The construction industry is facing an ongoing labor shortage that has been years in the making and has reached new heights this year. Research from the ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) suggests construction has the tall task of attracting an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor.
As such, it becomes critical to find ways to optimize each labor hour to get the most performance and value. This is where technology enters the equation. Field solutions can help improve efficiency on the construction jobsite while also attracting and retaining skilled labor.
Studies have found that the average worker on a jobsite only spends about 30% of their time on productive work, while the other 70% of their time is spent on inefficient processes like tracking down the latest plans or getting assignments. One option available to improve efficiencies is jobsite management software, Fieldwire, which reports it can save up to one hour per person per day on every construction jobsite. Fieldwire allows users to access and share information more easily, plan and manage work more seamlessly, and track and report progress in realtime—all while prioritizing the needs of the field. Not a bad deal when you consider time saved today is about more than just profitability, it’s about efficiency.
Hilti North America recognized the urgency for this in the construction industry and made an investment in Fieldwire back in 2017 as they recognized the importance of digitizing the construction industry. By 2021, Hilti was all in and announced its plans to acquire Fieldwire to drive productivity for its customers through complementary software and hardware solutions.
Now, Hilti’s solutions add efficiencies to its customer’s business through tools with integrated features for improved worker and jobsite safety, advanced technologies, and services that simplify construction management for maximized productivity—ultimately getting customers to a healthier bottomline. This is now heightened by its partnership with Fieldwire.
“Hilti is focused on making construction better—and our Fieldwire partnership does just that, through enabling construction companies to better manage projects, ensuring positive outcomes for their clients, while also increasing productivity and profitability for their own company,” says Mike McGowan, region head and CEO of Hilti North America.
In addition to technologies to make workers more efficient at the jobsite, Hilti also provides start to finish support for its customers. From integrated layout to digitization of workflow and technology that helps individuals perform the tasks faster and more efficiently, using the full Hilti system optimizes the entire customer experience and work package solution.
In addition to Fieldwire, Hilti continues to up the ante by offering services like Tool Fleet Management with fixed monthly costs, ON!Track tool and equipment tracking and management, Hilti Replenish for maintenance of inserts and accessories inventory, and dedicated repair services.
The bottomline here is simply from before the job starts to after it finishes, Hilti is laser focused on partnering with construction customers to provide implementation, training, and additional support—so the construction company is taken care of throughout the lifecycle of their projects.
With high material costs and high labor costs, construction companies have a tall task ahead of them in the days ahead. Technology can certainly help create greater efficiencies. How will you make your jobsite more efficient in 2023, amid the worker shortage? Does technology factor in? Have you found the right partner yet to help you get there?
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