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Dive into the complete episode list for The ConTechCrew. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Modernising Fabrication and ERP Systems with Low-Code Tools for Construction Leaders with Jen Clark | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:43:15 | |
In this episode of The ConTech Crew Podcast, part of a crossover with FreeTo CTO series, hosts Jeff Sample and Trent Leinenbach sit down with Jen Clark, Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal. They explore how non-traditional career paths and curiosity-driven problem-solving can shape a new generation of construction technology leaders. This conversation shines a light on Jen's unique route into tech leadership, her approach to low-code app development, managing shadow IT, and driving digital transformation in construction. Jen Clark is the Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal, a Portland-based mechanical contractor with nearly a century of operations. Originally trained in civil engineering, Jen's journey has taken her from software support to field engineering and eventually into a self-defined technology leadership role. Her work spans app development, ERP integration, and digital strategy which have all been aimed at bridging the gap between operations, finance, and IT in construction.
[00:00] - Introduction [02:17] - FreeTO Series by Construction Dorks [05:09] - Jen’s Unconventional Career Path [07:35] - Building a Role from Curiosity: Project Integration Manager [15:54] - Lessons from Low-Code App Development [19:27] - Jen Outlines Her Decision-Making Framework [27:38] - Collaboration and Strategic Growth [32:34] - Digital Transformation in the Fabrication Shop [37:42] - Selling Vision to Leadership [41:46] - Final Thoughts
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| Private Equity in Construction for Builders to Navigate the Fallout from Autodesk’s $25B Deal | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:40:38 | |
The second half of this episode continues the crew Jonathan Marsh, CEO of Steel Toe Consulting and a technology strategist, Nathan Wood, Founder & Chief Enabling Officer At SpectrumAEC, Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication at SMACNA and Jacob D’Albora, Director of Digital Building Operations at VIATechnik gets into how policy, planning, and finance are reshaping construction’s landscape. They unpack the risks of short-term thinking in materials sourcing, renewable energy setbacks, and how permitting reform could change how we build. Things also get financial as the group discusses M&A trends, private equity’s growing interest in construction, and the precarious position of mid-sized contractors. Is the middle tier hollowing out? And how might public policy like environmental mandates and tax incentives speed up or stall that process?
[00:00] - Introduction [03:29] - Can tech improve environmental review? [05:40] - Risk of cutting corners under time-based KPIs [08:58] - Unintended consequences of blanket policies [23:18] - What PE Means for Innovation and Culture [27:16] - Financial signals: M&A and funding rounds [29:01] - SMACNA Trade Stacking Survey [32:12] - How to Get the Most from Conferences [37:45] - Wrap-up: What’s next for AI, policy & construction Survey Form: https://survey.typeform.com/to/BuQAIB0y Follow the Jacob D’Albora & Company
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| The Voice AI App for Contractors to Fix Daily Logs and Avoid $15M Disputes with Peter Lasensky | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:37:06 | |
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample sits down with Peter Lasensky, founder of Command Post and the original creator of NoteVault, to talk about revolutionizing documentation in construction. With decades of firsthand experience as a contractor and tech innovator, Peter shares how a tough legal lesson inspired him to create a voice-to-text solution that’s changing how field teams protect their projects and their bottom line. Peter gets into the power of real-time documentation, why adjectives don’t belong in daily reports, and how AI and multilingual support are shaping the future of construction communication. From solving disputes before they start to connecting teams with smart collaboration tools, this episode is packed with insights for anyone building in today’s high-risk, high-stakes environment. Key Learnings
[00:00] - Introduction [01:12] - Official intro and guest welcome [02:36] - Peter’s background [06:58] - Turner Construction drywall dispute: documentation wins cases [11:47] - Launching Command Post: a modern take on field documentation [22:44] - Rapid voice and photo capture for busy job sites [21:10] - Best practices: remove opinions, focus on facts in report [26:34] - Training the field: why daily reports matter and how to make them easier [31:06] - Smart collaboration and subcontractor transparency [34:07] - Project newsfeeds bring field progress to the office [36:07] - Final remarks
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| The ConTech Crew 394: People-Driven Innovation with Rick Khan, Founder of Innov8AEC | 06 Feb 2024 | 01:04:50 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com How should the construction industry address talent shortage and accelerate innovation? Join me and my co-host, Nathan Wood, as we dive into one of the most talked about topics in the industry with Rick Khan, an industry thought leader and founder of Innov8AEC. Innov8AEC is a leading innovation and tech consulting firm, empowering AEC professionals and organizations to elevate their business value through cutting-edge solutions and strategic guidance. Today, Rick discusses what Innov8AEC is all about and the importance of community and collaboration in fostering innovation in the construction industry. He also emphasizes the need to educate the next generation and how this approach addresses the talent shortage that has been slowing down the industry’s growth. Don’t miss this insightful discussion with Rick. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From the gaming industry to construction (05:20) Rick’s purpose with Innov8AEC (10:34) Addressing the talent shortage in construction (15:04) Difference of Innov8AEC from platforms like LinkedIn (19:41) The importance of unbiased, industry-wide collaboration (26:16) Community-led problem-solving in technology implementation (29:29) Education and mentorship for the next generation in construction (33:19) Democratizing knowledge in the construction industry (37:51) Construction technology news of the week (38:56) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanricardo/ Visit Innov8AEC for more information: https://www.innov8aec.com/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Apple Vision Pro Is Currently Sold Out but Demand for Pricey Headset Could Go Down https://gizmodo.com/apple-vision-pro-sold-demand-down-ar-vr-headset-1851184622 ➡️ Construction’s manufacturing boom: Mapping the biggest facilities underway in the US https://www.constructiondive.com/news/manufacturing-construction-boom-tracker-map/688140/ ➡️ Looking to 2024: Four predictions for construction technology https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/looking-to-2024-four-predictions-for-the-heavy-construction-industry/8033888.article ➡️ Document Crunch Adds Conversational AI to Its Contract Risk Review Solution for Accelerated Contract Insights https://www.documentcrunch.com/news-archive/chat – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 393: Practical AI with Patrick E. Murphy, CEO at Togal.AI | 30 Jan 2024 | 01:23:23 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com Imagine a construction project where manual takeoffs, a tedious and time-consuming process, are a thing of the past. In this week’s episode, my co-host Jonathan Marsh and I interview Patrick E. Murphy, former congressman and now CEO of Togal.AI, a company that uses AI to automate the estimating process in construction while incorporating ChatGPT to manage construction plans. Throughout our discussion, we delve into the transformative role of AI in the construction industry, specifically Togal.AI, while highlighting its impact on current construction issues and how we can strategically leverage AI to enhance the overall efficiency of construction projects. Let’s get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Patrick E. Murphy and his construction journey (07:34) How Togal.AI started and its impact on construction (10:04) Challenges of technology adoption in construction (13:28) How to use Togal.AI efficiently (20:40) On leveraging generative AI to improve the industry (25:50) How to help people understand Togal’s limitation (29:33) Building with RENCO that lasts for hundreds of years (32:19) How to automate estimates in bulk with Togal.AI (41:10) Patrick’s perspective on change and AI in construction (48:07) Construction technology news of the week (51:29) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Togal.AI on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/togal-ai-llc/ Subscribe to Togal.AI on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@togal_ai Visit its website for more information: https://www.togal.ai/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Qmerit AI automates home electrification - re-thinking a major infrastructure challenge https://diginomica.com/qmerit-ai-automates-home-electrification-re-thinking-major-infrastructure-challenge ➡️ ISO and ASTM define standard for additive manufacturing in construction https://www.therobotreport.com/iso-astm-define-additive-manufacturing-construction-standard/ ➡️ Why the DOE brought its energy ‘moonshot factory’ to CES for the first time https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2024/01/16/doe-arpa-e-ces ➡️ Backlog increases amid easing credit conditions https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-backlog-up-credit-eases/704671/ – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 392: 2023 Year-in-Review and A Look Ahead to 2024 with Nathan Wood and Ariel Castillo | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:56:51 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com What were the significant tech strides in 2023, and what’s in store for 2024? In this special episode of The ConTech Crew, I sit down with co-hosts Nathan Wood and Ariel Castillo for a 2023 year-in-review and what's coming in 2024. From the rise of digital applications on job sites to the integration of AI and machine learning, we’ll dive deeper into the challenges and breakthroughs that are reshaping the construction industry. Today, the crew will provide insightful perspectives on tech adoption and interoperability, the tech burnout issue, the future of BIM, and what the construction industry should look forward to in 2024. Stay ahead of the curve by tuning in to this week’s episode. Let’s dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) The importance of interoperability (05:20) On AI, app fatigue, and tech burnout issues (05:59) Basics of technology adoption (12:43) How public funding impacts technology adoption (15:17) Finding the balance in innovation (22:08) Bringing the trades to the education table (25:10) The future of BIM and digital transformation (29:05) What’s in store for 2024? (36:29) Episode wrap-up (55:06) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Nathan Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanaec/ Follow Ariel Castillo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bimnomad/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ First Round of $85 Million Competitive Grant Program to Fund DigitalConstruction Technologies That Save Time and Money https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/biden-harris-administration-opens-first-round-85-million-competitive-grant-program-fund ➡️ Construction outlook is a mixed bag in AGC survey https://finance-commerce.com/2024/01/construction-outlook-is-a-mixed-bag-in-agc-survey/ ➡️ Mercedes-Benz to enter luxury real estate scene https://www.luxuryportfolio.com/blog/mercedes-benz-to-enter-luxury-real-estate-scene/ ➡️ Top 2024 AI Construction Trends: According to the Experts https://constructionblog.autodesk.com/top-2024-ai-construction-trends-according-to-the-experts/ ➡️ BIM in Construction Market: The global market is growing at a CAGR of 14.5% during the forecasted period. https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/bim-in-construction-market-the-global-market-is-growing-at-a-cagr-of-14-5-during-the-forecasted-period-#ixzz8P25fmsNb ➡️ GPT-4 release date – When was GPT-4 released? https://www.pcguide.com/apps/chat-gpt-4-release-date/ ➡️ The Year of Information https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2023/12/14/ai-hype-2024 – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 391: Supporting a Panelized World with David Victor and Chris Boal of BLUvera | 16 Jan 2024 | 01:14:41 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com Panelized construction is on the rise, and it has become very popular for numerous reasons. In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with David Victor, Senior Manufacturing Engineer, and Chris Boal, Integrated Construction Director at BLUvera, to discuss the technology and process behind BLUvera’s panelized wall system. BLUvera, a manufacturer and designer of cold-formed steel products, takes pride in its innovative manufacturing and off-site fabrication systems, aiming to enhance construction safety, speed, and predictability. Today, we’ll dive deep into off-site fabrication and panelized construction, examining its profound impact on the industry. We’ll also geek out on the technology behind BLUvera’s innovative manufacturing and fabrication systems, along with its associated challenges and opportunities, and more. Let’s jump right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet David Victor and Chris Boal of BLUvera (05:23) An overview of BLUvera and what it does (09:20) Advantages of using cold-formed steel (13:52) Impact of panelized wall system on the construction process (15:34) Engineering and BIM coordination then vs. now (26:52) On democratizing data and processes (30:37) What is manufacturing in a factory like? (34:40) Challenges of manufacturing panelized wall (41:10) Construction technology news of the week (48:42) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Check out BLUvera for more information: https://www.bluvera.com/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ The Case for Less Communication in Building Design https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/case-less-communication-building-design-kevin-lawson-pe-hkt4/ ➡️ Why 2023 was a big year for ConTech Interoperability at Trimble https://www.forconstructionpros.com/construction-technology/article/22881256/trimble-why-2023-was-a-big-year-for-contech-interoperability-at-trimble ➡️ Top Construction Events for 2024 https://www.constructiondive.com/news/conferences-2024-construction-building/696094/ ➡️ Artificial Intelligence Act: Council and Parliament strike a deal on the first rules for AI in the world https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/09/artificial-intelligence-act-council-and-parliament-strike-a-deal-on-the-first-worldwide-rules-for-ai/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 390: Inside the Autodesk University 2023 Event with Allison Scott, Director of Customer Experience at Autodesk | 09 Jan 2024 | 01:18:38 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com If you missed Autodesk's AU 2023 conference in Vegas, an industry-leading event, fret not because I'm bringing in a dear colleague and one of the people behind the event's success to talk more about it. In this week's episode, my co-host Ariel Castillo and I sit down with Allison Scott to give us a rundown of the Autodesk University conference 2023 in Las Vegas last November. Allison is a "technology translator" and the Director of Customer Experience & Industry Advocacy at Autodesk. She has been a key contributor to Autodesk's leading-edge approach to customer engagement, including a highly-rated global executive council program, a growing online community, and industry impact programs that help bring awareness to industry issues. Today, Allison and the crew dive deep into what transpired during the AU 2023 event, highlighting Autodesk's most significant latest tech releases, the Dublin Airport Authority case study, the future of construction with AI, and what to look forward to for next year. Let's dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Get to know Allison Scott and her advocacy (06:56) What did the Autodesk University 2023 experience feel like? (14:01) The making of Autodesk AI (24:20) Ariel’s biggest takeaway from the AU 2023 event (28:15) Exploring Autodesk’s new releases (30:08) How does the Autodesk Work Plan tool work (37:06) The Dublin Airport Authority or DAA case study (43:27) What to look forward to in AU 2024 (49:43) Construction technology news of the week (54:23) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Allison Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisongscott/ Visit Autodesk for more information: https://www.autodesk.com/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Gen Z set to outnumber baby boomers in the workforce in 2024, Glassdoor says https://www.hrdive.com/news/gen-z-overtake-baby-boomers-workforce-glassdoor/699828/ ➡️ ENR Global Best Projects Awards https://www.enr.com/bestprojects/global ➡️ US DOT Announces $817M in Road Safety Grants https://www.enr.com/articles/57883-us-dot-announces-817m-in-road-safety-grants ➡️ The American Dream, bank failures, and artificial intelligence were on readers' minds https://www.investopedia.com/2023-investopedia-terms-of-the-year-8409161 ➡️ NFL’s Ravens award Gilbane $430M stadium upgrade project https://www.constructiondive.com/news/ravens-stadium-construction-gilbane-nfl/702644/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 389: Capital Project Management with Andy Verone, Chief Strategy Officer at Contruent | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:46:13 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com In this week's episode, I sit down with Andy Verone, chief strategy officer at Contruent, a premier capital project management software solution. With over 35 years of industry experience, Andy has solid experience in the construction technology field. Before joining Contruent, Andy was a global vice president at Oracle and co-founded Oracle's Vertical Industry Labs. Today, he shares his journey from construction and engineering to the technology side and the why behind this big move. We also delve into the role of data in the industry, defining cost controls and data standardizations, capital management, and more. Let's jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) How Andy got into construction technology (03:08) The role of data in driving profitability (05:49) On mapping out the process and understanding the key points (08:25) Creating a better experience with data (12:33) How Andy got into where he’s at today (16:39) Oracle’s guiding strategy on acquisitions and creation (19:19) The driving force in building an innovation lab (22:44) Why Andy moved to Contruent (26:39) Defining cost controls and data standardizations (28:30) What people can gain from these project controls software (36:32) Episode wrap-up (43:47) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-verone-4995109/ Visit Contruent for more information: https://www.contruent.com/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 388: The Data Mystery in Construction with Doug Heady, Ryan Buckley, and Kat Gordiienko | 26 Dec 2023 | 00:45:44 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com We all know what data can do to the construction industry–but building permit data? That's another story. In this week's special episode, I am excited to speak with Doug Heady of BuilderBinder, Ryan Buckley of Shovels, and Kat Gordiienko of Builty.Today, we discuss how Doug, Ryan, Kat, and their teams are reinventing how we see building permit data and how these new software technologies can massively impact construction manufacturers, companies, contractors, and consumers. We delve into the value of scraping and cleaning data and the process of turning a massive raw building permit data set into a one-stop shop directory on anything contractors and projects, and a whole lot more, in just a few clicks of a button. Are you ready to dive into the world of data? Let's jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Get to know this week’s guests (02:35) A great solution born out of a personal problem (06:58) The challenges in solving the dirty data problem (16:03) The process of making a massive building and permit data portal (21:38) How data can empower contractors (27:23) What the future looks like for contractors (30:52) How data accessibility impacts both contractors and consumers (38:24) Episode wrap-up (44:14) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Doug Heady on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougheady/ Visit BuilderBinder for more information: https://builderbinder.com/ Follow Ryan Buckley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbuckley/ Visit Shovels for more information: https://www.shovels.ai/ Follow Kat Gordiienki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katgord/ Visit Builty for more information: https://www.builtydata.com/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 387: Concept to BIM with Britton Langdon, Chief Strategy Officer at Snaptrude | 19 Dec 2023 | 01:22:30 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com How can real-time design iterations and collaborative efforts impact the construction industry? In this episode, my co-host Jonathan Marsh and I sit down with Britton Langdon, Chief Strategy Officer at Snaptrude, to explore the evolving landscape of design and architecture. Snaptrude is a collaborative building design tool that offers real-time collaboration and data insights. It allows multi-user collaboration for designing buildings in 3D and generates real-time feedback on building cost, compliance, and climate studies to help drive more informed design decisions. During our conversation, Britton walks us through Snaptrude's remarkable features, its core focus, and the industry challenges it aims to address, shedding light on the opportunities it presents in the near future. We also discuss how Snaptrude not only improves the works of architects and designers but also positively impacts general contractors and trade partners. Let's jump right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From MSuite to Stanley Black & Decker (05:34) Britton’s new role as a Chief Strategy Officer at Snaptrude (09:44) Snaptrude’s core focus (13:29) On challenges and opportunities (15:48) The truth about construction’s pre-planning process (20:04) What effective construction collaboration looks like (23:24) Revolutionizing conceptual designs with Snaptrude (27:59) How Snaptrude’s technology disrupts design and coordination (31:00) From concept to BIM in real time (34:20) The value of a cloud-based collaborative environment (38:43) Construction technology news of the week (42:53) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Britton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britton-langdon/ Check out Snaptrude for more information: https://www.snaptrude.com/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Meta’s FAIR team releases 3 tools for robotics researchers https://www.therobotreport.com/metas-fair-team-releases-3-tools-for-robotics-researchers/ ➡️ 5 Key Updates in GPT-4 Turbo, OpenAI’s Newest Model https://www.wired.com/story/5-updates-gpt-4-turbo-openai-chatgpt-sam-altman/ ➡️ Google for Startups Shares a Genius Hiring Trick That Fuels Explosive Growth https://www.inc.com/kelly-main/google-for-startups-shares-a-genius-hiring-trick-that-fuels-explosive-growth.html ➡️ Is Construction Tech Approaching An Adoption Ceiling?https://builtworlds.com/news/construction-tech-approaching-adoption-ceiling/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 386: Trimble Dimensions FOMO with Tom Stemm, VP and Category GM at Trimble Construction Integrations | 12 Dec 2023 | 01:04:15 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com So, here's the deal—I couldn't make it to Trimble Dimensions this year, and I was feeling some serious FOMO vibes. So, I brought in two of my buddies who were not only there but were actually part of the action. We've got Nathan Wood, Executive Director of the Construction Progress Coalition, and the man himself, Tom Stemm, Vice President and Category General Manager at Trimble. We delve into the transformative shifts in the construction industry's approach to technology and highlight a monumental change in priorities, with a significant focus now placed on interoperability and the crucial role of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). The industry now has a growing expectation for technology providers to offer seamless access and leverage of data. This shift towards openness is seen as a positive development, poised to break down longstanding silos that have hindered progress in the construction technology space for decades. Stick around as we unpack all these exciting. Let's dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Trimble’s growth through acquisitions and integrations (09:17) Future of construction tech ecosystem (16:05) F1, tech and construction in Las Vegas (19:43) Interoperability in construction (26:14) Improving data management to decision making (35:54) Construction tech investment landscape (41:25) What does the role of the GC look like in 10 years? (48:23) What Tremble is up to (57:45) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomstemm/ Visit Trimble for more information: https://dataxchange.trimble.com/integrations — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 385: Green Homes Without the Green Premium with Chris Anderson, CEO at Vantem | 05 Dec 2023 | 01:24:49 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com In this week's episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host, Jonathan Marsh, and I sit down with Chris Anderson, founder and CEO at Vantem, a company that delivers cost-effective, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient homes. Today, we discuss how Vantem's proprietary panel technology simplifies construction while building sustainable homes. We delve into Vantem's growth strategy both in the U.S. and internationally and the role of technology in their quest to solve global issues like climate change and housing challenges. We also discuss how the modular housing system is revolutionizing how general contractors work and what the future looks like for Vantem. Tune in now for more! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) How Chris got into sustainable construction (08:16) How Vantem is revolutionizing home construction (12:10) Key things that set Vantem apart from other affordable housing manufacturers (17:23) How Vantem is approaching customizations (20:04) What is at the core of Vantem’s technology? (22:17) Vantem’s growth strategy in the U.S. and internationally (24:21) Is Vantem’s system digitally accessible to designers and architects? (32:11) What prompted Vantem to expand in the U.S. vs. other markets? (036:34) Technologies that Vantem is eyeing as they scale (39:13) What people can expect from Vantem(42:11) How is the modular housing system impacting general contractors (45:29) Chris’ hopes for Vantem’s future (49:46) Construction technology news of the week (51:42) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-anderson-769744a3/ Visit Vantem for more information: https://vantem.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Seven Ways Construction Technologists Can Build Toward Interoperability https://www.geoweeknews.com/blogs/construction-technology-interoperability ➡️ Could QR Codes Be a Key to Unlocking Project Efficiencies? One Tech Leader Thinks So https://www.enr.com/articles/56830-could-qr-codes-be-a-key-to-unlocking-project-efficiencies-one-tech-leader-thinks-so ➡️ Building a case for DFMA with Legos https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/building-case-dfma-legos-robert-ioanna-bcgge ➡️ Americans could live an extra 19 years—if they pick the right employer https://fortune.com/well/2023/08/01/employees-live-longer-health-care-wellness-care-deloitte-report/ — 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! | |||
| AI Safety Signals for Contractors to Prevent $4M Claims and Impress Owners with Josh Kanner | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:46:19 | |
In this episode, the ConTech Crew Host Jeff Sample Alongside Co-Host Rob McKinney gets into the evolving world of construction technology with returning guest Josh Kanner, Sr. Director, Product & Strategy, Construction & Engineering Intelligence at Oracle. Together with the crew, they discuss how innovation, AI, and real-time data are transforming the industry from top to bottom. The conversation explores lessons learned from years in the field, how startups scale in construction, and the tech adoption hurdles that continue to challenge the sector. From predictions on AI’s impact to the critical importance of understanding what happens on the jobsite, this episode is packed with insightful, future-facing perspectives. Whether you’re a contractor, a tech provider, or somewhere in between, the episode offers value on navigating construction’s digital transformation while staying grounded in real-world execution. Key Takeaways
Timestamps [00:00] - Intro and guest introductions [03:30] - Background of Josh. [08:40] - Vinny the AI and early wins in safety data [12:16] - Scaling a construction tech startup the hard way [22:06] - How AI is integrated across project scheduling and safety [23:25] - Real-world ROI: Bolt, Suffolk, and Severn Trent case studies [32:54] - Getting actionable data from photos, payroll & more [37:20] - Challenges through which contractors can learn. [44:33] - Final thoughts on collaboration and the future of construction data
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| The ConTech Crew 384: Design For Collaboration with Rachel Riopel, Digital Practice Leader at HDR | 28 Nov 2023 | 01:12:50 | |
🏗️ Learn more at https://thecontechcrew.com In this week's episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Rachel Riopel, Digital Practice Leader at HDR, a large international employee-owned design firm specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental, and construction services. As a Digital Practice Leader at HDR, Rachel collaborates with national and international project teams to optimize technology for digital delivery, emphasizing the transformative impact of Building Information Management (BIM). Today, we discuss Rachel's role at HDR and what she looks for in any software selection. We also delve into navigating different perspectives in the industry, how to be a team player and the importance of collaboration, HDR's take on data sharing, and so much more. Tune in now! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What is the role and goal of a Digital Practice Leader (DPL)? (05:11) Program management explained (10:02) Specific tenants that a DPL is looking for in any software selection (13:33) How to make field observation reports more impactful (19:12) How to navigate differences in perspectives (21:02) What is the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), and Rachel’s role in it? (26:06) What is CUI, and why it’s important? (28:29) Difference between CMMC vs. NIST and dealing with cybersecurity (33:37) HDR’s take on data sharing, integration, and standardization (42:52) Rachel’s advice on being a team player and collaboration (48:40) Construction technology news of the week (51:59) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r23riopel/ Visit HDR for more information: https://www.hdrinc.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ IRS launching pilot program for free e-filing https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/taxes/2023/05/16/irs-free-taxes-efile-system-pilot/70225595007/ ➡️ 13 worst design failures in modern history https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/worst-design-failures-modern-history-apple-pippin-google-glass ➡️ 10 Reasons Why Women Should Work in Construction https://mikkiparadis.com/2023/09/18/10-reasons-why-women-should-work-in-construction/ ➡️ 543 Carta startups have shut down so far in 2023 https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7112949181815656448/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 383: Live From FARO Signals with Patrick Bohle, Kipp Ivey, & Rob Miller | 21 Nov 2023 | 00:51:26 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In this week's episode, we're coming to you live from the FARO Signals event in Chicago with Kipp Ivey, Patrick Bohle, and Rob Miller to talk about the latest in reality capture. FARO Signals is an exclusive event dedicated to empowering construction operations and maintenance professionals with the knowledge and tools to thrive in what they do. Today, we uncover the latest trends and innovations in 3D + 360° reality capture, some of the biggest takeaways from the keynote presentations, how people get involved in the reality capture world, and so much more! Let’s get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Get to know Pat Bohle, Kipp Ivey, and Rob Miller (02:18) A quick overview of the FARO Signals event (07:55) Stepping up the game in the mobile reality capture landscape (11:18) Best strategy in company acquisitions (14:38) How people are getting involved in the reality capture world (17:45) Feedback from the FARO Signals event and some of the best AHA moments (27:26) What it’s like creating an ecosystem that’s consumable (30:58) Biggest takeaways from the keynote presentations (38:50) Episode wrap-up (48:32) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Patrick Bohle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickbohle/ Follow Kipp Ivey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kippivey/ Follow Rob Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robmillerofconstruction/ – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 382: Risky Data with Chris Greene, VP of Strategy, Analytics, and Knowledge at NFP | 14 Nov 2023 | 01:09:01 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com How does data help in mitigating risk in construction job sites? In this week’s episode, my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I sit down with Chris Greene, vice president of strategy, analytics, and knowledge at NFP, a leading insurance brokerage and consulting company. Today, Chris, Nathan, and I discuss mitigating risks in construction job sites through data and how it helps GCs, project managers, or owners make better decisions. Chris also talks about the role and impact of insurance brokers in construction technology innovation, how insurance works, how to tackle insurance costs with clients, emerging tech innovations, and, of course, our construction technology news of the week. Tune in now! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Chris Greene (07:45) Best client approach in introducing construction tech (10:16) Areas in construction that need to be measured to mitigate risks (14:49) What’s the role of an insurance broker in construction? (18:03) The impact of data integration on risk, health, and safety management (20:49) Zero-sum mindset vs. infinite mindset (24:12) What it’s like working with different client types (25:08) The difference between OCIP and CCIP (27:21) How to leverage risk data for “better” decision-making (29:39) How to tackle insurance costs with clients (32:36) Chris’ insights on the emerging techs (42:37) Construction technology news of the week (46:37) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgreene1/ Visit NFP for more information: https://www.nfp.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Apple and Patagonia love Gavin Newsom’s move to make big firms disclose their emissions https://fortune.com/2023/10/10/climate-change-greenhouse-gas-emissions-california-gavin-newsom-disclosure/ ➡️ Meta Quest 3 takes a step closer to mainstream AR/VR https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/09/meta-quest-3-takes-a-step-closer-to-mainstream-ar-vr/amp/ ➡️ Discover the Top 10 Construction Trends & Innovations in 2024 https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/top-10-construction-industry-trends-innovations-in-2021/ ➡️ How Coca-Cola, Netflix, and Amazon Learn from Failure https://hbr.org/2017/11/how-coca-cola-netflix-and-amazon-learn-from-failure — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 381: The Artful Use of Technology with Jackson Hoggard and Marc Sanderson | 07 Nov 2023 | 00:59:53 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com Data information is not just tied to profitability, flow, and process. It's also linked to health and the overall well-being of everyone on the team. That's precisely what ERP software Innergy is to Double Hung, an award-winning historic window restoration company in North Carolina. In this week's special episode, I brought in contractor and business owner of Double Hung, Jackson Hoggard, to talk about his experience with an ERP software created by Marc Sanderson called Innergy. With 20 years of experience in the millworking industry, Marc decided to build a comprehensive cloud-based business management solution for custom woodworking shops and other ETO industries. Today, Jackson, Marc, and I talk about how Double Hung found success through integrating Innergy into their processes, the importance of codifying knowledge and experience and transforming those into data, how to approach tech adoption, how Innergy is solving problems in the industry, and so much more! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) How Jackson Hoggard got into construction tech (04:13) Marc Sanderson and why he built Innergy (10:02) The evolution and growth of Innergy (14:20) How Jackson’s Double Hung grew and applied Innergy (17:21) The importance of codifying knowledge and experience (26:05) How Innergy is solving problems in the industry (39:59) Marc’s approach to change management for new customers (46:43) Jackson’s one last piece of advice (53:55) Episode wrap-up (58:36) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Jackson Hoggard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksonhoggard/ Check out Double Hung’s services: https://www.double-hung.com/ Follow Marc Sanderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-sanderson-55128b11/ Visit Innergy’s official website for more information: https://www.innergy.com/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 380: Connecting the Dots with Aviv Leibovici, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder at Buildots | 31 Oct 2023 | 01:12:46 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In this week's episode, my co-host Eveart Foster and I speak with Aviv Leibovici, chief product officer and co-founder at Buildots, a data and AI-driven solution platform available to construction professionals and clients for transparent project management. Aviv is a data-driven professional with a cybersecurity and construction technology background. In 2018, Aviv teamed up with Roy Danon and Yakir Sudry to use their understanding of software and construction to develop a product that can make a lasting impact on the industry and tackle some of its biggest challenges. Hence, the birth of Buildots. Today, Aviv and the crew talk about how construction sites would benefit from Buildots' AI-driven technology, the construction industry's future with the adoption of AI and large language models, and, of course, our construction technology news of the week. Let’s jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) How Aviv Leibovici got into construction (05:03) Early wins that Buildots decided to focus on (12:19) How an overall project performance would benefit from Buildots (16:12) What data information can do to construction (24:32) What matters in construction that needs to be measured (39:37) Buildots’ 2 main focus in the coming years (41:15) How AI and large language models will impact data collection (43:42) On confidentiality, data sharing, and large language models (44:53) Construction technology news of the week (48:15) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Aviv on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avivleibovici/ Check out Buildots for more information: https://buildots.com/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Crane Collapses in Manhattan https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/nyregion/crane-collapse-nyc-hudson-yards.html ➡️ Biggest Mistakes in AI Strategy https://www.insurancethoughtleadership.com/six-things-commentary/10-biggest-mistakes-ai-strategies ➡️ What architects want GCs to know https://www.constructiondive.com/news/what-architects-want-gcs-to-know/685177/ ➡️ Tenna - Jess Simpson- Honored at NAWIC https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7093364310768300033/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 379: DBIA VDC Leadership Exchange & DBIA Conference & Expo with Brian Skripac, Director of VDC at DBIA | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:49:54 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com It’s that time of year when people in the construction industry are gathered all together for an exciting event. In this week’s episode, I’m bringing in one of the minds behind building conferences and environments for all of us to enjoy. Meet Brian Skripac, Director of Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), at the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) is a professional organization with a core focus on advancing and disseminating best practices related to design-build projects. They also deliver education and certification that drive not just business transformation but also industry imagination. Today on the show, Brian and I offer a sneak peek into the upcoming DBIA annual conference and expo. We discuss the concept behind their newly added VDC Leadership Exchange and provide insights into what attendees can expect to learn during this event. Let’s dive right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What is Design-Build Institute of America or DBIA? (04:52) Meet Brian Skripac and his role at DBIA (08:12) The role of collaborative tools (11:32) The idea behind the VDC Leadership Exchange (15:53) A preview of the VDC Leadership Exchange Conference (27:07) What you’ll be learning in this year’s conference (32:01) On talking about human connection and mental health (37:34) A sneak peek at what’s going on in the DBIA expo hall (42:01) Brian’s favorite part of the event (45:55) Episode wrap-up (48:20) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianskripac/ Check out the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA): https://dbia.org/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 378: Get Construction Talking with Sasha Reed, Senior Director of Industry Transformation at Procore at Procore | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:38:27 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com Suicide remains a deeply concerning issue in the construction industry. In an environment characterized by relentless performance demands and tight deadlines, reaching out to your colleagues and admitting you’re struggling can be challenging. In this week’s pause for a cause episode, I’ve invited no other than Sasha Reed, Senior Director of Industry Transformation at Procore. With a combined 20 years of experience in construction and technology, Sasha Reed is known industry-wide as a “conversation facilitator.” In her role as Senior Director of Industry Transformation, Sasha focuses on forging partnerships that maximize Procore’s impact on the construction industry beyond product development. One such noteworthy collaboration is Procore’s joint effort with B1M on a suicide prevention initiative known as Get Construction Talking. Today, Sasha and I delve into what is Get Construction Talking, the big why behind the launch of this suicide prevention campaign, and how important it is to pause and check in with your colleague. She also sheds light on why this cause is important to industry leaders like Tooey Courtemanche and Fred Mills, how leaders can be great catalysts for this campaign’s success, and much more. Let’s dive right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What is Get Construction Talking? (01:08) The importance of pausing and genuinely asking, “How are you doing?” (03:24) There’s no competition on who’s more at risk (11:10) The alarming suicide rates in the construction industry (13:06) On leaving a legacy in the construction industry (19:31) Get Construction Talking calls to action (30:24) Final thoughts (34:09) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Sasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-reed-66086b3/ Visit Get Construction Talking for more info: https://www.getconstructiontalking.org/ Check out Procore: https://www.procore.com/ Check out B1M: https://www.theb1m.com/ View other resources here: https://www.procore.org/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 377: The Reality of ConTech from a Project Manager with Dylan John | 10 Oct 2023 | 01:28:19 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com What does construction technology look like from a project manager's perspective? In this week's episode, my co-host Tannis and I are joined by project manager, technologist, and adjunct professor at Georgia Southern University, Dylan John. Dylan is a Sri Lankan-born construction project manager who started his journey with his father– a mid-size construction business owner in Sri Lanka. Instead of returning to Sri Lanka to work for his father's company, he found a new path and calling here in the U.S. Today, he shares his unique field and view of construction technology, the tools he's currently leveraging, and his different approach to ROI. He also offers advice for project managers regarding tech deployment, how to deal with the tech-savvy future workforce entering the construction industry, and more. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What got Dylan into the construction world? (05:53) A day in the life of Dylan as a project manager (10:26) Tools that Dylan is using and how he’s leveraging them as a PM (14:08) The Return on Implementation (ROI) explained (24:46) Advice to project or construction managers when it comes to tech deployment (32:20) How does a project manager get everybody working together on the same page (39:06) Advice to construction PMs on the future workforce coming into the industry (42:49) Construction technology news of the week (50:15) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Dylan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-john-georgiasouthern/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Can the Construction Industry Be Disrupted? https://hbr.org/2023/07/can-the-construction-industry-be-disrupted ➡️ Ontario launching three new mobile skilled trades classrooms https://www.ontarioconstructionnews.com/ontario-launching-three-new-mobile-skilled-trades-classrooms/ ➡️ Demolition Robot Market to See Booming Growth and Huge Profit With Top Players – Brokk, Husqvarna, ConjetBrokk, Husqvarna, Conjet https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/xherald/demolition-robot-market-to-see-booming-growth-and-huge-profit-with-top-players-brokk-husqvarna-conjetbrokk-husqvarna-conjet ➡️ Free Digital Tool Tracks Cement Sector's Decarbonization Efforts https://www.enr.com/articles/56854-free-digital-tool-tracks-cement-sectors-decarbonization-efforts ➡️ How Skanska’s drone program evolved from novelty to must-have tech https://www.constructiondive.com/news/skanska-drone-program-tips-construction-tech/688997/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 376: Business Model Transformation with K.P. Reddy, Founder and Managing Partner at Shadow Ventures | 03 Oct 2023 | 01:24:48 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com The trillion-dollar construction industry is often accused of lagging in technological innovation. But things are changing now as venture capital firms and countless startups are raising significant money to disrupt the construction technology space. And our guest has a lot to say about that. In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I sit down with K.P. Reddy, founder and managing partner at Shadow Ventures and a prominent figure in technology and innovation. With a background in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, K.P. has become a global authority in AEC environments, AI, robotics, automation, mobile applications, and cloud computing. Today, he gives the crew and its listeners a discussion on how a venture capital firm works and its impact on construction from his perspective. He also shares some of their innovative and successful investments, tips when investing in startups, and much more! Let’s jump right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From coder to venture capitalist (07:17) What does a venture capital firm do? (15:17) Is it better to invest in ConTech or PropTech? (20:01) Difference between pre-seed and seed funding rounds (24:08) K.P.’s general investing rule (28:55) What does “exit” really mean? (29:56) SPAC explained (33:16) K.P. and Shadow Ventures' promising investments (34:21) The innovators’ dilemma (40:08) Tips on how to invest and grow a startup company (44:33) Construction technology news of the week (52:49) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow K.P. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpreddy/ Visit Shadow Ventures for more information: https://shadow.vc/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Gilbane-Turner JV misses initial diversity goals on Bills stadium https://www.constructiondive.com/news/gilbane-turner-miss-diversity-mwbe-goals-new-york-bills-stadium/689020/ ➡️ Unlocking the power of digital twins: Maximizing success with OKRs https://www.bdcnetwork.com/blog/unlocking-power-digital-twins-maximizing-success-okrs ➡️ Generative AI could raise global GDP by 7% https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/generative-ai-could-raise-global-gdp-by-7-percent.html ➡️ The iconic American hard hat job that has the highest level of open positions ever recorded https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/07/29/the-hard-hat-job-with-highest-level-of-open-positions-ever-recorded.html — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 375: Boomeranging with Brett Settles, CTO at Penta Engineering Corporation | 26 Sep 2023 | 01:06:10 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com What would it feel like to return to a company you previously worked for and take on a more significant role? In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Brett Settles as we explore his remarkable boomerang career journey and his new role as the Chief Technology Officer at Penta. Brett began his professional journey in the industrial sector, dedicating six years to Penta Engineering Corporation, a company specializing in engineering, procurement, and EPC/EPCM solutions. However, in 2017, he embarked on a new path by joining Revizto, a cloud-based software platform for BIM collaboration, right at the height of the construction technology boom. During our conversation, Brett takes us on a fascinating ride through his boomerang career and how he eventually returned to his roots in the industry, armed with newfound knowledge and experiences that led him to assume the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Penta. Today, Brett reflects on the valuable lessons he has learned from his career journey and how these lessons helped him with his current CTO position. Additionally, we delve into strategies for fostering technology adoption, insights on Brett’s current projects, and, of course, the latest developments in the world of construction technology. Let’s jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Brett Settles (06:14) Brett’s transition from industry to tech and back (08:20) Biggest problems that Brett has to solve (10:21) Comparing different industries’ technology adoption (20:29) What’s Brett most excited about with his CTO role at Penta (23:53) Applying lessons he learned from industry experience (30:11) How does it feel coming back to Penta and taking on a bigger role (32:30) How to get people to adopt technology (34:56) On scaling a business without growing a footprint (39:32) What technology got Brett excited before becoming the CTO (43:20) Construction technology news of the week (48:48) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Brett out on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-settles-132a6613/ Visit Penta’s website to learn more: https://www.penta.net/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Biden-Harris Administration Opens First Round of $85 Million Competitive Grant Program to Fund Digital Construction Technologies That Save Time and Money https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/biden-harris-administration-opens-first-round-85-million-competitive-grant-program-fund ➡️ New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program will help accelerate project delivery https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dustin~williams_ever-wonder-why-some-folks-obsess-over-the-activity-7084280056864243712-vd-4/ ➡️ A Week of Rest Should Be the Norm https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sasha-reed-66086b3_getconstructiontalking-procore-wellnessweek-activity-7084158796008222720-kbIW/?u ➡️ OpenSpace Launches BIM Product at Waypoint Event https://www.forconstructionpros.com/construction-technology/article/22864308/openspace-goes-deeper-into-bim-territory — 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! | |||
| How Startup Founders Avoid Scaling Failures & Gain Revenue Clarity Using TigerEye with Tracy Young | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:54:16 | |
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample and co-host Nathan Wood sit down with Tracy Young, co-founder of TigerEye and formerly co-founder and CEO of PlanGrid, to explore the journey from building groundbreaking field technology to pioneering modern business intelligence. Tracy reflects on the early struggles of carrying massive blueprint rolls through job sites and how that frustration evolved into one of the most successful ConTech startups of its time. Now with TigerEye, Tracy is tackling an entirely different challenge giving go-to-market teams access to immediate, trustworthy, and actionable data. This conversation unpacks the lessons learned at PlanGrid, the importance of knowing your customer, and the shift from tech-for-tech's-sake to solving real, felt problems. With plenty of laughs and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for founders, builders, and innovators alike. Key Learnings:
[00:00] - Intro of the episode. [02:20] - Tracy's early days and Background [04:11] - The physical burden of blueprints and early tech solutions [08:10] - What venture capital taught Tracy and why she left it [10:58] - Starting TigerEye and solving for data paralysis [13:48] - Core features of TigerEye and who it's built for [19:39] - Real stories of data guiding better business decisions [27:07] - Why you can only make 1-3 big bets a year [29:48] - Making tech easy to buy and use [37:55] - The DNA of PlanGrid lives on in TigerEye [48:38] - Snapshotting behavior and building predictive models [54:16] - Closing thoughts and thank yous
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| The ConTech Crew 374: My Steady Mind with Dr. Seth Hickerson | 19 Sep 2023 | 00:55:20 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com Research says that the average person has about 100,000 thoughts daily, and 75% of those are negative thoughts. And when you’re in a fast-paced, result-driven, and chaotic construction industry, it’s hard to get away with those daily negative thoughts. Enter proactive mental health training. In this special episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Rob McKinney and I are joined by Dr. Seth Hickerson, CEO and founder of My Steady Mind. Dr. Hickerson is an innovative entrepreneur, veteran, educator, and mental performance training coach. He is passionate about providing individuals, teams, and organizations with real solutions to reduce stress and improve performance through cognitive training. Today, we talk about what My Steady Mind is, its philosophy, who it is for, and how it works. We also discuss how breathwork can improve the state of mind, its other notable effects, and how to do it properly. Let’s jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) How Dr. Seth Hickerson became a mental health advocate (01:47) What My Steady Mind is and the philosophy behind it (10:01) Why Rob decided to sign up with My Steady Mind (13:07) My Steady Mind’s Goals (17:46) Who is My Steady Mind for and how it works (20:47) The BAMO breathing technique (28:37) Effects of practicing breathing techniques like BAMO (40:24) The power of emotional intelligence and how to apply it on construction job sites (43:56) Ripple effects of mental health training (50:11) Episode wrap-up (52:52) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Dr. Seth Hickerson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-hickerson/ Visit My Steady Mind for more information: https://mysteadymind.com/ Sign up to My Steady Mind and use the code MSMCON25 for 25% off — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 373: Transformation Burnout with Dr. Giovanna Brasfield, CEO of Brasfield & Associates | 12 Sep 2023 | 01:09:08 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com According to surveys, more than 80% of construction professionals would consider leaving their current roles. And 65% would consider pay cuts to move into another career or industry. In a result-driven construction world, these numbers have some underlying statements. And that’s what we’re going to uncover today. So, in this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I sit down with the amazing Dr. Giovanna Brasfield, a.k.a. Dr. G, CEO and Principal at Brasfield & Associates, LLC. Dr. G is a revolutionary in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) space with over 18 years of experience in construction, focusing on leadership and DEI program development, training, education, and outreach. She drives organizations to go beyond DEI talk by taking actionable steps to create culturally diverse, equitable, and inclusive workspaces. As someone who holds dual doctorate degrees and sits on the board of numerous organizations, Dr. G brings a unique level of consultancy to construction by making DEI practices a growth factor for construction companies. Today, she shares invaluable insights on the most significant barriers and early issues she has seen in the construction industry, why people leave construction, how to deal with burnout, and more. Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Dr. Giovanna Brasfield and her big why (07:27) Early issues in construction that Dr. Giovanna encountered (13:41) The biggest barrier in the construction industry (17:24) How Dr. Giovanna got a double doctorate degree (27:57) A survey on why people leave construction (35:11) How to deal with burnout (40:27) Construction technology news of the week (52:38) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Dr. Giovanna Brasfield out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-giovanna-brasfield-0a90a78/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ The British Department for Transport Procedures for Dealing with Optimism Bias in Transport Planning https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/191523/Procedures_for_dealing_with_optimism_bias_in_transport_planning.pdf ➡️ Equality versus Equity: What's the difference as we #EmbraceEquity for IWD 2023 and beyond? https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Missions/18707/Equality-versus-Equity-What-s-the-difference-as-we-EmbraceEquity-for-IWD-2023-and-beyond ➡️ Subcontractor automation boosts profits while cutting costs: report https://www.constructiondive.com/news/gcs-reap-benefits-subcontractor-automation-report/653527/ ➡️ SoBuilt recap https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-construction-dorkcast/id1514409966?i=1000618006127 — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 372: Modeling Language with Hugh Seaton, CEO at The Link | 05 Sep 2023 | 01:10:27 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In an industry where architects, engineers, contractors, and various stakeholders must work seamlessly together, miscommunications can lead to costly delays and errors. Enter Large Language Models (LLMs)--groundbreaking AI technology that is set to transform how construction people collaborate. In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Hugh Seaton, construction technology enthusiast, book author, and CEO at The Link. The Link is an AI-powered software dedicated to making construction documents consumable for owners, contractors, and everyone who needs access to these. Prior to starting The Link, Hugh served as a general manager at the Construction Specifications Institute. Today, Hugh shares invaluable insights on the real power of LLMs, their impact on the construction industry, how to leverage them, and what the future looks like in construction with the rise of AI technology! Make sure to tune in now. You don’t want to miss it! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What is The Link? (05:33) Hugh and his The Construction Technology Handbook (08:01) Is the construction industry ready for AI? (10:07) The availability and reliability of data (12:41) Structured vs. semi-structured data and large language models explained (15:48) How AI technology augments people’s jobs and not replace them (23:24) How to manage risks in construction when using AI technology (25:23) Strategies and competition in construction (28:29) What the future looks like in construction (39:05) How to better utilize AI technology in construction (42:25) Episode wrap-up (45:33) Construction technology news of the week (47:02) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Follow Hugh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughseaton/ Visit The Link website for more: https://www.thelink.ai/ Listen to Hugh’s podcast: https://constructedfutures.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ OSHA electronic recordkeeping rule to take effect in 2024 https://www.hrdive.com/news/osha-electronic-recordkeeping-final-rule-to-take-effect-in-2024/687973/ ➡️ Inflation cools, but material prices remain high https://www.constructiondive.com/news/inflation-cools-construction-input-prices-stay-flat/687486 ➡️ Is now the time to consider AVD?! https://www.integy.co.uk/time-to-consider-azure-virtual-desktop ➡️ Offsite Construction: Why We Don’t Build Cars in Your Driveway! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/offsite-construction-why-we-dont-build-cars-your-driveway-dave-verna/ — 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 371: The Groundbreak Preview 2023 with Wyatt Jenkins, Chief Product Officer at Procore | 29 Aug 2023 | 01:12:35 | |
🏗️ 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 – Follow Wyatt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wyattjenkins/ Check Procore out for more information: https://www.procore.com/en-sg – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 370: Scalable Innovation to the Rescue with Todd Wynne and Chris Callen | 22 Aug 2023 | 01:06:12 | |
🏗️ 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 – 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/ – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 369: Where are We and Why aren’t We Further with Steve Jones of Dodge Data & Analytics | 15 Aug 2023 | 01:11:14 | |
🏗️ 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 – Check Steve out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevejones9/ Visit Dodge Construction Network for more: https://www.construction.com/ – 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 -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 368: BIM Beyond the Hype with Johnny Fortune, BIM Program Director at NIBS | 08 Aug 2023 | 01:26:17 | |
🏗️ 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 – 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 – 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 -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 367: Traversing the Industry’s Data Landscape with Coila LaFleur of ExxonMobil | 01 Aug 2023 | 01:24:02 | |
🏗️ 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/ – 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/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 366: Getting Out of Your Own Way to Unlock Growth with John Lenker and Assaf Arie | 25 Jul 2023 | 00:58:50 | |
🏗️ 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 – 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 – 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 365: The Chief of Chiefs with Alexine Gordon-Stewart, Chief of Staff at TestFit | 18 Jul 2023 | 01:19:10 | |
🏗️ 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 – 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/ – 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 -- 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! | |||
| Attracting Diverse Talent & Solving the Labor Shortage with Tech advancements and AI in Construction – Artem Kuchukov & Tannis Liviniuk | 29 May 2025 | 00:34:53 | |
This episode of Construction Technology News features Artem Kuchukov CEO & Co-Founder of Kewazo joining Jeff Sample and Tannis Liviniuk to explore how emerging tech is reshaping the construction landscape. From increasing women’s participation in the industry to reducing labor strain through automation, the discussion spotlights how robotics, AI, and digital processes can enable more flexible, inclusive, and efficient work environments. Tannis shares a standout example of a Berlin-based company leveraging automation to support remote work and family-friendly scheduling, emphasizing the need for modernization to attract a new, tech-fluent workforce. The episode also gets into the resilience of contech funding, with $194M recently raised across six startups despite a tough economic climate. Jeff and Artem compare today’s tech demands to consumer expectations drawing parallels with services like DoorDash and underscore the importance of data, GIS, and predictive logistics in enabling smarter, safer, and faster job site operations. From startup strategies to on-site innovation, this discussion paints a vivid picture of a rapidly evolving construction future. Key Learnings
Timestamps [00:44] - Tannis on women in construction and Berlin-based robotic cable-laying company [06:57] - Work smarter, not harder; tech makes the industry cooler for young professionals [08:33] - Tech expectations of the next generation entering the trades [12:02] - Individual startups (BuildOps, Stratus, Lumber, Augmenta, Kaya AI, Triad) [14:40] - Surviving vs. building real businesses in today’s funding climate [18:19] - DoorDash analogy: consumer expectations shaping construction logistics [24:05] - Material logistics: DoorDash-style expectations for tools and components [29:04] - GIS and spatial awareness needed for smarter on-site decisions [31:51] - High-angle rescue example: real use case for personnel tracking [35:06] - Closing remarks Follow the Guest:
Follow the Host: Follow The ConTech Crew:
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| The ConTech Crew 364: Hyping Field Tech with Lance Aiken, General Superintendent at Miller-Davis Company | 11 Jul 2023 | 01:07:01 | |
🏗️ 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 -- 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/ -- 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 -- 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! | |||
| The ConTechCrew: Improving Construction’s Image with The B1M’s Fred Mills (Replay Episode) | 04 Jul 2023 | 01:11:50 | |
🏗️ 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 -- Follow Fred Mills on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fred_mills/ Check B1M out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheB1M -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 363: From Field to BIM with Sal D’Ambrosia of Wm. Blanchard Co. | 27 Jun 2023 | 01:25:28 | |
🏗️ 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 – Check Sal out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saldambrosia/ Check Wm. Blanchard Co. services for more: https://wmblanchard.com/ – 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/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 362: Transitioning From Sites to Bytes with Ryan Posnikoff of Bentley Systems | 20 Jun 2023 | 01:37:14 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com Is the construction industry getting better at leveraging data and technology? In today's episode, we are joined by Ryan Posnikoff, Product Director at Bentley Systems, to talk about software technology and its impact on assets and operations in construction. Ryan has been in construction for most of his life, with being a foreman as his first job. He pivoted to the technology side about seven years ago when he joined Bentley Systems as an SME and consultant. Bentley Systems is a Nasdaq-listed infrastructure engineering software company with a respectable worldwide presence. Currently, Ryan is responsible for the strategic product management part of Bentley's SYNCHRO Construction platform. Today, Ryan shares his insights on the increasing technology deployment in construction, the impact of software technologies, data twinning and its barriers, and more! Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) How Ryan got into construction technology (06:07) What does a Product Director at Bentley Systems do? (13:28) Bentley System's SYNCHRO tool explained (16:59) On leveraging data and technology in construction (26:03) Main drivers of technology deployment in construction (35:32) Advice to those who want to capture ROI through technology (38:29) How software technologies are helping the construction industry (42:26) Where is the construction industry at in digital data twinning? (46:39) Barriers to digital data twinning (51:50) The first step to start a digital twinning journey (56:31) Weekly construction news roundup (1:05:49) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check Ryan out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rposnikoff/ Check Bentley Systems for more information: https://www.bentley.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ New Study Reveals Building Owners Are Driving Digital Project Delivery in Design and Construction https://finance.yahoo.com/news/study-reveals-building-owners-driving-120000865.html?amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAI7qty7R6pUaWkQIRbYjMapD55qJAny9uXqQ2XVgdHK38uQsN3wl5NLEfTSmF9d2dXmUObn9la73QSSNbaJWabAUBzIW6Uph6gxtqlXO1pzcslvImP5Ay2lJmdzwKZuOdqG2Wss7QHAij-qxFj4N7jO3vgxmwW1JvEOuHlHfFq7e&guccounter=2 ➡️ OpenAI’s CEO Says the Age of Giant AI Models Is Already Overhttps://www.wired.com/story/openai-ceo-sam-altman-the-age-of-giant-ai-models-is-already-over/ ➡️ ‘Future of Work’ event aims to bring youth into construction through technology https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/labour/2023/04/future-of-work-event-aims-to-bring-youth-into-construction-through-technology ➡️ OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the remote work ‘experiment’ was a mistake—and ‘it’s over’ https://fortune-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/fortune.com/2023/05/05/openai-ceo-sam-altman-remote-work-mistake-return-to-office/amp/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 361: The Rise of Pre-Construction with Chris Walker, Chief Estimator at Lunacon | 06 Jun 2023 | 01:26:46 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today's episode, we sit down with Chris Walker, chief estimator at Lunacon. As a Jamaican-born first-generation construction estimator, it never crossed Chris's mind that he'd make his mark in pre-construction. Over the years, he has seen changes in the pre-construction process, making it as important as the building phase itself. And today, Chris is here to debunk a few misconceptions about pre-construction and how he was able to leverage his soft skills to achieve rapid success in this space. He also talks about the importance of collaboration in pre-construction, the role of technology, how to mitigate risks, and his advice to people of color looking to break into the construction industry. Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) How Chris got into the construction industry (06:11) Collaborative delivery models are the way (09:02) Why is the pre-construction phase important more so than ever? (12:09) What makes someone a good estimator over time? (13:58) What does collaboration look like after the pandemic? (19:00) How the construction industry embraces diversity (21:39) The role of technology in collaboration and construction workflow (27:28) How Lunacon differentiates itself from its competitors (31:32) How to mitigate risk, especially with unknown contractors (35:39) Advice for new minority business owners looking to break into the construction world (38:41) Final advice to people who want to transition to construction-related roles (50:03) Weekly news roundup (1:03:48) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check Chris out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisoawalker/ Check out Lunacon’s works : https://lunaconcorp.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ 2023 State of Design & Make - Autodesk https://www.autodesk.com/insights/research/state-of-design-and-make ➡️ Oracle Industry Lab – Reality Mapping Experiment https://www.oracle.com/oce/dc/assets/CONT38A2DFF92B0F45508AA1F951B9ACA65F/native/reality-mapping-experiment-at-oracleindustrylab-wp.pdf?elqTrackId=8890984c691a40b6b77629d39b181803&elqaid=136059&elqat=2 ➡️ US DOT Awards $95M in IIJA Tech-Related Grants https://www.enr.com/articles/56131-us-dot-awards-95m-in-iija-tech-related-grants ➡️ The IIJA sets aside $100M for contech. When will it arrive?https://www.constructiondive.com/news/iija-infrastructure-act-100m-contech-funding-construction/624007/ ➡️ Gilbane creates new tech-oriented role https://www.constructiondive.com/news/gilbane-creates-new-tech-oriented-role/648507/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 360: The High Value of Low-Code with Nic Yaros of Appian | 30 May 2023 | 01:23:58 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today's episode, we sit down with Nic Yaros of Appian to talk about how low-code development can massively impact the business and IT world. Nic grew up to be a handyman, just like his grandpa and dad, and he does a lot of woodwork and electrical plumbing. But the nerd in him made him start his technical journey early by working for software companies back in high school and college. After finishing his Computer Science degree, he spent some time at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory developing applications that assisted the FAA in safely navigating through severe weather conditions. Currently, Nic works as an account executive at Appian, an industry-leading modern low-code platform and software company that helps automate business processes. He uses his extensive technical background to educate people on how low-code can speed up enterprise applications without writing thousands of lines of code. Today, Nic shares how to work smarter with low-code, integrating low-code into the construction industry, and its impact on today's businesses. Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Nic as a nerd and a builder (05:15) What is low-code application development? (08:22) Finding the balance between no-code/low-code and custom coding (13:30) What is Appian? (15:42) How is low-code different from traditional development (20:42) Integrating low-code into the construction industry (23:27) Low-code's impact on a business perspective (30:13) Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) explained (35:13) On getting business and IT working together with Appian (40:15) How AI is impacting the low-code space in the coming years (48:27) Weekly construction news roundup (53:48) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check Nic out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyaros/ Check Appian to learn more: https://appian.com/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ AI-enabled construction investment surpasses investment in AI-enabled fintech https://www.verdict.co.uk/ai-enabled-construction-investment-surpasses-investment-in-ai-enabled-fintech/ ➡️ A 3D-printing company is preparing to build on the lunar surface. But first, a moonshot at home https://www.cnn.com/style/article/icon-3d-printing-architecture-initiative-99-project-olympus-spc-intl-scn/index.html ➡️ Eye Spy: Building Inspectors May Soon Be Shooting Laser Beams, Saving the Construction Industry Millions of Dollars https://www.azobuild.com/news.aspx?newsID=23351 ➡️ Samsung employees leaked corporate data in ChatGPT: report https://www.cfodive.com/news/Samsung-Electronics-ChatGPT-leak-data-privacy/647309/ ➡️ $750K grant will help develop AI training games for construction pros https://www.constructiondive.com/news/fiu-awarded-750k-grant-to-develop-ai-training-games-for-construction-robot/647391/ ➡️ BIM in Construction Market: The global market is growing at a CAGR of 14.5% during the forecasted period. https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/bim-in-construction-market-the-global-market-is-growing-at-a-cagr-of-14-5-during-the-forecasted-period- -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 359: Making Construction Cool Again with Tyler Williams of DPR Construction | 23 May 2023 | 01:31:56 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today's episode, we discuss how to make construction cool again, and we're fortunate enough to be joined by Tyler Williams, field innovation leader at DPR Construction. Tyler has been in the construction industry since he was a boy, through which his dad owned a construction company. He was a union carpenter, superintendent, safety guy; you name it. About four years ago, he identified that there was a gap in DPR. He discovered that their field workers need to leverage new technologies that could positively impact their work. This breakthrough got Tyler into the world of technology and innovation as he spearheads their company's innovation core group. Today, Tyler shares what helped him get through that gap, how to communicate innovative ideas internally and externally, the impact of partnering with your competitors, and more. Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) How Tyler got started (01:41) On communicating innovative ideas (13:33) What helped Tyler get through the gap? (22:29) The power of “coopetition” (28:29) Asking questions and taking ownership (35:59) Making construction cool with the younger generations (40:34) What should we start focusing on? (54:25) Weekly news roundup (58:51) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew Learn more about Open Space: https://www.openspace.ai/ Check out Open Space's upcoming events for more: https://www.openspace.ai/events/ – Check out the work DPR do: https://www.dpr.com/ Check Tyler out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-williams-74203788/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Top 20 Most Read Construction Technology Stories of 2022 | For Construction Pros https://www.forconstructionpros.com/construction-technology/article/22670853/top-20-most-read-construction-technology-stories-of-2022 ➡️ Quebec firm to deploy crane-free construction system for Monaco build https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/projects/2020/06/quebec-firm-to-deploy-crane-free-construction-system-for-monaco-build ➡️ Announcing a next-generation AI Copilot in Microsoft Powe r Apps that will transform low-code development https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-a-next-generation-ai-copilot-in-microsoft-power-apps-that-will-transform-low-code-development/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 358: Principles for Success with Lean Champion Henry Nut III of Southland Industries | 16 May 2023 | 01:24:46 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today's episode, we are fortunate to be joined by Henry Nut III, a Preconstruction Executive for Southland Industries. Before joining Southland Industries, Henry served as the Sheet Metal General Superintendent for over 12 years. Currently, Henry serves as the chair for Lean Construction Institute's (LCI) board of directors and has been a Lean Champion for Southland for over 15 years. He is also the author of a recently published book, Seven Principles: Creating Your Success in the Construction Industry. Today, Henry shares how he came through the sheet metal trade to be an inspiring industry leader he is now with advocacies on mental health, DEI, and more! Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Henry's background (04:54) From fieldwork to an advisory role (07:29) On respecting people and mental health (14:18) Henry's secrets to writing a book (21:15) Advocating on DEI initiatives (31:35) How to inspire other leaders to do the uncomfortable (38:28) Advice to future leaders (47:52) Weekly news round-up (57:17) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – See more about Southland Industries: https://southlandind.com/ Check Henry out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-nutt-iii-7832347/ Grab your copy of Henry’s book Seven Principles: Creating Your Success in the Construction Industry – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ AutoGPT Agents Want to Automate ChatGPT, Overrun the Internet https://thenewstack.io/autogpt-agents-want-to-automate-chatgpt-overrun-the-internet/ ➡️ Driving successful AI projects in manufacturinghttps://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/driving-successful-ai-projects-in-manufacturing/ ➡️ MIT ROBOTS CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH CONSTRUCTIONhttps://www.designboom.com/technology/mit-robots-construct-big-things-11-23-2022/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 357: How to Manage Change in Innovation with Will McManus from DSI | 09 May 2023 | 01:25:16 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today’s episode, we are incredibly lucky to be joined by Will McManus from DSI! Will began his career as an IT director in 1992, where he was working with FGI Services, overseeing all aspects of information technology, eventually obtaining his Master's Degree in 2006. He joined DSI as a CIO in 2011 before becoming Vice President of Construction Technology just a year later. Will now focus on streamlining business processes and implementing services that help the company grow. In today’s episode, we discuss managing teams, developments in the industry and the latest construction news! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Having solid foundations (08:49) What is holding people back (18:20) Managing speed (22:22) Change management (27:48) Embracing innovations (44:42) News round-up (53:13) Additional Resources: – Check out the work DSI do here: https://dsi.us/ Check Will out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-mcmanus-0755844/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ AI-Enabled construction investment surpasses investment in AI-Enabled Fintech: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-mcmanus-0755844/ ➡️ JP Morgan calls managing directors back to offices full-time: https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/office/jp-morgan-ends-hybrid-work-for-managing-directors-sets-full-time-office-schedule-118489?utm_source=outbound_pub_13&utm_campaign=outbound_issue_66518&utm_content=outbound_link_5&utm_medium=email ➡️ Could this inflatable factory re-invent construction?: https://www.fastcompany.com/90835778/could-this-inflatable-factory-reinvent-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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 356: A Game-changer For Construction Jobsites with Michael Filippakis | 02 May 2023 | 01:12:31 | |
In today’s episode, we are joined by Michael Filippakis, CEO and co-founder of Loris! Michael’s passion for construction began when he was a child, helping his own father to renovate their house, before later deciding to study Construction Management at Ohio State University. After graduating, Michael worked for Turner for over a decade in a number of roles. Michael also worked on Ohio State Campus Hospital, a $600 million project, which was the largest in Ohio State History at the time. But in 2018, Michael started Loris to help build a leaner, safer, and greener job site for everyone. Today we discuss his background, what Loris does, as well as the latest construction news of the week. Check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Michael’s background (06:35) What problems does Loris solve? (09:12) What’s coming in the future (24:15) Automating data capture (32:17) What’s coming up in the next 19 months (40:10) Weekly news round-up (51:54) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check out the work Loris do here: https://www.getloris.com/ Check Michael out on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-filippakis-86a79858/ – See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Construction jobs are plentiful, but workers are scarce: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/06/1158576556/where-did-the-workers-go-construction-jobs-are-plentiful-but-workers-are-scarce ➡️ Birmingham-based conduit raises seed round as EV charging needs growth: https://hypepotamus.com/startup-news/electric-growth-birmingham-based-condoit-raises-seed-round-as-ev-charging-needs-grow/ ➡️ Toga.ai raises $5million: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/togalai-raises-5m/646254/ -- 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 | |||
| Industrial Construction Automation to Replace the Cranes and Unlock Physical AI with Artem Kuchukov | 27 May 2025 | 00:32:05 | |
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, we're lifting construction to new heights literally with Artem Kuchukov, CEO and co-founder of Kewazo. With a background in civil engineering and a master’s in construction robotics, Artem brings over a decade of experience in transforming how materials move on job sites using robotics and AI. He shares the incredible journey of Kewazo, a company revolutionizing vertical material movement, starting with scaffolding in industrial construction. Jeff and Tannis get into the inefficiencies of traditional material handling, the safety risks of scaffolding, and how Kewazo’s solutions are bridging the gap with automation and data. From humble Lego-inspired beginnings to enabling AI-driven insights in oil sands and manufacturing plants, Artem breaks down the tech, challenges, and the future vision for robotics in heavy industry. Key Learnings
[00:00] - Introduction [02:26] - Artem’s background and why he entered construction robotics [04:10] - Identifying scaffolding as a major pain point in vertical material movement [07:00] - Inspiration from Amazon-style material flow for on-site automation [10:30] - Pivoting from commercial to industrial construction and why it matters [21:47] - Fast setup times and the “laptop vs desktop” analogy for on-site deployment [26:40] - Passive data collection and the power of AI in creating transparency [29:36] - Reliability in harsh conditions: oil sands to Mexico [31:53] - Predictions for the next five years and how to learn more Follow the Guest:
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| The ConTech Crew 355: Why Innovation Isn’t Just for Large Companies with Daniel Hood from HICAPS | 25 Apr 2023 | 01:24:25 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today’s episode, we are extremely lucky to be joined by Daniel Hood from HICAPS! Daniel is the Vice-President of HICAPS, who boast 35 years of experience in multi-faceted project management solutions for companies in the construction industry. Daniel worked for the US Army for eight years working in the combat engineering branch. In 2008, he joined HICAPS as a project manager before becoming vice president a decade later. In this role, Daniel manages multiple projects in a range of industries and assists with the development of project prioritization, the scope of work, and more! In this episode, we discuss why innovation isn’t just for large companies, how they have kept up with changes in technology, and a round-up of the latest headlines from the last week. Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) What is HICAPS? (08:17) What to focus on (16:22) Working with Procore (28:08) Growth in a recession (35:14) A ‘Sick Building’ (41:48) News wrap-up (56:52) Additional Resources ⬇️ Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check out the work HICAPS do here: https://www.hicaps.com/ Check Daniel out on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-k-hood/ -- See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Transportation agencies shift towards digital delivery: https://www.asce.org/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-source/civil-engineering-magazine/issues/magazine-issue/article/2023/03/transportation-agencies-shift-toward-digital-delivery ➡️ The National BIM program launches: https://offsitebuilder.com/the-national-bim-program-launches/ ➡️ Procore launches construction insurance brokerage to empower builders: https://www.procore.com/press/procore-launches-construction-insurance-brokerage-to-empower-builders ➡️ How a total project life cycle mindset can benefit your next project: https://www.mccarthy.com/insights/how-total-project-life-cycle-mindset-can-benefit-your-next-project -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 354: The Journey of Innovation with Robert Ioanna from Syska | 18 Apr 2023 | 00:58:22 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today’s episode, we are very lucky to be joined by Robert Ioanna from Syska! Robert is the Executive Principal of the company and is responsible for the overall technical and financial performance of the firm. Syska is a global engineering firm specializing in full-service MEP, information, and communication technology. They boast over 500 team members across 20 different office locations. Robert began his journey with Syska as an HVAC engineer and held numerous roles, which has led him to his current role, working out of their New York City office. In today’s episode, Robert sits down to discuss all things innovation. Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) How Robert got started (08:13) How Syska has changed the construction process (16:53) Syska's corporate innovation program (27:41) The biggest win for the company (32:11) The impact of pre-construction (42:11) The industrialization of design (47:22) On AI (53:09) Additional Resources ⬇️ Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check out the work Syska do here: https://syska.com/ Check Robert out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ioanna-b9635a11/ -- 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! | |||
| The ConTech Crew 353: The Realities of Adoption with Nichole Carter from ICWSAT | 11 Apr 2023 | 01:19:23 | |
🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com In today’s episode, we discuss the reality of adoption with Nichole Carter from ICWSAT! Nichole started ICWSAT in 2021 and works with contractors and businesses to maximize their usage, using role-based training and providing ongoing support to reduce risk. Nichole landed her dream job straight out of college, working on engineering and construction for a regional theatre in Denver. But after feeling the impact of the financial crisis at the time, she had to look for another job. She began working in a carpentry or steelwork role in Arizona. After complaining about how inefficient the company’s processes were, she began to help them fix their own processes as a general contractor for 7 years. In 2021, Nichole decided to take a leap of faith and start her own business, putting over a decade’s worth of experience into helping business owners and contractors. In today’s episode, we discuss Nichole’s career, the reality of adoption, and more! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) What Nichole is working on now (06:31) How Nichole got into construction (10:19) Flow on the job site (26:53) How do we stop people from leaving tech? (39:12) Weekly news round-up (57:04) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew – Check out the work ICSWAT does: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icwsat/ -- See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ The Labor Market is so tight that a construction firm says it is flying workers by private plane: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/the-labor-market-is-so-tight-that-a-construction-firm-says-it-s-flying-workers-by-private-plane-1.1892855.amp.html ➡️ The Case for AI in construction: https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelicakrystledonati/2023/03/07/who-says-you-cant-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks-the-case-for-ai-in-construction/?sh=90434103654e ➡️ Harvard research shows the best way to beat burnout, it’s even better than vacations: https://www.inc.com/kelly-main/harvard-researchers-show-best-way-to-beat-burnout-its-even-better-than-vacation.html ➡️ The cities built to be re-usable: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230207-can-we-design-cities-for-disassembly -- 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! | |||
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