The Evolution of Construction in the Education Industry

School buildings are evolving with the times, as administrators place more emphasis on active learning, research, and multimedia. Nearly gone are the days of single-purpose buildings. Grade schools, colleges, and universities are putting more emphasis on using renewable energy and sustainable, durable construction materials. Many school buildings, for instance, are more than 100 years old. They require renovation to meet current air quality and safety requirements while still preserving their architectural features.

To address issues of space, lighting, and airflow, many schools are being designed with higher ceilings and daylighting such as skylights. Buildings are also being designed and wired to accommodate technology-based learning. Many now have smart and hands-free features in bathrooms and labs.

School building regulations have also shaped the evolution of education construction services. Today’s school building codes focus on students’ safety and welfare, requiring buildings to be handicapped-accessible, have safe exits, be properly ventilated, and be able to withstand natural disasters such as tornadoes and earthquakes. This has resulted in a shift in the materials you see in modern education design. For example, they don’t use wood framing in new school construction, due to current fire code restrictions.

Eco-friendly and sustainable materials are replacing those with short life spans or poor efficiency. There’s an uptick in synthetic, green, and cool roofs. Fluorescent, LED, and other efficient lighting have replaced traditional incandescent light sources. Energy-efficient windows are becoming the norm.

Education Construction Solutions

When building or remodeling education facilities, you might need to rent a variety of equipment. Some commonly used machines Budget Equipment provides include:

• Air compressors are ideal for spraying concrete or paint and working with air tools during construction. Because they tend to be quieter than other machines, they put out less disrupting noise during school hours.
• Boom lifts are particularly useful for school roofing and siding since schools are often at least two stories high. Budget Equipment offers both telescopic and articulating boom lifts for working in open and tight spaces, respectively.
• Carry deck cranes help lift heavy materials into place. You might use one to move the supplies needed to construct the structural steel frames and load-bearing masonry that is typical of many school buildings.
• Compaction equipment is needed before laying concrete or building foundations if you’re building a school from scratch.
• Light towers help you complete your job on time, particularly if you need to work at night to accommodate classroom hours.
• Manlifts carry workers up to high indoor spaces. You’ll need one if you’re renovating a gymnasium or painting vaulted assembly hall walls.
• Scissor lifts provide entire platforms for carrying materials. They are useful for completing indoor projects and routine maintenance in spaces with high ceilings.

These are just a few of the education construction equipment options you can choose from when renting from Budget Equipment.

Higher Education Construction Expertise

If you’re contracted to work on a higher education facility, make sure you’re aware of how it differs from a K-12 facility. You’ll face features such as playgrounds and locker-filled hallways, along with robotics labs and student housing. Higher education libraries, in particular, are becoming increasingly digitized and specialized.

Colleges and universities tend to place great emphasis on modern design, eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and technological connectivity. Much of these institutions’ abilities to support such cutting-edge building projects are because they have greater funding than many K-12 schools, particularly public ones.

On that note, construction projects will vary between public and private institutions of any level, due to their funding sources. Public schools and colleges rely heavily on state and local government dollars to hire and pay for facilities construction and maintenance. Private institutions can source from donations, tuition, private foundations, endowments, and more.

Education Facility Maintenance

Education facilities require preventive maintenance to keep daily school operations running smoothly, prolong the life of existing equipment, and avoid costly future repairs. This is particularly important as older schools age. The frequency with which educational facilities should schedule maintenance for many pieces of equipment depends on manufacturer recommendations. Most, however, should be evaluated on an annual basis.

Maintenance of education facilities includes:

• Servicing HVAC and electrical systems
• Replacing older equipment and features with energy-efficient ones
• Fixing leaks and repairing roof damage
• Replacing worn floor coverings
• Repainting

If you get called in to perform school building repairs or preventive maintenance, you might need to rent equipment such as a manlift to update vaulted lighting fixtures, paint walls, or access hard-to-reach ductwork. If you find yourself making bigger repairs, you might need to rent a dumpster to collect waste safely.

Just as education facilities vary greatly in type and design, so does construction equipment. Budget Equipment can help you get the items you need to conduct maintenance quickly and avoid downtime for the school.

The Evolution of Amusement Park and Theme Park Construction Services

Theme parks and amusement parks have taken many forms over the years. Amusement parks were once comprised primarily of picnic areas and gardens. Over time, they evolved to contain more complex rides, shows, shopping, dining, and other delights. Lake Compounce in Connecticut is the oldest amusement park in the United States, operating continuously since 1846.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in California in 1955, he redefined the American amusement park, creating an immersive escape with several themed lands. This gave rise to the theme park as an entertainment area that features several distinct sections with different appearances. To create these immersive spaces, theme park construction moved far beyond building rides and roller coasters and expanded to include crafting elaborate environments for these attractions.

Today’s theme park and amusement park industry is rapidly growing. The market is expected to reach a worth of $70.83 billion in 2025. Constant evolution is necessary for theme parks and amusement parks to remain relevant. Guests are always looking for something new, and top destinations must provide.

This is not an industry in which you incur one-time construction costs, followed by routine upkeep and maintenance. With theme parks, there’s almost always something new in the works. Just consider Walt Disney World. In 2019 alone, it will be rolling out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and the Disney Skyliner transportation system. These massive construction projects help to continually bring new life to the theme parks, which is part of what keeps them among the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Maintenance of Amusement Parks and Theme Parks

Maintenance of amusement parks and theme parks is an ongoing task. Rides require careful inspections every day for safety and functionality. While theme park rides are statistically very safe, they are also extremely dangerous when not cared for properly. Each year, about 7,000 people go to emergency rooms for injuries that occurred at theme parks. Many of these are preventable circumstances where regular maintenance would have made a difference.

Keeping up with theme park maintenance often requires specialized equipment. Boom lifts make it possible to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to maintenance personnel. Scissor lifts are another essential piece of equipment to boost workers up to necessary heights. Rough terrain scissor lifts further enhance the functionality of this equipment, offering support in outdoor areas around the perimeter of roller coasters and other rides that may extend over uneven terrain.

Planning for Megaparks, Waterparks, and More

As the theme park industry grows, it will demand increasingly creative features to keep visitors entertained. After soaring alongside Harry Potter or venturing into the land of Avatar, it’s difficult to get the same thrill from an ordinary roller coaster. With Walt Disney World and Universal Studios setting the bar high, any new amusement park must innovate to keep up.

Companies building and planning megaparks or waterparks will need access to a well-rounded fleet of specialized equipment to tackle associated construction jobs like constructing water slides or digging pools. Backhoes, bulldozers, and other types of earthmoving equipment can clear the way for new rides, while compaction equipment smooths the ground and sets the stage for the next big attraction. Equipment rentals make it easier to move smoothly from one stage of construction to the next and to simply cancel each rental when it’s no longer needed.

Amusement Park and Theme Park Solutions

Amusement parks and theme parks have a big job, keeping up with the proper rules and regulations to address any potential safety concerns on-site. The American Society for Testing and Materials sets amusement park standards for design, testing, manufacturing, operation, inspections, maintenance, and quality assurance. Budget Equipment offers the equipment rentals needed to keep up with the maintenance and construction regulations in place in this industry. Affordable rentals offer fast access to essential equipment for any project.

When theme park attractions need maintenance or repairs, it needs to happen fast. Lengthy downtimes can spell disaster for guest satisfaction. If wait times are notoriously long and popular rides are unavailable, ride attendance will drop. Keep up with the demands of the entertainment industry with reliable construction equipment that will streamline critical jobs. Use Budget Equipment to help you handle the challenges this industry presents.

Aviation and Aerospace Building Solutions

Aviation and aerospace facilities encompass a wide range of structures. These include airports and bases, air carriers, airport towers, air traffic control centers, flight service and maintenance stations, hangars, simulation centers, launch facilities, cargo facilities, ground support, storage, communications centers, security, infrastructure, and more. These buildings and facilities support a variety of aviation design, manufacturing, and maintenance services.

Two main characteristics of many aerospace and aviation buildings are their immense height and clearance. Most service stations, hangars, and other aircraft facilities won’t have much internal support or columns. The building’s dimensions are guided by the type of aircraft or machinery housed within. Doors and other features are complex and often customized.

Pieces of equipment needed to support these types of facilities include:

• Boom lifts to access hard-to-reach areas of these massive facilities. Budget Equipment offers both telescopic and articulating lifts for working in large, open areas such as hangars, as well as more complex spaces, such as control centers.
• Cranes for moving and putting into place extremely large components, such as steel supports and metal buildings.
• Construction dumpsters and storage containers to remain orderly and organized when putting pre-engineered buildings together on-site.
• Industrial forklifts to transport heavy items.
• Bulldozers and other earthmoving equipment to prepare land for building and road foundations.
• Manlifts to allow workers better access to aircraft components needing assembly or maintenance, from engines to landing gear.

During every phase of the construction process, you must comply with current aviation security and safety standards. It often takes extra time to get all your tools and equipment cleared and onto the worksite. You must also adhere to stringent fire, building, and zoning codes. To help expedite the process, Budget Equipment can help you determine exactly what you need to construct or maintain your flight facility.

The Evolution of Aviation and Aerospace Engineering

Over the years, the industry has witnessed the evolution of aviation and aerospace construction to meet upgraded security requirements and sustainability goals. Among these is the Energy Independence and Security Act requirement that all new commercial construction, including aviation and aerospace facilities, reach net-zero energy use by 2030. Existing buildings must upgrade to net-zero within 20 years.

In addition to instituting eco-friendly and energy-efficient building practices, the aviation and aerospace industry has continued to ramp up the temperature and humidity requirements in structures housing aircraft. For manufacturers to assemble and maintain planes and equipment properly and safely, they must have stable indoor temperatures and dry, compressed air. Thus, humidity control and ventilation are critical components of building design. Many operations also prohibit direct sunlight exposure on parts and equipment. So, while some aviation and aerospace facilities benefit from skylights and daylighting to illuminate their massive structures, others rely solely on interior lights.

Maintenance of Aircraft Manufacturing Facilities

Aviation facilities must be maintained regularly and according to stringent codes for the integrity of the equipment and parts as well as the safety of the people involved. One of the main components of the maintenance of aviation and aerospace facilities is HVAC performance. The advanced HVAC systems in these spaces must perform at their best, which requires routine servicing. Contractors hired to assess the HVAC and ventilation might need to access hard-to-reach areas, necessitating equipment such as a push-around manlift.

Maintenance also includes standard cleaning, building repairs, and infrastructure improvements. You might need a scissor lift, for instance, to replace light fixtures and bulbs in tall hangars, maintenance stations, and storage facilities. A straight or articulating boom lift will make washing windows in terminals and air traffic towers safe and easy.

Aviation and aerospace companies expect solution providers to work quickly and efficiently, without compromising security or safety. Budget Equipment can help you achieve these goals by sourcing just the equipment you need for as long as you need it — be it a day, a week, or a month — from one of our more than 8,000 rental locations nationwide. Let us help you determine which pieces will help you design or maintain your next launch pad or simulation center.

How Government Services Differ From Other Contracts
Bidding on a government services contract is not the same as bidding on a construction project in the private sector. One of the key differences between a private contract and a government contract is in who is paying for the project. Shareholders, individuals, or commercial entities are responsible for financing private construction projects. Government projects, however, are funded by taxpayers. Since the taxpayers themselves don’t have control over how their money is spent, many rules and regulations are in place to ensure that these funds are used properly.

If you’re interested in bidding on a government contract, it’s important that you understand the laws in place regarding the project. Before you can place a bid on any type of state or local government project, you must get the proper bonding and prequalification from that jurisdiction. Each area has its own unique requirements, so you’ll need to investigate the regulations specific to the area where you live. If you’re bidding on a federal contract, you’ll need to comply with the requirements set forth by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

Government contracts typically go only to companies with a strong balance sheet. While contracts invariably go to the lowest bidder, bids aren’t considered at all if the company isn’t deemed responsible and reliable.

Future Logistics and Transportation Trends

Technological advancements are changing customer expectations. Several years ago, customers thought fast shipping took two days. Now they want their goods right now. With e-commerce on the rise, many customers expect next-day delivery on their items and some even refuse to pay extra for this service. Many retailers and businesses are even enforcing “must arrive by” delivery requirements. This trend in consumer demands will likely cause an increase in drones usage to get the products there on time. Automation can help warehouses get products out in record time. Companies may also search for qualified carriers to help them get their products to customers. Amazon is especially affecting the industry. The company has built its own logistics and transportation network. As a result, other companies are beginning to think nontraditionally.

In addition to delivery, cutting-edge technology can also help keep track of products. Customers want to make sure their freight is safe in transit. Geo-fencing lets them do that. It uses a tracking system to create a virtual boundary. It makes sure the truck stays on its pre-determined course. Companies monitor the truck’s route until it arrives at the customer.

From an internal perspective, logistics and transportation companies can use technology to automate tasks and mine data for actionable insights. Artificial intelligence, tons of data, computing power, and cloud capabilities can all help identify areas of improvement for operational efficiency, cost optimization, and risk management. Systems that integrate to provide holistic internal solutions at every part of the supply-chain management are going to be a necessity as time goes on.

Freight Transportation

Freight transportation is continuing to grow due to economic activity and population expansion. Rail covers 140,000 miles and delivers an average of five million tons of good each day. Trucking had revenues of $676.2 billion in 2016, moved 10.4 billion tons of freight, and contributed more than $150 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP). Maritime moves most of the U.S. international merchandise trade. This includes 76% of U.S. exports.

The international freight industry is also experiencing changes, especially in regard to next-day delivery demands. Increasing expectations for faster delivery is driving a shift from ocean to air. Meanwhile, ocean carriers are building larger ships, which could lower transportation costs. They are also forming alliances to better handle fluctuations in supply and demand.

The Electronic Log Devices (ELDs) mandate will also affect the industry in 2018. All transportation companies that haul loads by trucks must have ELDs by April 2018. These devices make sure drivers only have 50 hours of service each week. They then must take two days off. The ELD mandate was passed to encourage drivers to rest. This could affect the time it takes for products to arrive. If production decreases, as a result, pressure will be passed to capacity to make up the difference.

Industry Challenges

Trade relations can affect this industry in the future. Regional growth in China, India, and Mexico can drive a need for logistics operations in those countries. Tightening regulations in China can create shifts in supply chain and manufacturing. This might cause companies to find inventory closer to customers.

The logistics industry also faces other challenges. Increased traffic, rising labor costs, and unpredictable fuel costs can add to the overall price. Recently, crude oil prices have dipped, which reduces overall costs. But these prices vary, so an increase in price could be passed along to customers. Driver wages and benefits also play a factor and account for a larger part of costs.

Aspects of Logistics

Logistics needs several aspects to transport products. These include order fulfillment, warehousing, inventory management, and fleet management services. Each transportation division has its own needs. Air and express delivery systems (EDS) deal with time-critical freight. It sends out high-value items, documents, and small parcels. Rail covers high volumes of heavy cargo over long distances.

Preparing the Product for Shipping

When shipping your products, you can choose a manual or automatic process. Manual work means employees do all the work by hand. This is a cost-effective option. But it does take a long time and isn’t common. Workers walk around the load and unroll, apply, and wrap the film around the products. From there, workers use a handheld device to cut and strap the load.

Those who ship more than 15 loads each day should use automatic equipment. You can use semi- or fully-automated machines. This process saves on labor and material costs. It also helps workers avoid back strain. Semi-automatic equipment needs workers to help. One example includes workers using a forklift to deliver a pallet load. They could also detach binding material.

For fully-automated machines, products are delivered via a conveyor. There are four types of conveyors. They include roller, belt, chain, and walking beam. Roller and belts work best when there are no pallets involved. Chains work well with pallets. Use walking beams for moving heavy-duty, durable products.

After the conveyor, the products go to the stretch wrapping machine. It is also called the stretch hooding machine. This is a common way to contain the load. This machine also has semi- and fully-automatic models. Semi-automatic ones have turntables. An operator needs to tie the film before wrapping. They also must cut the film after wrapping ends. Fully-automatic ones attach and cut the film without any help.

Stretch hooding is similar to stretch wrapping. Stretch hooding uses a hood or bag over the load. After placed, the hood or bag contracts back to its original size. Both choices need heat to shrink the plastic. Workers can apply heat directly with heat guns. They can also move the load by conveyor through a heat tunnel. Either way, the wrap gives the load protection from all sides. This is key if you plan to store it outside.

Strapping is another choice. Use this option if you don’t care too much about protecting the products’ surface. It doesn’t involve wrapping the load. You can use manual or pneumatic tools to attach the straps. The material is made of either steel or plastic. Plastic absorbs without breaking and is safer to handle. It also reduces indents formed on products.

If you use strapping, consider using a cornerboard. This product protects the corners of your load. It also supports the load. You can size the cornerboard depending on the size of your load. You can also use this product if you have layers of small boxes. Most often you apply cornerboards manually.

After you wrap the load, figure out your routes. Route planning is beneficial because it’s cost-effective. Planning a route saves on fuel and time. You can choose between short- and long-haul ones. Short-haul involves trucks or rail. Long-haul involves ocean or air. You need to take into account getting the products to either mode of transportation.

Current State of the Institutional Construction Industry
Institutional construction refers to the construction of public buildings, such as hospitals, schools, and recreational centers. These structures are subject to stricter regulations than residential buildings. Also, they must be flexible enough to respond to the changing needs of their users and the emergence of new trends and technologies.

The Dodge Momentum Index showed that the institutional construction market grew by 8.2 percent month over month in February 2018. This Institutional sector has been gaining strength over the past few years because of an increase in the number of transportation terminals, healthcare facilities, schools, and recreational facilities constructed. According to ConstructConnect, institutional construction activities is expected to experience a growth rate of 4.3 percent in 2019, making it the third most promising sector in the construction industry.

An institutional construction project requires the expertise of architects, engineers, contractors, construction workers, carpenters, welders, electricians, plumbers, and other construction-related professionals. However, since institutional buildings can vary significantly in terms of function, structure, and design, many of these professionals need to have extensive experience and specialized knowledge in designing or constructing the particular type of structure.

Some of the latest trends impacting the institutional construction sector include the availability of new building materials, 3D printing, data-driven decision-making, and the concept-to-completion approach. While these advancements can help institutional builders increase productivity, reduce construction spending, and create higher-quality structures, they may pose new challenges, such as shortages of skilled workers, technology adaption, sustainability concerns, and compliance with new regulations.

Commonly Used Equipment in the Institutional Construction Industry
Institutional construction requires the same types of equipment as other forms of construction. However, depending on the function, components, and design of the structure, it may also involve the use of specialized equipment. The following is a list of equipment used in an institutional construction project.

Excavator – An excavator is a machine that can perform an array of tasks on a construction site. It consists of a long arm with a large shovel, an undercarriage with wheels, and a rotating driver’s cabin. It is used for digging holes, trenches, and foundations, but it can also facilitate material handling, demolition, brush-cutting, and other tasks.
Drum Roller – Also called a road roller, a drum roller is a large moving compactor that uses a circular wheel to crush and flatten objects. It has a variety of uses on a construction site, including creating flat surfaces for road paving, demolishing and flattening existing foundations, and compacting soil to build new foundations. A high-performance drum roller is an essential piece of equipment in the construction of institutional structures because such buildings require a strong foundation to support heavy loads. There are basically two types of drum rollers: single drum rollers and double drum rollers.
Crane – A crane is a human-operated machine that uses a pulley and cable system to lift large and heavy objects vertically or horizontally on a construction site. It has a long mechanical arm and a lever for reducing the amount of force needed to accomplish moving and lifting tasks. Cranes are categorized as either fixed or mobile.
Manlift – When constructing a multi-story institutional building, a manlift can be used to raise construction workers to elevated places that cannot be safely reached with a ladder. This equipment enables workers to perform tasks such as painting and installing signs and antennas on the outside of a building. Manlifts can have different platform sizes, weight capacities, and maximum heights.
Pile Driver – A pile driver is used to drive piles or poles into the soil to strengthen the foundation of a building. It works by raising a weight and then releasing it to drive a pile into the ground. Pile drivers can come in many different forms, including diesel hammers, hydraulic hammers, vibratory pile drivers, and piling rigs. The need for a solid foundation in institutional construction makes it necessary for builders to have a powerful piledriver.
Concrete Mixer – A concrete mixer homogenously mixes cement, sand, water, and other substances to form concrete or cement. This equipment comes in several sizes and forms to suit the needs of different construction projects, ranging from a small tip-up concrete mixer to a concrete transport truck that can mix concrete while moving. Institutional builders need to use a good concrete mixer that can produce a high-quality mix of reinforced concrete, which is a major structural material in an institutional building construction.
Benefits to the Institutional Construction Industry of Renting Construction Equipment
Since equipment requirements for institutional construction may vary considerably from one project to another, many builders find it financially sensible to rent instead of buying some of the equipment they need. For instance, it may not be worthwhile to purchase a manlift because many institutional buildings are low-rise. Renting enables builders to reduce their capital expenditures and invest their funds in other profitable opportunities.

Also, institutional buildings may have to undergo modifications to accommodate future technological changes. These modifications may require the most advanced construction equipment. Builders that buy their own equipment will be stuck with the same equipment, capabilities, and features for years. On the other hand, design-build firms that choose to rent will have access to the latest equipment and technologies, allowing them to remain competitive when construction equipment advances.

Among the other reasons why institutional builders should rent their construction equipment are the following:

• No depreciation cost
• Reduced maintenance and insurance costs
• Minimal transportation and storage issues
• Eligibility for tax deductions

Since they are meant to serve the public, an institutional building must be flawlessly constructed. They require higher-quality materials and workmanship than other types of construction. To ensure that your institutional construction project will meet the highest quality standards, you need to have the finest and most advanced construction equipment. Search our equipment to find the rentals you need for your next project.

The Shape of the Hospitality, Food, and Beverage Industry Solutions

The hospitality, food, and beverage industry is both diverse and competitive. This sector includes hotels, restaurants, food trucks, bars, and attractions. Nearly anything that an individual might look to enjoy while on vacation falls into this category. Thus, the hospitality industry is heavily reliant on the prevailing tourism trends in a particular area. 2017 marked the ninth consecutive year of positive growth for the hospitality industry. Going forward, demand is expected to continue this upward trend.

Consumers in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries are typically discerning. They’re aware that they have many options for their dining and entertainment needs, and they expect quality and reliability from the companies that offer these services. It’s crucial for businesses in this area to have good management that can meet the needs of these customers.

Innovative approaches to hospitality, food, and beverage businesses are important as well. For providers to stay relevant, they must meet and exceed expectations.

Hospitality, Food, and Beverage Industry Trends

The hospitality industry has to evolve constantly to provide new and exciting products and experiences to customers. The food and beverage industry is under constant pressure to figure out how to sell more products to customers despite the natural cap on how many calories they need to consume. Capturing business from competitors is the best way to achieve sustained growth, but this means finding creative ways to connect with people in an industry with a particularly fickle audience.

In hospitality, trends are shifting toward more high-tech experiences. Robotic helpers may soon be poised to step in and take over everyday tasks for employees, such as room delivery. Virtual assistants can streamline check-in and check-out, inform guests when their rooms are clean, and handle room service and other requests by text rather than phone.

Over half of hotels expect to upgrade guestroom technology in the coming year. Underscoring any fancy new installations is the ongoing need to keep properties clean and well-maintained so all this tech can really shine. From renting a scissor lift to make sure high windows are sparkling to getting a boom lift for those difficult-to-reach lightbulb changes in your soaring lobby, getting the right equipment is essential for tackling these jobs.

On the food and beverage side, trends are turning toward fresh, local fare. Restaurants need to master the art of sourcing ingredients from nearby producers and serving them up while they’re still fresh. This may require a careful balance between inventory management in the supplier’s warehouse and purchasing strategies at the local farmer’s markets. Restaurant managers need to learn how to use both efficiently to satisfy the diner’s appetite for fresh, gourmet food.

Hospitality, Food, and Beverage: From Manufacturer to Consumer

When thinking of the hospitality, food, and beverage industry, many people simply jump to the endpoint: the hotels, restaurants, and bars where consumers enjoy the finished product. However, this industry includes many key touch points that take place long before the diner sits down to his or her meal.

The food processing and distribution industry plays a key role in helping restaurants stay at the top of their game. Processing plants are undergoing a number of upgrades and renovations to maintain compliance with federal regulations like FSMA. Modernization efforts are increasingly focused on bringing more processing in-house to meet consumers’ demands for local, organic, and artisanal products. Expanding, repurposing, and retrofitting these facilities are ways to respond to the constant need to change and innovate.

Warehouses supplying the food and beverage industry face more stringent requirements for sanitation, organization, and efficiency. Products have a fixed shelf life, and losses from spoiled food as a result of improper management can be extreme. Implementing the right warehouse management system, organizing perishable goods properly, and keeping the right telehandlers, forklifts, and other equipment on hand is essential. In areas where demand fluctuates, using rental equipment may offer a flexible and cost-effective solution.

Though hotels don’t face the same processing, packaging, and warehousing concerns as food and beverage companies, manufacturing considerations can come into play here as well. With the right equipment, you can construct an entire hotel quickly and efficiently. Modular hotel construction makes it possible to put together hotel rooms much like building blocks, stacking prefabricated modules for fast construction with minimal waste and less cost.

Key Responsibilities in the Hospitality, Food, and Beverage Industry

Pleasing customers is a primary goal for professionals in the hospitality, food, and beverage industry, but there are many other responsibilities that take precedence in this sector. These include the following:

• The safety of workers and guests
• Food safety
• Sanitation and health
• Efficiency and timeliness

If these considerations are overlooked, customers can face serious hazards as a result of spoiled food, unclean accommodations, or unsafe attractions. While staying in compliance with state and federal regulations is the bare minimum required, most businesses in this sector must go above and beyond to provide their customers with the cleanliness and efficiency that they expect.

In food and beverage facilities, construction must take functionality and sanitation into account. These buildings need features like hygienic, durable flooring, thoughtfully-placed drains, and functional gullies and channels in processing areas.

In hotels, guest safety and security rely on installations like well-placed lighting, accessible doors and stairwells, and functional room keys. From posting emergency evacuation routes to making sure plumbing is well-maintained to avoid leaks and microbial growth, hospitality managers have a wide range of considerations to address. Emergency preparedness is an important responsibility for business owners in this industry as well. Should a natural disaster strike, hotel owners should have equipment like backup generators in place so they can safely weather the storm.

In the hospitality, food, and beverage industry, business owners need to respond promptly to any need, whether that’s upgrading technology to keep up with local competitors, adjusting warehouse management in accordance with food supplies, or addressing issues of cleanliness in guest environments. Having the right equipment on hand or readily available as a rental will ensure that you can deal with any issue efficiently.

Construction Trends

It’s clear that growth in the construction industry shows no signs of slowing. However, this area is seeing some significant changes that will ultimately reshape the way projects are handled. Offsite construction is a growing trend that radically reshapes the way projects are managed onsite. Project managers rely on offsite construction for major parts of the project and may spend only a limited amount of time assembling the parts and pieces in their final destination. Purchasing pre-made modules can speed up construction significantly and allow contractors to take on a greater number of projects.

New technology on the worksite is changing how projects are managed as well. Robots can tackle dangerous tasks in pit mines or take on the monotonous and strenuous job of tying rebar. Drones offer a stunning view of the job site from above, and project management apps help tie it all together for smoother flow from beginning to end. Top contractors know the importance of following these innovations and implementing new technology when possible.

Handling Construction Labor Shortages

There’s great potential for anyone interested in working in the construction industry. According to the Commercial Construction Index produced by USG Corporation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 80 percent of contractors have steady or increasing backlogs. Optimism about new business prospects is on the rise, and the majority of contractors expect to see revenue growth in the coming year. Fifty-eight percent of contractors are looking to hire more workers.

For those who can’t get the labor they need, prefabricated and modular elements are an appealing solution. In fact, 62 percent of contractors are already relying on this technology. These components are particularly popular in the Northeast and Midwest where more than 60 percent of contractors are using prefabrication and modular components for their jobs. Cost savings, increased labor productivity, and a reduced schedule are among the compelling reasons contractors are choosing this option.

For the third quarter in a row, contractors expect to spend more on tools and equipment in the next six months. In the first quarter, 59 percent were expecting to increase their investments in this area. For those who don’t want to spend this money on major equipment, rentals continue to be a cost-saving solution

Preparing for Your Projects

General contractors may work on a wide variety of projects. This can include both residential and commercial construction. In this diverse area, you might perform a complete build from the ground up, tackle renovations, or even assist with relatively minor updates. A general contractor’s job centers around management more than labor. It’s important to know how to properly evaluate a project, find the best talent, and put together a timeline.

You should begin each project by outlining what’s involved. Review the necessary steps, from the initial site preparation to those critical finishing touches. Detail the materials and equipment that you’ll need along the way and estimate the necessary cost for these items. General contractors typically handle a diverse range of projects, so renting equipment is often more affordable and appropriate than purchasing major items like boom lifts or bulldozers. Estimate the time to completion for each step and get approval from your client to start tackling the project.

Essential Equipment for General Construction Management

In general construction management, you may find yourself responsible for every phase of the project. It’s crucial that you properly assess your equipment needs at every stage. It’s unlikely that you’ll need all your equipment rentals on-site at once. Staggering your rentals will keep the job site from becoming too cluttered and ensure that you’re dealing with only what you need for each stage of the project. Planning ahead, you can make arrangements for timely rentals, so you can work confidently knowing that the equipment you need will be delivered on time when you’re ready for it.

If you’re preparing a lot for new construction, you may need to begin with earthmoving equipment. Bulldozers move large amounts of dirt for rough grading, while drum rollers can come in for heavier compaction. You may need an excavator or trencher to lay piping. As the building comes together, lift equipment such as a scissor lift or boom lift will elevate you to greater heights, so you can tackle siding, electrical, and other projects that take place off the ground.

You may want to consider additional construction site services to streamline your project throughout all stages. A dumpster provides a convenient place for unwanted items if you’re gutting and rehabbing a building. Light towers will provide essential illumination while storage containers can keep your tools and smaller equipment safe overnight.

Managing Your Timeline

As most experienced contractors will tell you, projects rarely progress along the timeline as expected. Though some delays may be inevitable, it’s important to take active measures to keep things moving forward at a steady pace. Implement clear lines of communication between all your workers. Make yourself available for questions and concerns so you don’t find out about an issue once you’re already running days late on a project. Addressing questions early can help you avoid major errors down the road.

Work carefully to coordinate work between subcontractors so you can handle everything as efficiently as possible. In many cases, you’ll find that it’s possible to keep multiple subcontractors moving on the project at once. However, you need to take special care to maintain proper safety procedures for any job that requires the use of large machinery, particularly if you’re working on a smaller job site. Having too many large equipment rentals on the site at once will increase your potential for safety hazards and may slow everyone down as various subcontractors try to work around one another.

Conclusion

General contracting and construction management is a broad job that requires a vast range of skills, from analyzing a new project carefully to sourcing the equipment, materials, and skilled workers that are necessary to make the client’s dream a reality. With smart strategies and an organized approach, you can enjoy a successful career in this booming industry.

The Face of the Facilities Maintenance Industry

Facilities maintenance refers to the tasks involved in keeping a structure in safe and operable condition. This includes routine maintenance to prevent failures and extend the lifespan of systems and buildings as well as responsive repairs to address any problems.

Facilities maintenance is often outsourced. About 87 percent of facilities outsource some or all of their maintenance services because their maintenance staff doesn’t have the time, skills, or knowledge to handle these tasks. Though maintenance often goes unseen by the occupants in a building, it’s necessary for everything from apartment homes to hospitals to shopping malls. Facilities maintenance ensures that these buildings are functional and hazard-free for those who use them.

Trends in Facilities Maintenance

Facilities maintenance is a well-established industry, but the tactics and techniques that are used within it are constantly evolving.

Green buildings are in higher demand, and facilities maintenance professionals are looked to for sustainable solutions that will minimize their facilities’ impacts on the environment. Building owners are expected to invest $960 billion in environmentally friendly building upgrades over the next six years. Smart facilities maintenance practices can help building owners achieve their goals by keeping up with HVAC maintenance for better energy efficiency or using green cleaning products to cut back on pollutants.

Something as simple as swapping out building lighting for more efficient bulbs can make a big difference in the facility’s energy use. By renting a scissor lift for a few days, you can easily upgrade lighting throughout the building for an instant impact on your utility bill.

As in any market, cost savings are always a driving factor behind new innovations. In building maintenance, this is being achieved with the adoption of new technologies. Building automation tools can handle everything from indoor air quality to lighting. Paired with analytics tools, these give maintenance teams the information they need to make informed decisions about the proper schedule for maintenance and other services.

What Facility Maintenance Managers Do

Facility maintenance managers have a broad range of responsibilities. Not only are they responsible for handling maintenance on an as-needed basis, but they must also plan and prepare for regular ongoing maintenance tasks to ensure that their facilities stay in prime condition. This includes:

Evaluate the building’s past needs, current situation, and crucial requirements going forward. This includes noting installation dates and lifespans for major systems, noting the building’s strengths and weaknesses, and performing a thorough audit to assess the effectiveness of maintenance measures.

Pinpoint systems that are underperforming or outdated and research the cost savings and other benefits associated with an upgrade.

Evaluate the age and efficiency of a system to determine whether it’s more cost effective to maintain and repair a unit or replace it with a more efficient model.

Evaluate the cost of preventative maintenance, repair maintenance, and upgrades over a specified time frame for budgeting purposes.

Develop ongoing schedules for all types of facilities maintenance, including cleaning, mechanical maintenance, filter changes, light bulb upgrades, and other regular tasks.

Types of Facility Management Maintenance Scheduling

Most facility maintenance tasks are performed on an infrequent basis. HVAC maintenance, for example, is a twice-yearly task for buildings with both heating and cooling systems. facilities maintenance scheduling is typically either proactive or reactive and falls into one of these categories:

Corrective maintenance addresses current problems with facility systems and equipment. This is done on an as-needed basis when issues are reported to the facilities maintenance team. Repairing a faulty blower in an HVAC system is an example of corrective maintenance.

Preventive maintenance is performed on a regularly scheduled basis. Maintenance teams spend about 19 hours a week on scheduled maintenance tasks. The purpose of preventive maintenance is to improve efficiency and extend the lifespan of building systems. Giving an HVAC system and annual tune-up is an example of preventive maintenance.

Predictive maintenance is the most complex. This type of maintenance relies on a careful evaluation of electrical or mechanical system components to determine what adjustments are needed to ensure peak performance and avoid any corrective or preventative maintenance needs. Performing an oil analysis to determine the optimum time to change a machine’s oil is an example of predictive maintenance.

A well-rounded facilities maintenance program will incorporate all three types of maintenance. Evaluating a property’s needs in all three categories will help maintenance professionals determine what tools and equipment are most appropriate for the job. While basic tools should always be on hand, heavy equipment may be more cost-effective when acquired as rentals on an as-needed basis.

Essential Facilities Maintenance Tasks

Facilities maintenance encompasses many areas, including the following:

repairing and maintaining roofing, maintaining shelving or partitions

cleaning carpets and flooring, removing debris around the exterior of the building, cleaning high corners, dusting light fixtures, and ensuring air registers are clear

painting the interior and exterior of the building, applying protective finishes, epoxy floors

inspecting plumbing systems, repairing leaks, clearing clogs

replacing light bulbs, maintaining cold and warm boxes, maintaining refrigeration equipment

changing HVAC filters, cleaning exterior units, performing annual maintenance

As a facilities maintenance professional, it’s important to thoroughly assess the building and determine all the tasks that will fall within the scope of the job. This might include maintaining refrigeration units in a retail environment or handling temperature and humidity carefully in a greenhouse. The right tools and equipment are essential. You should make sure you’re well-equipped with for basic tasks and know where to turn for a fast rental when you need something more.

Proper facilities maintenance is important for any business. Maintenance management takes up as much as half of a company’s operational budget, so it’s important that this investment goes toward quality services. If you’re looking for a way to improve efficiency and cut costs, evaluating the benefits of a strong facilities management team is a great place to start.