Keith Armishaw
North America Business Development Manager
It’s crucial for contractors to stay on or ahead of project schedules even when they’re short-staffed. Labor shortages continue to be a challenge that drives contractors to look for different solutions to get the work done with a smaller number of people. When they have projects that involve large amounts of concrete removal, Hydrodemolition helps them complete the removal up to 25 times faster than with jackhammers or other handheld methods.
With remote operation, another benefit is increased safety—operators are not wielding heavy, vibrating equipment that puts a lot of wear and tear on their bodies. They can position themselves a safe distance from the impact zone to avoid flying debris and dangerous situations, such as standing on ledges with hand tools. And because Hydrodemolition uses water, they are not exposed to silica dust.
Implementing safer, highly efficient, user-friendly processes is one way today’s contractors can fight through the labor shortage to keep moving through projects.
Aquajet, acquired by Brokk AB in 2016, is an industry leader in Hydrodemolition machines and solutions.
Jeff Keeling
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Labor and safety are two themes that come up over and over with our customers. Contractors are continually looking for solutions to help them cope with the ongoing labor shortage. They find their way to us because our demolition robots offer the productivity of a large crew using handheld tools—without the large crew.
By eliminating jackhammers and other hand tools and providing remote operation, contactors can improve safety, too. No one has to put him- or herself in a dangerous position on a ladder, ledge, or where material could fall. There is also less daily strain, lowering the risk of chronic injuries. Solving labor and safety challenges is a major undertaking and a long game for the industry as a whole. We’re glad we can be part of the solution.
Jeff Keeling works closely with regional sales managers to develop and grow the Brokk brand in key segments across the United States and Canada. He is also responsible for educational initiatives aimed at helping customers maximize their Brokk machines’ potential.
Troy Dahlin
VP Heavy Construction US/CAN
Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, spent 2023 at the forefront of the rapid acceleration of digitization in the building and heavy construction industries, continuing to focus on making jobsites safer, smarter, and more connected.
The heavy construction industry is catching up to the rest of the world and making a hard turn toward digital technology solutions that make jobs easier, safer, and more efficient.
Technology providers have a responsibility to create and nurture a user-friendly, interoperative network designed to help customers solve problems and complete projects on time, spec, and budget. Strategic partnerships expanded our customer offerings and paved the way for continued growth and progress.
Helping our customers care for the mental health and safety of their employees is our guiding philosophy. The right technology can elevate jobsite safety, contributing to both the physical and mental well-being of employees. We look forward to continuing to guide end users toward success in 2024.
Joe Haynes
President
Over the last year, we’ve seen a softening of the housing market, which can mean a dip in home-improvement projects that require hole-drilling such as fencing and deck building. On the flip side, homeowners buying fixer-uppers due to budget or availability will often turn to contractors for remodeling projects. In an uncertain economy where a shortage of skilled labor is ongoing, the demand for construction projects gives contractors the unenviable task of maintaining productivity while trying to hire crew members. This is a trend that will likely carry into 2024 and drive the continued need for equipment that improves efficiency and safety. Little Beaver’s earth drills are one solution. Our patented torque tube makes one-man drilling possible, safe and efficient. Our Mechanical earth drills help contractors complete their jobs quickly while saving labor costs with one person drilling instead of two.
Little Beaver manufactures quality, safe and productive drilling equipment for three generations.
Donna Campbell
Editor in Chief
The buzz word for the year is Artificial Intelligence (AI). From trade shows to conferences, companies engaged in advanced technologies and software platforms have been incorporating AI into communications and processes. Most notably, AI to craft responses in software programs to help word change order requests or bring up keyword searches in document storage for decision-making purposes. AI does not replace the human factor in communicating, it simply enhances the clarity of wording. AI is only a tool to be used to assist, not do, the work. And, the assistance is only as good as the input to begin the email, document, or text.
I’ve seen software companies focused on the construction industry partner to provide better services. One company, in particular, Procore, teamed with Microsoft to align itself with AI capabilities to move the adoption of software platforms into the mainstream of builds taking place across the nation. Procore Groundbreak in Chicago this past September showcased several companies in partnership. Be looking for the next generation of software assists featuring AI.
Peter Bigwood
General Manager of Mecalac North America
Due to nationwide trends such as labor shortages and high labor costs, it is an ideal time to be selling multifunctional, compact equipment. Equipment that can work in a smaller footprint continues to be popular due to tighter, more congested jobsites. However, what separates machinery providers from innovators is the ability not just to improve but reimagine the jobsite. Wheeled excavators are one such solution. They can dig, lift, place and unload material from a single position, offering economy of movement and a compact footprint. They allow operators to do more with less, which not only ties into reduced downtime and increased productivity goals, but also taps into industry goals such as optimized efficiency and increased sustainability. The ideal machinery allows contractors to address immediate jobsite needs while looking ahead to long-term industry trends, which drives the innovation we do here at Mecalac and have planned for next year.
Mecalac is an international manufacturer of compact construction equipment for urban sites. Versatile and multi-purpose equipment is available through four main product lines: excavators, loaders, backhoe loaders, and site dumpers.
Jeremy Dehnel
Director of Sales
In the past year, we’ve seen strong activity and growth in the road and utility construction markets. We attended a few shows in 2023—CONEXPO, National Pavement Expo, Public Works Expo, and Utility Expo—and heard from many contractors about the need for increased efficiency while facing the challenge of limited project timelines and a nationwide labor shortage.
In general, we have seen increasing popularity of attachments in the construction industry due to the versatility they offer contractors, while increasing efficiency and requiring less crew members. Rather than purchasing an entirely new machine, attachments connect to host machines in fleets that operators are already familiar with.
We expect 2024 to be another strong year, especially with the continued increase in infrastructure investment. Therefore, contractors will continue to look for equipment and solutions that can help them complete projects more efficiently with increased safety and less labor.
Road Widener LLC puts more than 30 years of road construction experience to work manufacturing innovative road and utility construction equipment.
Troy Geisler
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
We’ve seen a post-COVID climb throughout 2023. The last three years have given us unprecedented insights into the trailer manufacturing industry. In Talbert’s 85th year, we saw how strong our industry really is.
The supply chain is starting to even out and parts inventory levels are skyrocketing. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any challenges. Dealers who stocked trailers succeeded throughout the pandemic, but backlogs have started stacking up as economic issues halt buying practices.
While the last few years have certainly been interesting, we believe the market will level out with time and return to pre-COVID levels. This year, we rolled out our new Sourcewell contract to streamline purchasing for government and education agencies through the U.S. and Canada. As we continue to learn and grow, we’re looking forward to partnering with more dealers, suppliers and end-users to face the years to come.
Talbert has been building world-class heavy-haul and specialized trailers to rigorous customer specifications since 1938, and offers complete lines of heavy-haul trailers and specialized transportation equipment for the commercial, industrial, military, and government sectors.
Jeff Lowe
Vice President, Product Marketing
In the past year, there has been considerable uptick in demand for compact, transportable fuel solutions. These fuel tanks offer a versatile solution for contractors who are looking to take control of their fuel supply. Contractors are realizing the convenience of moving their fuel supply wherever it is needed—a benefit that can even help to reduce emissions and meet “green quotas.” Transporting fuel typically requires a CDL with a hazmat endorsement—criteria that’s not always practical for every operation. The market has responded with new transportable diesel fuel storage options that don’t require this special licensing or placarding. Needing fuel is a constant. But the options available to maximize fuel efficiency have significantly evolved over the past year and will continue to do so as we move through 2024.
Tate Johnson
President
Original equipment manufacturers caught up with demand this year as supply chain issues continue to stabilize. While talks of a recession have circled, Yanmar CE North America’s economist saw the chances of a recession getting smaller throughout 2023 and projects a soft landing in 2024. We are leveraging the strength of Yanmar as the world’s second-largest mini excavator producer to continue strategic growth plans and keep up with projected increased infrastructure spending in the next two years.
Yanmar Compact Equipment North America, encompassing the Yanmar and ASV brands, intends to continue its expansion trend into 2024. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota, expansion opens new opportunities for staffing with the addition of hundreds of full-time positions in the next five years. Over the last 3 years, we have increased staff by 35% and doubled down on quality assurance. We now also offer a full line of Yanmar compact equipment, complete with the introduction of the new Yanmar TL100VS compact track loader.