Construction is so integral to all industries that I wanted to be part of something important, especially with an innovative company like Cratos.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

I would definitely be doing something related to movies, writing or being a movie critic. Love going to the movie theater.

Any favorite line from a movie? 

“Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God. It even has a watermark.” – American Psycho. If you haven’t seen it check it out

What’s your next skill or certification you wish to achieve? 

Trying to get really good at Final Cut Pro/ Adobe Premiere

What are 3 words you’d use to describe Cratos Equipment?

Young, Innovative, Eco-Friendly

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time? 

Watch an episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”.

What is something you learned in the last week (preferably at Cratos!)? 

Everyone here is open to new ideas and will work constructively to get it done.

What is the first concert you attended? 

The Rolling Stones as very old men. Can’t believe they are still touring.

What music is on your iPhone/Android phone? 

Bill Bradley, Marketing Coordinator

The post EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT – Bill Bradley appeared first on Cratos.

As a result, manufacturers are focusing on the development of battery-powered construction equipment so companies and consumers will be prepared for when these bans go into full effect.

Effective Equipment That’s Eco-Friendly

One of the most common types of electric construction equipment is the mini excavator. Electric excavators are becoming more prevalent in the industry because of the quiet operation. This allows companies to work during hours that would have otherwise disturbed those near the job site due to the noise and carbon emissions. On top of this noise-reducing benefit, certain electric mini excavators are also able to specifically handle indoor projects, such as demolition inside a building. This is due to the zero carbon emissions, noise reduction, and the smaller and lighter size of the machinery.

One of the arguments against the electric mini excavator is that some people do not think it will last long enough to finish a job in a timely manner. However, with certain product lines, the electric mini excavator can last for an entire workday if it is recharged properly.

Another type of construction equipment that now has an electric option is the hydraulic rig. A hydraulic rig is typically used for drilling projects, and some companies are working on the development of a battery-powered rig that lasts for 10 hours or more.

With the advancement in electric construction equipment, it’s no longer about the size of the equipment. It is more so about the battery life and the efficiency of the equipment. For construction companies, it’s important that the equipment can last for a long period of time in order to complete projects within a deadline, while still doing their part to help the environment and create safer working conditions for their employees.

While manufacturers are making great strides in the arena of creating eco-friendly construction equipment products, there is still so much more to come in this department. Electric mini skid steers, mini excavators, and buggies are only just the beginning for this industry. We can expect to see an increase in the switch to electric-powered for all types of construction equipment.

The post Electric Construction Equipment Continues to Expand appeared first on Cratos.

Planes, trains, and automobiles may have been the catalyst for a classic 80s movie, but in real life, these vehicles actually cause a lot of environmental problems. And while emissions are certainly a major issue, the noise pollution they cause can’t be ignored. Annoying, sure, but noise can actually be extremely harmful to your health. In addition to ears, it’s also bad for the heart, and it may even threaten the future of the human species. The good news, however, is that people are starting to take noise more seriously. Both private companies and governments are now working to curb the din, and these are the things they are focusing on:

Cars

There has been a spike in the sale of electric cars in recent years, and while good for the planet, this is also excellent for noise reduction. Electric vehicles are much quieter than ones that run on fuel, and the more of them that are on the roads, the quieter it will be. A residual benefit of this is the fact that horns wouldn’t have to be as loud. Even if gas-powered autos will remain the norm for a while, there are other initiatives in the works to lessen noise. Some states – including California and Arizona – have experimented with a special type of pavement comprised of smooth concrete or rubberized asphalt designed to make things quieter. In Phoenix, this has resulted in the reduction of traffic noise by up to 12 decibels.

Sirens

If you live in a sizable city, chances are good that you hear sirens from fire trucks or ambulances fairly often. And, in most cases, you probably never see these vehicles. Sirens are intended to alert people, so they’ll get out of the way, but they really do their job too well. Not everybody needs to hear them, and in the future, they probably won’t. A company in England is working on a siren that directs its sound horizontally, which will prevent it from being as loud to people in high-rises. But even more encouraging is the promise of new tech that will allow emergency vehicles to send sirens right to cars, as well as the phones of pedestrians. With self-driving autos, sirens may not be needed at all, as these alerts could be sent to their computer systems.

Airplanes

Thanks to satellite systems, airplanes can now take off and land at steeper angles than they used to, and this has been credited with reducing the amount of noise they cause to communities in flight paths. On top of that, airplane engines are now designed to make them quieter. Upon takeoff, Airbus’ A380 creates half as much noise as a 747, and one-quarter as much when landing. The folks at NASA want to take things even further. Engineers are experimenting to make planes as quiet as possible. This includes using hybrid engines and putting engines above the wings.

Leaf blowers

Who amongst us hasn’t been woken up at some ungodly hour on a Saturday morning because a neighbor decided that was the perfect time to blow the leaves around his yard? Leaf blowers are the scourge of suburbia, but they too are starting to quiet down. Many are now being made with batteries instead of noisy (and dirty) engines. Battery-powered lawn mowers are also becoming prevalent. Eventually, you may never have to know if anybody on your street is doing any yard work.

Construction equipment

Construction machinery is also benefiting from the advancements in batteries. In addition to improved longevity, newer batteries have also become much cheaper in recent years, which has resulted in less expensive equipment. And in addition to the money saved on fuel, along with the benefits to the environment, electric machinery is much quieter. This is especially beneficial to crews and everyone in the area when work has to be done indoors.

The world continues to be a noisy place, but thankfully, it’s possible to see a change on the horizon. And construction companies don’t have to wait for less noisy equipment; they can get a mini skid steer or battery-powered wheelbarrow right now that’s strong, durable, and quiet.

For more information about Cratos Equipment, please call our Cratos Team at 954-978-3440 or send an email to info@Cratos.com. We look forward to getting your questions answered.

The post Tomorrow’s Silence: The Trend Towards Things that Make Less Noise appeared first on Cratos.

Construction sites are infamous for the many sources of high-volume tools, which make jobs a headache for workers and the surrounding area. We examined the potentially harmful impact of site noise in a previous blog post, and today we zero in on one of the worst offenders. Here’s why diesel equipment causes such a cacophony, and why the building site of the near future will be a much quieter place.

Deconstructing diesel

Diesel noise pollution comes from the following factors:

• Blowdown – The “blowdown event” is a term applied to the opening and closing of the exhaust valve. This transition occurs more rapidly in a diesel engine due to higher internal pressure and results in high levels of sustained noise with greater sound density. This sees diesel engines operating at around 80 decibels: a sound level, which can cause serious auditory injury over a single working day.
• High compression – The combustion process of a diesel engine creates higher pressures than a gasoline one. Slamming pistons and clattering crankshafts need to be heavier and tougher to handle the strain. These chunkier components mean more noise as the engine runs.
• Combustion and diesel knock – Cylinder pressure can also result in a loud sound commonly called a “diesel knock”. This occurs when the initial amount of fuel which kick starts ignition is ignited, mixing air and fuel vapor. This results in a rapid increase of cylinder pressure and the resulting knock sound effect.
• Turbochargers – This component of a diesel engine generates a shrill, piercing whistle as the engine is gunned for acceleration. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles often need a lot of torque to pull their loads around. The engine’s internal compressor speeds up as the vehicle gets faster and the turbo whistle begins to rise.
• Fans – From a whistle to a roar! Diesel engines typically run very hot. They require fans to keep them at operational temperatures. Since these big, clunky pieces of machinery are running hot with heavy work all day, those engine fans need to go into overtime. The harder the fans work, the greater the roar/rush sound they generate (even electric fans).
• Chain and belt drives – These are older components, but you’ll still find them out there on many sites. These can cause a variety of loud sounds from rattling to grinding.
• Vibrating the air itself – Diesel engines vibrate to such a degree that they can make the air around the engine/vehicle do the same. These shaken air molecules create their own adverse noise. This vibrational energy may seem like a relatively small sound disturbance, but when considered cumulatively across many diesel engines over a prolonged period it becomes more significant.

Hearing damage aside, diesel is also a financial pain for those firms who rely on it. The Environmental Protection Agency literally classifies noise as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. Violators can face serious punishment in the form of fines of up to $50,000 a day or two years in prison. Diesel engines are more expensive to produce and their leaks, spills, and noxious fumes damage people and property. This can result in further hefty fines from entities like OSHA and local and state authorities.

It’s no wonder that the World Health Organization has condemned diesel for years, placing it in the same category as mustard gas. This kind of risk is music to no one’s ears. If you start paying attention to the buzz coming from the electric market, however, then your firm can cash in on the quiet revolution.

Battery-powered equipment dramatically reduces noise pollution

Sherpa mini skid steers combine physical strength with a powerful reduction in noise pollution. The Sherpa 100 mini skid steer holds a silent battery instead of a diesel engine, and instead of an 8-hour working day ending with diesel-damaged ears, that time can be spent in an overnight recharge making your Sherpa ready for the next shift.

Many construction firms may pause when evaluating the initial cost of battery-powered equipment yet will happily continue running outdated diesel vehicles that not only leave them open to huge fines but eat them up in maintenance fees and repairs. These only worsen over time. Why not invest in breaking the diesel cycle? Eliminating fuel expenses and a safer, healthier working site are reason enough to give battery a try.

A few minutes spent on our Cost Calculator will reveal the huge savings a Sherpa can create in a very short time. It all has a knock-on effect, which begins with healthier, happier workers, leads to increased savings and ultimately, more contracts secured as you transition into a low-volume, eco-friendly firm.

For more information about Cratos Equipment, please call our Cratos Team at 954-978-3440 or send an email to info@Cratos.com. We look forward to getting your questions answered.

The post Why Diesel is a Danger to Our Ears appeared first on Cratos.

It’s your fault, whether you like it or not. There are federal, state, city, and sometimes even neighborhood-specific laws and regulations you must follow if you are the owner of a lawn care of landscaping business.

The word “ignorance” is often misinterpreted. It generally means ‘lack of knowledge.’ So, to be ignorant about something hardly means you’re stupid, or you’ve purposely chosen to ignore or disrespect laws and regulations. It can simply mean you didn’t know about them, but you are still guilty of these infractions. The information is available, and it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re aware of all the rules and regulations your lawn care or landscaping business must follow. It’s easier at the federal level. Be prepared to do some digging, as you get more local.

At the federal level – your vehicles

Your lawn care and landscaping equipment – and your people – have to get to job sites. You may be legally obligated to follow regulations put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Not all states do, but currently, 37 of them require your vehicle to be registered with the FMSCA and have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) identification number if you carry passengers or cargo interstate, or if you transfer certain types of hazardous materials intrastate.

The responsibility rests on your shoulders to know what’s required for your company to comply with FMCSA and USDOT federal regulations. Start with the FMSCA registration page to see if you’re doing business in a state or states that require a DOT number.

From there, you can learn more about how to comply with these federal regulations. To make it easier to understand what’s necessary, the FMCSA recently created an interactive tool that’s free for anyone to use. If you register with the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Planner website, you can save customized settings that allow you to keep on top of information and relevant forms that are going to be most important to you.

At the federal level – your safety

A lawn care and landscaping business presents opportunities to generate revenue from various types of activities – meaning that you will be subject to multiple areas of federal regulations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

For example, you might need to build a retaining wall. You’ll be subject to OSHA’s construction industry regulations and standards. If you’re using fertilizers or pesticides, you’re subject to OSHA’s general industry standards. Still, other regulations may apply if you’re using equipment to trim trees.

OSHA maintains a specific area for landscape and horticultural services. It’s a good place to start. You’ll find the list of federal safety standards that must be followed. They range from eye protection to precautions that must be taken when trimming near communication lines.

It’s important to know that occupational safety laws aren’t only at the federal level. Currently, more than 20 states have OSHA-approved plans. Your lawn care or landscaping business is required to follow these regulations as well, and OSHA notes that they might be different or even more stringent than federal mandates.

To make it easier to follow the regulations, OSHA has created an interactive tool that lets you select a state to see local information and links to relevant resources.

OSHA also has an alliance with the National Association of Landscape Professionals (previously known as the Professional Land care Network or PLANET). The association helps OSHA to develop appropriate safety regulations for the industry. The National Association of Landscape Professionals uses its membership to help communicate OSHA’s activities.

At the state level

Beyond federal regulations, there are mandated laws your business must follow at the state level as well. Keeping in mind that ignorance of the law is no excuse, it’s your responsibility to identify and follow these regulations.

The frustrating part, There’s no single or comprehensive source for this information. The information isn’t difficult to find, but you will have to take the initiative to uncover it.

At the municipal or neighborhood level

Staying on top of what cities, towns, or even neighborhoods require for lawn care and landscaping businesses requires that you go to the source. It may be necessary to visit the city or town’s administrative offices to get information, but it’s always a good idea to research the information online first.

Make sure that your online information is from an official source. Ignorance of the law also means you’re not able to say that somebody gave you the wrong information.

It also may be necessary to contact a neighborhood or homeowner’s association to determine if there are requirements in place at this level.

It’s your responsibility to stay on top of regulations

Proactive businesses prosper. Staying informed about potential changes to regulations that may impact your lawn care or landscaping business helps you make better decisions about everything from employees to equipment. Learn how battery-powered landscaping equipment can increase safety for your workers and cut down on operational costs.

For more information about Cratos Equipment, please call our Cratos Team at 954-978-3440 or send an email to info@Cratos.com. We look forward to getting your questions answered.

The post Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse: Do You Know Your Local Rules and Regulations? appeared first on Cratos.

If it’s going up onsite these days, it’s best to make it green. We’re already almost one-fifth of the way through the 21^st century and the change in public and commercial attitudes about eco-practice has been huge, but it’s still not enough. Everyone wants construction to evolve toward greater environmental responsibility.

This can be a major concern for many construction firms. They’re worried about how expensive taking such a step may be. The good news is that your firm can start making big, money-saving changes in very small ways; less than 31 inches in some cases. Read on to discover what we mean.

Carbon emissions today

We previously covered exactly how strict the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is becoming to implement a greener future for construction. We also highlighted how, beyond carbon emissions, our industry is producing too much industrial waste and is way too responsible for climate change figures. Let’s focus more on the carbon situation for now.

Things were improving for a few years; carbon emissions were on the decline and the construction, transportation, and power sectors seemed to be getting their toxic output in hand. Sadly, 2018 saw carbon emissions spike and make their second-largest annual gain in over 20 years producing 37.1 billion metric tons.

Construction (and the nation at large) do benefit from those numbers, but only in a very flawed way. All this extra carbon has come from an upturn in the economy. That’s basically good, but when this new robustness manifests itself as increased building projects, new highways, and more cars, the toxic cons start to outweigh the pros. The Greenhouse Effect is the only kind of green people don’t want.

The kind of massive change needed to rid the world of excess CO2 will have to take place at the governmental and global level. The world is waking up to the situation so there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic there. How can construction take care of its own emissions in the meantime?

CO2 in construction and what we can do

Our sector produces CO2 in many ways. It’s common as a compressed gas in pneumatic equipment and is present through the entire building cycle. From extraction, manufacturing, and transportation, to the construction, maintenance and disposal processes; every step produces carbon.

Solutions can be adopted by more responsible disposal of our construction waste. We can also use more sustainable materials like timber, which will reduce the amount of carbon inherent in cement (low-carbon cements are set to become far more widely used). Arguably the most vital change you can make on your site is energy management. If you’re still relying on gas-guzzling diesel dinosaurs, it’s time to recharge your approach.

Battery-power eliminates a ton of CO2 and a lot of problems

Remember what we said earlier about an upturn in the economy and more construction as a result? This makes now the perfect time for your firm to get on board by purchasing battery-powered equipment. The more environmentally responsible you are, the greater the chance you can meet the tightening EPA deadlines, win public approval, and secure more bids.

Versatility and adaptability are the two keywords our industry needs to embrace, and the Sherpa’s embody that spirit. They can be fitted with any one of 15 additional attachments that transform the little rigs into powerful hammers, rolling brooms, pallet forks, and much more. Both the ECO and EHD sidestep toxic emissions entirely. They don’t just save the world; they save you money over time by zero fuel costs, minimal repair, and no worries about EPA fines.

We weren’t kidding when we said you could make small changes in a big way. The EHD is only 30 inches wide, and the ECO is even smaller! This minimal frame allows them to get into tight spaces, ride elevators, and sacrifice none of their remarkable performance power. Try one onsite and see the massive changes your whole operation can make for the better.

Some more information on the carbon situation

You can discover more about the wider carbon situation and read the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction’s 2018 status report for an in-depth look at construction’s carbon future. The United Nations has faith that our sector can make huge strides in reducing carbon emissions.

We do too, and we’d love your firm to be part of the better industry that’s coming.

For more information about Cratos Equipment, please call our Cratos Team at 954-978-3440 or send an email to info@Cratos.com. We look forward to getting your questions answered.

The post Times Have Changed and Construction Must Meet the Challenge appeared first on Cratos.

Anyone who owns a business will eventually have to deal with competitors. And while somebody opening up a shop or e-commerce site selling similar products or services may seem like a nuisance, friendly competition is actually a good thing, as it spurs innovation and creativity. The keyword, however, is “friendly.” All too often business owners see the company down the street as an enemy, and they wage a war, frequently with unscrupulous tactics. If this is happening to you, these tips can help you get a handle on the situation and without losing your cool.

1. Don’t stoop to their level

When you were a little kid and somebody did something mean to you, what did you do? You probably did the mean thing right back to them. Most (but certainly not all) of us outgrow this mentality at some point, but the urge is always there, and a business owner can’t succumb to it. While it may result in a small victory, it will probably only be short-lived. This is why it’s always important to stay true to your core beliefs and values. The same applies to your workmanship. If, for example, a competitor frequently low-bids you to get jobs, it may be tempting just to fight fire with fire. But this could result in you having to cut corners with your work, which hurts the customer, and ultimately hurts your business.

2. Don’t take things personally

You’re not a robot, so when somebody does something to hurt your business, you may feel personally attacked. For many entrepreneurs, their company is their baby, and they can quickly get into a mama (or papa) bear mindset. And – as mentioned above – this often results in some sort of retaliation. While it may work for action heroes in sequels, doing things with a vengeance is rarely a good idea for business owners.

3. Believe in what you’re doing

If you’re running a successful business, clearly you are doing something right. Just because somebody is trying to move in on your territory doesn’t mean you have to completely change what you’re doing. In this type of situation, owners can make knee-jerk decisions. For example, if you have some new leads, instead of sticking to your tried and true process to convert them to customers, you decide to take a more aggressive approach by increasing your follow-up communications. Too many emails or phone calls, however, will almost certainly turn prospects off. It is important to stay the course and trust yourself, your team, and your products or services.

4. Take it as a compliment

If a company is doing things specifically to affect your sales, they see you as a leader in the area. While their tactics may be infuriating, with the glass-half-full way of thinking, you should be at least a little flattered. Now the ball is in your court not to get down in the trenches with them, but to figure out new ways to improve your business and still adhere to your own ethical standards.

5. Do things to stand out

Having a competitor target you may actually be a good thing, as it can help you innovate. This could be especially true if perhaps things have grown a little stale with your business. Companies should always be eager to try new things and approaches, as this shows that they are on the cutting edge. Plus, the right additions can also improve operations. For instance, swapping out old gas-guzzling machinery for clean-burning equipment can boost efficiency and productivity while cutting costs. This also makes a great statement to customers about a commitment to the environment and green initiatives.

When a competitor is threatening your business, don’t get mad or even; just make a re-commitment to your company and everything you stand for. And if you’re considering upgrading to battery-powered construction machinery, get in touch with Cratos Equipment. Call us at 954-978-3440 or fill out our online contact form.

For more information about Cratos Equipment, please call our Cratos Team at 954-978-3440 or send an email to info@Cratos.com. We look forward to getting your questions answered.

The post Bad Apples: What to Do About Unprofessional Competition appeared first on Cratos.

Learning never stops. There’s always more to know in order to broaden your knowledge base and make your work the best it can be. When you stop learning, you grow stagnant. Worse still, is refusing to learn about new advancements and technologies. If you’re not learning, you’re not only hurting yourself and your business, but you aren’t providing your customers with the services they so desperately need.

Continuing education goes beyond helping yourself and your customers. The more you learn, the more efficient you are, and efficiency translates into dollars saved.

Sometimes continuing education is the law

In certain industries, there’s a need to continue staff education. Failing to complete courses or new seminars means workers and employers fall out of compliance and are on the wrong side of the law. If it’s not an issue of legalities, many businesses feel education isn’t important, or they forget about it. Forgetting about continued education is the wrong move, no matter what industry you’re in. We live in a time when technology moves at lightning speed and there’s always a newer, better way to complete work. Continuing education is a must.

“But what can continuing education teach me about construction that I don’t already know?” Good question. Technology isn’t leaving the construction business alone. Sure, a hammer is a hammer, and a nail is a nail, but smart homes are here. They’re making homes comfortable, more accessible, and user-friendly. Consumers love them, and they want more. Without continuing education to learn about the newest tech available, how could you offer what customers are looking for?

Learning about the equipment that could save you money

We’re not talking about using robots to save dollars, but we are talking about machinery. Battery-powered construction equipment can cost a little more upfront than other equipment, but one area where you will save – fuel. Without equipment that runs on fuel, you’re saving the environment by cutting down on emissions and energy consumption. It’s an eco-friendly win.

This is an area where continuing education can help you run your construction business with fewer expenses. As with all new tools, it’s going to take training to learn the best ways to use the new equipment, how to operate it safely, and also what needs to be done to maintain it.

Education may be more important now than it was before

It used to be that once you were in your line of work, you were set for life. There wasn’t a need for furthering your education. But, with advancements in technology, there’s always more to learn. If you don’t learn, you’re going to fall behind the trends and be forgotten with yesterday’s technology.

Education helps you increase your qualifications. Sure, this is great for resumes, but you run your own business and don’t have to do a resume, right? You still bid on jobs. Who do you think would be selected in a bidding war, the company that’s constantly increasing their qualifications, or the one that hasn’t embraced continued education?

The job market is growing and it’s getting more competitive. People want to know their contractors are current on eco-friendly tech trends, and that they aren’t harming the environment more than necessary. Without continuously learning and embracing tech, you’re going to miss important things that keep you at the top of your game. Change is inevitable, so spread your arms and let it carry you onward and upward, into the future.

At Triple E Equipment, we want to see you increase your profits. We think that can be done through the power of batteries. When our battery-powered equipment is used, fuel expenses are virtually eliminated from budgets, employees work safer, and customers live happier knowing their home was built as eco-friendly as possible. Check out our mini skid steers and battery-powered wheelbarrows.

The post Continuing Education is Important for You and Your Employees appeared first on Cratos.

The march of technology has really helped construction make strides in recent years. Here at Triple E, we love to keep an eye on our industry’s evolution. We’ve looked at how microchips, drones, and prefabs are changing the game in our previous blog, as well as the incredible construction robots getting ready to work with humans.

Co-operation is essential in our business, but it’s hard to argue against communication being the most important factor on any construction site. “What about safety?” you might ask. Without effective communication, there’s no hope for real safety or co-operation. Crucial instructions and vital information are misinterpreted or missed altogether when communications break down. Thankfully, technology is tackling this problem and making sites safer and more efficient.

The barriers to communication on a construction site

A building site is typically a noisy place. Jackhammers, drills, and diesel engines contribute to a chaotic soundscape with team members yelling and waving their arms to communicate. Sites are open to the elements too, so high winds, heavy rains, and exterior urban noise can also form barriers to effective communication. Even the best walky-talkies can face an uphill battle.

There are a lot of different types of workers on a site, too: laborers, suppliers, architects, and contractors. They may all be working on the same project, but differing roles mean they don’t always speak the same language (sometimes this is literally true). This excellent study on the professional/personal impact of poor communication highlights that it can lead to damaging conflict between upper management and workmen; the kind of resentment between colleagues that’s just as toxic as any fume or diesel spill.

The solutions for the modern site

Speed, reliability, and the visual element are the right combination to improve communication. Spoken messages can be misheard or misremembered and may take their time reaching the right ears. Mobile apps are the perfect way to reach everyone in real-time onsite or farther afield. Here are some examples on the market now:

• Field lens – This impressive app really understands how hectic a site can be. They offer unlimited video and audio recordings, which go a long way in collaborating with OSHA standards of compliance and safety. Plans can be circulated between team members who can all add comments for everyone to see, or visibility can be limited to only those who need to know that information. There’s also a valuable off-line capability (no need to worry about bad Wi-Fi) and a weather feature to keep track of how the elements might affect your build.
• E-Builder – Designed for construction managers, foremen, and owners, this app offers greater collaborative options that promise to cut site costs by 4%. Cross-platform access, job and labor forecasts, and real-time reporting all help to stay in touch and be more productive.
• Grid – Another communications app that offers plenty of instantly synced features. Field reports, punch lists, smart sheets, and more are automatically hyperlinked to all team members to keep everyone up to date and on the same page. Plan Grid has a huge number of projects under its belt from the industrial to the commercial. The photos and videos draw attention to problem areas and let your team know what needs to be addressed and where.

How battery-powered equipment improves communication

As we mentioned earlier, the sheer operating noise of a building site can hamper communications and threaten worker safety (especially their hearing as we studied in our earlier blog). Sound waves can be classed as harmful emissions just as much as toxic fumes or spills. That’s why investing in battery-powered construction equipment is such a smart choice. An option like the mini skid steer is a perfect way to start.

Our Sherpa models offer even more choice in the form of the 100 ECO and the EHD. These two battery-powered vehicles offer the same quiet, yet powerful performance. Don’t let poor communication cost you in worker safety, time, and productivity. Triple E Equipment is here to empower your site with tomorrow’s equipment, today.

We offer eco-friendly machinery that will make you more competitive and save you a fortune over time. To learn more about us, get in touch at 954-978-3440 or complete our contact form.

The post The Tech to Stay in Touch is at Your Fingertips appeared first on Cratos.

Construction is one of the oldest and proudest skills in human society. It’s the skill that kept us safe from the elements, housed people and resources, and helped settlements grow into civilizations. With the global population at over 7 billion and climbing, you’d think that construction sites would be full of people building tomorrow’s structures.

Sadly, there’s a shortage of workers and there are a few reasons why. An aging workforce and immigration barriers are two we looked at previously. Millennials comprise the workforce of the future but they don’t see construction as a career. This insightful article highlights the kind of bias and social misconception that facilitates an undeserved stigma that does construction a real injustice.

What are the big factors in this attitude?

Today’s job-ready demographics are part of a massively tech-oriented society. This virtual world is where the big bucks are seen to be. The labor-intensive jobs are viewed as a step down in status as well as income, not to mention physically dangerous. This notion that technology and construction are opposites is a common misconception; so common that it’s even rife in the construction industry itself.

It’s up to us in the industry to educate tomorrow’s workers

So, what would we at Triple E want today’s youth to know about modern construction? First, there’s actually a growing convergence between tech and the building trades (a convergence we’re keeping a close eye on). Robots, drones, and other amazing developments are slowly making construction as tech-centric as any other industry.

Second, the risks involved with construction are also diminishing as robots work alongside us to protect humans from danger. These facts dispel two outdated perceptions, but a third one remains: money.

Construction can offer very respectable financial rewards, and that’s only going to improve. The current shortage of workers in our industry means there are more jobs available. The need to fill those roles makes those vacancies lucrative ones to apply for. Construction workers can look for a median salary of $59,000 a year, with higher-skilled tradespeople making $80,000 in some cases and managers over $100,000.

The same article even suggests that tomorrow’s construction professionals will be the status and income equivalent of today’s doctors! Those of us in the industry (and gradually, the media) know that manual work is certainly no step down, but it’s going to take a while for the public to realize it.

Here’s how your construction company can deal with the shortage NOW

Other people may have to wait until the future catches up with them, but your construction company doesn’t have to. Upgrade and sidestep the labor shortage by making battery-powered equipment part of your team. Worried it’s going to be too expensive? Remember everything you just read: people are becoming an expensive investment and they’re going to cost a lot more for your company in the long run.

Check out our previous blog for a sample of how battery-powered equipment saves money over time. The savings come from eliminating the toxic by-products of diesel-powered machinery (such as fumes and spills) that can lead to fines of thousands of dollars. Take the GreenMachine as a perfect example. They’re eco-friendly and can take on the work of 10-15 people.

Think of the saved wages and less stress about labor shortages. Our other eco-friendly models are the Sherpa 100 ECO and Sherpa EHD. They provide the kind of safety that protects your team via remote control and minimal frame mass. They’re small but powerful and can get in and out of tight construction spots that could harm your physical workers.

Even in a struggling sector, we’ve been building our reputation

We do more than talk on this blog. The equipment we provide and the principles we work by have seen us go from strength to strength. Construction may be facing some hard times, but Triple E has only grown. We made the Top 1000 of the Inc. 5000, improved our revenue by over 500% in three years, and made multiple entrepreneurial finals lists.

We want the same for you. We’re on the cutting edge of construction and have our finger on the pulse of where the next workers, trends, and equipment are coming from. Battery-powered equipment like mini skid steers and electric wheelbarrows help to save a fortune and handle the worker shortage. If you need to hire more people on site in future, the money you’re saving means you can handle the higher wages while your competitors can’t.

Get in touch with us to learn more and join us at the cutting edge!

At Triple E, we’re passionate about keeping pace with an evolving construction industry. If you want to learn more about securing your place in the future, call at (954)-978-3440 or reach us through our contact form.

The post How to Make an Onsite Labor Shortage Work for You appeared first on Cratos.