The ConTechCrew

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

Innovation is the driving force that’s propelling the construction industry forward. And Procore has been at the forefront of this movement–advancing construction and making life easier for those involved in the industry.

So, in this week’s episode, I’ve invited no other than Wyatt Jenkins, Chief Product Officer at Procore, to give us a preview of what to expect at this year’s most exciting construction event, Groundbreak 2023.

Wyatt is responsible for operating global product development and driving Procore’s product vision, strategy, and execution. This coming Groundbreak is where they’ll unveil what they’ve been working on for the past years.

Today, Wyatt and I talk about Procore’s latest technological innovations, the role AI plays in developing these new products, and its massive impact on the industry.

Make sure to tune in. You don’t want to miss this!


Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)
What is Groundbreak (05:47)
Groundbreak 2023 4 Big Announcements (08:57)
Procore providing connectability solutions (10:58)
A preview of Procore Conversations (20:49)
How Procore is solving preconstruction issues (25:46)
Demystifying the AI technology (35:52)
Leveraging predictive language in contracts (41:19)
3 ways large language model could impact construction (47:00)
Revolutionizing construction payment through Procore Pay (56:18)
Expounding on how the wallet system works (1:00:28)
The Get Construction Talking (1:05:01)


Additional Resources:

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

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

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Follow Wyatt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wyattjenkins/

Check Procore out for more information: https://www.procore.com/en-sg

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com


Scalability is what determines success. But are the technological advancements in construction enough to move the industry forward?

In today's podcast episode, I have the privilege of hosting two leading innovators in the industry: Todd Wynne, the Chief Innovation Officer at Rogers-O’Brien, and Chris Callen, Founder and CEO of PLOT.

Before meeting Chris, Todd was a trailblazer in the construction industry around innovation, with over a decade of experience under his belt.

Much like Todd, Chris also possesses a deep fondness for technology. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in construction, Chris became involved in his family's business at a young age.

However, he later embarked on a journey to pursue studies and a career in software development. Eventually, he returned to lead his family's construction business for a considerable period, and it was during this time that he and Todd connected.

Together, Chris and Todd embarked on developing a technology named Grit. Despite its potential, Grit did not take off as expected, leading to the sale of the venture.
However, their experiences and lessons from this endeavor led to their subsequent undertaking, PLOT.

PLOT is a job site coordination software that eases job site logistics, delivery coordination, and lead time management.

Today, Todd and Chris share invaluable insights on construction innovation and scalability, digitizing vs. digitalizing construction, and how they are helping the builders with innovation.

We also discussed the labor shortage in construction and technology's role in solving this problem.

Tune in now and geek out!


Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)
Todd and Chris's shared story (03:31)
Todd's biggest entrepreneurial lesson (07:40)
Roger-O'Brien's aha moment (12:16)
The innovation cake analogy (14:19)
How PLOT is helping builders with innovation (19:07)
Exploitation vs. exploration (26:21)
Problems that PLOT aims to solve (28:43)
Digitalizing construction (36:27)
Solving the labor shortage problem with technology (48:06)
Innovating the org structure (1:00:08)


Additional Resources:

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

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

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Check Todd out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddwynne/

Visit Rogers-O’Brien’s website for more: https://r-o.com/

Check Chris out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-callen/

Get to know more about PLOT: https://www.getplot.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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com


Construction has always been associated with inherent risks and challenges.

But in recent years, the integration of data-driven strategies has emerged as a game-changer.

Joining me today is my guy Jacob D'Albora and special guest Steve Jones, Senior Director at Dodge Data & Analytics.

At Dodge, Steve focuses on how emerging economic, practice, and technology trends are transforming the global design and construction industry.

Today, Steve reveals how this paradigm shift revolutionizes the construction landscape, benefitting stakeholders at every project stage.

He also talks about the three construction industry trends, the role of data in de-risking construction operations, and what it means for owners.

Tune in now to learn more!


Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)
Meet Steve Jones (06:19)
Steve’s earliest aha moments (12:41)
The impact of digital twin on owners (18:30)
Is digital twin data twin? (21:19)
What’s driving the owner change? (29:29)
De-risking construction operations with data (38:16)
What's coming up on Dodge Construction Network? (46:46)
Construction technology news of the week (50:48)


Additional Resources:

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

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

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Check Steve out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevejones9/

Visit Dodge Construction Network for more: https://www.construction.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Finnish manufacturer plans $750M Georgia modular building factory
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/Admares-manufacturer-plans-750-million-georgia-mega-factory/651825/

➡️ Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg say they’re ready for a cage fight
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/22/tech/musk-zuckerberg-cage-fight/index.html

➡️ Five Benefits of Prefabrication IPD Project Owners Should Know About
https://leanipd.com/blog/benefits-of-prefabrication-ipd-project-owners-should-know-about/

➡️ A new paper from IBM and UC Berkeley shows a path toward useful quantum computing
https://research.ibm.com/blog/utility-toward-useful-quantum

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

Lack of standardization poses significant challenges in various situations. Frequently, individuals devise numerous solutions, which tend to be costly, while what is truly required is a coherent set of standards to ensure everything functions smoothly.

Enter the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), a crucial player in addressing this issue.

Today, we are excited to welcome Jacob D'Albora and our special guest, Johnny Fortune.

Johnny is a technology leader and a recognized building information management (BIM) expert for the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner/operator industry.

He currently holds the position of Executive Director of the U.S. National BIM Program at the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), where he focuses on launching and implementing programs to enhance efficiencies in the design and construction sector.

In this episode, Johnny shares invaluable insights about the similarities between CAD and BIM standards, delving deep into the impact of BIM standards on the industry. He also discusses the approach to BIM adoption, particularly for those unfamiliar with it, and more.

This episode is going to be BIM-packed. So be sure to tune in!


Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)
From designing to championing BIM (07:45)
The similarities between CAD and BIM (09:43)
What makes people adopt new technology (10:56)
What is National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) (13:20)
Diving deeper into the new BIM standards and its impact (16:11)
How to drive BIM adoption for outsiders (26:12)
The power of open data standards in construction (41:31)
How NIBS is helping the construction industry (45:18)
Construction technology news of the week (50:24)


Additional Resources:

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

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

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Check Johnny out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fortunejohnny/

Check the National Institute of Building Sciences for more: https://www.nibs.org/ and https://www.nibs.org/usbimprogram

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Construction job openings increase 68K
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-job-openings-increase-68k-demand-labor/651755/

➡️ ‘What recession?’ Nearly all sectors see strong construction spending
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/recession-strong-nonresidential-activity-boosts-construction-spending/651832/

➡️ Autonomous technology is defining a new era for the construction industry
https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/autonomous-technology-is-defining-a-new-era-for-the-construction-industry/

➡️ Gen Zers Say You’re Recruiting Them Wrong — Here’s What They Really Want
https://chief.com/articles/gen-zers-say-youre-recruiting-them-wrong-heres-what-they-really-want

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

Investing in data is an investment in itself. But is the construction industry investing enough in data and technology?

In today's episode, we are discussing the data landscape and its role in the construction world. And joining us today is Coila LaFleur, business architect for global projects at ExxonMobil - a large publicly traded international oil and gas company.

Coila has over 20 years of experience in data and technology, analyzing data, developing business strategies, reviewing new software, and even project consulting. All of these while raising four children.

Today, we discuss how Coila transitioned from manufacturing to construction, the role of quality data in the industry, the challenges that come with data procurement and analysis, advice to organizations exploring AI, and more.

Make sure to check it out!



Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)
From hating computers to making a living out of it (03:47)
Transitioning from manufacturing to construction (07:50)
The Construction Industry Institute (CII) Annual Conference (13:05)
Data quality as a big challenge in the construction industry (16:55)
What should companies focus on when it comes to data? (27:18)
How is ExxonMobil approaching analytics and reporting in executing projects (34:24)
Barriers to getting a common data standard across the industry (37:53)
Advice to organizations that are starting to explore AI (39:11)
How to balance protecting company interest while pursuing industry growth (42:01)
Is the construction industry doing enough? (49:08)
Finding balance on what data to create value upon vs. data dumping (55:46)
What should contractors bring to the table? (58:31)
Weekly construction news roundup (1:03:47)



Additional Resources:

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

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

–

Check Coila out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coila-lafleur-41783b176/

Check out ExxonMobil for more info: https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Calgary’s ZS2 receives $2.6 million grant for low carbon construction technology
https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/technology/2023/02/calgarys-zs2-receives-2-6-million-grant-for-low-carbon-construction-technology

➡️ Grant funds study into human-robot collaboration in construction
https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/grant-funds-study-into-human-robot-collaboration-in-construction/

➡️ More than half of site areas idle during construction
https://www.on-sitemag.com/construction/more-than-half-of-site-areas-idle-during-construction/1003978820/

➡️ How metaverse digital environments can help construction projects
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/innovative-thinking/how-metaverse-digital-environments-can-help-construction-projects-24-02-2023/

➡️ If industry safety numbers are murky, how can construction companies measure improvement?
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/industry-safety-osha-numbers-murky-how-can-construction-measure-improvement/643182/

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

Are quality works enough, or is strategic marketing equally crucial for success?

Given the unique nature of the construction industry, many construction business owners believe that their work should be sufficient to secure projects.

However, it's essential to recognize that effective strategic marketing is also crucial in ensuring a construction business's future success.

In today's episode, I'm excited to welcome John Lenker and Assaf Arrie, the founders of LENKER, a growth consulting and marketing services firm based in the Twin Cities.

Today, they're here to shed light on the significance of building an effective strategic marketing plan, how to build one, and why branding is critical for construction companies.

Tune in now to learn more!


Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)
How LENKER started (05:26)
Most common branding mistakes construction companies make (11:31)
Signs that you need help with strategic marketing (15:57)
Why branding and business planning are essential? (20:06)
The truth about branding (24:45)
What does LENKER do? (29:31)
The architecture around branding (40:46)
Mistakes and lessons that entrepreneurs will go through (44:23)
The right way to design a marketing plan (47:04)
The gear analogy (49:35)
Episode wrap-up (57:05)


Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew

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Follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlenker/
Follow Assaf on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assaf-arie-05025038/
Check Lenker for more info here: https://www.lenker.com/ctc

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

Why every startup CEO needs a Chief of Staff?

In our latest episode, Jacob and I had the pleasure of chatting with Alexine Gordon-Stewart, the brilliant Chief of Staff at TestFit, a real estate feasibility platform.

Alexine has always been interested in the fascinating world of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). She has spent over a decade helping startups in the construction field scale up.

Currently, she holds the crucial role of Chief of Staff at TestFit, a rapidly growing startup revolutionizing the architecture industry by introducing incredible efficiencies for developers, architects, and contractors ready to embrace change.

In this episode, Alexine takes us on her journey to becoming Chief of Staff, how her role impacts her company and the industry, and tips for startup founders.

She also shares her insights on the future of architecture and design, especially with the emergence of generative AI.

If you're curious to learn more about the invaluable role of a Chief of Staff and the exciting possibilities in the architecture and design space, make sure to tune in.


Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)
How Alexine became the Chief of Staff (08:05)
What is TestFit and its impact on construction? (13:58)
TestFit’s collaboration with Autodesk Forma (20:48)
Where TestFit stands on tackling waste (22:52)
Alexine’s impact on TestFit’s growth (25:31)
On TestFit’s company culture and talents (27:10)
What does a Chief of Staff do? (31:28)
Big pitfalls in startups and tips for early founders (35:44)
The Game of Thrones theory (38:36)
How to address a problem before it becomes bigger (40:22)
Where is TestFit headed? (47:04)
Construction technology news of the week (52:45)


Additional Resources:

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

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

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Check Alexine out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexine-gs/

Get the latest updates from TestFit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/testfits/

An article by Martyn Day on Forma: https://aecmag.com/collaboration/autodesk-forma-a-deep-dive-into-the-data-lake/

Rob Dickins’ LinkedIn article on being the CoS: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ive-logged-10000-hours-chief-staff-large-tech-company-rob-dickins/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ New construction technology releases: May 2023 | Construction Dive
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/6-new-contech-product-releases-canvas-terabase-avvir/650545/

➡️ Toyota to invest another $2.1B in North Carolina EV battery factory | Construction Dive
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/toyota-first-us-assembled-battery-electric-suv-nc-factory/652034/

➡️ Apple Vision Pro
https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/

➡️ Meta Ditches Pandemic-Era Work Policy With Plans To Implement OfficeMandate
https://product.costar.com/home/news/shared/878675293

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

How is technology impacting the construction field?

In today’s episode, my co-host Ariel Castillo and I have the pleasure of hosting Lance Aiken, General Superintendent at Miller-Davis Company, to discuss the profound influence of technology on the construction industry.

Lance, also known as the “Hype Man”, began his construction journey as a carpenter for ten years after coming out of college with his Architectural Technology and Construction Management degrees.

His extensive experience led him to join Miller-Davis Company in 2019 as a superintendent, eventually moving up to the General Superintendent rank a few years later.

Today, Lance shares the advanced technological tools they use at Miller-Davis, emphasizing their transformative impact on both construction field practices and office operations.

He also highlights the role of technology in shaping the company’s culture and fostering innovation, the AGC IT Forum, and more.

This is an episode you don’t want to miss!


Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)
How Lance got into the construction industry (07:09)
Success stories with implementing technology on the field (12:25)
How to handle technology resistance in construction (15:22)
Digitizing Lean Construction practices (17:07)
How technology helped shape Miller-Davis’ culture (21:27)
Benefits of digitalizing construction processes (24:44)
How is it working with the tech-savvy younger generation (29:17)
Improving construction productivity, quality & culture with technology (36:19)
How a construction job site is a reflection of company culture (44:55)
Construction tech news of the week (49:58)


Additional Resources:

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

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

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Check Lance Aiken out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-aiken-72586926/

Visit Miller-Davis’ website for more information: https://www.miller-davis.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Join Releases New Autodesk Construction Cloud Integration to Make Collaboration and Document Management Easier
https://www.constructiondive.com/press-release/20230523-join-releases-new-autodesk-construction-cloud-integration-to-make-collabora/

➡️ cmBuilder.io Enhances Frictionless Collaboration with Autodesk Construction CloudIntegration
https://www.cmbuilder.io/post/cmbuilder-io-enhances-frictionless-collaboration-with-autodesk-construction-cloud-integration?utm_campaign=ACC-Integration&utm_content=250714957&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-68583143

➡️ Rebar-tying robot slashes time on Wisconsin bridge project
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/rebar-tying-robot-tybot-slashes-time-wisconsin-bridge-project/651669/

➡️ UpCodes launches Copilot, an AI-based research assistant for building codes
https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/30/upcodes-copilot-series-a/

➡️ This Is the Home that gives Housing a new future- Pete DuMont
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercastenson/2023/05/25/this-is-the-home-that-gives-housing-a-new-future/?sh=2c6f14f41a18

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

In today’s episode of The ConTech Crew, we’re bringing to you again our insightful past interview with a huge figure in the construction industry: Fred Mills from The B1M!

The B1M has over 2 million subscribers (as of this writing) and is one of the largest channels in the construction industry.

Fred is an entrepreneur and founder of The B1M and TomorrowsBuild. He has become a global figure in construction video and a role model to millions of people interested in or already working in construction.

His mission is to fundamentally alter the perception of construction on planet Earth and make it relatable for everyone.

Today, Fred and I talk about his unique background in construction, how we can deal with our industry’s image, the latest innovations he’s excited about, and more.

Make sure to check it out!


Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)
How Fred got into construction (03:35)
Why passion is so important in everything you do (07:30)
Changing our industry image and making it relatable (14:53)
The biggest innovations Fred has seen (30:24)
Fred’s secret obsession (42:43)
What’s next for The B1M? (44:40)
The power of infrastructure in America (53:10)
Impact of having a high-speed railway (1:01:21)
Episode wrap-up (1:08:44)


Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew
The B1M's video on the HS2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSD5ps9bLQ0

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Follow Fred Mills on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fred_mills/
Check B1M out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheB1M

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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!

🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com

Is field experience necessary for those who want to be a part of the technology side of construction?

In today's episode, Nathan and I have a special guest with us, Sal D'Ambrosia. He's the Director of Construction Technology at Wm. Blanchard Co., a construction management firm based in New Jersey.

Sal has over twenty years of experience as a pipe fitter and installer. But something happened that changed his perspective. One day, he stumbled upon BIM (Building Information Modeling) while taking over someone else's task.

He got interested in 3D drawing, and from that moment on, he knew he wanted to dive deeper into the technology side of construction if he wanted to make a bigger impact in the industry.

Today, Sal shares his experiences and insights on transitioning from being the field guy to the mechanical guy and eventually as a general contractor.

He also talks about the costs of resisting new technologies, how to overcome resistance, the challenges faced by those on the job site and those behind the desks, and much more!


Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)
How Sal transitioned from the field to BIM (08:11)
Sal’s transition as a general contractor and its impact (13:29)
How to encourage field guys to embrace technology (15:52)
The cost of technology resistance (22:44)
On teaching the younger generation about constructability (30:03)
How to overcome resistance (38:29)
The toughest challenge being in the field (44:35)
Weekly construction news roundup (1:05:38)


Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew

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Check Sal out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saldambrosia/
Check Wm. Blanchard Co. services for more: https://wmblanchard.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ NYC expands Construction Fraud Task Force
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/nyc-expands-construction-fraud-task-force/650085/

➡️ How one employer tried a 4-day workweek for deskless workers — and why it didn’t stick
https://www.hrdive.com/news/four-day-workweeks-may-not-work-for-deskless-workers/649666/

➡️ Is construction losing out on efficiency gains by using too many tower cranes?https://www.international-construction.com/news/is-construction-losing-out-on-efficiency-gains-by-using-too-many-tower-cranes-/8027936.article

➡️ Dusty printed serpentine soffits at the SFO
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7062231953642520576/

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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!