The ConTechCrew

EPISODE 411: Imagine having a tool that makes it easier for construction workers at all levels to find the information they need. Builder Answers is designed to do just that!

Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Marcus Kirkwood, founder of Builder Answers.

Builder Answers is an online tool that provides immediate, accessible answers to workers on-site. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap and modernize the construction industry using AI.

Today, Marcus discusses the significant stigma in the industry and the importance of integrating modern technology into daily workflows. 

We talk about the future of construction tools, highlighting the need for both software and hardware developments to meet the industry’s needs, how Builder Answers is different from other AI tools and much more.

Ready to revolutionize your construction site?

Tune in now to learn how innovative tools like Builder Answers can transform the industry and help overcome its current challenges!

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Marcus Kirkwood (01:31)

Challenges in integrating technology in construction (02:52)

Importance of exposing students to construction (06:31)

How Builder Answers provides quick solutions to workers on-site (16:24)

The need for continuous improvement in construction (24:03)

Builder Answers compared to other AI tools (27:26)

The role of physical tools and hardware in modernizing construction (31:45)

Future plans for Builder Answers and its potential global impact (44:53)

Keep up with Marcus and Builder Answers (48:29)

Construction technology news of the week (49:31)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

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Follow Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-kirkwood-77a46190/

Visit Builder Answers for more information: https://builderanswers.com/

Got questions? Email Marcus here: [email protected]

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ FTC's noncompete ban could reshape the US workplace

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ftcs-noncompete-ban-could-reshape-the-us-workplace-140012480.html

➡️ Why This Iconic New York Building Is Empty? One Times Square

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1QJjH0GVCY

➡️ Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technologies and Fabrication, SMACNA

https://digital.phcnews.com/PHC-News-May-2024/120/

➡️ Continuum Advisory Group- Construction Spending Index

https://www.continuumag.com/construction-spending-updates/may-2024-construction-spending-updates/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 410: Is digital twinning completely achievable in construction?

In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I have the pleasure of speaking with Alexis McGuffin, National Director of Digital Delivery at Suffolk Construction.

With a solid background in software engineering and nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry, Alexis shares how digital twin is reshaping the industry.

She discusses the critical role of trust and collaboration in achieving successful construction projects, how Suffolk Construction leverages predictive analytics and reality captures, and more.

Curious to know how a data-driven builder platform can improve construction outcomes?

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Alexis McGuffin (01:18)

Importance of technology in advancing construction operations (02:01)

Challenges in collaboration and trust in the industry (04:22)

Suffolk Construction’s approach to overcoming industry challenges (09:22)

Digital twins and their role in construction (14:26)

A comprehensive look at digital twins in construction (22:32)

How important are transparency and predictive analytics (28:29)

Integrating AI and data for better design and construction outcomes (36:41)

The tech-enabled master builder platform (43:21)

Construction technology news of the week (50:24)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Alexis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-mcguffin/

Visit Suffolk Construction for more: https://www.suffolk.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Ford, GM, and Honda Collaborate on Standardized Scope 3 Emissions Report

https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/ford-gm-honda-on-scope-3-emissions-reporting-automotive-climate-action/713543

➡️ dTwin – Nemetschek Group and Hexagon

https://www.nemetschek.com/en/news-media/nemetschek-group-partners-hexagon

➡️ Tech Companies Find the Edge of the Internet

https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2024/04/07/tech-companies-find-the-edge-of-the-internet

➡️ Mike Rowe, Chips Act, and more

https://app.criticalmention.com/app/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 409: Imagine a construction job site where every worker feels heard, and seen, where leadership is not about barking orders but about understanding and empathy. That’s what our guest came in for.

In this week’s special Pause for the Cause episode, I sit down with Matt Ohley, a seasoned general superintendent from Ajax Paving Industries of Florida.

With a solid 27 years of experience in the industry, Matt shares the dramatic changes he has seen in the construction industry over the years. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of mental health, empathy, and leading with vulnerability and how these three key factors can lead to higher productivity and a happier construction workplace.

Curious to know more?

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Matt Ohley (00:47)

How has the construction industry changed over the years (01:56)

The real value of construction workers (06:08)

Leadership and empathy in construction (11:27)

The importance of mental health and servant leadership (16:52)

Work-life balance and changing priorities (22:26)

Handling workplace conflicts and emotional intelligence (28:05)

The significance of empathy in leadership (38:54)

How to build trust and a supportive work environment (42:00)

Episode wrap-up (46:00)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ohley-a89769107/

— 

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 408: Have you ever struggled to find good housing while on work travel?

We all did at some point.

With all these mega projects going on around the country, workforce housing is a very serious challenge. But most people don’t realize that bad housing conditions significantly impact traveling workers’ morale, especially those in construction. So, how are we supposed to address this silent crisis?

In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I have the pleasure of interviewing Yeves Perez, a branding expert turned innovative and visionary CEO.

Yeves is the CEO of WorkBnB, a B2B SaaS platform providing workforce rental homes for millions of traveling workers in the U.S.

Today, Yeves shares his journey and how a call from his mother led him to revolutionize short-term vacation rentals to workforce rentals, highlighting the importance of proper branding.

We also talk about the broader impacts of such housing solutions on employee morale and talent recruitment and retention in construction, what makes WorkBnB different from other booking platforms, and much more.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Yeves Perez (01:23)

From vacation rentals to workforce rentals (03:56)

Market shifts and rental business strategies (08:06)

What makes WorkBnB different from other rental platforms (11:13)

Pivoting to mid-term workforce rentals vs. long-term (21:59)

Improving traveling workers’ quality of life and morale (30:03)

Branding vs. marketing in construction (43:13)

Keep up with Yeves Perez and WorkBnB (47:02)

Construction technology news of the week (48:38)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Yeves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeves-perez-workbnbceo/

Visit WorkBnB for more information: https://www.workbnbapp.com/

Watch WorkBnB’s Techstars Demo Day Pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olek69P8suc

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ DBIA Data Sourcebook

https://dbia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DBIA-Data-Sourcebook-2023-Update.pdf

➡️ Applying Design for Manufacture & Assembly to Residential Construction

https://blog.framecad.com/blog/applying-design-for-manufacture-assembly-to-residential-construction

➡️ Government Inaction Fueling the Housing Crisis

https://www.kope.ai/blog/government-inaction-fueling-the-housing-crisis

➡️ AECInspire- Free Personal Pro Plan Trial

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7174050117803556864/

—

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 407: Are you struggling with inaccurate construction layouts? Well, say hello to precise projections!

In this week’s episode, my co-host Jonathan Marsh and I sit down with William St-Pierre, co-founder and CEO at Mechasys, to discuss his journey from 3D printing to laser projection technology for construction layouts.

Discover how this laser technology from Mechasys facilitates precise, efficient, and collaborative construction processes across multiple surfaces.

Together, we dive into how laser projection works, its manufacturing and assembly processes, why it works better (even for non-BIM users), and much more.

Whether you’re an expert in the field or just starting to explore new technologies, this episode is jam-packed with insights on why laser technology is crucial in construction layouts!

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet William St-Pierre (01:19)

The process of pivoting business direction (03:23)

Importance of collaboration in product development (07:19)

Laser projection technology explained (10:37)

Why laser projection works better (18:20)

Overview of the manufacturing and assembly process (26:24)

The other things you can do with laser projection (29:10)

What does the future look like for FramR™? (34:39)

How fast can someone learn laser projection (39:53)

Keep up with William (42:29)

Construction technology news of the week (42:50)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow William on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-st-pierre-840316b2/

Reach out to William at: [email protected]

Visit Mechasys for more information: https://mechasys.ca/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ In Praise of Boring AI

https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/in-praise-of-boring-ai

➡️ The Global Race for Humanoid Robots: A New Space Race of the 21st Century

https://newo.ai/the-global-race-for-humanoid-robots-a-new-space-race-of-the-21st-century/

➡️ Apple Quietly Buys AI Startup, Adds Execs to AI Division

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-quietly-buys-ai-startup-adds-execs-to-ai-division

➡️ YouTube ordered to reveal the identities of video viewers

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/03/youtube-ordered-to-reveal-the-identities-of-video-viewers

➡️Gen Z is losing interest in email jobs

https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2024/04/02/gen-z-is-losing-interest-in-email-jobs

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 406: How can a finance expert reshape the construction world and demonstrate its urgent need for cutting-edge technology?

In this week’s episode, join my co-host Tannis Liviniuk and me as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Lisa Giuffra Diaz–a former managing director at Goldman Sachs turned construction technology trailblazer and mentor.

With over two decades of financial expertise, Lisa shares her unique transition from Wall Street to spearheading innovation in construction.

Today, we explore the role of technology in addressing industry challenges and the need for diverse perspectives and ethical leadership in driving construction innovation.

Moreover, we talk about Lisa’s passion for mentoring and preparing the younger generation for diverse career paths in construction and how this can impact the industry as a whole.

Join us in this riveting discussion now.

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

From Wall Street to construction (01:47)

How Turf connects with construction tech companies (06:11)

Finding pain points in the construction tech world (10:37)

3 key traits of an archetype founder (14:47)

Red flags to look out for when working with an entrepreneur (19:02)

Linking diversity with innovation (22:40)

Exposing the younger generation to construction (29:16)

Career pathways in construction (39:19)

Keep up with Lisa and her work (42:33)

Construction technology news of the week (48:35)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagiuffradiaz/

Check out Turf Advisory: https://www.turfadvisory.com/

Visit the Boys and Girls Club of Vermont for more information: https://www.bgcmvny.org/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ She Builds Nation 2024 Report

https://www.lumberfi.com/shebuildsnation

➡️ Why construction is ‘tired’ of seeing tech that isn’t available to use

https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/why-construction-is-tired-of-seeing-tech-that-isn-t-available-to-use/8035344.article

➡️ The clock may be going ticktock on TikTok

https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2024/03/09/the-clock-may-be-going-ticktock-on-tiktok

➡️ Lithium Ione Extraction and Handling Innovation

https://invest.energyx.com/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 405: As fewer students opt for trade schools, addressing today’s skills gap in construction seems far-fetched. But this episode might inspire others to step up and educate the trades of the future.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by an old friend of mine, Jim Jones. Jim is the program director of skilled crafts and trades at Colorado Mountain College (CMC). With a wealth of experience from his years in the construction industry, he built an automotive program for a local high school in partnership with CMC and eventually took on the directorship role.

Today, Jim and I talk about his journey from his humble beginning as a lift mechanic to his current role as an educational innovator and how his unwavering passion for mechanics has crafted educational pathways for tradespeople.

Discover how CMC is revolutionizing trade education to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry. We also discuss the significant role of partnerships in trade programs and CMC’s future projects aimed at integrating sustainability and modern technologies into trade education.

Ready to explore how you can turn your trade skills into a thriving career and help shape the future of construction?

Tune in now to learn more!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

From on-site construction to classroom lessons (06:31)

The importance of practical application in trade programs (13:22)

Expansion of trade programs at CMC (18:45)

Integrating sustainability and innovation in trade education (26:37)

Opportunities for technology providers (33:42)

Keep up with Jim (36:17)

Construction technology news of the week (37:55)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-jones-031b7067/

Visit Colorado Mountain College for more information: https://coloradomtn.edu/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ How the AI that Drives ChatGPT Will Move Into the Physical World

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/ai-robots-technology.html

➡️ Yann Lecun: Meta AI, Open Source, Limits of LLMs, AGI & the Future of AI

https://lexfridman.com/yann-lecun-3

➡️ VenHub: The Future of Retail

https://www.venhub.com/

➡️ Artificial Intelligence Powers A New Era In Construction

https://www.forbes.com/sites/louismosca/2023/07/12/artificial-intelligence-powers-a-new-era-in-construction/

—

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 404: Construction is always ahead of what is going to happen. You can’t have a data boom until you have the data center–and somebody has to build it. 

Yet, most companies don’t put that much weight on extensive training to upskill their people.

In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I sit down with Ian Theodore, the training director at Austin Commercial, to talk about the critical role of training and technology integration in the construction industry.

With a career spanning various aspects of construction–from on-site experiences to leading technology integration projects–Ian offers deep insights into the importance of comprehensive training programs for employees across the board.

We also explore the impact of technological advancements on construction projects, the potential of concepts like IoT and digital twinning to building management and operations, and much more.

Are you curious how technology and training are shaping the future of construction?

Tune in now to learn more!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

From construction to training (01:40)

How technology has changed construction over time (11:02)

The rise of PoE lighting and its implications (16:17)

Integrating IT into building operations (20:35)

The power of cross-training (25:36)

Implementing comprehensive training for all employees (31:31)

Keep up with Ian (39:55)

Construction technology news of the week (41:33)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-theodore-b3ab0688/

Check out Austin Industries for more information: https://www.austin-ind.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Industrial Real Estate to Heat Up in 2024

https://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/industrial-real-estate-buildings-tenants-leasing-jll-outlook/709436/

➡️ Bechtel Pledges $7M to Combat Suicide

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/bechtel-suicide-construction-pledge/709385/

➡️ AI in Construction—What Does It Mean for Our Contractors?

https://www.abc.org/Technology/AI-Resource-Guide

➡️ A New Report Identifies ‘Significant’ Skills Gaps in the US Battery Industry

https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2024/03/01/US-battery-industry-workforce-center-for-automotive-research-UAW

—

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 403: Imagine a world where roads and bridges are designed and constructed with unmatched accuracy and efficiency. That future is NOW!

In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I sit down with Connor Christian, the BIM (Building Information Modeling) operations manager at Kiewit, as we explore how BIM and generative design technology are transforming transportation infrastructure.

Drawing on over two decades of experience in the construction and technology industry, Connor shares his insights on the reality of the software world, the potential of data-driven transportation infrastructure, future trends in transportation technology, and more.

Are you ready to unlock the future of efficient and innovative infrastructure development?

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Connor Christian’s journey through the construction industry (01:03)

The truth about the software world (05:46)

How to use technology more effectively in construction (10:00)

The transition to infrastructure and technology (12:29)

Opportunities in the horizontal construction (20:10)

The importance of data and pay items in transportation projects (24:51)

Future trends in transportation technology (31:06)

The potential of generative design in infrastructure (34:44)

Construction technology news of the week (43:46)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Connor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-christian-pe-2697154/

Check out Kiewit for more information: https://www.kiewit.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ The crucial role of smart IT in the construction industry’s ESG journey

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/digital-construction-news/smart-it-construction-industrys-esg-journey/137778/

➡️ Purdue University to launch Trimble Technology Lab with focus on construction management technology

https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2023/Q3/purdue-university-to-launch-trimble-technology-lab-with-focus-on-construction-management-technology.html

➡️ Should You Tell Your Employees Not to Work on Weekends?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-you-tell-your-employees-work-weekends-simon-sinek-yulwf/

➡️ The Hilti EXO-T-22 Tool Balancer

https://www.hilti.com/c/CLS_EXOSKELETON_HUMAN_AUGMENTATION/CLS_UPPERBODY_EXOSKELETON/CLS_SUB_TOOL_BALANCER/r18562918

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 402: The biggest challenge in construction isn’t technology; it’s changing perceptions. When did you last hear field workers compliment a tech specialist on his latest software? It seldom happens, and it’s hurting the industry one way or another.

In this week’s episode, my co-host Jonathan Marsh and I have the pleasure of interviewing James Faulkner, the CEO and founder of SiteMax.

Started as a special project in 2014, SiteMax is a robust jobsite management software built for construction. From daily reports to safety, timecards, photos, drawings, and more, you can access all these essential tools in one place.

Today, James shares his journey from making vinyl deck holes in his parents’ basement to getting into construction technology.

Learn how SiteMax is bridging the gap between field and office, what tribalism is in construction, its potential impacts on construction innovation, and so much more.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

From vinyl decals to construction tech (02:35)

How James started SiteMax (08:01)

Challenges of bridging the office-field gap (11:49)

What is tribalism in the construction industry? (16:27)

Game-changing features from SiteMax that bridge the tribalism gap (20:25)

How to deal with pushbacks from the field guys (30:47)

What led James to podcasting? (35:22)

Discussing the future of construction technology (40:00)

Advice to the younger generations (50:59)

Construction technology news of the week (56:06)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-faulkner-9a53085/

Listen to The Site Visit Podcast: https://www.thesitevisit.com

Check out SiteMax software for more information: https://sitemaxsystems.com

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ The Hottest Year on Record Spurs Innovation in Climate-Adaptive Building Materials

https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/the-hottest-year-on-record-spurs-innovation-in-climate-adaptive-building-materials_o

➡️ Building Materials And The Climate: Constructing A New Future

https://www.unep.org/resources/report/building-materials-and-climate-constructing-new-future

➡️ McCarthy/Vaughn JV tapped for $5B Dallas hospital build

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/childrens-health-mccarthy-vaughn-hospital-dallas/708416/

➡️ How Suffolk Construction identifies ConTech and PropTech startups for investment, adoption

https://www.bdcnetwork.com/how-suffolk-construction-identifies-contech-and-proptech-startups-investment-adoption

➡️ 2024 Contech Investment Climate Survey

https://zacuaventures.com/2024-contech-investment-climate-survey/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!