Unique Event Reveals How to Beat Worker and Machine Downtime

Eliminate Downtime, held in Chicago, brought together construction industry leaders to discuss solutions to downtime challenges

Becky Schultz

Jul 2, 2019

Trackunit

In a unique industry event, Uptake and Trackunit recently held Eliminate Downtime at Uptake’s headquarters in Chicago, IL. More than 40 construction industry leaders participated in the event to share stories, challenges, ideas, best-practices and experiences in an effort to eliminate downtime industry-wide by 2025.

Those attending were there to discuss solutions to the critical challenge of low productivity, missed deadlines and cost overruns. Presenters focused on innovation and technology to transform business models in the journey to eliminate downtime. While they reinforced the concept of sharing ideas and solutions with the industry, they also stressed individual training, transparency within the workplace (open communication and buy-in from the top down) and embracing data and technology as assets rather than unknown elements.

Organizations such as Komatsu, Admar Supply, United Rentals, Sunbelt, CAT, Bechtel, Messer Construction, Uptake and Trackunit contributed with presentations, workshops and a panel quickfire session. Presenters included:

Debates proved to be wide ranging, with discussions covering such topics as the voluntary Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), to the inefficient manual rental systems that continue to be pervasive across the U.S. According to the program organizers, the presentations illustrated the need for collaboration and open interoperable systems, with the benefits to be gained in site safety and project productivity highlighted in numerous examples.

Jeff Cohen, president, Trackunit Inc, noted, “There are many examples of how data is transforming other Industries; increasing productivity, safety and profitability. The presentations at the Eliminate Downtime event in Chicago demonstrated how our industry is now linking people, machines and data to create incredible solutions to costly problems in the construction market.”

The construction industry generates massive amounts of data every day, and individual organizations are beginning to use data to streamline processes and plan projects more consistently and efficiently. Data harvesting on a wider scale using artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning could unleash the capability for businesses to overhaul numerous working practices. These could enhance worker roles on-site and allow equipment to be maintained in peak condition for the whole life cycle, retaining more of the capital value.

Jay Allerdyce, Uptake, and Eliminate Downtime committee member, stated, “AI will help our industry understand the impact of machine downtime, visibility of machine health and maintenance requirements. This will allow us to optimize resources and allocate machines across multiple projects and geographies. This is no time for complacency, it is the time for curiosity and innovation in the construction industry.”

To view highlights from the event, visit https://www.trackunit.com/company/eliminate-downtime/chicago-highlights/

The Eliminate Downtime movement has already received the support and sign-on from leading construction companies. More industry forums are planned around the globe, including New York (US), Paris (FR), Munich (GER), Amsterdam (NL) and Copenhagen (DK).