Topcon Solutions Store Named Autodesk Partner of the Year

U.S. DOL Awards Nearly $2 Million to 14 Organizations

Spackle by Dave Coverly

People News

OFCCP Launches Resource to Track Notices on Construction Contract/Subcontract Awards 

Sto Rolls Out Updated BIM Assets

JLG Releases Whitepaper on Augmented Reality 

Koki Holdings Announces Merger of Metabo HPT/NA

United Scaffolding Announces Rebrand to ScaffSource

OFCCP Launches Resource to Track Notices on Construction Contract/Subcontract Awards

The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced the launch of a new online platform, referred to as the Notification of Construction Contract Award Portal, to modernize how the OFCCP received required notices about construction contract and subcontract awards, as reported by the SWCCA.

NCAP provides contracting officers, contractors and applicants seeking assistance for construction projects (such as state Departments of Transportation) a more efficient and secure electronic means to submit a notice to OFCCP within 10 working days of an award of a federal or federally assisted construction contract or subcontract in excess of $10,000.

After creating an account, NCAP users can securely upload details of awarded construction contracts, including the contract value, estimated start and completion dates of the contract, contact information, the contract awarding entity, the contract receiving entity and contract place(s) of performance, using a single or bulk upload.

Sto Rolls Out Updated BIM Assets

Sto Corp. introduced the updated Building Information Modeling assets for all Sto color collections.

With the new BIM assets, architects, designers, general contractors and other users can easily and completely integrate every color palette directly within their preferred BIM app, capturing the color metadata within the project’s complete documentation.

The manufacturer is continually expanding and improving its robust offering of BIM assets, rainscreens and continuous insulation systems, among other fully engineered systems. With the addition of the color collection assets, the architecture, engineering and construction community is better equipped to digitally render more accurate designs.

“These new, more accurate assets will let Sto do what it does better than anyone: help people realize their creative vision,” said Zack Donnelly, technical manager of BIM/CAD at Sto.

According to Donnelly, because designers can access the company’s extensive range of colors directly within their favorite BIM app, they can work with the tools they’re used to and the Sto systems they depend on. “The new assets fit right into both their digital and creative workflow,” he explained.

JLG Releases White Paper on Augmented Reality

Aerial work platform manufacturer JLG Industries Inc. has published a new white paper “Augmented Reality Solves Two Common Challenges on Construction Job Sites,” offering four use case scenarios that highlight how augmented reality can streamline project planning, simplify ordering/renting equipment and provide guidance on machine functions and proper usage. The white paper is now available for download on JLG #DirectAccess.

“JLG’s AR app is designed to help users find the answers to the questions they have,” said Ara Eckel, director of product management – Connected Solutions, JLG. “But because this technology is still relatively new to the industry, many aren’t aware of how it can be used in everyday operations. This white paper provides an in-depth look at how augmented reality can assist with 1) sizing and configuring equipment and 2) helping operators better understand and use their machines.”

Because JLG’s AR app is specifically designed for use on real-world job sites, the white paper walks through multiple scenarios to highlight how the JLG AR app saves users time and money by:

1. Helping rental store branch managers identify the right machine for a renter’s project the first time, reducing guesswork and the duplication of logistics and rental paperwork;
2. Enabling renters to quickly refresh operators on “how to operate” the machines by accessing relevant operational guidance right from their phones, rather than searching online or through equipment manuals;
3. Having the decal viewer available in 20-plus languages reduces the time for their service techs to identify what might be occurring with that specific machine when they arrive on a job site.

“With the recent updates to the JLG AR app, we significantly evolved the tool to provide more value by increasing users’ productivity with it,” Eckel said. “This new white paper illustrates to our app users how they can confidently select the right machines and accessories for the job, navigate the virtual machines around their job sites to confirm planning and access additional educational resources for more efficient machine operation.”

For more information on JLG products and services, please visit JLG.com.

Koki Holdings Announces Merger of Metabo HPT/NA

Koki Holdings America Ltd. announced a merger of two organizations, Metabo HPT and Metabo Power Tools in North America. Effective December 2022, both brands will operate their headquarters, factory service center and distribution functions from a state-of-the-art facility in Braselton, Ga. This will support the expansion and continuity of both brands and increase value to their partners.

By integrating operations, both brands will continue to support retailers and end users with world-class power tools for the residential/multifamily construction market and the metal working/industrial markets. This unification will enhance value across the organization, driving new business opportunities for existing Metabo HPT and Metabo customers.

United Scaffolding Announces Rebrand to ScaffSource

United Scaffolding Inc. announced its rebranding to ScaffSource. Under the new brand, the organization will offer customers a nationwide network for the rental and sales of Scaffolding and Shoring materials, as well as Project Design/Management Services, while still delivering the same high level of customer service their customers were accustomed to.

“Since 1992, United Scaffolding Inc. has served contractors and market segments nationwide,” said Justin Anderson, president of ScaffSource. “We are excited to relaunch this business under this new brand and look forward to continuing our existing relationships and building new ones because of the impact ScaffSource will make by offering greater access to our products and services. With this change, we are refocusing our efforts to move our inventory closer to strategic markets to serve our customers better.”

With a 30-plus year legacy and a team that brings a combined 150-plus years of industry knowledge, ScaffSource is a trusted scaffolding and shoring solutions provider, offering a diverse range of services including rental, design and sales. With 12 offices nationwide and one of the largest networks in the industry, ScaffSource’s network is strategically located to deliver superior responsiveness and service with an extensive inventory of more than 17 million pieces of scaffolding and a large and growing inventory of shoring.

Beyond rentals and sales, ScaffSource provides value-added services for a comprehensive resource for all scaffolding needs. The company's innovative 3D modeling delivers precise scaffold design so that the exact inventory needed to begin a project on time and stay within budget can be verified. This innovative technology simplifies complex projects by providing better visualization and planning for more accurate resource management, safer execution, and labor and material cost savings.

Topcon Solutions Store Named Autodesk Partner of the Year

Topcon Solutions Store has been named “Partner of the Year — Americas 2022” by Autodesk Construction Solutions, the team at Autodesk behind the company’s comprehensive construction management solution Autodesk Construction Cloud. TSS committed enhanced resources and exclusive sales personnel to the construction space, resulting in significant growth in its Autodesk construction business in 2021.

TSS achieved its sales growth through account-based selling and successful collaboration with the Autodesk Construction Solutions team. Topcon teams combine Autodesk software with Topcon hardware to offer a complete solution and improve the end-user experience. As a result, TSS ranked number three overall in ACS partner sales.

“As an Autodesk Construction Elite Partner, our business is heavily focused in this area. We have invested time and resources to help our customers in the civil construction space transition into the new digital world,” said Mark Contino, vice president of Topcon Solutions Store. “Providing a strong, local partnership to help construction teams keep their workflows connected in this ever-changing environment is key. It’s an honor to be recognized with this award from Autodesk and to provide the architecture, engineering and construction industry with best-in-class solutions.”

TSS serves as the retail division of Topcon Positioning Systems and is an Autodesk Platinum Partner. Topcon Solutions also serves as an Authorized Training Center for Autodesk.

“Topcon Solutions Store consistently demonstrates a commitment to providing its customers with complete solutions that can help elevate their businesses,” said Angi Izzi, director of partnerships and integrations, Autodesk Construction Solutions. “The TSS team’s dedication and investment in construction strengthens Autodesk’s ability to deliver technology on which construction companies can run their businesses. Autodesk provides stakeholders throughout the construction life cycle with powerful, purpose-built tools, and TSS continues to develop and grow adoption of our powerful portfolio. Together, we’re bringing extended services to construction companies looking to drive better outcomes.”

In addition to the Partner of the Year honor, TSS was further recognized with employee Ian Donovan, regional software sales manager at TSS, earning the Autodesk Partner Value Selling Award — Americas 2022. Donovan’s award recognizes his efforts for value-based outcomes, selling methodologies and demonstration of close collaboration with the extended Autodesk team. His commitment to performing significant discovery and account planning leads to successful new business as well as renewals.

U.S. DOL Awards Nearly $2 Million to 14 Organizations

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded approximately $1.9 million in grants to 14 nonprofits nationwide to fund education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize infectious disease hazards—including coronavirus—and identify preventive measures for a safe workplace.

Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases training grants also include education on worker rights and employer responsibilities detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the grants derive from the Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training program. As part of the $10 million funding availability supported by ARPA for Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, including the coronavirus grants, the department awarded more than $6.7 million in grants in 2021.

The program’s namesake was a former director of OSHA’s Office of Risk Assessment. In her 17 years with OSHA, the late Dr. Harwood helped develop federal standards to protect workers from blood-borne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in construction.

OSHA awards grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, Native American tribes, and local and state-sponsored colleges and universities. Target trainees include small-business employers and underserved, vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries.