Construction labour productivity starts with technology
Peggy Smedley • The construction industry is experiencing an ongoing labour shortage that has been years in the making — and it has reached new heights this year. Research from the ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) indicates that the sector faces the significant challenge of attracting an estimated 546,000 additional workers, over and above the usual hiring pace in 2023, to meet labour demand.
Given this, it is essential to find ways to optimise each hour of labour to maximise performance and value. This is where technology becomes crucial. On-site solutions can enhance efficiency on the construction site while also helping to attract and retain skilled labour.
Studies have shown that the average worker on a construction site spends only about 30% of their time on productive tasks, with the remaining 70% lost to inefficiencies such as locating the latest plans or receiving assignments. One effective tool for improving efficiency is site management software like Fieldwire, which reports that it can save up to one hour per person per day on every construction site. Fieldwire enables users to access and share information with ease, plan and manage work more effectively, and track and report progress in real time — all while prioritising on-site needs. That’s a solid return, considering that saving time today is about more than profitability — it’s about overall efficiency.
Hilti North America recognised the urgency of this issue within the construction sector and invested in Fieldwire back in 2017, having acknowledged the importance of digital transformation in the industry. By 2021, Hilti had gone all in, announcing plans to acquire Fieldwire to enhance productivity for its customers through complementary software and hardware solutions.
Today, Hilti’s solutions boost efficiencies for its customers through tools with integrated features that improve worker and site safety, advanced technologies, and services that simplify construction management to maximise productivity — ultimately leading to stronger business outcomes. This advantage is now further elevated through its partnership with Fieldwire.
“Hilti is focused on making construction better — and our partnership with Fieldwire achieves just that, by enabling construction companies to manage projects more effectively, ensure positive outcomes for their clients, and increase both productivity and profitability for their own business,” says Mike McGowan, Region Head and CEO of Hilti North America.
Read the full article on Peggy Smedley's blog at Connected World.
