual work completed, and your accounting Your office and field teams expect to make quick and well-
staff can ensure the accuracy of the invoices they receive informed decisions—all the time. With a single database,
and the payments they make. Office staff can also use this everyone always has immediate access to enterprise-wide
information to update forecasts and workflows, ensuring information that is unified, contextualized and presented to
management has the most accurate view of every project. support action.
With CMiC’s
single database
platform, AGI is now
functioning at a higher
level than ever before.
We optimized our
forecasting and we
know our numbers
better than ever.
-Andrew Gautreau
Vice President of
AGI General Contracting
Ask an expert and learn

more about how your
team can turn data into
actionable insights.
(416) 736-0123
sales@cmicglobal.com Achieve complete financial forecasting visibility
cmicglobal.com and control using CMiC
LET
LET INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS
GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS
Forecast
Forecast with
with confidence
confidence by
by leveraging
leveraging
Forecast
CMiC’s with
Single confidence
Database by leveraging
Platform TM
CMiC’s
CMiC’s Single
Single Database
Database Platform
Platform
TM
TM
to
to make better business decisions.
to make better business decisions.
make better business decisions.
With all the data you need at your fingertips, you can
With all the data you need at your fingertips, you can
With alland
quickly the accurately
data you need at your
forecast fingertips,
everything fromyouproject
can
quickly and accurately forecast everything from project
quickly
costs andandjobaccurately forecast everything
closeout timeframes to revenuefrom project
and
costs and job closeout timeframes to revenue and
costs and job
profitability closeout
growth timeframes
trends. to time.
All in real revenue and
profitability growth trends. All in real time.
profitability growth trends. All in real time.
Ask An Expert &

Ask An Expert
Determine Your& Solution Today
Determine Your&Solution Today
Ask An Expert
cmicglobal.com
Determine Your Solution Today
cmicglobal.com
cmicglobal.com
Command Alkon’s Collaborative Platform
For Your Heavy Work
TRADING PARTNERS SEE, WORK AND GROW TOGETHER TO
ACHIEVE GREATER PRODUCTIVITY, REAL-TIME VISIBILITY
AND OUTCOME ASSURANCE
T
he physical supply chains across construction are intricately structured and perforated
When manually
with often unseen or unnoticed complications. On a jobsite, it’s important to perform
entering tickets, you smarter, faster, safer and more productively. To achieve that goal, the complex and
can spend anywhere dynamic movements across the heavy material supply chain must be well orchestrated
from one to two hours across contractors, bulk material suppliers, logistics providers, jobsite inspectors and
a day. The advantage of project owners. Collaborative digital technologies must be embedded into processes to
Command Alkon is that transform the way business partners work together to turn knowledge into action and create
new ways to succeed. Enter Command Alkon’s CONNEX Platform.
there’s no risk of loss.
The information is in the CONNEX IS THE SUPPLIER
system automatically as COLLABORATION PLATFORM FOR
soon as the truck leaves CONSTRUCTION’S HEAVY WORK
the plant. Knowing that the materials ordered
-Superintendent With arrive in the best quality is one aspect of
Top-tier Nonresidential the equation, but many factors typically
Contractor arise that challenge this assurance. There
is uncertainty in any supply chain,
including construction: Suppliers struggle
to meet demand; weather, traffic or
truck breakdowns affect delivery times;
material specifications may be off; and
more. Having visibility across a supplier
collaboration platform, where all trading
partners are active participants, means you
are certain in your ability to mitigate risk
because you have advanced notice of what
is happening across projects, plants and
in-transit materials.
With digital collaboration tools,
many discrete organizations work closely
together to meet shared objectives

for quality, profitability, customer
service, differentiated experiences, and
increased value. Real-time visibility
across transactions, materials and quality
boosts productivity and creates greater
trust among partners. CONNEX is an
innovative platform for the heavy building
material industry, allowing buyers,
(205) 879-3282 suppliers and logistics providers to share
mparker@commandalkon.com real-time details of orders, jobs, materials,
commandalkon.com movements and more.
COMMUNITY OF
60k TRUCKS
17M
MATERIAL TICKETS
DIGITIZED
Supply chains are complex networks of independent

enterprises that need to correspond digitally and
effortlessly–sharing information that can be acted on.
$3M
SAVINGS ON A
Insights uncovered from the data informs which levers MAJOR ROADWAY
to pull to grow intelligently, increase profitability and CONSTRUCTION
create efficiencies. The collection of rich data from each PROJECT
transaction among trading partners provides fresh, big-
picture data with full context, enabling analytics that can
7%
uncover trends; monitor carriers’ performance; measure
improvements; and enable better, more-informed
MORE
business decisions.
THAN
Command Alkon delivers clear communication
that creates transparency and trust, mitigates risk, AVERAGE FIELD
and contributes to value creation for all participants PRODUCTIVITY
integrated with CONNEX. The size of an integrated SAVINGS
and connected community of bulk material producers,
haulers, suppliers and contractors matters. For example,
a critical mass of suppliers and logistics providers means
16.5k
contractors can digitally interact with all available trading
partners across their jobsites with a single connection.
This greatly accelerates time to value and improves
technology investment returns.
HEAVY MATERIAL
Collaboration within the CONNEX platform requires trading partners to evolve into
SUPPLY PLANTS
partial extensions of each other, achieving mutually beneficial goals as a result. When many
companies work together for shared prosperity, each participant’s goals can be achieved.
SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI N G SE C T I ON 57
This Mistake Costs Firms $24,455
Every Month
NEW STUDY REVEALS THE SUBSTANTIAL COST OF IGNORING
THIS KEY ADVANTAGE
STUDY REVEALS
HOW TO:
INCREASE PROFIT
MARGINS BY
1%
INCREASE
REVENUE BY
1%
REDUCE TIME SPENT
CAPTURING, ASSESSING
I
AND MANAGING CLIENT
INFORMATION BY
s your firm leaving money on the table?
50% According to a new study, unless you’re taking advantage of the secret savvy firms use to
increase productivity and drive growth, you are.
And not just a little: $24,455 every month.
REDUCE TIME SPENT HERE’S THE PROBLEM

GATHERING INFORMATION Business developers and marketers are spending too much time on cumbersome tasks that
AND GENERATING don’t affect your bottom line, and not enough on tasks that increase your firm’s revenue and
PROPOSALS BY
profit margin.
50% But that same report said some firms have found a way to:
• increase revenue by 1%
• increase profit margins by 1 percentage point (leading to an extra $50,000/year); and
• increase productivity by 84% (including creating proposals in half the time).
REDUCE TIME SPENT

SO, WHAT’S THEIR SECRET?
PREPARING AND
GENERATING REPORTS BY Cosential—the marketing and business development software purpose-built for construction.
For nearly 20 years, Cosential has helped firms improve their marketing and business develop-
80% ment practices, leading to more wins with less effort.
AND NOW THERE’S RESEARCH TO PROVE IT

Third-party research organization Hobson & Company conducted an in-depth study to learn
exactly how Cosential benefits users.
THE RESULTS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

(800) 505-7089 Visit www.tiny.cc/cosential to access your firm’s custom return on investment analysis.
sales@cosential.com The estimate is based on factors like your firm’s annual revenue, number of proposals created
cosential.com per month, number of users and more, along with data provided by current Cosential users.
Generate More Revenue
with Less Effort
Cosential — the marketing and business
development software purpose-built
for construction — helps firms boost
productivity by 84% and generate an
additional $50,000/year.
Visit www.tiny.cc/cosential to get a

personalized report that estimates
Cosential’s return on investment for your
firm.
See your firm’s return on investment at www.tiny.cc/cosential —

or give us a call at 800-505-7089 to learn more.
Cosential’s CardReader
Mobile Application brings
contact information directly
into their CRM and enriches
contact profiles with images,
social media profiles and more. ®
Build Better With Bluebeam
MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS
WORLDWIDE TRUST BLUEBEAM REVU TO GET MORE DONE
A
Since 2002, Bluebeam ccording to a 2018 McKinsey Global Institute analysis, the global construction
has made smart and market currently represents around $10 trillion of economic activity. That amounts
simple desktop, mobile to around 13% of global GDP.
and cloud-based During the last 20 years, productivity growth in the global economy averaged
2.8%, and productivity growth in the manufacturing sector globally has averaged
solutions that utilize the
3.6%.
construction documents
But over the same period, productivity growth in the construction industry averaged
themselves to share only 1%. Construction productivity is lower today than it was in 1968.
metadata, hyperlinks, If construction productivity were to catch up with the total economy, the industry could
bookmarks, images, add more than $1.6 trillion a year in value to global GDP.
attachments and 3D No matter how big your projects are, or how large your organization is, low productivity
data downstream. is directly impacting revenue, increasing costs and boosting risk.
Our customers have told us what they need to reverse this trend. They need real-time
access to relevant data; defined business processes and workflow standards that increase
predictability and allow teams to respond to changes; better, more accurate estimates;
improved visibility and accessibility to critical project information; automated processes
that guarantee quality and reduce repetitive work; increased accountability through better
data collection and management; more consistent deliverables and better quality handover
documentation; and systems that are easy to roll out and train teams on.
(866) 496-2140 That’s the goal. Boost revenues. Control rising costs. Manage risk. If an organization is
sales@bluebeam.com going to improve from project to project, it needs to adapt and get the right tools to solve
bluebeam.com these critical problems.
BLUEBEAM GLOBAL
SERVICES SURVEYED
CUSTOMERS IN 2018,
AND AT INDIVIDUAL
COMPANIES REVU
USERS REPORTED:
82% SAVED TIME
For those who design, engineer, bid and build our world, Bluebeam Revu is the answer to
71%RECOVERED
solving these real-world problems. Since 2002, Bluebeam has made smart and simple desktop, 1+ HOUR PER DAY
mobile and cloud-based solutions that utilize the construction documents themselves to
share metadata, hyperlinks, bookmarks, images, attachments and 3D data downstream. More
76%
than 1.3 million AEC professionals worldwide trust Revu to elevate project efficiency and
collaboration, streamlining critical processes to get more done in less time.
Revu keeps teams on the same page through the design process, helps move the project
forward during construction, and preserves important project data through handover and
beyond, providing critical accountability at every step along the way. BOOSTED
Revu features best-in-class document markup technology, industry-specific tools designed EFFICIENCY
to speed workflows, as well as Studio Sessions for improved collaboration. And because Revu
is built on open standards and universal file formats, it’s easy to adopt and scale.
88%
Find out what Bluebeam Revu can do for you and your business. Download a free 30-day
trial today at Bluebeam.com and experience the benefits yourself.
Founded in Pasadena, California, Bluebeam has expanded to include additional offices in
San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Manchester, New Hampshire, London, Stockholm, and Munich.
In 2014, Bluebeam joined the Nemetschek Group. IMPROVED
WORK QUALITY
A FIRM WITH
5,700
REVU USERS SAVED
45
MINUTES
PER USER/
DAY
OR
$53M
OVER ONE YEAR
AT $50/HR
InEight’s Purpose-built Solutions
Improve Project Performance
DRIVE PRODUCTIVITY AT EVERY PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION
A
INEIGHT’S leading developer of construction proj-
ect management software for 30 years,
MANAGEMENT
InEight offers solutions that are “pur-
TEAM pose-built” for the industry by people
Jake Macholtz who know the industry. Every solution
Chief Executive Officer is born from actual project challenges
and designed to ensure that stakeholders have
Dan Hicks the information they need, when and where
Chief Operating Officer they need it. InEight Estimate sets the standard for
Brad Barth InEight’s software focuses on improving accuracy and performance throughout
Chief Product Officer processes at every phase of construction, from
the entire estimating process.
initial project scoping to turnover. Its solutions
Dan Patterson give stakeholders real-time information
Chief Design Officer and insights to minimize costly risks, boost
operational efficiency, control project costs
and ultimately improve the bottom line. This
includes the following key areas.
Project Cost Management: By selecting
the right tools, contractors can achieve a more
realistic expectation of a project’s trajectory.
InEight Estimate streamlines the entire
estimating process by creating benchmarked
InEight’s software estimates and bid proposals. This gives
focuses on improving contractors the confidence the job can be
built for the budgeted cost. And with InEight
processes at every Control, stakeholders know where a project InEight Document ensures project
phase of construction, is headed with budget management and teams have the right project
real-time forecasting based on actuals received
from initial project documents to make the right decisions.
from the field.
scoping to turnover. Document Management: Typically, project
documents are stored in a variety of places,
and it can be a time-consuming process
to find the right file. InEight Document
transforms this approach by giving contractors

a single, controlled source of truth where they
can collect everything in one location without
changing how they work. Project teams can
easily manage, approve, distribute and track
project documents, all while improving InEight Basis takes the guesswork out
communication. of building a project plan.
Project Planning and Scheduling: While
most companies have planning or scheduling
(800) 637-7496 processes in place, many start their plans from scratch. With InEight Basis, you can accelerate
marketing@ineight.com the planning process by using artificial intelligence to provide smart suggestions based on the
ineight.com organization’s historical project knowledge––rather than starting from a blank page.
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
• Create a single source of project truth
• Manage document workflows
• Eliminate communication failures
PLANNING AND SCHEDULING

• Use AI to guide plan development
• Capture your team's expert opinions
• Integrate with CPM scheduling tools
PROJECT COST MANAGEMENT

• Streamline estimating with benchmarking
• Forecast based on real-time actuals
• Take corrective action to stay on track
IN WITH PROJECT CERTAINTY.

OUT WITH DOUBT.
Our project management software was built, tested and proven on

construction sites to solve your project challenges. With InEight, you can
minimize risks, gain visibility, increase predictability and put an end to
project surprises once and for all.
START NOW at ineight.com 63

©2019 InEight Inc. All rights reserved.
Build It Before You Build It
HOW IMPROVING DESIGN MANAGEMENT WORKFLOWS WITH BIM HELPS
ACHIEVE MORE PREDICTABLE OUTCOMES IN THE FIELD
T
“By removing the he growing popularity of integrated project delivery methods is creating new oppor-
silos between different tunities for general contractors to manage design and capitalize on significant fee
stakeholders, the enhancements. While designers are leveraging BIM to virtually construct these build-
ings with close to real-time updates, the majority of the management team remains in
collective knowledge of
a reactive silo, waiting for design deliverables to provide feedback and insights. This
the team can be leveraged unfortunate reality causes major delays. It also diminishes the value of BIM because
to create better designs only a small subset of the team’s knowledge is leveraged to solve constructability issues as they
and achieve predictable arise to ensure a constructible set of documents is produced. One of the biggest challenges
outcomes in the field.” to getting teams involved in the BIM coordination process has been their ability to use BIM
-Dave McCool applications.
Senior Product Manager Procore’s new Design Coordination product is focused on overcoming that challenge by
removing the silos between different stakeholders so the collective knowledge of the team can
be leveraged to create better designs and achieve predictable outcomes in the field. The product
integrates with existing BIM applications, and allows VDC teams to capture model issues and
expose them to the larger team in a visual interface within Procore.
This method is far less intimidating than learning a BIM application, and Procore’s unlim-
ited user model allows all team members to be involved. It provides a centralized repository
for all design-related issues, while the robust performance dashboard allows teams to track and
identify any potential risks to the design schedule.
As teams transition out of design and into construction, coordination issues can seam-
(866) 477-6267 lessly elevate to RFIs and change events within Procore’s connected platform––eliminating
sales@procore.com double-entry and information loss from pre-construction to construction, empowering
procore.com teams to track budget modifications all the way back to the source.
The robust performance dashboard allows Design Coordination allows VDC teams to
teams to track and identify any potential risks to capture model issues and expose them to the
the design schedule. larger team in a visual interface within Procore.
Sage CRE Co-ops With Best-in-class Providers
To Enhance Entire Contractor Ecosystem
PRODUCT
HIGHLIGHTS
• Streamline and simplify
jobsite reporting
• Collaborate with field-
based project stakeholders
in real time
• Integrate with industry-
leading BIM solutions
• Route and manage
documents electronically
• Provide service
technicians with work
order details
A
s many in the industry grapple with voluminous amounts of data, and a correspond-
ing surge in waste and inefficiency, Sage CRE takes a more streamlined approach to
achieving productivity gains.
The software innovator has restructured itself to address a contractor’s overall ecosystem,
tailoring solutions that tie everything together by collaborating with other best-in-class
providers. In the process, a variety of productivity killers are eliminated—things like
redundant entries, inaccurate data and inaccessible data across isolated silos.
Sage’s construction solutions work in complementary fashion with industry-leading
programs that streamline workflows and eliminate redundancies, encompassing the entire life
cycle of a project, from preconstruction through construction to building maintenance and,
eventually, demolition. This is all made possible through recognition that strong partnerships
are the bedrock of successful integrated solutions.
For example, preconstruction environments today demand speed and accuracy, both
initially and throughout changes to engineering and design. Tight integrations between
Autodesk BIM tools and Sage Estimating greatly reduce the time required to measure and
provide cost estimates for a project.

Deep partnerships with construction operational solutions like Procore, StratusVue and
eSUB enable Sage to bring full collaborative project management to where it’s needed most––
the jobsite–– using cloud-based applications to communicate with mobile devices.
The possibilities for collaboration and integration are limitless. Here are a few more
examples of Sage CRE integration partners:
• IFS CORE (service operations)
• Paperless Environments (document and workflow management)
• ToolWatch (small tools and equipment management)
(800) 628-6583 It is indeed a brave new world of “co-opetition” in the arena of construction productivity,
sagecre@sage.com and today’s leading technology providers are responding with more malleable platforms that
sagecre.com improve efficiency at every level.
BUILD WITH
POWERFUL
ACCOUNTING
SOFTWARE
Improve your company’s financial
health and gain total control over your
construction financials with Sage CRE.
Automate payroll, invoice easily, track
cash flow and empower your financial
team with North America’s leading
accounting and financial management
software for the construction industry.
Visit sagecre.com/ce or call 1-888-760-0947

Explorer Software Makes Productivity
and Profitability Easy
EXPLORER’S ECLIPSE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
OFFERS BEST-IN-CLASS SOLUTIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
EXPLORER’S
MANAGEMENT
TEAM
Mark Liss
President
Steve Maughan
Director, Information
Technology
Elle Shum
Director, Marketing
Persis Ahrestani
Director, Finance
E
Sam Lacy
Director, Support xplorer Software is a global provider of enterprise software solutions. Our flagship
product, Eclipse, is an integrated job cost, accounting, equipment control and project
Sally Felgnar management solution, providing real-time data to users throughout the organization.
Director, Professional Eclipse was designed to deliver powerful information wherever you are, whenever you
Services need it.
We go beyond managing debits and credits, delivering tangible results by combining
advanced accounting with easy-to-use analytical tools that are designed to help you run
your business more efficiently. Eclipse is fully integrated so you can manage jobs, maintain
equipment, dispatch technicians, manage documents and track your workforce all in
one place. With more than 30 modules, Eclipse bridges the gap between accounting and
operations so you can create a more efficient organization. Our focus on select vertical
markets allows us to deliver deep domain expertise to the industries we serve, including heavy
construction, general contractors, specialty contractors, sub-trades, architects and engineers.
Eclipse was designed to be highly intuitive and flexible, yet it remains extremely powerful.
Users can create and share custom
reports quickly and easily without

the need for technical knowledge
or third-party reporting tools. The
document management/imaging
module, DocPro, helps users stay
organized, with complete revision
history and email archiving. It utilizes
innovative technology such as optical
character recognition (OCR) and
GPS tagging to automatically tag, file
(800) 665-8966 and store documents such as RFIs,
sales@explorer-software.com submittals, photos, invoices and
explorer-software.com drawings for easy retrieval.
Foundation Software: This Baby’s Not for Sale
MEET THE FAMILY COMPANY THAT DEVELOPS CONSTRUCTION
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ITS OWN WAY
F
red Ode and his team are often asked why they can say ABOUT US
they’re America’s #1 Construction Accounting Software.
The simplest answer is, “We truly believe we are,” he • Proudly family-owned for
says. “We work harder than anyone we’re up against.” 34+ years — never sold
They were there to claim it, and they’ve stuck around to or acquired
hold the claim firmly. • Free of outside investors
and VC control
NOT FOR SALE • An “Inc. 5000” fastest-
Since 1985, Foundation Software has been helping
growing private company
contractors run the business side of construction. Ode is an entrepreneur himself, and like
(2015-2018)
many contractors, Foundation is a family company.
“That’s not going to change,” Ode insists. “We like our freedom.” Keeping it that way is a • A 16-year active ABC
matter of identity, and it’s a matter of loyalty. “We’re going to continue to evolve in what we Business Partner
offer contractors, but we’re going to be faithful to who we are. Our competitors have made a • Job cost accounting,
lot of moves over the years that were right for them. But for us, to sell would be a betrayal to project management and
our clients and our employees. That’s not how we treat family. And we’ve seen that when we mobile software
do the right thing, it comes back to us in the long run.” • Business consulting and
services
AGGRESSIVE GROWTH
That doesn’t mean Foundation is content with its success—even after tripling in size from
2010. “We’re going to aggressively enhance our current offerings,” Ode says. “We’re not
a software company. We’re a service company. Remembering that has allowed us to stay
innovative. We help contractors run the business side of their business. Clients come to us for
help to run a successful construction company, and we’re absolutely determined to earn that
role for the industry.”
That includes a growing set of mobile tools, business consulting services and more products
under development—in addition to the company’s FOUNDATION® job cost accounting
and project management software for cloud and on-premise. Asked if FOUNDATION®
will go anywhere as the company expands, Ode laughs: “No, come on! I spent two years just
writing the first version. It’s practically my baby. This baby’s not for sale.”
(800) 246-0800
info@foundationsoft.com
foundationsoft.com
*See why we are #1 at

foundationsoft.com/claim
TECH
SHOWCASE
CMIC FINANCIALS & ACCOUNTING
AUTOMATED FINANCIAL CONTROLS STREAMLINE AP
AND AR MANAGEMENT
Take control of your financials, no matter how often
the status of your projects changes. Evaluate operational
transactions as they occur for maximum control over
project completion and profitability. The CMiC Financials
& Accounting suite unifies core functions—such as
budgeting, corporate & project forecasting, general ledger,
accounts receivable and accounts payable—in one place.
Monitor and optimize cash flow, maximize your ability
to win new projects and improve vendor relations by
ensuring on-time payments.
cmicglobal.com
(416) 736-0123
COMMAND ALKON’S JOBSITE TECHNOLOGY SUITE

AVOID WASTE, STAY WITHIN BUDGET AND DELIVER A QUALITY
JOB ON SCHEDULE
Our jobsite management technologies, such as BuildIt,
allow contractors, haulers and suppliers to streamline their
order through goods acceptance processes. Order, receive
and account for materials being delivered to the jobsite—
all on a centralized platform that works with virtually
any ticketing software. Integration with the GPS TrackIt
solution permits real-time tracking of onsite third-party
trucks and supplier deliveries. This gives parties the power
of keeping track of their assets at all times.
commandalkon.com/digitize-construction
(205) 879-3282, ext. 3969
PAYROLL4CONSTRUCTION.COM
MAKE PAYROLL THE ONE THING YOU DON’T
HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
By designing a complete payroll service just for your industry,

Payroll4Construction.com lets contractors control their multi-
trade, prevailing wage and multi-state payrolls according to the
rates and requirements of each job. An experienced staff takes
care of employee payments, fringes, tax filing, W-2s, certified
payroll, compliance reporting and more for you. All you need
to do is win the job—then submit timecards online or with a
mobile app. Handle more when we handle your payroll. Get
your instant quote online.
payroll4construction.com
(800) 949-9620
70
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FOUNDATION®
TAKE THE NEXT STEP FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: JOB
COSTING, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND MOBILE
FOUNDATION replaces outgrown accounting software
with powerful, integrated job cost reporting that helps
contractors understand their true profitability—at the right
size for construction businesses. User-friendly dashboards
and drag-and-drop report designers make it easy to monitor
job progress effectively, make proactive adjustments and bid
better for stronger profit margins.
Find the system that fits you, and preview
FOUNDATION’s job cost accounting, project
management and mobile features for free online.
foundationsoft.com
(800) 246-0800
BLUEBEAM REVU
BUILD BETTER WITH BLUEBEAM
For those who design, engineer, bid and build our
world, Bluebeam Revu is how professionals get more
done. Since 2002, Bluebeam has made smart and simple
desktop, mobile and cloud-based solutions that utilize the
construction documents themselves to share metadata,
hyperlinks, bookmarks, images, attachments and 3D data
downstream. More than 1.3 million AEC professionals
worldwide trust Revu to elevate project efficiency and
collaboration, streamlining critical processes to get more
done in less time.
bluebeam.com
(866) 496-2140
VIEWPOINTONE
YOUR ALL-IN-ONE CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE SUITE
ViewpointOne brings together the industry’s best finance
and HR applications with fully integrated project manage-
ment and mobile field tools to connect all the parts of your
business. The platform gives you an integrated and flexible
system for managing operations, improving productivity
and enabling better decision-making. With ViewpointOne,

you get a single set of data that breaks down operational
silos and gets everyone on the same page. Start with just the
core functionality, and add to it as your business grows.
viewpoint.com/products/viewpointone
(800) 333-3197
71
TECH
SHOWCASE
PROCORE
BUILDING THE SOFTWARE THAT BUILDS THE WORLD
Procore’s universal platform connects your team,
applications and devices in one centralized hub. From
bidding to closeout, collaborate in real time with all your
teams, on any device. With Procore, do more than run great
projects, run a great business.
procore.com
(866) 477-6267
RL-1004 BLE SMALL TOOL TRACKER

TRACK YOUR SMALL TOOLS AND MIXED ASSETS IN ONE MAP
The GPS trackers for larger construction equipment are
great, but not cost effective or small enough for small
tools. Our solution is a discrete, peel-and-stick Bluetooth
tag. They report to the BLE gateways that are strategically
placed in your yard, transport vehicles and job sites. The
gateways are equipped with Bluetooth and GPS and send
data to our cloud via a cellular chip. Both tags and gateways
are weatherproof. Our software is web-based and can be
accessed from any mobile device.
rovitracker.com
(801) 541-1092
EXPLORER ECLIPSE
SOFTWARE MADE EASY WITH EXPLORER’S ECLIPSE
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
For more than 30 years, Explorer Software has set the

standard for enterprise software in the construction
industry. Its flagship product, Eclipse, is an integrated
job cost accounting, equipment control and project
management solution. As a leading browser-based
construction management software for the North
American construction market, Eclipse is designed to
deliver powerful information wherever you are, whenever
you need it.
explorer-software.com
(800) 665-8966
72
VERIZON CONNECT
SOFTWARE THAT DRIVES YOUR BOTTOM LINE
Verizon Connect’s fleet management software can help
you uncover hidden costs while revealing the potential
for greater productivity and efficiency. Use our smart
dashboards and reporting tools to analyze trends, and
compare against industry benchmarks. With around-
the-clock monitoring, you can effectively manage unsafe
behaviors, unauthorized uses or deviations from standard
procedure. You’ll soon know where you can save, as well as
operate a more efficient fleet.
verizonconnect.com
(866) 844-2235
INEIGHT PROJECT COST MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

INEIGHT TOOLS CORRAL YOUR PROJECT COSTS
InEight Estimate streamlines the entire estimating process
by creating benchmarked estimates and bid proposals. The
innovative product gives you the confidence to know that
the job can be built for the budgeted cost.
InEight Control provides budget management and real-
time forecasting based on actuals received from the field.
It brings together critical budget, as-built and what-if-
forecasting tools, giving teams complete control over every
aspect of project performance.
ineight.com
(800) 637-7496
CORECON
CLOUD CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE FOR ESTIMATING,
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND JOB COST CONTROL
Corecon is a cloud-based software suite designed for
general contractors and subcontractors. The solution
provides complete visibility into every facet of a firm’s
operations with modules for estimating, bid management,
contract administration, procurement, time tracking,

correspondence, document control and scheduling.
Corecon is accessible via browser or mobile app, allowing
immediate access to critical project information. In
addition, CoreconLink utilities integrate Corecon with
many small and large accounting systems.
corecon.com
(866) 258-6698
73
TECH
SHOWCASE
COSENTIAL
MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE
PURPOSE-BUILT FOR CONSTRUCTION
Cosential is the leading provider of client relationship
management and proposal writing technology for
architecture, engineering and construction firms. The
company’s solution provides business developers, marketers
and principals with unprecedented access to the data and
insights needed to win more projects.
cosential.com
(800) 505-7089
SAGE FIELD OPERATIONS

MAKE REPORTS RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE WITH
SAGE FIELD OPERATIONS
Ensure that field reports are filed daily by streamlining
the process in Sage Field Operations. Simplify the capture
of weather conditions, workers onsite, production units,
etc., as well as attach additional information, set up review
processes and capture signatures. Also keep labor costs in
check through field time entry, submission and approval
functionality. Workers punch in/out from mobile devices,
and supervisors enter start/end times, cost codes and pay
types, and then send directly to payroll.
sagecre.com
(800) 628-6583
CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE APP

PUT CE IN YOUR POCKET
The Construction Executive mobile app puts the magazine’s
award-winning content right in your pocket. Browse

complete issues in flipbook form, scroll through individual
articles of your choice, or use its advanced search to comb
through all issues from January 2015 through today. Plus,
this app makes it easy to keep abreast of industry news
with the built-in ABC news feed. Download for free in the
Apple, Android and Kindle app stores.
constructionexec.com
(202) 595-1505
74
We’re in the offering
ABC members up to
$1,000 business.
2019 Chevrolet 2019 Chevrolet All New 2019 Chevrolet 2019 GMC
Silverado 6500HD1 Express 2500 Cargo Silverado 1500 Sierra 1500 Limited
USING THE PRIVATE OFFER FOR ABC MEMBERS IS EASY:

1. Get your ABC proof of membership.
2. Visit your local Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC dealer and mention this Private Offer.
3. Select an eligible vehicle(s) to purchase or lease and present your ABC proof of membership.
For even more value, combine this offer with the National Fleet Purchase Program and Business Choice
Offers. For full details on the Private Offer, ABC members should visit abc.org/gm.
Example offer for ABC members who are business owners purchasing a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado
2500HD Crew Cab 4WD 1LT.
Up to Up to Up to
$1,000 + $4,800 + $1,000 = $6,800

Private Offer2 National Fleet Purchase Eligible Accessory In Potential Value
Program (FVX)3 Cash Allowance4
1
Shown with upfits from an independent supplier and is not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. GM is not responsible for the safety or quality of the independent supplier alterations.
2
Private offer amount varies by model. Up to $500 offer for retail deliveries and up to $1,000 offer for fleet deliveries. Valid toward the purchase or lease of eligible new 2018 and 2019 model year
vehicles. Customer must take delivery by 1/2/2020. Not compatible with some other offers. Not valid on prior purchases. Offer excludes Chevrolet Blazer, Bolt, Camaro, Corvette, Sonic, Spark,
Trax, Volt, Buick Cascada, Envision, LaCrosse, Regal, Verano, and all Cadillac vehicles. Additional GM models may be excluded from time to time at GM’s sole discretion. See dealer for details. 3Offer
available to qualified fleet customers through 1/2/2020. Not compatible with some other offers. Take delivery by 1/2/2020. See dealer for details. 4To qualify, vehicle must be used in the day-to-day
operations of your business and not solely for personal/non-business-related transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business ownership. For complete program requirements, including
information regarding offers, vehicles, equipment, options, warranties, and ordering, consult your dealer or visit gmbusinesschoice.com. Not eligible on Associated Accessories from third-party
independent suppliers. Not available with some other offers. Take delivery by 1/2/2020. See dealer for details.
©2018 General Motors, LLC. All rights reserved. The marks appearing in this ad are the trademarks or service marks of GM, its subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
TECHNOLOGY
Building in the Age of Technology: Improving

Profitability and Jobsite Safety
BY MARIA LAGUARDA-MALLO
N
ew virtual design and
construction (VDC) tech- Once AR, VR, UAVs, and 4D
nologies are quickly shifting
how the AEC industry is and 5D scheduling are more
designing, documenting
and building. From the widely adopted by AEC firms,
use of new software, apps and
laser scanners, to the deployment
collaboration and productivity will
of drones and robots, many early
adopters are benefitting from fully
increase, costs will decrease and
integrating these solutions into
their workflows.
jobsite safety will improve.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
In an industry where collaboration to foresee possible safety threats or work-related injuries and fatalities,
is becoming increasingly important, react in a crisis, injuries and fatali- lower insurance premiums and
regardless of the firm size, VR is ties can still occur. greater onsite productivity.
enabling stakeholders to “see” and Now imagine a construction
“walk” through a building before worker being able to immerse Drones
ground is broken. In other words, himself in a simulated construction Another technology that has
teams can foresee issues, ask ques- site environment and train on real- made inroads in the construction
tions and provide feedback in the life situations before work has even industry is the use of unmanned
preconstruction phase. begun. VR allows companies to aerial vehicles.
The inclusion of AR and VR in train their workers on very danger- Companies can use drones to
the daily workflows of AEC firms ous scenarios without any of the keep a wide eye on construction
signifies expedited decision-making, associated risks. sites through the use of cameras,
reduced rework and real-time col- According to a study published and to perform tasks or inspections
laboration, which in turn translates in Construction Management and in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas.
to a reduction of unexpected costs. Economics in 2013, VR also has Imagery from drones can be used
The construction industry has been effective in maintaining work- by inspectors to do virtual inspec-
also benefited from the use of VR ers’ overall alertness throughout the tions, and even allow clients and
and AR to improve jobsite safety. duration of the training, as well as other stakeholders to do remote
Put simply: The jobsite safety promoting a more engaging and walkthroughs of construction sites
training required by OSHA is not well-rounded training experience. without any safety risks.
enough to reduce risks and prepare Overall, safety trainings that
workers for unexpected situations include VR components in their 4D and 5D BIM
and hazards. curriculum lead to a better trained Now more than ever, projects are
No matter how well intentioned and prepared workforce and increasing profitability through
workers are, if they don’t know how safer jobsites—leading to fewer the use of 4D and 5D BIM. 4D
76
scheduling, which adds time to impact that design and schedule construction progress to compare
a typical 3D BIM model, allows have on the cost of construction. to a predicted 4D schedule. The
designers, engineers, contractors possibilities are endless.
and other stakeholders to visualize 3D Scanning In the age of technology,
how activities on a construction Innovations in 3D scanning tech- improving profitability and
schedule relate to the overall design nologies also have allowed AEC jobsite safety are within reach to
of the buildings. firms to save time and money. any company open to including
Being able to visualize the The latest scanning methods innovative solutions in their work-
construction process, step by step, use millions of lasers to capture flows. Once AR, VR, UAVs, and
well in advance can allow the a highly accurate 3D model of 4D and 5D scheduling are more
construction team to resolve over- a space. widely adopted by AEC firms, col-
laps and modify and optimize the This technology can have sev- laboration and productivity will
schedule before breaking ground. eral uses during preconstruction, increase, costs will decrease and
The early delivery of bad news can construction and even post- jobsite safety will improve.
be useful and help avoid problems construction; it allows firms to scan
later in the field. existing conditions of a building Maria Laguarda-Mallo is a project
Similarly, 5D BIM, which undergoing restoration, compare manager at VIATechnik. For more
includes cost as the fifth dimen- as-built conditions to the design information, email maria.laguarda-
sion, allows teams to visualize the intent, and document real-time mallo@viatechnik.com.
YOUR FLEET IS YOUR REPUTATION.

IT’S MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF VEHICLES. IT’S A MESSAGE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS, YOUR COMMUNITY,
AND A PROMISE TO YOUR EMPLOYEES.
ABC MEMBERS SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH:
LOCAL ACCOUNT
MANAGERS
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MONITORING
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Get a free Fleet Cost Analysis:
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EFLEETS.COM
Enterprise and the ‘e’ logo are registered trademarks of Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc.
77
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
It’s Time for a Business Health Check

BY ROY MENDEZ
B
usinesses ought to have a
thorough checkup on a
regular basis. Rather than
waiting for a major crisis to
develop or something drastic
to go wrong—leading to
emergency treatment—businesses
can benefit greatly from preventa-
tive medicine.
A business health check mea-
sures corporate performance and is
designed to ensure that the firm’s
procedures, systems, management
and ethics continue to produce
a healthy bottom line. It enables
the owner and leadership team to
pinpoint weaknesses and address
inefficiencies in any aspect of
operations and performance, as
well as identify early symptoms of
malaise and build a lasting structure
of growth. It also sets a precedent
for future monitoring of business process. Other organizations may surrounding people, performance,
improvements and ensures valuable employ a more lean approach productivity and processes.
resources are focused on the most whereby they engage internal Several financial metrics are
critical activities. teams from various departments available on the market to provide
Eight areas are essential to the life to identify process improvements benchmark information. These
and health of a business: and reduce waste. applications review a compa-
• vision and planning; Some organizations may under- ny’s performance and compare
• commitment to quality; take a self-diagnostic approach and it against similar organizations

• leadership; analyze each operational area of within the region.
• decision-making; the company, while others utilize Contractors should pick a
• finance; a rigorous diagnostic tool, and the method that allows the company
• marketing; results are thoroughly analyzed. to identify lagging performance
• communication; and Regardless of which method issues and make course
• information technology. a business employs, any result- adjustments.
ing change initiatives will need Then, valuable resources can
Different Approaches commitment from the top down. be focused on the most criti-
Some organizations may choose Almost certainly, resistance will be cal activities. The analysis and
to call in an experienced con- encountered in some form, espe- resulting actions should take an
sultant to help them with the cially when changing the culture integrated solutions approach
78
Join an elite group
of contractors!
abc.org/aqc
When you choose to work with an ACCREDITED
QUALITY CONTRACTOR, you choose to work
with the best of Associated Builders and
Contractors’ more than 21,000 member firms.
The AQC designation provides national Presenting Sponsor
recognition to construction firms that document
their commitment to quality achievement in five
areas of corporate responsibility: quality
construction, safety, community relations, talent
management and employee education.
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
Analysis can take the form of a profiles—that can then be devel-

oped into an improvement plan
report divided into three regarding profitability, turnover
sections—areas for improvement, and value.

Remember that change is a
key themes and benchmark continuous process. Firms must

continue to work on implementing
profiles—that can then be developed changes, measuring results and
making course adjustments. Only
into an improvement plan regarding then will organizations begin to see
the turn in their business and their
profitability, turnover and value. goals being achieved.
Roy Mendez is a project director at

by determining what the busi- The analysis can be divided into Cogent Analytics, Greensboro, North
ness needs, and what support is three sections—areas for improve- Carolina. For more information,
required and when. ment, key themes and benchmark email info@cogentanalytics.com.
Take the Test

Whether a business chooses to use • Is there an entrepreneurial spirit that improve the effectiveness of
a diagnostic tool or conduct its own among employees? the business?
internal health check, the following • Are strong financial systems • Do business meetings provide
questions should be covered. Answer in place? focus and direction?
yes or no to each question, and be as • Is cash flow healthy and is the • Does the company have a strategy
truthful as possible. Score one point for business running smoothly without for identifying new markets and
every “no” and zero points for any pressure from the bank or getting new business?
every “yes.” creditors? Add up the yes and no answers. A
• Do you have a clear vision? • Are turnover and profits stagnating, score between one and five means the
• Does staff have knowledge of and weakening or declining? business is in robust health.
commitment to the company’s • Is the company investing A score of six to 10 indicates that
vision, direction and practices? adequately for the future? there is some room for improvement
• Do you have a strategic plan or • Can the company manage without and warrants a look into the company’s
business plan that is produced or depending on short-term loans, business practices.
updated each year? Is it realistic? overdrafts or factoring to maintain Scores between 11 and 15 suggest
Is it followed throughout the year? healthy cash flow? that there is a need for a thorough
• Do you have policy statements and • Could the business undergo analysis of the company’s operations
operational procedures? significant upheaval without and business practices.
• Is the quality of your product or stretching management and Scores between 16 and 20 indicate
service acceptable to your custom- financial resources? that the company is having difficulty,
ers/clients? How many complaints • Does the company have a and corrective measures need to be
does the company receive about its productive sales and marketing taken urgently.
service or products? team? Regardless of the final score,
• Is staff training conducted to • Does the company use up-to-date attention should be given to any
ensure consistency of quality? information technology systems questions answered “no.”
80
The #1 Payroll Service
for Contractors
Take on the jobs you want. Out of state? Get

after it. Davis-Bacon? No problem. Multiple
rates? Handled. When we center your payroll
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www.payroll4construction.com (800) 949-9620

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COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
Sixty-two Years of Charity in the DMV

BY MAGGIE MURPHY
T
elligent Masonry, LLC,
Telligent Masonry
Rockville, Maryland, has
always considered charity to
be a core component of its
corporate structure, uphold-
ing that commitment for
more than 62 years by giving back
to communities in the greater
Washington, D.C., Maryland and
Virginia (DMV) area. The firm has
stayed involved by completing proj-
ects for local organizations, making
charitable donations to multiple
foundations and volunteering in
fundraisers throughout the DMV.
In July 2018, Telligent Masonry Through volunteer hours and in-kind donations, Telligent Masonry built a fenced-in patio for the
volunteered manhours and made Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.
in-kind donations to build a
fenced-in patio for the Montgomery Project, Anacostia Economic (and then performing any additional
County Coalition for the Homeless. Development Corporation and prep work) so they can be donated
The work resulted in a beautiful Children’s National Miracle to the Manna Food Center. In
place of respite for the coalition’s Network’s Race for Every Child. addition, Telligent Masonry helps
dedicated employees, who work In addition to donating money, maintain the farm and builds new
tirelessly to end homelessness in employees have participated in fund- structures, such as gazebos.
Montgomery County, Maryland. raisers for groups such as Catholic On the workforce side, Telligent
That same summer, Saints Charities and Gallagher Services, Masonry is heavily involved with
Constantine and Helen Greek as well as joining the Walk to End the D.C. Students Construction
Orthodox Church came to Telligent Lupus Now. Trades Foundation, which supports
Masonry for assistance in complet- Just recently, Telligent Masonry high schoolers’ interest in con-
ing interior and exterior columns, volunteered in an event for Women struction by teaching them about
piers and door trims on its building. Giving Back, a clothing drive for the industry and providing access
The Telligent Masonry team also women and children in crisis. to hands-on learning activities. A
donated labor services to relocate a Volunteers not only sorted and Telligent Masonry team member
playhouse for the Katherine Thomas stocked clothing, but also served as also volunteers as a member of the
School, which specializes in aiding personal shoppers. foundation’s executive council.
students with learning disabilities The team also volunteers in an
from preschool through 12th grade. annual fundraiser called Crush Maggie Murphy is digital editor of
Telligent Masonry has made Hunger organized by Associated Construction Executive. For more
donations to a large variety of chari- Builders and Contractors of Metro information, email murphy@abc.org,
ties throughout the D.C. metro area, Washington. This event consists of visit constructionexec.com or follow
including the Wounded Warrior harvesting fresh organic vegetables @ConstructionMag.
82
AMERICA’S #1 CONSTRUCTION
ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE®
Preview fully integrated job cost accounting,

project management and mobile software,
and see how we work to support your growth
at foundationsoft.com/abc
www.foundationsoft.com (800) 246-0800

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VIEWPOINTS
What was the most important lesson you learned in the first year of running
your business?
ROBERT B. CORDEAU BRENDAN MCANDREWS JANE KAPLAN PECK

PRESIDENT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
C&H Electric, Inc. McAndrews Glass Kaplan Construction
Waterbury, Connecticut Cincinnati Brookline, Massachusetts
After 45 years in business, I still The most important thing that I One of our hallmarks is employee
reflect on what my father, our learned in my first year of business retainment. In the earliest days
founder, taught me in my first was that I needed to surround of the company, Kaplan’s former
year: the value of developing and myself with good peers—not owners (my parents) focused on
sustaining relationships. Taking the necessarily coworkers, but industry attracting and retaining younger
time to build strong relationships people who had been around for a people. Many of those recruits are
with everyone from apprentices and while who could help me navigate still here today as part of our core
project managers to vendors and any pitfalls. staff, and have hit milestones of 10,
customers is essential for success. With that, I quickly learned 20 or even 30 years.
Building long-term relationships that as a subcontractor, you sell Today, I am part of a new gener-
requires reflection on your interac- both directions. Yes, we are always ation of ownership, but our hiring
tions with others, understanding selling to the end user, whether it is goals remain the same: Find fresh
your role in the relationship and a general contractor or owner, but faces, fresh ideas and individuals
communicating effectively. we need to sell to our vendors as who aspire to make a career with
Through teamwork, education, well. They should feel more like an Kaplan. We don’t want “lifer” to
mentoring and recognizing each extension of your company, not just have a bad connotation. After all,
employee’s contributions, they feel a provider of goods. Kaplan is a family business, and
like a valued part of the team. This has resulted in great growth families are all about longevity.
These relationships often allow for our company, with vendors’ When it comes to hiring leader-
us to exceed our clients’ expecta- willingness to train us on new ship positions, we apply this same
tions. We adapt our expertise to products and go the extra mile to philosophy while looking for skilled
our customers’ needs by listening win the project with us instead of individuals who have the desire to
to their requests and requirements, with one of our competitors. break the company out of the status
and then identify what is necessary At the end of the day, there is quo. For these potential hires, it’s
to deliver a successful project. nothing more important than hard not just about doing the job well
Our customers value our work and access to capital in your and blending in; it’s about leading
teamwork and nimbleness. first years. the team to success.
Communicating thankfulness You will also find relief in In that regard, we don’t look for
through words, a handshake networking and building peer those who can assimilate into our
and a smile is foundational to relationships so you do not feel like existing culture; we look for those
lasting relationships. you are alone on this journey. who can add to it.
84
Job Cost Accounting Virtual Office | Data Entry Checks & Direct Deposits
Project Management | Mobile Construction-specific Bookkeeping Taxes | Construction Reporting
www.foundationsoft.com (800) 246-0800

BE
PHLY SURETY BONDING
SURE
SOMEDAY, THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WILL

TAKE THIS HIGHWAY TO THE BEACH. SURELY.
Vacations often include traveling from point A to point B. But building the road that’s traveled depends on
countless other points. One of them is having the best surety coverage and customer relationship. For that,
turn to Philadelphia Insurance Companies. PHLY has a recognized expertise in contract and commercial
surety bonds, from performance and payment bonds to subdivision, service contract, license and permit,
court, probate, and more. We go the extra mile for you because we understand that amazing things
happen when you have the assurance to move ahead.
BE PHLYSURE. VISIT PHLY.COM/SURETY OR CALL 1.888.321.4713.

A.M.BEST A++ RATING WARD’S TOP 50 2001-2017 100+ NICHE INDUSTRIES
All coverages issued by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company. Philadelphia Insurance Companies is the marketing name for the insurance company subsidiaries of the Phila-
delphia Consolidated Holding Corp., a Member of the Tokio Marine Group. Coverage(s) described may not be available in all states and are subject to Underwriting and certain
coverage(s) may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.
| © 2018 Philadelphia Consolidating Holding Corp., All Rights Reserved.

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May 2019

Using connected, content-enabled, and constructible

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Using our collective voice to send one powerful message to Congress

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