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Large-scale construction sites seem to be in a continuous uproar at all times. Regardless of the time of the day, the deafening drilling sounds, excavation activities, truck loading and unloading, bellowing cranes, and roaming bulldozers never seem to rest. However, did you ever wonder how construction contractors manage the usage of all these heavy equipment?

Thus far, we have only described a single construction site. But construction companies often have numerous construction projects ongoing concurrently in various locations. Imagine the number of machines and trucks being utilised in such projects. How do you think companies keep track of all of them?

The formal name for the monitoring and control of construction assets is construction fleet management. However, the latter is not simply about chaining cranes when they are not needed or placing machinery in safe storage areas after work. In fact, fleet management encompasses far more than what meets the eye. Like any other operation on a construction site, fleet management is full of challenges and requires neverending tenacity and attentiveness.

If you own a construction project, you will agree that the aforementioned heavy equipment costs a fortune and replacing them in the event of a theft can be quite painful. Hence, you, as a construction contractor, are better off letting a competent company like Taurus handle your construction fleet management.

The latter will allow you to focus on meeting essential deadlines while we work hand in hand with a devoted construction fleet manager and his steadfast team.

To help you make an informed decision, we shall use this blog to unveil the importance of professional construction management for your projects.

The Importance Of Professional Construction Fleet Management

Gone are the days when keeping a paper record of equipment and vehicles dispersed to each construction site would suffice. Today, construction projects have become increasingly complex due to the fast-paced environment we live in. We need to prepare for the future even before the realities of the present dawn upon us.

Explicitly speaking, we mean proper asset forecasting has become a crucial aspect of construction sites. In short, we need to prepare beforehand regarding upcoming equipment replacements, repairs, etc, to avoid any project delays.

The latter is precisely what construction fleet management seeks to do:

Improved Forecasting

In the current era, companies use special fleet management software to handle each aspect of their operations. From the purchase of a specific asset to its depreciation, usage, monitoring, and ultimate scraping or disposal, everything is done through software. This software is designed to minimise errors and diligently convert raw data entered into the system into fruitful information.

Over time, the software becomes more efficient in developing highly insightful trends based on historical information. The latter allows for more reliable and accurate forecasting of assets and their related cash flows over longer periods.

Informed Decision Making

The benefits mentioned above significantly discard guesswork and uncertainties from construction operations. Hence, management is able to make more informed strategic, tactical, and operational decisions regarding the fleet. Thanks to the remarkable software, numerous daily, weekly, monthly and so forth reports are produced automatically to assist decision-making processes.

Real-Time Tracking Of Construction Fleet

As we mentioned earlier, the biggest concern for a construction contractor is the fact that he/she is unable to oversee the usage of construction sites simultaneously on various sites. The latter makes delivery scheduling extremely difficult.

Let us take your truck fleet as an example. For appropriate tracking, you need to have a clear idea of where each truck is at a particular time. How many of your vehicles are on the road, and how many are being used on sites. Only then will you be able to manage your arrival and departure times effectively.

In this regard, professional fleet tracking systems use GPS to furnish you with the location of each vehicle on a single map in real-time. To further improve operations, the related software generates automatic reports regarding speed, stop and start times, late deliveries, etc.

Better Dispatch Of Construction Equipment

If you are working on ten different projects with up to twenty different sites, you wouldn’t buy a separate crane for each site now would you? You will most probably be left bankrupt if you do. Well, the latter demonstrates the need for a proper dispatch schedule of equipment to various construction sites.

Due to the real-time tracking of equipment, it becomes easier for one to predict when certain equipment will be available for work on other sites and schedule their dispatch accordingly.

Timely Recovery Of Stolen Equipment

Lastly, the equipment tracking system used by professional fleet management service providers will also save you the pain of replacing stolen equipment.

About Taurus Projects

Apart from handling numerous large-scale projects, Taurus is also well-versed in providing personalised fleet and material management services as well. Contact us to learn more.

It takes years to execute a construction project, and takes even longer to plan. Thus no one ever wants anything to go wrong during the execution of their construction project. So just like everyone else, you want everything to go as planned. Because if one aspect goes wrong, it will disrupt the whole project and cause unnecessary delays in the timely completion of the project.

For this reason, construction contractors often invest ample time and money in ensuring that nothing comes in the way of their project’s punctual fulfilment. They spend generously on regular machinery maintenance sessions to minimise downtimes and also keep an eye on their workforce to boost productivity.

However, there are a few things that no one has control over, and one of such things is an area’s weather. Weather conditions are one thing that no one can absolutely guarantee, as anything can happen at any moment.

As a result, unexpected weather changes emerge as the primary reason for delays in construction projects in the industry. In times like these, it is often seen that the construction team is not adequately prepared to handle such circumstances, which leads to confusion and further delays.

Hence, the importance of incorporating weather conditions into your construction schedules can not be emphasised enough. Accordingly, you should also be sufficiently prepared and equipped to tackle climatic conditions during construction projects.

Also Read: Tips For Handling Construction Project Uncertainties

The best way to do so is by hiring a certified and reputed construction contractor. The latter often exercises due vigilance in this regard and meticulously plans the construction project with such prudence so that it is not affected by adverse weather conditions.

Thus, this blog post will discuss some tips that will help you complete your construction project on time without being affected by severe weather conditions.

Keep A Close Eye On The Weather Forecast

The weather forecast tool will help you plan out your construction project smoothly. So you should always use long-range weather forecast tools to get an idea of the weather conditions for the period in which you plan to execute the construction activities.

Once you have a clear idea of the likely weather conditions in the said period, you will be able to complete the construction tasks accordingly. For example, if you know, there is light rain forecasted, then on that day, you can plan indoor construction tasks and leave the outdoor tasks for when the outside weather clears up.

Also, these severe weather alerts will help you promptly secure your construction site before the weather gets bad. As a result, you will have enough time to safely conceal your heavy equipment and avoid any accidents due to extreme weather conditions.

So it is imperative to keep the weather forecast in mind while making your construction plan.

Always Be Prepared

Weather can change in a split second, so you should always be prepared to handle harsh weather conditions. Therefore, you should always have emergency supplies readily available on your construction site that will help your workers to deal with severe weather.

Emergency supplies like first aid kits, water bottles, food and flashlights should always be available on your construction site.

Create A Jobsite Checklist For Severe Weather

Also, you should make a job site checklist to tackle severe weather that should be given to each employee. So that in case of an emergency, everyone will know what role they need to play and what their responsibilities are.

Moreover, when you have an inclement weather tasks checklist handy, it will help the workers to smoothly execute the procedures and protocols that need to be followed during such circumstances.

Here are some tasks that should be on your severe weather emergency checklist:

• Secure and protect heavy machinery and equipment to prevent damage and costly repairs.
• Disconnect water connections, gas connections and power generators to avoid accidents.
• Secure the scaffolding with a building to protect it from collapsing and make sure that everyone is away from the scaffolding.
• Make sure to cover all the blocked drains and excavated holes to prevent flooding.
• To prevent water penetration and glass breakage, make sure to cover your open doorways and windows with plywood.
• Secure the lightweight materials and temporary structures as they can topple over due to strong winds.

Understand The Area’s Weather History

It is crucial that you are fully aware of the area’s weather history in which you are planning to start your construction project. When you know the weather history of the area, you are able to plan your construction project according to the weather conditions.

Knowing the past weather conditions will help you clarify what type of weather is typical in that area.

Final Word

Construction projects take years to complete, and it takes even more time to plan a construction project. There are a lot of factors that should be kept in mind while planning a construction project. Therefore, you should request professional and site preparation services for this complex job.

About Taurus Projects

Taurus Projects is a reliable firm operating in Fort Saskatchewan and offering professional construction, material management, and fleet management services.

We take pride in our top-notch services and pay special attention to the safety of our workers, the general public, and the environment. Contact Us now to get a hold of our trustworthy construction services.

Fleet operation plays an important role in any organization. Its efficiency can ultimately affect the success of the business. An effective fleet management strategy is crucial for a company’s growth.

Effective fleet management involves the process of managing commercial vehicles, asset information, vehicle acquisition, and disposal. All this is managed by a manager(s). This means that the fleet manager has the big responsibility of monitoring fleet activities and ensuring a transparent fleet management system while also considering cost reduction of the overall process.

The fleet management industry is constantly evolving as the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has influenced the company’s normal operations. The pandemic has also affected the normal operations of the fleet.

This requires fleet managers to overcome certain challenges and maintain an efficient, safe, and productive fleet system. This might include managing maintenance, fuel consumption, and other points.

Many different industries use fleet management systems, and each of them faces its unique challenges. This blog post covers the common challenges of a fleet management process and ways to overcome them.

Which Industries Have Fleet Management Systems?

Fleet management is used in several industries such as:

• Oil and gas emergency Services
• Governments
• Construction
• Utilities
• Mining
• Pest control
• consumer goods
• Food delivery
• Rental and distribution
• Transportation

Challenges Of Fleet Management

Fuel Consumption Cost

Petrol and other fuel prices have increased over the past few months. This situation has made it even harder for fleet managers to keep their fleet management under control. Fuel is a major factor that allows the vehicles to run, and without it, a fleet management operation cannot function.

These circumstances put a lot of pressure on the managers to manage the costs as higher authorities emphasize reducing the cost required for fuel. There are some interactive fleet management systems in the world. These interactive vehicles and fleet management systems let the drivers know of high consumption areas and highlight where they can save thus helping reduce fuel wastage.

Moreover, the adoption of digital applications can help managers track vehicle routes, access data on service history, maintain compliance records, and more. The Internet Of Things (IoT) and telemetry have made all this possible.

To read about ways you can reduce your fleet’s expenses, check out this blog.

Downtimes

Problems with the vehicles and vehicle downtime is another challenge faced by fleet managers. Out of service vehicles in the fleet increase cost and cause a great setback to the company’s revenue.

For this, it is necessary to understand asset management challenges. These might include finding the vehicle’s capacity, its condition, and other factors. Moreover, figuring out downtimes ahead of time and keeping solutions ready for any such situation can help you keep your fleet management on track.

Drivers should be given adequate training and proper education about the fleet and vehicle handling. A system should be devised where a manager can oversee driving behavior. Moreover, managers can check odometer readings in real-time and monitor driver behavior. So, timely steps can be taken to minimize the impact.

Optimization Of Routes

Again this point is dependent on the latest technology and software applications. Route optimization is necessary for exact fleet vehicle location, identifying the optimal vehicle to dispatch to that location on an urgent basis, and calculating the best route. Such GPS-based data can help select the best routes, which might help reduce downtimes and costs.

Other Challenges That Fleet Management Face

• Shortage of drivers
• Lack of security
• Time wasted on non-core business tasks
• Driver safety
• Investment in new vehicles
• Replacement of assets and equipment

How Can Taurus Projects Help You?

Taurus Projects is a reliable firm operating in Fort Saskatchewan and offering professional construction, materials management, and fleet management services.

Taurus’ fleet management division offers total fleet management services for large industrial equipment, commercial equipment, and highway vehicles.

We offer a state-of-the-art maintenance facility in Fort Saskatchewan that can perform routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections on most types of Industrial, commercial, and highway equipment and vehicles.

We take pride in our top-notch services and pay special attention to the safety of our workers, the general public, and the environment. Contact Us now to get a hold of our trustworthy engineering services.

Technology is reshaping how we behave and live our lives. It is impacting countless industries across the globe and making the most mundane tasks easier and more convenient.

One such application of technology is in the construction industry. From developing new software for better collaboration to prefabricated models, technology is revolutionizing the world of construction. Leveraging such technology can help improve productivity on a construction project.

Imagine if we were to stick to our old methods of digging or constructing buildings, we won’t be as efficient in the coming years as the other industries.

The absence of powerful tools, software, and other technological developments would make it extra hard for a construction contractor to complete construction projects on time.

That’s why opting for technology in the construction industry has become necessary. Many up-to-date construction contractors are actively playing their role in keeping up with the latest trends and technological developments in the construction industry.

Therefore, those who want to remain competitive in the construction industry must adapt to the new developments and modern tools. This blog post highlights those developments and some effective ways to adopt technology in construction.

Communication Software

Software development and tools have made it easier for general contractors to communicate with laborers, architects, electricians, and other team members easily.

They can share information and get real-time input from them. Moreover, Building Information Modelling (BIM) software with integrated response trackers create online plan rooms, virtual meetings, GPS tracking, and much more. All this allows real-time collaboration on a project with everyone on the team to discuss things and analyze project phases.

Integrating such software as a part of the construction planning phase can be beneficial to keep the project’s progress readily available. Those who are allowed can access the information and make the decisions for the benefit of the project. This speeds up the construction project and reduces downtime caused by inefficient planning and decision-making.

Off-Site Construction

Off-site construction is not a new technology, as many projects have already implemented it. It refers to the construction, manufacturing, planning, design, and fabrication processes being carried out at a location other than an actual construction project location.

The two types of off-site construction common in the construction industry are modular construction and prefabricated models. The modular type has everything completed off-site with fixtures installed and fixed. These are transported to the actual site and fitted in the structural frame.

Prefabricated models have the building components built, but the rest of the assembling and installation is done on the construction site.

Such an off-site construction option is popular in projects with repetitive layouts and designs. These projects might include apartments, hospitals, hotels like Thoresta with golf course, schools, and more. Therefore, opting for this technology can prove beneficial in terms of cost and waste management in any construction project.

Cloud-Based Technologies

Smartphones are here to manage your calls, messages, and other important meetings and construction projects. They are paired with cloud-based data management and storage software that lets you control your project even if you are away.

Such software and cloud-based technologies allow you to access the project’s blueprints, documents, contracts, and more at just a tap. This can help reduce downtime and serious delays in the project.

Opting for such technologies helps improve your construction management processes, as you can gain better control over your project from anywhere in the world.

Machine Learning And Artificial Intelligence

Improving job site safety, making effective decisions, increasing productivity, and better construction management has been made possible by the application of Machine Learning and AI. Construction firms can better manage materials, employee records, project progress, and equipment with the help of ML and AI tools.

Robots manage job-site progress while drones with high-definition cameras and LiDAR capture construction sites. These help you analyze and compare your 3D drawings and see how much work is done each day.

ML and AI integration might not be common in construction projects, but in the coming years, they are going to be an effective and widely-opted management process in construction projects.

About Taurus Projects

If you want to leverage the latest construction technology along with experienced construction services, Taurus Projects is happy to serve you. We are general commercial contractors and are ready to help you with your construction projects. Contact us here for further information.

Construction site theft is a common problem faced by many construction contractors. As construction sites are enormous, keeping everything in check becomes a little difficult for most people.

Construction projects are already expensive, and construction site theft makes them even more costly. After all, you will have to compensate the equipment owner for the loss since the theft occurred on your property. Even if the stolen item belongs to you, its replacement will still prove to be expensive.

From heavy equipment to building materials, construction site theft has become an industry-wide problem.

Moreover, in addition to the direct cost of the stolen items, you will also incur some indirect costs. For example, after you replace the stolen item, you will have to reincur the cost of setting it up and the paperwork. All these additional costs will topple the total budget of the construction project.

So if you want to stay within your budget, then you must control theft on your construction site. One of the best ways to tackle this problem is by getting material management services from a certified construction company.

These companies have trained professionals who are capable of handling all the material on your construction site and they make sure that no materials get misplaced, damaged or stolen.

Also Read: The Impact of Effective Material Management on Construction Site Performance

To help you better manage such situations, this blog post will outline 4 preventative steps that can help assist you in avoiding construction site theft.

Secure Your Construction Site

Let us start from the basics. Security is a necessity for any type of business. Hence, the first step is to secure your construction site as the biggest reason behind construction site theft is lack of proper security and surveillance.

Sites that are not fully secured become an easy target for would-be thieves, so you need to ensure that your construction site does not fall prey to these. For this purpose, you can hire a certified security guard who can keep a record of who enters and leaves your site. Thus, it would be easier for you to identify any suspicious entrants if theft occurs.

Moreover, you can also place ‘no trespassing’ signs on your fully fenced construction site. The latter will also decrease the chances of being targeted by intruders. When not in use, keep all your building materials and tools in large storage boxes and put locks and chains on cargo trailers and heavy equipment.

Likewise, make sure to maintain an inventory log of all the tools, equipment, and materials. This way every item in use will be accounted for at the end of the day.

Evidently, managing the materials on your construction site will require a high level of diligence and due care. You, as a construction contractor, will already have a load of work on your shoulders. Hence, the best way forward will be to hire a certified material management contractor to do it for you.

Draft And Enforce Theft Prevention Policies

Employees are likely to take formally written policies more seriously than verbal instructions. Therefore, ensure that you draft theft prevention policies and enforce them on your construction site to prevent theft.

Also, make sure that all contractors, subcontractors, and the general workforce are made aware of all the rules, policies and consequences of construction site theft. Similarly, implement a zero-tolerance policy for offenders and inform all contractors and employees that if they get caught, they will have to face serious prosecution.

Maintain A Record Of Your Materials

It is imperative that you keep a detailed record of all your building materials and equipment in order to avoid theft. Get a hidden pin engraved on all your building materials and equipment so that in case of theft, you can identify your tools and equipment.

On the other hand, if you request material management services from a professional company, they will take care of the record-keeping task. In fact, they will monitor inventory movement through specialised software like Jovix which leaves no room for error.

Make Sure To Register Your Equipment

Another important preventative measure is to register all your equipment and materials. The latter will aid law enforcement agencies to easily recover the stolen items in case theft occurs.

So make sure that you register your equipment with a National Equipment Register (NER) to aid your recovery process in case of theft.

About Taurus Projects

Taurus Projects provides quality material management and construction services by applying all the necessary safety measures and expert knowledge. Our management and employees take pride in delivering the best services to our clients. We craft our material management strategy diligently to ensure optimum security and monitoring of a full range of inventory.

Starting a new construction project? Want to get expert site services, material management, earthworks, and sediment control? Contact us now and get the job done rightly by our professionals.

“Penny wise, pound foolish.” These seemingly four short words explain precisely what causes cost and time overruns, substandard work, and delays in construction project schedules.

Construction contractors are often notoriously frugal about saving every penny in business operations such as administration, advertising, and human resources. However, they act incredibly careless when it comes to construction material management.

This carelessness often leads to great blunders that result in soaring costs, disputes with clients, and even the termination of the whole project. The latter is apparent from a Nigerian case study which clearly reveals the detrimental effects of poor material management in construction. This concentration on a few business functions and carelessness in other vital operations such as material management is what leads to the demise of most construction projects.

One way to save yourself from such disastrous outcomes is by always involving a professional company that can readily and reliably provide premier construction material management services. Yes, you might think you can do it on your own. But think again about the above proverb: do not save a penny, only to spend a pound at the end.

After all, money doesn’t grow on trees, now does it?

As specialists in concurrently handling diverse projects and construction activities, we shall educate our beloved readers regarding the benefits of effective construction material management and handling.

Advantages Of Effective Material Management In Construction

The preceding explanation emphasizes the significance of the material management process. However, it’s essential to realize that the process entails more than just purchasing materials, storing them, and using them.

In fact, the procedure encompasses far more than what instantly comes to mind. As a result, we’ll start with a quick overview of what material management entails before moving on to the benefits.

What Is Construction Material Management?

In simple words, the process is about efficient construction material handling. It entails purchasing materials at fair prices, storing them in appropriate conditions, inventory control and record-keeping, material planning, releasing them at the right time for the right project and place. Moreover, the process also expands into material waste management. In short, material management can make, shake, or break a construction project.

Sometimes, construction contractors divide these aspects into different material management systems, but it all adds up to the same thing. These activities are implemented at various points across the project’s lifecycle without following any specific order.

What Are Its Benefits?

Evidently, the importance of effective material management can not be emphasized enough. Thus, it is worth remembering that this process is a necessity and not just an additional benefit.

Here are just a few of the perks that effective material management can provide you:

Reduction In Material Wastage

In a world consistently facing the depletion of almost every resource, material conservation makes it to the top of the priority list. An appropriately formulated material management strategy ensures that only the needed quantity of material is released for usage. Seasoned material management service providers often utilise numerous software such as Jovix and other ERPs to gauge control inventory levels.

Minimal Deviation From The Budget

As pointed out earlier, poor material management leads to increased costs. Although a contractor is not rigidly bound by the exact budgeted figures (slight variations are inevitable), a huge deviation leads to either reduced profit or a dispute with the client. A professional contractor should always remain close to the budgeted figures, and this can be done by managing material usage to avoid wastage, theft, or duplicate material handling.

Work Completion Before Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is one of the biggest challenges construction contractors face. Delayed dispatches from the warehouse and distorted communication with truck drivers often result in the material reaching the desired site late. Consequently, workers either complete the task late, which results in financial penalties or increase the speed at the cost of quality and deliver substandard work.

The result in both cases is a dissatisfied client. However, a well intertwined and interconnected material management system will eradicate the former.

Improved Workforce Productivity

When materials arrive at the right time and place, your labour will feel motivated and energetic. They will diligently finish their work within the regular working hours and demolish the need for overtime.

Elevated Reputation Amongst Customers

Lastly, any business endeavor should aim to secure a returning client to further lengthen their clientele chain through word of mouth. This is only achievable when the work done meets the needs of the client and is within their deadlines.

Proper material handling increases efficiency and reduces the time to complete a project.

About Taurus Projects

Whether you are struggling with a simple sewer repair or require a highly qualified construction contractor for a mega project, Taurus is your answer. Contact us to learn more.

The year 2022 can be seen as the year to re-emerge from the chaos and setbacks that 2021 gave to the construction industry. The pandemic situation made scenes even worse when people were limited in their activities. This also impacted the construction industry and led to labor and material shortages, thus negatively impacting the construction sector’s growth.

However, we can see the construction industry rising again in current scenarios. New technology is changing the construction sector and increasing the profit margins. Many construction contractors are coming forward with new ideas and services to ease the process of project construction.

The trends that were popular for the construction industry in 2021 might not be as effective for 2022. Therefore, leveraging new trends is important to keep your construction project up to date.

Also, hiring reliable construction contractors who can provide effective construction, fleet management, materials management, and similar services is necessary. For this, you can contact Taurus Projects.

If you are thinking about which trends will be popular in the construction industry in 2022, continue reading this blog. This blog post will highlight the top emerging trends in the construction industry for the year 2022.

There Will Be A Growing Need Of Laborers

There will be an ever-growing need for laborers in 2022. The pandemic has worsened the situation even more by instilling a labor shortage in the industry. The same pattern will be seen in 2022 as well.

That is why many people, including Gen Z, are joining the construction industry. Moreover, women can be seen working in the construction industry now due to other job shortages in the market.

Therefore, with the growing demand for laborers, you will see more people joining the construction industry because of the better benefits and other perks.

3D Printing

You might have seen a machine print a 3D structure of a construction project. It is becoming popular in the construction industry. Many small and medium-sized construction projects have been developed with 3D printing technology and are a great solution for efficient and affordable construction.

Companies are utilizing 3D printers for printing asphalt. This has simplified a lot of work and opened new development gates in the construction industry. The benefits of reduced waste, greater turnaround time, and fast construction make it necessary to have 3D construction on your radar in 2022.

More Focus On Sustainability

More and more people are focusing on sustainable and green solutions in the construction industry. Green construction is an emerging trend in 2022, which many people will opt for.

This process utilizes environmentally friendly materials that are committed to net-zero carbon emissions. Green construction options are suitable for creating a positive psychological and physiological effect on people.

There is an emerging demand for greener construction solutions at every stage of a construction project, from planning to building and post-construction. All this is driven by the changing climatic patterns and our need to reduce our carbon footprints.

Many construction companies will also offer various packages if you opt for their eco-friendly solutions. Such solutions help improve metrics including lower operating costs, improved occupant health, and higher occupancy rates.

Increased Use Of Automation

The use of automation in the construction industry will be trending in 2022. Automation increases efficiency on the construction site and makes the processes much easier. As more and more projects are being constructed, the need for automation is also increasing to simplify the processes of project planning, supply chain, labor attendance, and more.

Drones and robots are useful in construction automation to supervise the project and detect any unusual activity. This allows management to focus on the more important tasks.

Other Construction Trends Of 2022

• Digitization project management and reducing the use of paper
• Self-driving construction vehicles
• Wearable sensors for the safety of workers
• The use of AI and simulation for creating models before construction
• Project management and budgeting tools to reduce expenses and repetitive tasks
• The use of drones for land surveying and inspection

About Taurus Projects

Taurus Projects is a top-rated construction contractor in Saskatchewan. Our professionals deliver top-quality commercial and industrial construction services throughout Alberta. Visit our website to learn more about our superior construction services, or contact us for personalized service.

If someone is thinking about starting a construction project, it doesn’t mean that they have lots of money that construction contractors can use carelessly. Instead, careful planning and strategic thinking about material management are necessary to ensure everything goes well and within budget.

Material management plays an important role here. It helps in successfully completing a construction project within budget and within the allocated time. An effective material management strategy is implemented at every stage of a project. These stages might include planning, procuring, storing, distributing, and more.

Therefore, if you are not investing in a company that provides experienced material management services, you are causing a great setback to your construction project. You might ask, why is material management important for your project, and what to do about it.

This blog post lists some of the most important reasons for hiring an effective material management service to accomplish your project.

It Maintains Inventory

The term ‘material management’ means managing the materials on the construction site and checking each item. The responsible party maintains the inventory system and checks the record of the items coming in and being used.

Lost, stolen, misplaced, mislabeled, and misused items affect the construction project’s inventory. If there is no one to keep a watch or keep the items secured and under observation, your project’s budget may surprisingly increase.

Therefore, an effective material management service starts with a proper inventory management system and records all the items in the company’s inventory.

It Improves Labour Productivity

Another reason to hire a material management service is to improve your labor productivity. Material management helps in observing the activities of the labor on the construction site, so you can prevent any problems before they start, streamline existing processes, and better manage the project.

Moreover, if the laborers are busy managing materials more than half the time, they won’t be able to perform what they should do.

Hiring a material management service takes this stress away from them and lets them do the more necessary parts of their jobs. Moreover, with an effective material management service, they can focus better on their job.

They Allow ‘Just-In-Time’ Delivery

Many items in a construction project are used as soon as they reach the site. Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory is the main tenant of lean production in which the items are delivered just in time before they are used in the project.

This methodology leads to significant cost savings and better management of the materials. Moreover, the contractors know which items are in stock and what needs to be restocked before the work. It also helps to reduce the waste on the site.

You Gain Better Quality Control

Another aspect of effective material management is that it helps you gain and learn quality control practices on the site. This helps you ensure that the materials going into the production are of high value and of good quality. This improves the overall construction process, and the buildings last for a long time.

You Minimize Waste

Millions of construction projects are carried out each year, and these projects create tons of waste each day. Surely, we need to take preventive steps and smart measures to reduce waste.

A professional material manager must make sure of two things: when the product is being stored and when it is being procured? An effective material management process includes communication with the contractors about which material is needed to complete their tasks.

They know what to order in what quantity as ordering more can lead to logistical headaches, and under-ordering can impair productivity.

Effective material management helps maintain the required amount of items and reduces waste on the site.

About Taurus Projects

Taurus Projects offers professional material management services for keeping your construction projects within budget. We help our clients in an effective materials management process and regulate the necessary quality control measures on the construction site. Contact Taurus Projects for the complete security of your materials. We provide all our services through qualified and legally authorized third-party companies.

The technological revolution has undoubtedly brought remarkable changes with it. Today, humanity can do things that were thought to be impossible a few years ago. While sitting in the comfort of your house, you can virtually ‘see’ your loved ones miles away, thanks to the numerous video calling apps. Likewise, our ancient construction methods progressed in lockstep with the advancement of technology in every part of our life.

It may come as a shock to Gen Z to learn that the fine technology and advanced construction techniques used now were not popular in their grandparents’ era. If you ask your grandfather how he built the house he currently resides in, the answer will astound you.

He’ll tell you that the construction contractor took several days for site preparation, followed by months of waiting as the construction process proceeded linearly. Furthermore, he would most likely tell you a fascinating story about how a snowstorm stalled work for weeks, and how he was terrified that the house would remain half done forever.

In short, your grandfather will eventually reveal that the house in question took several months to construct. However, this is not the case anymore. Thanks to modern technology and construction techniques, home construction only lasts two months or so.

This blog will explore some intriguing differences between conventional and contemporary construction in general.

Modern Vs. Conventional Construction

Clearly, the building sector has evolved in a variety of ways. Everything has changed, including construction procedures, equipment utilisation, labour training and education, and project completion timelines. The industry has moved from ‘stick by stick’ to ‘prefabricated’.

Let us delve a bit deeper:

Increased Automation Due To Technological Advancements

This is the primary difference between contemporary and conventional construction industries and paves the way for all other differences. Had it not been for the technological innovations in equipment and machinery, the construction industry would have remained more or less the same.

Traditional construction sites heavily relied on manual work rather than machinery. Although construction companies used machines and equipment, their intricacy paled in comparison to that of the latest machinery. As time went by, enhanced machines began to take over the manual work.

Eventually, the construction industry became more capital and less labour intensive. Nevertheless, nothing can entirely wipe away the importance of labour from the construction industry, as even the most sophisticated machines require human interference for proper functioning.

Construction Methods And Techniques

Perhaps the most intriguing difference between conventional and contemporary construction sites is the introduction of modular construction. To understand the latter, we first need to differentiate between the processes involved in traditional and modern construction methods:

Linear construction – Primarily, the traditional construction industry made use of this construction technique. In the latter, each process must follow the other linearly. Hence, the third process in line can not begin before the second one is complete. For example, foundation and framing work can not start before grading and site preparation is complete.

Simultaneous construction – This method is used in the contemporary construction industry. While on-site work occurs in the construction area, building module construction also concurrently takes place in the off-site factory. Modules are pre-constructed building units that need to be transported to the construction site.

Evidently, modular construction has diminished the need for linear construction which has ultimately saved a lot of time (as discussed below).

Time

The time factor is extremely important in today’s fast-paced world. In a business environment where speed and accuracy have to go hand in hand, there is no place for laggers. The construction industry is no exception to this fact.

The traditional construction industry’s linear processes, manual work, and primitive technology led to months and months of construction work. Contrarily, modular construction, improved machinery, and automation processes in combination have led to a great reduction in the time required to complete any construction project.

Labour Yield

It is not only the core construction processes that have changed over time. Construction contractors have wholeheartedly embraced modern workforce management and quality control techniques as well.

While the productivity of labour on conventional construction was evaluated on the basis of their daily work, the modern side of construction concentrates on a labourers’ work quality, ability to adjust to varying projects, willingness to learn new things, and more.

Formal Training Of Labour

Lastly, the other major difference between the two construction types is the formal education of the labourers. Since, traditional construction required more manual work with less sophisticated equipment, the know-how of the processes was sufficient.

However, modern construction contractors invest graciously in workforce training and education to optimally equip their labour with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the processes.

About Taurus Projects

From humble beginnings as a business trade constructor in 2009, Taurus unwaveringly seized various business opportunities in Edmonton, Alberta. Through our undying passion for entrepreneurship and commitment to excellent customer service delivery, we have swiftly climbed the success ladder in the past decade. Contact us today to learn more.

Unlike an office environment, a construction site poses numerous safety challenges for construction contractors and employees. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), about sixty thousand fatal accidents occur in the construction industry each year. If one digs deeper into the numbers, it becomes apparent that falls, slips, and trips are the most common reasons behind injuries and deaths in the industry.

Unfortunately, more than one thousand construction site workers lose their lives each year. Currently, the construction industry experiences the most accidents globally and fatalities while the government sector, agriculture, and forestry are runner-ups.

Despite the shocking statistics, construction companies often neglect this aspect of the work environment. However, an employee’s safety primarily depends upon the reliability of the construction contractor.

As a responsible employer that prioritises employee safety and health over everything else, Taurus leads the way by upholding the necessary precautions and worker safety standards. To help steer others onto the same route, we are hereby providing a few pointers that are important for construction site safety.

Pointers To Ensure Employee Safety On Construction Sites

We strictly stand by the philosophy of ‘no job is so important that it cannot be done safely’. For this reason, we strive to ensure that our work environment is safe for every employee.

Although the whole process is quite comprehensive, here are a few pointers we strictly consider to ensure worker safety:

1. Employee Education And On And Off-site Training

Most of the accidents mentioned above result from recklessness, distractions, and a lack of equipment handling skills. Hence, regardless of an employee’s experience in the industry, they must be fully trained on the use of the equipment, possible site hazards, and what to do in an emergency.

Moreover, this training should not be confined to theoretical room training. Instead, instructors should arrange demonstrations on the construction site. The latter will give the workers a clear picture of what they need to do.

Again, the awareness creating process should not halt after the initial training. Rather, construction companies must carry out such training sessions regularly.

2. Proper Documentation Of Standards

Strict enforcement of your company’s safety policies is critical. People might forget what they were verbally told. Hence, safety standards and policies should be documented and made available to the workforce at all times.

If possible, incorporate fines and penalties for those unwilling to follow the safety rules.

3. Strict Supervision And Implementation Of The Standards

Recklessness is part of human nature. Resultantly, your employees might overlook their safety and not adhere to the policies mentioned regardless of the documentation and fines. For example, some workers may wear their hard helmets only in the presence of a construction manager but will take them off as soon as he/she is out of sight.

For this reason, a strong supervisor with a positively domineering personality is also essential. This person should strictly enforce the safety rules upon employees and remind them that a hard helmet is replaceable, but a skull is not. Your employees should never ignore the importance of their personal protective equipment (PPE).

4. Inspection Of Scaffoldings And Aerial Lifts

Since falls are the primary reason behind most construction-related fatalities, a company must consider all the instances in which they may occur. The first thing that crosses a mind in this regard is the proper working condition of scaffoldings and aerial lifts. Hence, these and other similar items must be regularly checked for defects and immediately fixed.

5. Regular Machinery And Equipment Maintenance

Another aspect that contributes to accidents on construction sites is the machinery involved in the process. Hence, these should also be regularly inspected for any damage and defects.

6. Proper Markings And Signs To Alert Workers Of Potential Dangers

This pointer is not just for the benefit of the workers but also the general public. Undeniably, a construction site is full of surprises. Due to the in-progress construction work, a seemingly harmless site might be prone to falling objects.

Thus, placing proper signs with clear warnings can save people from many accidents.

7. Encourage A Two-Way Communication Process

Despite your best efforts in the training sessions, some employees may not clearly understand certain things. However, in fear of being judged, the worker might not gather the courage to ask any questions.

Every manager should slay such fears from their team’s minds and encourage them to ask questions if they are in doubt. Resultantly, instead of experimenting with equipment, employees will feel compelled to ask things they do not understand. The latter will significantly reduce the risk of incidents.

Who Are We?

We provide a perfect fusion of state-of-the-art technology and premier service delivery to fulfil all your construction and site service needs. Taurus’s unfaltering commitment to quality and use of unrivalled technology makes us an elite construction service provider in Edmonton. Get in touch today to get to know us better.