Construction Equipment Owner

The Eighth Annual National Pavement Expo West went off virtually without a hitch (though a roomful of stripers listening to Mick Vinckier reportedly jumped a foot when the bulb blew on the LCD projector), but despite positive vibes from almost all the contractors I talked with, NPE West was still beset with much of the same trouble affecting the rest of the economy. Attendance and exhibit space took a dip — no surprise there — so seminars and workshops were a little lighter than normal.

But the content was still there, as was the interest. Mick, who often has contractors repeat his class to see what else they can learn, noted only five people who said they’d taken his session before. And Jeff Stokes, one of a handful of long-time presenters, said his group in the “Killer Marketing” session was the most energized and enthusiastic he’s had in quite a while. That might be attributable to the economy as well, as contractors look to grow in what are certainly tough economic times, but it could just as easily be attributed to the quality of the folks who attend NPE West and NPE.

More on NPE West in the days to come, and if you were there let me know how it went for you.

Lisa-Jane Romer, Motorola Director of Product Operations - Sprint Account is the guest on this bonus episode of the Construction Business Podcast. Our third podcast of the week focuses on emerging technologies of mobile phones that can help construction business owners and their employers work more efficiently. Lisa also gives a sneak peak of the Motorola i776 and the Motorola i576.

 Construction Cell Phone Technology [9:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (537)

Despite the potential pitfalls for contractors, there is a growing trend toward wrap-ups on construction projects. Contractors are typically at the mercy of wrap-up administrators and are routinely held hostage by confusing wrap-up documents, additional paperwork and unexpected expenses.

Duke Mills, author of “Contractor Survival Guide for Wrap-Ups,” joins the Construction Business Podcast to address the issues of wrap-up Insurance Programs and aid contractors in their understanding of wrap-ups so they may successfully pass through this process.

Mills’ 37-page, easy-to-read guide, cites real company experiences, offers concise definitions and explanations, valuable forms and flow charts, and “killer tips” to help contractors protect their profits from bid errors and audit overpayments. This manual, in addition to a resource of wealth about wrap-ups is available www.wrapupexperts.com.

 Construction Wrap-Up Insurance Survial Guide [12:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (425)

Barack Obama has been elected President and everything is back to normal. As one of my favorite college football analysts would say - “not so fast my friend.”

Multiple reports have come out regarding a down year in 2009 affecting pretty much every aspect of the construction industry - from contractors to manufacturers.

As you’re reading everyone’s updates, outlooks, forecasts, etc. one person I would suggest following and giving his insights a little more weight to is that of AGC’s Chief Economist Ken Simonson. In his Simonson Says series he recently wrote a reaction to the election and current market conditions that is worth the 2-3 minutes it will take you to read.

Ultimately Simonson sees that the Obama administration will likely be more supportive of a larger surface transportation funding bill which from all accounts I’ve seen is a central factor in any economic recovery plan. He also notes that owners who do go ahead with projects will be pleasantly surprised in many cases by how much less they cost than they would have a few months ago due to a slight slide in materials costs. As such, Simonson believes these conditions should spur both public and private owners to launch construction in 2009.

It’s that time of year again, with business in much of the country following the slowly dropping temperature, and National Pavement Expo West is just on the horizon.

Set to kick off this Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show includes an exhibit floor supported by a conference program featuring more than 30 technical and management sessions. And they’re good ones — I know because I’ve worked with many of the presenters since May as they put their programs together. Plus, for contractors who want to get a better understanding of the paving industry from hot mix asphalt production to compaction, the Asphalt Institute is hosting a 3-hour intensive event that will provide just that.

So if you have the time, take the time to visit NPE West this Nov. 20-22 in Las Vegas. And if you do get there stop by and look me up. I can usually be found in or near S226 in the convention center, where the speakers congregate.

If you don’t have the time now I hope to meet you at National Pavement Expo, Feb. 18-21, 2009 in Charlotte, NC.

Jerry Jackson - Senior Chairman at FMI - is the guest on this episode of the Construction Business Podcast. Jerry discusses a recent report from FMI which outlines the 10 significant drivers that will affect the future of the construction industry. He also provides insight on the implications of these issues and actions for construction business owners to take.

FMI’s 10 significant drivers that will affect the future of the construction industry:

• Energy Burns
• Capital Supply Suffers
• Talent Losses Likely
• Climate Changes Count
• Cost of Construction Climbs
• The Old Guard Changes
• Change Comes Faster
• Green Keeps Growing
• Customers Increase Construction Knowledge
• Global Acts Impact Local Markets

Have a suggestion for the show, hate or love a topic, want more information on a guest? Send me an e-mail with your feedback/questions.

 10 Significant Drivers that will Affect the Construction Industry [12:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (443)

Now that the election is over, bloggers, political pundits, and just about everyone else are offering President-elect Barack Obama suggestions on steps he should take as soon as he is inaugurated. Me too, and here’s one that’s long overdue:

Take good care of veteran’s and their families.

I look at that simple statement (that’s why I set off by itself) and I wonder how that can even be an issue, and why it hasn’t been taken care of already. Whether you support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — or any of the other conflicts we’ve been involved in — is there anyone out there who does not support the men and women we send to fight? The horror stories of how recent multiple deployments have damaged families psychically and economically, and the deplorable treatment and care many veterans receive (or don’t receive) once they do come home — wounded or not — are simply unacceptable.

But for some reason we have accepted this treatment and it’s time to change that. Hospitals, basic veterans’ benefits, treatment facilities, family support, job protection — all that and more should be provided for the people we send off to battle. And considering the money we spend waging wars, money can’t be an issue when caring for the people and families directly affected.

If you want to see what we can do — what the government and tax dollars should do — read a little about The Center for the Intrepid, a $50 million rehab facility financed entirely by private donations from more than 600,000 people. Located next to the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, The Center for the Intrepid provides cutting-edge treatment for amputees and burn victims, and it was designed specifically to provide care for veterans of military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, though other vets can receive treatment too.

It’s a great idea and an outstanding facility, but it’s too bad the private sector had to finance what is clearly a public responsibility. President-elect Obama can make that change right off the bat.

Do you know what is the most-targeted piece of construction equipment by thieves? How about the “actual” cost of equipment theft? Did you know that according to a recent survey done by Cygnus Business Media on behalf of LoJack and National Insurance Crime Bureau that 71% of construction equipment owners have experienced equipment theft, 29% have had five or more incidents of equipment theft, 70% of recovered equipment incurred damages of $5,000 or more and 62% of the stolen equipment was never recovered? Mike Harrell, LoJack Corporation’s Law Enforcement Operations Liaison for the North Carolina area sits down with the Construction Business Podcast to discuss these and other trends affecting construction equipment owners.

Download the “Research Survey on Construction Equipment Theft” report for more details.

 Construction Equipment Theft Update [13:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (406)