That’s where TCO—total cost of ownership—becomes critical. Understanding TCO gives construction fleets the clarity they need to make informed decisions about budgeting, replacement planning, maintenance strategy and job costing. Without it, fleets rely on assumptions and, in construction, assumptions are expensive.

What Total Cost of Ownership Really Means

TCO represents the full lifecycle cost of an asset from acquisition through disposal. While purchase price or lease cost is often the most visible expense, it is only one part of the equation. Financing, depreciation, preventive maintenance, unexpected repairs, parts and labor, fuel consumption, insurance, compliance requirements, downtime and eventual resale value all contribute to the true financial impact of assets.

In many cases, the majority of an asset’s cost accumulates after it enters service. An excavator that appears affordable upfront can quickly become one of the most expensive assets in the fleet if repair frequency rises or fuel efficiency declines. Without a comprehensive view of these costs over time, fleet leaders cannot accurately measure performance or profitability. Understanding TCO shifts the conversation from upfront pricing to long-term value.

Why TCO Is Essential for Construction Fleet Strategy

Construction fleets operate on tight margins and strict timelines, with equipment reliability and cost control directly influencing whether a project meets profitability targets. When fleet costs aren’t fully understood, even small inefficiencies across dozens or hundreds of assets can significantly erode margins.

One of the most immediate benefits of TCO visibility is improved budgeting and forecasting. When fleets can see how operating costs trend over time, they can anticipate major maintenance events and plan capital expenditures more accurately. Instead of reacting to surprise repair bills, leadership teams can prepare for predictable cost increases and make proactive investment decisions.

Replacement planning is another area where TCO insight is transformative. Many fleets still base replacement decisions primarily on age, OEM guidelines or intuition; however, two similar machines can have very different cost trajectories depending on jobsite conditions, utilization rates and service history. Tracking cost per hour or cost per mile over time reveals when operating expenses begin to accelerate, providing a clear financial signal that replacement may be the more cost-effective option.

Accurate TCO data also strengthens job costing. Construction companies rely on precise cost estimates when bidding projects. If vehicle and equipment expenses are underestimated, bids may appear competitive but ultimately reduce profitability. A detailed understanding of lifecycle costs allows fleets to assign realistic hourly equipment rates, allocate maintenance expenses accurately and improve the financial accuracy of future bids.

According to a 2026 fleet benchmark report, “most fleets accept high-mileage assets; when maintained properly, older assets can keep a TCO value comparable to that of a newer asset. When maintenance discipline fails, those same assets become expensive and disruptive, fast.”

TCO analysis supports smarter maintenance strategies to keep assets safely working longer. Construction environments are harsh, and equipment is constantly exposed to dirt, vibration, extreme weather and heavy loads. By analyzing maintenance history alongside overall asset costs, fleets can identify recurring failure patterns, compare preventive and reactive repair costs, and adjust service intervals based on actual performance data. This reduces downtime while controlling unnecessary maintenance spend.

Why Calculating TCO Is So Difficult

Despite its importance, calculating TCO remains challenging for many construction fleets. The issue is rarely a lack of awareness; rather, it’s a lack of consolidated data. In many organizations, cost information is scattered across spreadsheets, accounting systems, fuel card platforms, telematics providers, vendor invoices and paper work orders. “When data lives in disconnected systems, building a complete and accurate cost profile for each asset becomes time-consuming and prone to error,” explains John Byron, maintenance advisor at Fleetio. “Manual data entry introduces inconsistencies, asset naming conventions may not align across platforms, and maintenance documentation is often delayed or incomplete.”

As fleets grow in size and complexity, these inefficiencies multiply. The result is a fragmented view of asset performance that makes reliable TCO analysis nearly impossible. Without centralized visibility, leaders are forced to rely on partial information and educated guesses.

How Digital Fleet Solutions Simplify TCO Tracking

Digital fleet maintenance and management solutions address the aforementioned challenges by consolidating asset data into a single system of record. Instead of managing separate tools and spreadsheets, fleets can automatically associate maintenance expenses, parts and labor costs, fuel transactions, inspections and downtime with the correct asset in real time.

This automation creates a continuously updated financial profile for every vehicle and piece of equipment. Digital work orders capture labor hours, service history and parts usage without relying on paper documentation, building a reliable maintenance record over time. With this level of visibility, fleets can analyze trends such as rising repair frequency, increasing parts costs or declining fuel efficiency before they escalate into larger problems.

Consolidated reporting also enables objective replacement planning. Rather than relying on subjective judgment, fleets can establish measurable thresholds, such as cost per hour exceeding a defined benchmark or maintenance spend reaching a certain percentage of asset value. These data-driven criteria help optimize capital allocation and improve long-term fleet health.

Turning Insight Into Financial Performance

Understanding TCO empowers action. With accurate data, construction fleets can refine PM schedules, identify training opportunities that reduce operator-related wear, negotiate more effectively with vendors and prioritize investment in equipment models that consistently deliver strong performance. Over time, these improvements extend asset life, reduce downtime, strengthen project margins and improve forecasting accuracy. Most importantly, they replace uncertainty with clarity.

Construction fleets operate in an environment where equipment performance directly impacts productivity and profitability. Relying on purchase price alone is no longer sufficient, but by embracing digital fleet solutions with built-in automation, construction companies can consolidate data and track operating costs with precision to uncover the trends that reveal the true financial story behind their equipment. Understanding TCO allows construction fleets to move beyond guesswork and take strategic control of their assets, improving both operational performance and bottom-line results.

SEE ALSO: FLEET SAFETY AS A BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

The post Understanding Total Cost of Ownership in Construction Fleets first appeared on Construction Executive.

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At the same time, multimillion-dollar jury verdicts tied to vehicle crashes have reshaped how roadway incidents affect budgets, insurance programs and reputations. A single serious accident can trigger medical costs, equipment damage, litigation and long-term insurance market consequences.

The financial implications are significant. However, construction businesses that develop an effective fleet safety program can help reduce preventable crashes, stabilize insurance costs, protect workforce availability and strengthen a company’s legal position if an accident occurs. Distracted Driving Awareness Month each April highlights the importance of roadway safety. It also provides a timely opportunity for contractors to review how driver and vehicle safety fit into their broader risk management strategy.

Prevention First: The Foundation Is a Written Fleet Safety Policy

Increasing insurance limits does not reduce risk. Prevention begins with a written fleet safety policy tailored to the company’s operations that is consistently enforced.

A comprehensive fleet safety policy should address:

• Authorized drivers and clear documentation of who may operate company vehicles
• Motor vehicle record review at hire and periodically thereafter
• Cellphone and device usage, including prohibitions on handheld use
• Scope of vehicle use, including restrictions on off-hours or personal use
• Accident reporting and internal notification procedures
• Training requirements and disciplinary action for violations

Clear definition of authorized drivers is particularly important in construction environments. A foreman may ask someone to reposition a truck on a jobsite without realizing that individual is not licensed or approved to drive a commercial vehicle. Without documentation and controls, that seemingly small decision can create significant liability exposure.

Personal use policies require similar clarity. Allowing weekend use of your fleet without guardrails can expand exposure beyond what leadership intended. Even if returning vehicles to company premises nightly is not practical, defined parameters and written acknowledgment from drivers are critical.

Signed documentation and consistent record-keeping demonstrate that the company not only has a policy, but also trains its employees and enforces it. In the event of litigation, those records can become central to a defensible position.

Hiring and Onboarding: Safe Drivers, Not Just Skilled Tradespeople

Contractors rightly prioritize hiring experienced professionals. However, putting a highly skilled worker with poor driving habits behind the wheel can undermine broader safety goals.

Reviewing MVRs before hire and at regular intervals helps identify high-risk drivers early. Onboarding should include driver-specific safety training and reinforce that operating a company vehicle is a privilege tied to performance and accountability.

Mandatory training is required for drivers with repeated violations or preventable incidents. Ridealongs, observation and coaching based on real-world scenarios often deliver better results than a one-size-fits-all classroom session. If improvement does not occur, drivers may be subject to further consequences, including termination.

Distracted Driving and the Role of Telematics

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent roadway risks, particularly for crews operating under schedule pressure or navigating unfamiliar routes. Safety professionals often categorize distraction into three types: visual (eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel) and cognitive (mind off driving). Addressing those risks requires both clear policy and consistent oversight.

For many contractors, telematics systems are initially implemented to track vehicle location, manage asset utilization, optimize routing and improve fuel efficiency. GPS visibility helps reduce unauthorized vehicle use, streamline dispatch and support preventive maintenance scheduling. In an industry where time and equipment availability directly affect project margins, those operational gains are often the primary driver for adoption.

In addition to these operational benefits, telematics can play a critical role in managing driver behavior. Systems that monitor speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration and seat belt usage provide objective data that safety leaders can use for coaching and corrective action. When paired with clear expectations and training, that data helps identify patterns before they lead to a collision.

Successful programs are built on transparency. Contractors should clearly communicate what data is collected, how it will be used and what thresholds trigger intervention. Used appropriately, telematics supports both operational performance and driver safety, two outcomes that ultimately reinforce one another.

Vehicle Maintenance: A Critical but Overlooked Control

Mechanical failure can compound driver error or create independent liability.

Routine preventive maintenance schedules, documented inspections and pre-trip checklists help reduce breakdowns and crashes. Drivers should be trained to conduct basic walk-around inspections before leaving for a jobsite, checking items such as:

• Tire condition and pressure
• Lights and signals
• Brakes and fluid levels
• Securement of cargo and equipment

Cargo introduces additional exposure. Tools, materials and leased equipment must be properly secured not only during transit, but also in the aftermath of an accident. If a vehicle is towed, unsecured loads can cause secondary damage and increase costs.

Crash Management: Training for the Worst Day

Even the strongest prevention program cannot eliminate every incident. Structured crash management is essential.

An accident safety kit placed in every vehicle can provide step-by-step guidance during a high-stress situation. Typically, the kit includes a laminated card outlining:

• Immediate safety steps, including checking for injuries and calling police
• Guidance on moving the vehicle to a safe location if drivable
• Instructions on collecting insurance information and witness contacts
• Reminders on what not to say, including avoiding admission of fault
• Internal reporting contacts and timelines

Drivers are often shaken and concerned about their job or license status in the aftermath of an accident. Clear instructions help them stay focused. Calling law enforcement promptly ensures an official report is generated. When safe, drivers should collect photographs of all vehicles involved and relevant roadway conditions.

Many vehicles now contain electronic data that may help document the circumstances of a crash. Prompt notification to internal leadership and the insurance carrier allows preservation of that data and early claim management.

Training is critical. Distributing a kit without instructions limits its effectiveness. Annual safety meetings should include practical discussion of crash response procedures, with scenario-based exercises that reinforce expectations.

Aligning Fleet Safety With Culture

Driver and vehicle safety programs are most effective when integrated into a broader safety culture.

Leadership behavior sets the tone. Supervisors should model focused driving by avoiding calls or texts to drivers while they are on the road. Positive reinforcement often produces better results than discipline alone.

Empowering employees to speak up when unsafe driving behavior is observed reinforces shared responsibility. From the interview process forward, communicate that safety expectations apply on and off the jobsite to build consistency.

For construction businesses operating across multiple states, coordination with insurance carriers can support policy development, telematics strategies, post-accident planning and appropriate coverage selection. However, the priority remains reducing the likelihood and severity of crashes in the first place.

Contractor leadership cannot afford to treat roadway exposure as an operational risk. A structured, enforced, and culturally aligned driver and vehicle safety program protects not only drivers and the public, but most importantly, the long-term viability of your business.

SEE ALSO: FLEET MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT DRIVER SAFETY WHILE BUILDING CUSTOMER TRUST

The post Fleet Safety as a Business Strategy for Construction Companies first appeared on Construction Executive.

The answer may be to pull back on purchasing assets and equipment and instead balance a hybrid model that relies on both rental and ownership. The solution entails using data to determine when it’s time to own and when doing so is a costly mistake.

The Benefits of a Hybrid Model

Numerous benefits exist for construction leaders turning to this type of hybrid model. The goal is simple. Balance core owned assets with short-term rentals. In doing so, an organization can:

• Reduce capital expenditure, keeping more money available for bigger investments and meeting the higher cost of labor
• Optimize fleet utilization; keep equipment in frequent use, rather than sitting and waiting
• Ensure the feasibility of big projects or more specialized work without having to plan for outright investment in new, limited-use equipment

The most challenging aspect of this process is knowing when to rent and when to buy. The cost of short-term rental can be prohibitive if using equipment for the long term or consistently extending a short-term contract.

How to Use Data to Make Better Decisions

Heavy equipment ownership should be based on data-backed decisions, not guesses about what purchase will yield the best ROI. The solution is to capture data that provides highly accurate insight into the use and effectiveness of any equipment. One solution is the use of telematics. These software programs provide exceptional insight into how to use equipment by gathering information such as:

• Real-time location
• Engine hours used
• Maintenance requirements
• Fuel and maintenance costs

Tracking Utilization

Telematics can provide a range of benefits to an organization. For example, utilizing software that offers GPS tracking and IoT sensors allows business leadership to consistently monitor utilization rates for each individual piece of equipment. This allows the measurement of how many hours each piece of equipment is actually being used. It allows tracking of idle time and pinpointing both overuse and underuse of assets.

If equipment is underused, it may not be worth the outright purchase depending on how frequently it’s needed. Overuse is a concern as well. Necessary equipment that goes down, even for a short amount of time, can be costly with added delays.

Improving Allocation

Utilizing telematics software, it’s possible to know the exact location of equipment. This also incorporates data about the usage status of the equipment, even paring the days and times a piece will need to be accessible for each project.

Managers can then more effectively and affordably move machines where they are not only needed but also where they’re needed most. This enhances outcomes and ensures employees have the right equipment for the job.

Optimizing Maintenance

Some construction companies are plagued with the ongoing need to keep equipment operating to push deadlines and meet project goals. Yet, skipping or missing maintenance can jeopardize the functionality, safety and even the future accessibility of that equipment. For some companies, downtime for maintenance and repair forces the consideration of purchasing new equipment. Still, that can be an expensive and avoidable mistake.

With telematics, it’s possible for companies not to plan maintenance by timing, but to make repairs when needed, stay ahead of breakdowns and enhance long-term outcomes. That includes monitoring factors such as:

• Changes in hydraulic pressure
• Fuel-burn rates
• Engine diagnostic data

Utilizing Data to Decide When to Buy or Rent

In some situations, companies will need to consider the feasibility of purchasing additional pieces of equipment or renting. For example, turning to local scaffolding rental companies for projects tends to be less expensive than trying to manage and move equipment from one area to the next. It’s local, convenient and readily available without worrying about not having it available when a project needs to change.

Other types of larger equipment can be tempting to purchase in order to have on hand anytime; however, before making such a decision, companies can use telematics and other data to determine:

• If there is an ongoing need for the equipment, which will make it a long-term, financially sound decision
• Whether equipment is necessary for a highly specialized project, and whether purchasing it outright could create capital that’s frozen in that equipment without really producing value
• If investing in total ownership is the best route for long-term growth

Using data to make such decisions minimizes locking capital up for too long in the wrong equipment, allowing businesses to maneuver more readily around ever-changing project designs and demands. Prioritize equipment access over total ownership. What is going to help improve cash flow and profitability?

Investing in modern equipment can be wise, but doing so with careful attention to an organization’s current and likely future use needs is more important than outright purchasing. With so much flexibility in ownership methods, including the wide availability of rentals, it makes sense for companies to make data-based decisions that ultimately keep cash flow moving. With access to software and IoT sensors so readily available, making critical decisions is far easier than ever.

SEE ALSO: THREE WAYS FLEET TELEMATICS ARE OPTIMIZING CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEW NORMAL

The post How Contractors Can Maximize Equipment Value Without Over-Owning Assets first appeared on Construction Executive.

While this is a large and important task, there are other ways water trucks can be used. Many contractors overlook additional ways they can be utilized, undervaluing the equipment and preventing them from getting the best value for their investment. If properly customized and maintained, water trucks can do much more than just control dust.

Fire Safety and Prevention

In some areas, a water truck provides the only source of pressurized water available near the jobsite. When properly equipped, water trucks can serve as the primary line of defense against fire on construction sites and even help prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Water trucks can be used to wet down hot work areas to prevent stray sparks from causing a fire. The truck can soak the ground and nearby combustible materials before any welding, grinding or torching work begins. They can also create fire breaks, dampening the area. The barrier can slow or even stop a brush fire from entering the jobsite.

Most trucks carry between 2,000 and 5,000 gallons, more than enough to act as a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.

If the truck will be used for fire safety, make sure it has key features. A water cannon or high-pressure hose reel is critical. The hoses enable workers to pull a line to a specific spot that a truck cannot reach directly, essential for spraying down hot work areas. 

Road Maintenance and Wash-Downs

Maintaining the haul roads of a construction site is critical. Heavy traffic and machinery can break down soil and loosen large rocks from tires. Water trucks have sweeper nozzles that can be used to clean off roadways. Sweeping the road with high-pressure water pushes rocks and debris aside, leaving a safe path for trucks to haul.

Water trucks can be used to pack soil before laying the foundation or paving a road. This requires a very specific amount of water. If the soil is too dry, it won’t stick together. If the soil is too wet, the ground can’t support the weight of the job.

Water trucks typically have a specialized spray bar to apply a controlled amount of water. This makes it easy to achieve soil stability.

Dry roads can lead to potholes when loose soil lacks a binding agent. Using the truck to apply a consistent, light seal of moisture helps keep the soil compacted. This also reduces rolling resistance for other trucks, helping them travel faster and consume less fuel.

A road littered with debris that hasn’t been washed away is detrimental to other vehicles’ tires. Construction tires for haulers are expensive, costing thousands of dollars per tire. Using a water truck’s sweeper nozzle to clear roads significantly extends tire life, saving costs in the long run.

They can also be used to wash down equipment. Using high-pressure hoses for washdowns of heavy equipment, such as excavators and haul trucks, provides several benefits.

Mud and debris can cause equipment to overheat. Additionally, dried mud can hide cracked frames or other issues that may need repair. Utilizing a water truck to keep machinery clean makes it much easier to inspect and maintain the equipment.

The vehicles must be cleaned when they leave dirt and hit the pavement. Cleaning tires and wheel wells at the exit point prevents the liability of making public roads slippery and unsafe for drivers.

Truck Customization and Maintenance

Before you buy a water truck, map out what kind of jobs it’ll be used for, how it’ll be utilized and how many people will use it. Recently, the cost of water truck customization and maintenance has increased dramatically. What once may have been a simple add-on can now break the bank. Before prices continue to rise, it’s important that the water trucks are properly maintained and that all features are attached.

Different jobsites have different demands. For example, some construction sites are very steep. If this is the case, a stronger chassis will be needed. If the plan is to use the truck for fire prevention and sweeping, make sure it has the bells and whistles needed to do so.

When it comes to rural construction, it’s critical to make sure there’s a suction pump and hose. The suction hose can pull water from a nearby natural resource such as a pond, creek or lake. This allows the site to have a constant water supply without having to drive miles to a fill point. This helps significantly reduce fuel costs and transit time.

Lastly, it’s critical to thoroughly train workers on its use. Driving at high speeds and taking sharp turns can significantly hurt the truck’s longevity. When a driver makes a quick movement or brakes hard, thousands of pounds of water slam into the tank.

If the season is slow or the truck isn’t being utilized, don’t get rid of it. Water trucks can do more than just control dust. They can transport water, sweep streets, and even prevent emergencies. The cost of buying a water truck is skyrocketing. Hang on to it, utilize it, and maintain it to improve longevity and get its money’s worth. 

SEE ALSO: Earth Benders: R.J. Zavoral and Sons Inc. on Their History of Moving the Midwest

The post How to Make the Most of Your Water Truck on the Jobsite first appeared on Construction Executive.

Installing the right mats in the right places across the jobsite can help preserve uptime in wet or muddy conditions. It can protect equipment from damage, reduce impacts on wetlands and other ecologically sensitive habitats, and improve worker safety.

Ground protection mats include hardwood timber mats, cross-laminated timber mats, composite mats made from high-density polyethylene plastic, heavy-duty crane mats and trackout control mats. Mats can be quickly repositioned as the project progresses.

Before writing off ground protection mats as an unnecessary expense, managers should understand the return on investment they offer.

Minimizing Downtime

Inclement weather disrupts 45% of construction projects nationwide. Muddy conditions resulting from rain, snow or spring melts often cause costly work stoppages as crews wait for the ground to dry out.

Mats preserve uptime by providing smooth, level, stable surfaces that allow crews and equipment to move around the site safely and efficiently. Timber mats create a raised surface, which allows for water runoff underneath and reduces water pooling. Some have coated ends for protection against rot.

Contractors who utilize ground protection mats often save more than the cost of the mats in days of downtime avoided. The increased operational resilience mats provide helps protect project timelines and, in turn, profitability.

An added productivity bonus of installing ground protection mats around the jobsite, including parking pads and staging areas: Subcontractors who are spread thin across multiple projects are more likely to prioritize work on jobsites that are clean and mud-free.

Protecting Equipment and Materials

Heavy equipment is a significant capital investment. Mats allow equipment operators to maneuver safely regardless of the ground conditions. They prevent machines from getting stuck in soft soil or hitting large rocks that could damage tires and undercarriages. They also reduce wear on equipment.

Mats installed under stationary assets such as pumps and generators keep those assets dry and out of mud and water, which helps prevent unexpected failures. Placing mats under pumps protects against another not-uncommon scenario: pumps sliding down a muddy slope into the body of water below.  

Contractors who use mats to create smooth surfaces for staging areas protect their high-value materials from mud and moisture.

Improving Jobsite Safety

Safety is an executive-level concern, especially given the many business impacts of safety incidents. Ground protection mats reduce risk across the jobsite. For example, by providing stable, level surfaces for heavy equipment, mats help prevent equipment from tilting and tipping over.

Walkways made of mats increase traction for workers on foot and protect against trips, falls and turned ankles caused by muddy ground and ruts left by dried mud. Installing mats around restrooms and office trailers limits the amount of mud tracked in, minimizing slip hazards.

Crane mats increase the safety of crane operations, which pose significant danger. Timber crane mats, often paired with timber outrigger mats, are thick, heavy-duty mats designed to support the extreme weight of cranes and their loads without shifting or buckling. Properly constructed and deployed, crane mats mitigate the risk of a catastrophic crane tip-over, safeguarding personnel, equipment and the company’s hard-earned safety record.

Supporting Sustainability Efforts 

Ground protection mats limit the environmental impact of operations, especially in sensitive environments.

Mats used to create temporary roadways and equipment platforms minimize soil compaction by distributing the downward pressure of wheels, tracks and outriggers. Similarly, mats placed under restroom trailers, mobile offices and storage containers reduce soil compaction by evenly distributing the weight of these units.

Reducing soil compaction helps limit stormwater runoff, supporting compliance with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans and reducing the financial risk of noncompliance. Mats also help preserve any vegetation beneath.

At project closeout, wood mats can be reused or recycled. Composite mats, which have lifespans of up to 10 years, are biodegradable and recyclable.

Limiting Jobsite Maintenance and Restoration

When mats instead of gravel are utilized to create temporary roads, parking pads and staging area surfaces, the need to maintain gravel is eliminated. Unlike gravel, mats don’t need to be raked and they aren’t eroded by weather.

Mats also help contractors keep the jobsite cleaner. Trackout mats placed at jobsite entrances remove excess dirt and debris from tires and tracks so they aren’t spread around the site. Walkways installed around office trailers, portable restrooms and storage containers decrease the amount of mud tracked inside these units, which minimizes the need for cleaning. 

By reducing soil compaction and protecting vegetation, mats can significantly reduce the scope of site restoration work, and the associated costs, on projects that require contractors to return the site to its original condition at project completion.

Limiting Liability

Trackout control mats placed at jobsite exits dislodge debris such as rocks that could be carried onto the roadway and kicked up by vehicles. Should rocks cause damage to vehicles, including windshields, contractors may be liable for the damage.

These mats can be installed over dirt, asphalt, turf, sand and grass surfaces. They help ensure compliance with local jurisdiction or Department of Transportation regulations that require project owners to implement measures to prevent construction debris from being carried onto roadways. They also reduce the need to deploy street sweepers near jobsite exits.

Planning in Advance for Ground Protection Mats

Mats are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The best type of mat depends on factors such as the type of environment, the ground conditions, the weight and type of equipment in use, the project duration and the project budget.

A matting provider that carries an extensive inventory of mats of different types will advise on the best mats for the jobsite and application. They can also forecast the number of mats needed based on historical data to help ensure availability. A full-service, turnkey provider will install the mats to create temporary roads, work surfaces and trackout areas. Some even perform site restoration.

SEE ALSO: KEEP YOUR FLEET SAFETY PLANS SIMPLE AND ACCESSIBLE

The post The ROI of Ground Protection Mats for Construction Equipment first appeared on Construction Executive.

In addition, within the coming months, it is expected the U.S. will see the effects tariffs will have in the form of lower imports—for example, lumber, stone, concrete and metal may not be arriving on U.S. shores in customary volumes. Since these materials are critical to construction, lower product volumes, coupled with the higher prices of domestically sourced products, stand to have an impact on overall sales in the sector.

In fact, according to a recent survey by Associated Builders and Contractors, nearly 22% of contractors had a project delayed or canceled in April due to tariffs, up from 18% in March, with 87% receiving notification of tariff-driven price increases for materials. While builders and contractors remain upbeat about their near-term outlook, 19% of respondents expect their sales to decline over the next six months, up from 13% at the start of the year.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROTECTS MARGINS

As tariffs and economic uncertainty push material and labor costs higher, building supply distributors are reevaluating every part of their operations in search of efficiency and cost-saving opportunities, including how materials are delivered to the jobsite. Notably, the last-mile journey is no longer singularly about on-time delivery—jobsite theft, missing materials and delivery disputes are piling on extra costs and damaging customer relationships at a time when margins are already razor thin.

To protect profits, building supply distributors are turning to digital tools and technology, transforming how they interact with customers for materials ordering and delivery. Consider a contractor ordering supplies to install a roof who inadvertently omits a required component and requires a second delivery. In contrast, guided ordering, via a combination of custom mobile apps and contractor enterprise resource planning systems, ensures all necessary supplies are ordered, saving time and delivery costs and keeping project timelines intact.

Building supply distributors are also adopting delivery management technology that automatically routes and tracks deliveries in real time, provides guided workflows and communicates order details across the last mile. This digital approach results in routes that are lower cost, more efficient and higher density (i.e., more stops per route), while providing a differentiated customer experience.

For instance, Richards Building Supply enhanced delivery performance, increased distribution capacity and trimmed last-mile costs by automating and optimizing delivery route planning and proof-of-delivery using a route planning, execution and mobile solution.

“With real-time visibility from GPS-tracked vehicles and digital proof of delivery, we’ve significantly improved our logistics operations,” says Jenny Vetter, logistics manager at RBS. “This technology allows us to create more accurate delivery schedules, increase daily delivery volumes and better align delivery windows with customer expectations.”

Driver safety is also a serious priority for distributors like RBS. Equipped with telematics devices, forward- and rear-facing dash cams in its vehicles, and mobile devices for drivers, RBS enhances driver safety through real-time visibility, automated driver-vehicle inspection reports and the ability for drivers to engage with safety training videos on their mobile devices.

MINIMIZING DISPUTES BUILDS TRUST

Building supply distributors face unique delivery challenges, from short lead times, tight delivery windows and varying loading/unloading times to bulky deliveries (e.g., prefabricated structural components, modular buildings), different types of vehicles (e.g., boom trucks, vans, dump trucks) and specialized loading and offloading requirements (e.g., cranes, telescopic handlers, forklifts).

These unique factors not only complicate chain-of-custody management and on-time delivery performance—disrupting project workflows and delaying progress—but they also elevate the risk of damaged or incorrect materials arriving at the site, triggering increased disputes and costly claims, especially for distributors relying on paper-based proof of delivery.

Unfortunately, proving that a delivery occurred as planned while following safety procedures and ensuring no damage occurred to either the goods or the jobsite is difficult without photo documentation. But asking drivers to take pictures on their personal phones and forward them to multiple recipients is an inefficient and risky practice.

Instead, forward-thinking distributors are minimizing fraud and theft by using mobile applications to guide drivers’ workflows, including automatically prompting them to take the required photos of the jobsite, equipment set-up, product delivery location and condition of materials. Vetter emphasizes, “Technology has helped us not only optimize logistics, but it’s also helped us fortify defenses against jobsite theft—safeguarding our deliveries and our customers’ trust.”

TAKING CONTROL OF THE LAST MILE

While leading distributors may be better positioned to pivot and offer more value-added services to their contractors—job quoting, automated ordering, inventory management (on and off the jobsite), just-in-time delivery—to justify higher prices and encourage customer loyalty, companies of all sizes should evaluate their last mile processes for opportunities to increase efficiency, trim costs and strengthen customer relationships.

Many are finding last-mile optimization software is indispensable in the face of shifting trade policies, the ongoing shortage of commercial driver’s license drivers and shrinking margins. Indeed, with a route-planning, execution and mobile solution driving last-mile operations, building materials suppliers are able to drive greater route density and improve on-time delivery performance, while increasing vehicle capacity by ensuring trucks are loaded with the maximum product according to vehicle type and size.

In addition, by leveraging technology that helps reduce costly disputes and claims, building supply distributors can enhance the customer experience while freeing up the human resources to perform higher-value work and provide other value-add services—critical steps in safeguarding margins and minimizing churn in today’s uncertain economic climate.

SEE ALSO: RISING DEBATE: PROPRIETARY VERSUS NON-PROPRIETARY ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT

The post Building Supply Distributors: Taking Control of Jobsite Delivery in Uncertain Times first appeared on Construction Executive.

The mobile nature of fleet makes change management that much harder—and not just because managers have to pin everyone down at some point to explain what is changing, why and how it will affect employees’ day-to-day responsibilities. Change management challenges can be broken into two main categories: employee buy-in and stakeholder concerns.

Here are a few of the top pain points to consider within these categories and how to overcome them to build a strategic change management plan:

Minimizing Pushback to Change

For the most part, resistance to change is natural—and quite common—especially if the change is disruptive, challenging to adapt to or seems unnecessary. Accounting for the human element in change management can make or break the successful implementation of the change in question, which means managers need to move their team from resistance to acceptance in the change curve as quickly as possible.

Poor Communication

While managers may see a need for change to improve an aspect of—or even the whole—operation based on high-level data insights, drivers and technicians could very well fall into the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset. This means it’s important to clearly explain why the change or changes are happening and what the benefits are. Otherwise, managers may run into misunderstandings and pushback. Plus, ineffective communication to the team could cause feelings of being blindsided or being out of the loop, which can lead to disengagement and a lack of buy-in and adoption.

“Change management is a big challenge because there can be some older or less tech-savvy [technicians or operators] who just aren’t interested in learning a new system, or maybe they still have a flip phone, so they’re not used to using a smartphone or even a tablet,” explains Elisa Moore, Customer Success Specialist, Onboarding, at Fleetio. “Or maybe the things that the fleet manager wants to get out of the software, the people on the ground, it doesn’t change anything for them, so they’re not as invested.”

To mitigate this issue, clearly communicate the reason for the change, including:

• How it will affect employees’ daily activities
• What employees can anticipate during the rollout of the change
• What benefits are expected

Be sure to engage in feedback with employees during and after the rollout of the change to identify and address specific concerns.

Resistance to Change

Operators and technicians may be resistant to new processes or technologies due to things like fear of job displacement, increased workloads, lack of familiarity with new systems or software or simply not wanting to break from routine. Introducing change can trigger uneasiness or a perceived loss of control.

Once the fleet determines that a change needs to be made, get the team involved early. Ask questions and seek feedback on how they think the change might affect them or their job to better identify the best way to roll out the change for minimal pushback and workflow disruptions.

Operational Disruptions

Any major change can cause both expected and unexpected disruptions and, if you don’t have a solid plan in place, the transition period can cause increased downtime and/or general productivity loss. This can prove frustrating for employees who just want to get their job done, and frustrated employees can quickly become disengaged and at risk of quitting.

To adapt to this challenge, implement changes gradually and strategically for reduced disruptions. Improving communication in the fleet can help with this, as it allows employees to raise issues, which managers can quickly address to keep the change implementation on track. Having open dialogue with the team during a change rollout also has the added benefit of increasing employee buy-in and helping ensure the change is making a positive impact.

Addressing High-Level Challenges

Dealing with the human element in change management isn’t the only hurdle to overcome. There are some high-level concerns that should be addressed, whether that’s cost, leadership buy-in or preparing the team to work with more advanced technologies.

Cost Concerns

Change can often come with a hefty price tag, especially when talking about implementing new technology, like a fleet maintenance or optimization platform, or electrified assets. Fleets have to balance investments with their budgets, which can lead to a phased or delayed rollout that compounds the complications of change management.

ROI is a key metric to present when it comes to advocating for a costly—but needed—change, so be ready to answer the following questions with cold, hard data to make a strong case:

• How soon can we recoup our investment?
• When can we expect to see returns/savings after implementation?
• What is the projected return/savings on a quarterly or yearly basis once the change is in place?

Leadership Buy-In

Leadership buy-in can be just as hard to gain as employee buy-in. Fleet managers may struggle to get support for necessary technology or process upgrades. Unaligned priorities—between a sustainability-driven C-suite and a cost-focused fleet manager, for instance—can derail change initiatives. Not only do managers need to ensure leadership is fully committed to the transition, they also have to set expectations for things like fleet-wide change adoption and ROI.

Effective communication across leadership groups is often a hurdle, so on top of the numbers, it’s important to present a strong case for why the change is needed and even how it can tie into other initiatives through money saved, time saved or profitability enhancements.

Technology Competency Gaps

Making the move toward using advanced technologies, like electrified vehicles and equipment, digital fleet solutions or other automated business systems requires upskilling staff to some degree. Operators and technicians may need training on EV operation, inspections and/or maintenance—and legacy systems, like outdated scheduling and billing software, for instance, may not play nice with more modern fleet management tools.

Provide ongoing training and support. Take advantage of onboarding packages, continued customer success offerings and advanced technology certifications and/or training for operators and technicians. Set milestones when and where applicable, and follow up with the team to see what additional support they might need.

Assess Results and Adapt

When making an operational change, there’s the aftermath of implementing that change to consider. Measure how the change has affected daily operations to better understand what’s going right, what’s going wrong and how to make improvements going forward. Establish key performance indicators applicable to the change, such as lower fuel costs, uptime improvements or PM compliance improvements. Without doing this, it can be rather hard to know if the change or changes are working.

And, sure, quantifying the benefits of change may take a little time, but in the long run it can justify the change to stakeholders while highlighting operational benefits.

SEE ALSO: FLEET TELEMATICS: THE UNSUNG HERO OF CONSTRUCTION

The post How Construction Fleets Can Overcome Change Management Challenges first appeared on Construction Executive.

EV lithium-ion batteries introduce risks that stem from their contents and processes. High heat-release rates, the potential for thermal runaway, and the release of flammable or toxic gases make these facilities more hazardous than traditional industrial buildings. Unfortunately, existing standards like the International Building Code and National Fire Protection Association 855 provide limited guidance on mitigating these modern fire risks.

This standards gap forces construction leaders to grapple with difficult questions. Are the EV battery manufacturing facilities they design and build equipped to handle these hazards? Are their fire protection strategies sufficient to protect people, assets and operations? Addressing these concerns requires understanding the risks, recognizing the limitations of current codes and implementing proactive solutions.

EV Battery Facilities Fire Risks

Lithium-ion technology carries inherent risks tied to its energy density and chemical composition. These risks can manifest in three ways:

• High Heat Release: Fires involving lithium-ion batteries produce intense heat, which can quickly compromise a building’s structural integrity.
• Thermal Runaway: Thermal runaway events occur when a lithium-ion cell ignites. This causes it to enter a self-sustaining reaction, igniting neighboring cells and escalating the fire’s intensity.
• Toxic and Flammable Gas Release: Lithium-ion batteries burn, emitting gases that are harmful to occupants and difficult for first responders to manage.

For example, let’s look at aviation safety: The rise in reported incidents of lithium-ion battery devices overheating on airline flights is up 28% from 2019 to 2023. However, according to a UL Standards & Engagement report, such events remain rare. E-cigarettes are the most common culprits, and 60% of thermal runaway cases occur near the seat of the passenger who brought the device, highlighting risks when these batteries are placed in checked bags or onboard.

Now, imagine this on a greater scale. Cell production, charging and storage operations increase the likelihood of fire incidents. Combined with the high volume of batteries stored in these facilities, the potential for severe outcomes rises dramatically.

The Inadequacy of Current Standards

While codes like the IBC and NFPA 855 establish baseline requirements, they fall short of addressing the risks posed by EV battery facilities. The IBC provides general fire-protection measures that apply to most industrial buildings but does not account for the specific challenges of lithium-ion technology. NFPA 855, focused on energy storage systems, offers more targeted guidance but remains insufficient for large-scale battery production and storage operations.

Compounding this issue is the reliance on outdated fire test standards. Many tests based on cellulosic fire loads assess the burning of materials like wood and paper. These standards do not reflect the modern fire loads of synthetic and hydrocarbon-rich materials in EV battery facilities.

This disconnect among codes, standards and real-world hazards makes it difficult for construction leaders to make decisions. So, what can they do?

Lessons Learned from Other Industries

First, consider what other industries have done. The oil and gas industry offers valuable insights for addressing fire risks in high-hazard environments. Over the decades, this sector has developed quantitative risk assessment methods that evaluate the likelihood, severity and consequences of fire incidents. Applying these methods to EV battery facilities can help stakeholders make informed decisions about fire-protection measures. For example, construction leaders can use risk assessments to determine whether to invest in passive fire protection, active suppression systems or a combination of both.

Proactive Strategies for Fire Protection

To address these challenges, construction professionals must adopt proactive fire-protection strategies tailored to the risks of EV battery facilities and early-stage collaboration with a trusted coating partner.

Intumescent coatings are critical in protecting structural components from extreme heat. When exposed to high temperatures, these specialized coatings expand and create an insulating barrier that helps maintain the structural integrity of steel and other building materials.

Specialized fire-protection solutions ensure that buildings remain stable during a fire, providing more time for evacuation and firefighting efforts. By integrating these protective measures into the design phase, construction teams can create more protected facilities without compromising operational efficiency.

Proactive fire protection begins with thorough risk assessments during the early design stages. Collaborating with fire protection specialists allows construction teams to identify site-specific hazards and develop tailored solutions. Early engagement reduces the likelihood of costly retrofits and ensures fire-protection measures align with the facility’s specific needs. For instance, a comprehensive assessment might reveal the need for enhanced separation between battery storage areas or additional gas detection systems.

Greater Industry Collaboration

Updating codes and standards to reflect modern fire risks requires collaboration across industries. Construction professionals, insurers and organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories, the American Society for Testing and Materials and the NFPA must work together to address gaps in existing regulations. Insurers play a key role by incentivizing better fire protection practices. Policies tied to rigorous risk assessments and enhanced fire protection measures encourage stakeholders to prioritize safety over minimum compliance.

The Cost of Inaction

The consequences of failing to address fire protection in EV battery facilities extend beyond individual projects. Fires in these facilities can result in significant human costs, financial losses, environmental damage and reputational harm. In some cases, inadequate fire protection could lead to stricter regulations imposed after catastrophic incidents.

The construction industry cannot afford to rely on reactive measures. With a proactive approach, stakeholders can reduce risks, protect assets and support the sustainable growth of the EV sector.

A Path Forward

The electrification movement depends on EV battery facilities’ safe and reliable operation. Fire protection, often treated as an afterthought, must become a central consideration in the design and construction of these high-tech buildings.

Proactive strategies—integrating advanced fire-protection coatings, conducting early risk assessments, and learning from or collaborating with other industries —offer a roadmap for addressing the challenges posed by EV battery technology.

SEE ALSO: DRIVING EFFICIENCY: OPTIMIZING VEHICLE CYCLES

The post The Future of Fire Protection in EV Battery Facilities first appeared on Construction Executive.

THE PATH TO ELECTRIFICATION

Electrification holds the largest CO2 mitigation potential for construction machinery while simultaneously delivering significant environmental, health and economic benefits. But while a combination of regulations and incentives such as those in the Inflation Reduction Act have led to an increasing numbers of U.S. consumers and businesses embracing electric-vehicle technology in passenger cars, buses and trucks, there has not been the same progress with heavy-duty construction machinery.

Admittedly, there are challenges to electrifying construction vehicles. Compared to passenger cars, large machines such as excavators need to work much harder and for much longer between charges, which means they need extremely large batteries to match the productivity of their diesel equivalents. These batteries are still very expensive, making the current purchase price of an electric machine much higher than its diesel equivalent.

More investment is also needed in providing infrastructure for the electrification of construction sites. Not all worksites have enough charging energy to support a fleet of electrically powered excavators. Sufficient power and stability in the electrical grid is a challenge to electrification in all sectors.

However, technologies to decrease energy consumption and carbon emissions from construction vehicles are available. Today’s excavator systems are only 30% efficient, meaning that 70% of the energy the engine produces is wasted instead of helping the excavator bucket move earth. Whether the vehicle has an electric motor or combustion engine, the energy consumption of the vehicle can be reduced significantly by cutting down on idling and hydraulic system losses and by introducing energy recovery systems. Digital-displacement hydraulics is one technology already available that can make a significant impact on energy efficiency.

DIGITAL DISPLACEMENT

Digital displacement technology, such as Danfoss’ Dextreme system, reduces hydraulic-system losses, leading to increased productivity and lower fuel consumption. Replacing a conventional hydraulic pump with a digital-displacement pump can reduce fuel usage by an average of 15%—and with further system optimization, even up to 30% or more. The radial piston pump uses digitally controlled valves to adjust displacement. Each piston is activated individually and provides a fast and accurate response to system demands, resulting in superior machine control.

By only using the pistons that are needed to meet the load, the pump provides exceptionally high efficiency. To reduce energy losses at the system level, the pump also contains multiple independent fluid outlets, dynamically allocated to each actuator so that fluid is supplied at the pressure needed by each actuator with minimal throttling.

The technology adds a completely new toolbox to hydraulic systems. It can simplify the hydraulic circuit and, by removing system components, allow for engine downsizing due to its responsiveness. The system is controlled by software, allowing original equipment manufacturers to build customization for each machine directly into the software.

Digital displacement can also reduce the required battery size for electric machines, helping to accelerate the path toward electrification for large excavators and other off-highway machines.

The construction industry has the potential to be a large contributor to greener and more sustainable urban areas. As cities are now prioritizing decarbonization, construction OEMs and contractors will need to adopt energy-efficient solutions that lower carbon emissions while reducing energy consumption and operating costs. The technologies are available, and with improved infrastructure and continued technological innovation, the construction industry can help our cities meet their decarbonization goals.

The post Combating Construction Carbon: How Heavy Machinery Can Further Sustainability first appeared on Construction Executive.