EPISODE 413: The construction industry has been using prefabrication for years, but there’s always been a bit of a disconnect.

Typically, prefabrication doesn’t start until the bid is awarded to the fabricators. But what if there’s a way to speed up the process while building a sustainable future?

In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I speak with Michael Gustafson, vice president of strategy and business development at Qnect.

As a structural engineer with extensive experience working with big names in the construction tech world like Trimble and Autodesk, Michael saw an opportunity to improve the steel design workflow with Qnect.

Qnect offers both software and services for optimizing steel designs, aiming to remove inefficiencies and reduce material and process waste.

Today, Michael talks about how integrating AI in construction can automate repetitive tasks and boost productivity. He also shares insights into the global engineering practices and the growing trend of prefabrication, particularly in structural steel, to reduce uncertainties and speed up project delivery, what Qnect brings to the table, and more.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Michael’s transition to the construction tech world (02:25)

The importance of steel in construction (04:22)

Qnect’s core mission and goals (07:46)

How Qnect is helping detailers (12:37)

Role of AI in enhancing construction processes (14:02)

Benefits of using Qnect for owners (22:49)

Balancing cost and carbon ion construction design (27:00)

What’s next for Qnect? (29:54)

Keep up with Michael (36:32)

Construction technology news of the week (37:07)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew

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Follow Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gustafson-2047786/

Visit Qnect for more information: https://www.qnect.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Microsoft Build 2024: everything announced

https://www.theverge.com/24161636/microsoft-build-2024-ai-copilot-windows-teams-edge

➡️ The Gray Work Index: Our Productivity Gap in 2024

https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024

➡️Trimble acquires payments, compliance platform Flashtract

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/trimble-acquires-flashtract-contech/716106/

➡️ Private equity's unlikely champion for giving workers a leg up with employee ownership

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/private-equitys-unlikely-champion-for-giving-workers-a-leg-up-with-employee-ownership-60-minutes-transcript/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 412: Burnout has long been a cause of higher suicidal rates in the construction industry. But what if there’s a way to detect burnout before anything worse happens?

Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Eitan Vesely, a former engineer turned successful founder.

Today, we’ll talk about the world of employee well-being and how Eitan’s Watercooler, an AI-powered tool, helps companies detect and combat burnout in their employees.

We’ll explore the balance needed in managerial interactions, the effectiveness of well-being programs, and their relevance to the high-demanding construction industry.

Tune in now and learn how you can proactively address burnout and foster healthier construction job sites.

Let’s jump in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Eitan Vesely and how he started Watercooler (02:43)

How Watercooler gathers and uses data (07:26)

Addressing privacy and ethical concerns during data-gathering (15:29)

Leveraging AI to stop employee burnout (21:14)

Watercooler vs. other personality test platforms (24:31)

Real-world applications and success stories (26:35)

How burnout is influenced by work demands and inflexibility (29:55)

The balance between over and under management (32:13)

Combining data science and tech with psychology (40:28)

Final thoughts (50:10)

Construction technology news of the week (51:13)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew

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Follow Eitan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eitan-vesely/

Check out Watercooler AI for more: https://www.watercooler.ai/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Private equity's unlikely champion for giving workers a leg up with employee ownership

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/private-equitys-unlikely-champion-for-giving-workers-a-leg-up-with-employee-ownership-60-minutes-transcript/

➡️ Trimble acquires payments, compliance platform Flashtract

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/trimble-acquires-flashtract-contech/716106/

➡️ Microsoft Build 2024: everything announced

https://www.theverge.com/24161636/microsoft-build-2024-ai-copilot-windows-teams-edge

➡️ The Gray Work Index: Our Productivity Gap in 2024

https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024

➡️ AI and ROI: An Either/Or Scenario?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-roi-eitheror-scenario-robert-ioanna-w7gge/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 411: Imagine having a tool that makes it easier for construction workers at all levels to find the information they need. Builder Answers is designed to do just that!

Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Marcus Kirkwood, founder of Builder Answers.

Builder Answers is an online tool that provides immediate, accessible answers to workers on-site. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap and modernize the construction industry using AI.

Today, Marcus discusses the significant stigma in the industry and the importance of integrating modern technology into daily workflows.

We talk about the future of construction tools, highlighting the need for both software and hardware developments to meet the industry’s needs, how Builder Answers is different from other AI tools and much more.

Ready to revolutionize your construction site?

Tune in now to learn how innovative tools like Builder Answers can transform the industry and help overcome its current challenges!

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Marcus Kirkwood (01:31)

Challenges in integrating technology in construction (02:52)

Importance of exposing students to construction (06:31)

How Builder Answers provides quick solutions to workers on-site (16:24)

The need for continuous improvement in construction (24:03)

Builder Answers compared to other AI tools (27:26)

The role of physical tools and hardware in modernizing construction (31:45)

Future plans for Builder Answers and its potential global impact (44:53)

Keep up with Marcus and Builder Answers (48:29)

Construction technology news of the week (49:31)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew

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Follow Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-kirkwood-77a46190/

Visit Builder Answers for more information: https://builderanswers.com/

Got questions? Email Marcus here: marcus@builderanswers.com

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ FTC's noncompete ban could reshape the US workplace

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ftcs-noncompete-ban-could-reshape-the-us-workplace-140012480.html

➡️ Why This Iconic New York Building Is Empty? One Times Square

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1QJjH0GVCY

➡️ Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technologies and Fabrication, SMACNA

https://digital.phcnews.com/PHC-News-May-2024/120/

➡️ Continuum Advisory Group- Construction Spending Index

https://www.continuumag.com/construction-spending-updates/may-2024-construction-spending-updates/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!