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Back to business: 3 tips on restarting your construction operations
Patrick Hogan Construction & Building MaterialsWhen the construction industry started the year 2020, most contractors were confident about the industry’s future. A few weeks into the year, however, the COVID-19 crisis hit. In order to adapt to the changing industry environment, you need to plan strategically and have a solid foundation for your business decisions. Here are some tips on how to prepare your construction business for operations during the current COVID-19 crisis.
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Rare-earth elements spark resource war
Dave G. Houser Natural ResourcesRare-earth elements (REE) — also known as rare-earth minerals or rare-earth metals — are a group of 17 chemical elements of the periodic table. Although most of them are not terribly rare, they are highly strategic substances and vital components in most of the technology we employ every day. What is rare are deposits of these minerals in high enough concentrations to be feasibly and economically extracted. Presently, about 90% of the global supply of rare-earth elements comes from just one country: China.
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New advocacy group launches to help America’s small businesses
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementPolicymakers, beware. Small Business for America’s Future (SBAF) is a new advocacy group, evolved from Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform. Why? Look no further than the performance of Congress and the White House as the COVID-19 pandemic hammered mom-and-pop shops with a crash in consumer demand across the U.S. SBAF surveyed 1,200 small business owners whose responses show the damage as Capitol Hill dithered. For instance, 53% of small business owners have increased debt during the pandemic.
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5 ways facility condition assessment software can improve your building
Ajwad Gebara Facilities & GroundsAs maintenance needs increase with a building’s age, building managers across the globe are surrounded by some difficult questions. While the facilities team may work on expecting the unexpected, other departments might not be as proactive. Building managers want to put an end to these worries. But how can they do that? your facilities-related challenges can be solved with a state-of-the-art facility condition assessment (FCA) solution. This software enables you to manage your single and multisite building assessments.
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States are reopening their manufacturing sectors. Here’s what they…
Bambi Majumdar ManufacturingThe manufacturing industry will have a significant role in the coming economic recovery, so there is optimism to be had with the news of the sector reopening in many places. But worker safety must be of paramount importance. As we cautiously go into our next phase of battling this pandemic, manufacturing companies are preparing to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19.
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Infographic: Robots in the construction industry
Christian Castillo Construction & Building MaterialsThe robots are coming, but instead of taking over our jobs, they're more likely to help us become much more productive. The construction industry is a prime example of this; since construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, automating many of the jobs can make the work environment much safer. In fact, it's already started, ranging from drones improving safety on a worksite to a humanoid robot from NASA, the Valkyrie, made to withstand the harsh vacuum of space and help us travel the stars.
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VR goes to work in interior design
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesConfronted with the need to maintain social distancing and minimize direct contact with clients, many design firms have turned to visualization tools such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) during the past few months as means of increasing engagement with clients and facilitating virtual design planning and decision-making. This is likely to be merely the first step towards tapping the considerable potential these of technologies.
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COVID-19 reveals the value of domestic manufacturing
Bambi Majumdar ManufacturingThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the value of domestic manufacturing. One recurring piece of news that we see everywhere, from cable channels to social media, is the urgent need for more PPE and how Americans are stepping in to make these products for our front liners. From individual contributors to major industry leaders, millions are invested in helping to make supplies for the medical community. But many leaders and businesses are looking at other U.S. manufacturing possibilities going forward.
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Steps for maintaining and securing vacant facilities
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsAs the COVID-19 outbreak continues to lash the United States, the pandemic has continued to force facilities to shut. Nonessential offices are shuttered with workers at home. Schools are mostly closed until next fall, hotels are dark, restaurants shut, and many churches and other gathering places are locked until further notice. The coronavirus shutdown means the time is ripe for a discussion of how to maintain and ensure the security of any closed facility.
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How technology can help prevent workplace injuries
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementA few months ago, we reported on workplace fatalities being at their highest levels since 2008, although workplace injuries are trending down. And now, the National Security Council recently released its first Work to Zero research report, "Safety Technology 2020: Mapping Technology Solutions for Reducing Serious Injuries and Fatalities in the Workplace." The report identifies the most relevant workplace hazards, along with technologies that can help to mitigate the risks.
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