Enhance Your Operational Efficiency With the Right Construction Tool
The construction industry is an important contributor to the Canadian economy, generating approximately $250 billion in revenue annually and employing over 1.5 million people. However, there are many pain points faced by the modern construction company that challenge growth, productivity, and profitability. Factors like project delays, price increases on materials, and inefficient work practices continue to negatively impact the return on investment. More and more, construction companies are seeking improved timelines, costs, and workflow efficiencies on their jobsites.
The following covers the most common pain points faced by construction companies and what you can do about it.
Problem #1: Rising Project Expenses
According to a 2022 Statistics Canada survey, 72% of construction companies expect rising inflation to impede growth. Supply chain disruptions, high prices for raw materials, and an increase in the cost of borrowing, among other factors, have resulted in a continual upward trend in the cost of construction projects and, as such, lower returns on investment.
Problem #2: Reduced Productivity
Despite a demand for new infrastructure, research shows that construction productivity in Canada has seen little growth in recent years. Instead, it has remained at an average rate of 1.3% growth per annum. It now takes 25-30% longer to build equivalent projects compared to 5-6 years ago. Reduced productivity can be the result of challenges faced on site, including material handling inefficiencies, that culminate in extended timelines.
Problem #3: High Labour Costs
Labour costs have soared due to an ongoing shortage of workers experienced across all sectors in Canada. As of February 2023, nearly 200,000 positions remained unfulfilled in the construction industry and this shortage was particularly prevalent in regions with a high demand for new housing. This need for manual labour, coupled with limited skilled workers, has led labour costs to skyrocket. In 2022, there was a 9.4% increase in wages for construction workers, nearly double the rate of growth for other industries. Construction companies, therefore, are looking for way to minimise their labour costs.
Problem #4: Outdated Installation Methods
When it comes to material handling requirements on construction sites, loading platforms continue to be the tool of choice. However, traditional outriggers can cause costly delays due to their outdated installation method. It takes upwards of 45 minutes to install, relocate, or remove fixed decks. This is in part due to the minimum of six re-shore props required and that they cannot be bolted down. Although loading platforms help to streamline material handling needs on site, this timely installation method negatively impacts productivity on site.
How a Planned System Can Help
Investing in rental equipment to enhance productivity, reduce labour costs, and streamline workflow on site is the solution. Innovation in resolving the above problems has led to the introduction of more efficient material handling tools in the market, such as the SuperDeck® retractable loading platform system.
The SuperDeck® allows not only vertical stacking but also rolling in and out as needed, resulting in a more convenient and efficient material handling process. A single operator reduces labour costs, with the SuperDeck also eliminating the need for staff to manually carry materials to inaccessible levels.
Taking only 15 minutes, its two-prop installation method saves critical time on site, helping to boost productivity.
If enhancing your operational efficiency is a priority, speak to the team at Preston Rentals to learn more about how the SuperDeck® can provide the solution for your upcoming project. Call 604 817 DECK (3325) or visit our website.