Covid-19 Presents Huge Opportunities for SMEs in the Construction Sector

Covid-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge for the construction industry but as we move towards a “new normal”, there will also be huge opportunities for SMEs in the sector, says William M Snape, director of StormMeister Flood Protection. Those of us of a certain age will have been through a number of ups and downs in the construction industry but nothing like this, Covid-19 is a game-changer like nothing that has gone before.

Lockdown came to the UK on 23 March, some companies in the construction industry tried to battle on but suppliers on the continent had closed down as far back as February. Most UK suppliers closed down in March and many in the construction industry who had tried to keep going were forced to shut down.

More than four months on and we are where we are, the arguments about whether the country should have locked down earlier are now largely irrelevant. Some suppliers are back up and running but by no means all and some of the companies that supply the suppliers are still in lockdown. There are shortages everywhere, even of basic materials such as sand, cement, bricks, plaster and paving slabs.

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Deltek Announces Expanded Partnership with Procore to Elevate Construction Management

PR Newswire | September 21, 2023

Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, today announced an expanded partnership with Deltek ComputerEase within the Procore platform, marking a milestone with its involvement on the Procore App Marketplac Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of construction management software and launched the Procore App Marketplace in 2016 as an online hub for third party integrations and custom applications modernizing the everyday life of the construction professional. The enhanced integration will benefit thousands of construction stakeholders who currently depend on Deltek and Procore for their financial and project management needs, ultimately helping enhance firms' profitability by enabling construction jobs to be managed more effectively. In addition, Procore will join the Deltek Marketplace, a curated collection of third-party vendors that bring value and ROI to project-based businesses, and Deltek ComputerEase will remain on the Procore App Marketplace. Deltek ComputerEase has a longstanding integration with Procore's Project Management platform, and this partnership will further the relationship between the two by bringing more connectivity and efficiency to the construction industry's daily operations. The expanded partnership offers more seamless data synchronization by connecting project management and accounting functions. Any changes made to projects will appear for all team members simultaneously, reducing errors and time spent on manual data transfers and updates, leading to improved efficiency, accelerated timelines, and smarter decision-making. "Through this enhancement, we can offer contractors and their accounting teams improved access to the meaningful data they need to successfully carry out a project," said Kris Lengieza, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Alliances at Procore. "Construction professionals using both platforms can now have access to accurate, real-time information that can be seamlessly shared between the jobsite and the back office, helping deliver projects on time and within budget." "Thousands of trade and general construction contractors already leverage Deltek ComputerEase and Procore to run their businesses, control their margins, and collaborate with stakeholders," said John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager for Deltek ComputerEase. "We're thrilled to continue our journey with Procore and look forward to delivering industry leading integration and customer experience for users of the ComputerEase and Procore platforms." Deltek ComputerEase is proud to be a Silver sponsor of Procore Groundbreak, being held in Chicago September 19-20, 2023. Attendees can learn more about Deltek and the expanded partnership with Procore at the Deltek ComputerEase booth, #16. About Deltek Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com. About Procore Procore is a leading global provider of construction management software. Over 1 million projects and more than $1 trillion USD in construction volume have run on Procore's platform. Procore's platform connects key project stakeholders to solutions Procore has built specifically for the construction industry—for the owner, the general contractor, and the specialty contractor. Procore's App Marketplace has a multitude of partner solutions that integrate seamlessly with Procore's platform, giving construction professionals the freedom to connect with what works best for them. Headquartered in Carpinteria, California, Procore has offices around the globe. Learn more at Procore.com.

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Engineering Tech

Atwell expands to Utah with acquisition of Summit Engineering Group

Business Wire | October 10, 2023

Atwell has acquired the operations of Summit Engineering Group, a civil engineering and land surveying firm headquartered in Heber City, Utah. This is Atwell’s first permanent office in Utah, adding to the company’s recent expansion in the western United States. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2001 by Brian Balls and Michael Johnston, Summit offers a wide variety of professional and technical services throughout Utah. Their employees have a broad range of construction experience, utilizing design software and data reporting methods that help ensure accuracy, construction feasibility, efficiency, and low construction costs. “Atwell and Summit place a priority on getting it right the first time, which makes our services and company cultures an ideal fit,” said Brian Balls, Principal at Summit. “Similarly, both companies have strong reputations for expertise, experience, and responsiveness to their clients’ needs. The breadth of Atwell’s services will expand into Utah, providing greater opportunity for our clients.” “The team at Summit is focused on providing clients with the highest standards of quality, value, and service,” said Jeff French, Vice President of Real Estate and Land Development for Atwell. “We look forward to working with the Summit team and leveraging their decades of experience within their community. We’re very excited to expand our national reach by bringing Atwell into Utah to provide greater service options for our clients.” Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Summit is Atwell’s eighth acquisition over the past year. In the last two months, Atwell acquired Mead Gilman & Associates, a land surveying firm located in Woodinville, Washington, and Bay Engineering, a civil engineering, land surveying, and environmental services firm headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. About Atwell Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with more than 1,500 professionals located across the country. Creating innovative solutions for clients in industries such as real estate and land development, power and energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure and transportation, Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right-of-way support, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, and project and program management.

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Engineering Tech

YOUNG & Associates Acquires IN-Line Consulting, LLC

YOUNG & ASSOCIATES | September 26, 2023

Property and claims consultants YOUNG & Associates (YA), has acquired the claims and engineering company IN-Line Consulting, LLC. Founded by Matt Watson and Mark Lively more than 16 years ago, IN-Line was formed to manage the consulting work offered by a full-service restoration company operating primarily in the Southeast United States. The move strengthens YA's footprint in that part of the country, solidifying the company's role as a national and international leader. IN-Line will operate as a subsidiary of YA and its day-to-day operations will continue to be directed by the existing IN-Line leadership team. The company's management and support teams also will remain in place. "This partnership with IN-Line is a significant step forward in growing our professional service offerings," said Wade Bushman, YA's CEO. "We appreciate IN-Line's diverse base of technical experts, exceptional customer service track record, shared cultural values, and employee-first workplace model. They are a natural addition to the YA team." IN-Line President Matt Watson explained joining forces with YA allows the company to better serve clients by broadening its resource base and expanding its capabilities nationally and internationally. The move also offers new avenues for personal and professional growth for IN-Line's employees. "Since our inception, we have focused on building a great team and culture that can best serve the wide-ranging needs of our clients," Watson said. "Now, with YA's resources and platform, we are well positioned to carry that commitment into the future." ABOUT YOUNG & ASSOCIATES YOUNG & Associates (www.youngonline.com) is a property consulting firm providing building damage assessments, forensic and investigative consulting services to the insurance industry, public and private sector clients. YA was founded in 1997 by Ray and Linda Young on the core values of knowledge, integrity, and professionalism. Through its 26 years, YA's range of property damage services has expanded, developing a broader client base, and growing the team to almost 600 staff strategically located across the U.S. and internationally. ABOUT IN-LINE CONSULTING, LLC IN-Line Consulting, LLC (www.inline.us) is a national construction consulting firm specializing in property damage restoration and reconstruction recommendations for all phases of construction. Historically, IN-Line has been engaged on large, complex losses which require the technical diversity, expertise, and experience unique to our team of professionals. IN-Line's principal services include the preparation of comprehensive and market-specific construction estimates, as well as detailed and practical scopes of reconstruction. IN-Line's other competencies include but are not limited to: cost of repair audits; on-site clerking; code reviews; construction schedule analysis; production efficiency and economy analysis; forensic engineering; and construction defect analysis.

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